Math Colloquium

Here are answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding student presentations:

Do you help students choose a topic? I help a student choose a topic or I point them to my favorite site:  MacTutor History of Mathematics.  There is a wealth of topics and biographies, all impeccably researched. See Math Colloquium topics below.

Do they need to prepare for a live talk? I encourage all students to prepare a poster using the Expo template.  If a student doesn’t want to be live, but still wants to present, they could make and upload a video and put on YouTube and play the video for their presentation.  We would like the class and the instructor to mentor the presenters and generally strengthen the presentation.

How can I mentor the student?  Please offer to review the presentation, and if you have the time, rehearse and/or videotape it and give your feedback. Make small suggestions to improve flow or clarification and help with name pronunciation. You have the knowledge and worthwhile expertise to share what benefits your student presenters.

How long should their presentation be? We suggest 10-15 minutes using PowerPoint.

• Curious about how this might look? Here's a sample video presentation

Newfound Confidence for Math Students 

"I viewed the Fall 2019 Math Colloquium as an educational opportunity for the most underserved students in our community. Initially the students were apprehensive, thinking that as high school students they would not be able to match up to their peers on campus. That did not last long. Following the conclusion of the event, I immediately sensed a newfound confidence and bearing in the students. They were so proud of what they had accomplished, and spent the remainder of the semester and into the next bragging about their experience to their classmates. Many have since chosen to pursue new challenges to further their academic achievement."

--Bill Kuhn, concurrent enrollment Math instructor, Harrison District 2

Recordings of previous Math Colloquiums:

Fall 2021 Math Colloquium Recording (recording password: KbjtPxf4)

Fall 2020 Math Colloquium Recording (recording password: Eg2xsPFJ)

Spring 2023 Math Colloquium Recording ( recording password: fPFyi52r)