Mathematical clubs and honor societies

Summary: Various clubs and honor societies add a social dimension to the enjoyment of doing mathematics and can provide networking and scholarship opportunities for talented students.

Mathematics clubs are often designed to provide a fun atmosphere outside of the classroom environment in order to promote mathematics and create a sense of community and camaraderie. Clubs exists for students of all ages as well as adults. Many undergraduate mathematics clubs are affiliated with organizations like the Mathematical Association of America, the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, or the Association for Women in Mathematics. These clubs are open to all students, regardless of gender, race, color, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. However, other student extracurricular activities like semester or summer programs or camps may use a variety of selection criteria for membership. Mathematical honor societies like Pi Mu Epsilon often consider both mathematical GPA and overall scholarship in their selection of candidates. Participants in mathematics clubs, programs, and honor societies seem to be attracted to the social aspects and related food opportunities; pizza or donuts are often a component of such activities. Researchers have investigated the impact of participation on achievement. There is some evidence that participation may be correlated with an increase in retention, positive attitudes about mathematics, and higher grade point averages.

Activities and Participation

People in mathematics clubs enjoy a wide range of activities together. Clubs may participate in mathematical contests, homecoming activities, mathematical murder mysteries, π-day celebrations, mathematics Jeopardy, or recreational mathematics. Some clubs bring in outside speakers, work on problems together, or write and perform mathematical plays or poetry. Other clubs perform service activities, like volunteering to be tutors. Faculty and teacher advisors run or help student members organize clubs at all levels, from primary school through graduate school, although some clubs may be completely run by student members. Adults also organize mathematical clubs for themselves. For instance, in Los Angeles, California, Math-Club’s catchphrase is “Be there and be square.” Listed members are employed in a wide variety of careers and include professional Hollywood writers, actors, designers, journalists, and musicians.

Clubs may be funded from schools and private donations or they may raise funds from activities like the sale of mathematical T-shirts with slogans like “Know your limits—don’t drink and derive,” “Math club is as sweet as π,” or “Nerds now, rich later.” In fact, some journalists have noticed that members of mathematics clubs may enjoy embracing their status as “nerds” or “intellectuals.” This may be connected to the same occurrence in popular culture, where nerds are sometimes hip. Clubs are often open to anyone who wishes to join. Specific clubs also exist for members with more specialized interests, like for prospective mathematics teachers or mathematical knitters.

Honor Societies

Members of honor societies are recognized for their successful pursuit of mathematical understanding. The most well-known mathematics honor society in the United States may be Pi Mu Epsilon. As of April 2010, there were 343 chapters. The organization promotes student scholarly activity through a student research journal as well as grants for contests, conferences, and speakers.

Another college society is Kappa Mu Epsilon, which listed 144 chapters and more than 75,000 members in 35 states as of March 2009. The organization focuses on the power and beauty of mathematics and the connections between mathematics and society through a journal and regional conventions. Mu Alpha Theta is an honor society for high schools and two-year colleges, which listed more than 75,000 members in more than 1,500 schools as of October 2010. There are also mathematics honor societies for the homeschool community as well as for some states, schools, and colleges.

Other Programs

There are many other opportunities for students to engage in club-like or honor society–like activities. The Budapest Semesters in Mathematics (BSM) study-abroad program holds courses in English and is seen by many as a prestigious program for students bound for graduate school. In the summer, students may participate in a variety of mathematics camps, workshops, or research programs, such as the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s mathematics camp, Clarkson University’s Roller Coaster Camp, or Research Experiences for Undergraduates. Some programs charge money for such activities, and others are funded by grants.

Bibliography

Cohen, Moshe. “How to Start…and Maintain Your School’s Math Club.” Math Horizons 14 (September 2006).

Mathematical Association of America. “MAA Student Webpage.” http://www.maa.org/students.

Tanton, James. Solve This: Math Activities for Students and Clubs. Washington, DC: The Mathematical Association of America, 2001.