Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month

In the United States, Mathematics Awareness Month occurs every year in April. During this month, schools, libraries, museums, public offices, students, and other groups celebrate the myriad uses of math. It is also a time when people try to spark greater interest in math and related fields and encourage students to pursue them. The idea for this month began in 1986, when President Ronald Reagan established Mathematics Awareness Week. The one-week observance spread in size and scope, and in 1999, was expanded to a full month. In 2017, the focus of the month was expanded to include statistics. Since then, the month is often referred to as Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month.

Background

The roots of Mathematics Awareness Month can be traced to 1986. That year, then-President Ronald Reagan declared the start of Mathematics Awareness Week. In his proclamation, Reagan noted the great importance of math in American society and economics. He pointed out the importance of math in government, the military, business, vocations, medicine, and fields such as space exploration and computer science. Reagan also noted that, despite the importance of math, American students seemed to be gravitating away from math studies on all levels. The president expressed the hope that a week of recognizing the importance of math to modern life would remind Americans why numeric science is vital, and open their eyes to the many uses of math studies.

The 1986 Mathematics Awareness Week was limited in scope, as it focused mainly on the national level and a small number of high-profile events. Some of these events included a gathering on Capitol Hill for the purposes of discussing the importance of math, and a new math exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution. In the coming years, activities of Mathematics Awareness Week expanded. The focus moved away from singular events to many smaller events held at local, regional, and state levels. This move was meant to broaden the impact of the activities and make them more accessible and visible to more people.

Government leaders frequently made addresses and proclamations during this week, sometimes to introduce math-related events. The activities themselves were generally set up by educators, public servants, students, and others with an interest in the topics. These parties set up demonstrations, exhibitions, fairs, speeches, workshops, contests, and other events related to the math theme. The scope of the week grew as more schools became involved on multiple levels. In universities, departments collaborated on projects, while secondary teachers used quizzes, games, or competitions in their classrooms.

Each year, the week had a different theme. For example, in its inaugural year, it focused on the foundational importance of math to many other fields. In 1987, it addressed the beauty and challenge of math, and the following year celebrated the advancements of the twentieth century. In the 1990s, organizers celebrated the role of mathematics in fields such as environmental science, manufacturing, and medicine. As technology improved and online resources became commonplace, the event in 1997 addressed the role of math in creating, using, and maintaining the internet.

Overview

By 1999, the event had grown so widespread that organizers arranged for it to be expanded to a full month. The Joint Policy Board for Mathematics (JPBM), which includes the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), the American Mathematical Society, the American Statistical Association, and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, took on leadership duties. These societies collaborate to spread the word about the month and suggest, organize, and oversee a wide range of activities.

In 2017, the focus of the month was expanded to include statistics. Statistics is a form of science that is inherently tied to mathematical concepts. Users of statistics, or statisticians, gather, examine, interpret, and present various forms of data. They may work in countless fields to study the relationships between concepts and the likelihoods of various events occurring. Since this change in 2017, the awareness month has sometimes been referred to as Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month.

The activities of Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month are very similar to those of the prior Mathematics Awareness Week. They include exhibits, lectures by notable math experts, fairs, contests, workshops, and similar gatherings, often hosted by academics and political figures. Any individual or group may organize such activities. Most commonly, colleges and universities, other schools, student clubs, museums, businesses, and public offices arrange the activities. Some activities are geared for high-level professionals and students pursuing top degrees, while others seek to stir curiosity about numbers among very young children. Some primary and secondary schools mark the month with games such as scavenger hunts and math-themed quizzes. Other people marked the month with home-based activities, such as reading math books, playing math games and puzzles, and even writing math-based poems.

Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month continues the tradition of introducing a new theme each year. Some themes celebrate the myriad uses of math and statistics, while others honor people who have made significant contributions to those fields. Other themes try to expand the reach of math to people, young and old, particularly those from groups that do not traditionally pursue math studies. In 2020, most in-person activities were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers encouraged interested parties to carry out their activities online if possible, and even suggested that participants use math skills to analyze the spread and effects of the illness.

The month’s promoters have kept up with technological advances and pop culture trends, and often use social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to announce events, spread information, and help participants network. Organizers promote hashtags such as #MathStatMonth to help draw attention to the month. They also encourage interested parties to inform local media outlets and educational facilities about the month and suggest ways they can observe it. In addition, many participants connect math-related events with related events taking place to mark Financial Literacy Month, which also occurs in April of each year.

Bibliography

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Bainbridge, Carol. “Activities for Mathematical and Statistics Awareness Month.” Very Well Family, 29 May 2020, www.verywellfamily.com/activities-for-math-awareness-month-1449065. Accessed 1 May 2024.

“Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month—April 2022.” National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2022, www.nctm.org/Membership/Features/Mathematics-and-Statistics-Awareness-Month. Accessed 1 May 2024.

“Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month.” Joint Policy Board for Mathematics / AMSTAT, 2022, ww2.amstat.org/mathstatmonth/. Accessed 1 May 2024.

“Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month.” Connecticut State Department of Education, 2022, portal.ct.gov/SDE/Math/Mathematics-and-Statistics-Awareness-Month. Accessed 1 May 2024.

“Mathematics Awareness Week—April 1999.” Joint Policy Board for Mathematics, ww2.amstat.org/mam/98/what.is.maw.html. Accessed 1 May 2024.

“What Is Statistics?” UCI Department of Statistics, 2022, www.stat.uci.edu/what-is-statistics/. Accessed 1 May 2024.