In MIT, 268 participants join the globally dominant math contest exclusively for female students
The Math Prize for Girls, a competition designed to inspire and motivate young women in mathematics, took place over the weekend of October 12-13 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This event, the world's largest math prize for young women high school age or younger, attracted 268 middle and high school math enthusiasts.
The purpose of the Math Prize for Girls is to foster a supportive network and a challenging yet welcoming environment for female mathematicians. Founded 11 years ago by Ravi Boppana PhD '86 and Arun Alagappan, the competition aims to celebrate girls' love of math and build a community of alumnae that encourages women to pursue math.
During the event, contestants participated in a game night at the Lobdell Dining Hall in the Stratton Student Center (Building W20). Activities included speed-dating-style get-to-know-you sessions, red, 3D rhombic hexecontahedron puzzles, origami demonstrations, and collaborative problem-solving. The group is currently working on a collaborative puzzle created by Ken Fan PhD '95, the founder of Girl's Angle, a non-profit mathematics club for girls.
The prize for the competition is a bag of candy, hidden in a locked box. The number they are trying to find to unlock the box is -e/2, and the puzzle involves asking Ken Fan yes-or-no questions to figure out the number for the next step.
Justina Yang '19, a former contestant and current alumna volunteer, values the supportive network the competition provides. "The Math Prize for Girls has been a significant part of my journey in mathematics," she said. "It's not just about the competition; it's about the community we build and the friendships we forge."
Ken Fan hopes the girls will take away from the game an understanding that math is collaborative and fun. "We want to show these young women that math can be a source of joy and a means of connecting with others," he explained. "We hope they leave with a renewed passion for mathematics and a sense of belonging to a larger community of female mathematicians."
The Math Prize for Girls is part of a wider movement of programs designed to empower female mathematicians through education, competition, and community support. Organizations like the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) share similar goals, aiming to create a community in which women and girls can thrive in their mathematical endeavours.
In conclusion, the Math Prize for Girls serves the dual role of fostering high-level mathematical achievement and creating a supportive network to help girls and young women persist and succeed in math-related fields. The event at MIT was a resounding success, and the organisers look forward to continuing to inspire and support the next generation of female mathematicians.
- The Math Prize for Girls, an annual event at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), celebrates breakthroughs in mathematics among young women while fostering a supportive network for education and self-development.
- The competition, founded by Ravi Boppana PhD '86 and Arun Alagappan, offers a plethora of activities such as speed-dating style get-to-know-you sessions and collaborative problem-solving, all geared towards enhancing the lifestyle of its participants and encouraging women in science and health-and-wellness fields.
- Apart from the thrill of competing, the event enriches attendees with a sense of belonging to a worldwide community, including alumnae who have pursued research in various math-related fields and have made significant contributions to education, women's health, and beyond.
- With its unique approach to learning and fostering a collaborative spirit, the Math Prize for Girls aligns with the goals of organizations like the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM), aiming to provide a conducive environment that encourages women to excel in mathematics and make groundbreaking discoveries on campus and beyond.
