Physics professor, Dr. Sithy Maharoof, fulfilled a long-awaited dream of witnessing a total solar eclipse. Dr. Maharoof traveled with her family to Findlay, Ohio ending up in Riverbend Park for this once-in-a-lifetime event. In a statement shared by Dr. Maharoof, she said, “The park was teeming with families laying out picnic blankets, eclipse chasers equipped with various gadgets, and enthusiasts displaying homemade pinhole cameras and other tools. The park had even organized its own viewing event, complete with educational materials, activity tables, a photo booth, and giveaways. I felt like a child in a candy store amid the excitement and anticipation.” Dr. Maharoof went equipped with with her own Safe Solar Viewer that she was happy to share with others. (Photo Credit: KEVIN BEAN/ The Courier)
Applied Mathematics News
Math students and faculty attended the Spring 2024 Regional Undergraduate Math Research Conference at Towson University. The conference is designed to promote undergraduate research in mathematics. In addition to student presentations, the conference features two invited faculty plenary talks, a panel on career opportunities in government, industry, and academia, and networking opportunities. Applied Math senior Jay Whitmon presented his research on Optimizing Shut the Box.
We had a fantastic time a the 8th Annual Spring Spectacular. Hundreds of students, faculty, and staff joined in on the fun afternoon. The Spring Spectacular is an annual celebration of STEM put on by the School of the Sciences each spring featuring interactive math, science, and engineering games and demonstrations, free ice cream and popcorn, a glassblower, and much more. This year we had the Spring Spectacular on April 8 to coincide with the total solar eclipse. In addition to all of the usual engaging STEM activities, participants this year had an opportunity to experience a special viewing of the solar eclipse!
The Department of Math and Physics held the 17th Initiation of the Maryland Epsilon Chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon (KME) National Mathematics Honors Society. KME was founded in 1931 to promote the interest of mathematics among undergraduate students. Qualifications for KME are based on a student’s ranking in their class, their performance in math classes, and the number of math classes they have taken. This year, 6 students and 1 faculty member were initiated into KME bringing the total number of KME members in our chapter to 190. Congratulations to the new members!
The Department of Math and Physics observed Pi Day (a little early since March 14 is during Spring Break) with pies (both pizza and dessert) and a rousing game of Pi Day Jeo-PI-rdy! Categories for this year’s game included “Pi Facts”, “Other Famous Numbers”, “Rhymes with Pi”, “Happy Pi Day”, and “Pi Incorporated”.