The Program

Girls Talk Math is a two-week summer program for rising 9th - 12th graders interested in mathematics. Due to the pandemic, all activities will be administrated online through Zoom this year. During the program you will have several goals:

• To work in a team through a packet on a particular topic of mathematics.
• To write a blog post about what you learned from the material.
• To present a talk with your group on your material.
• To research and record a podcast about an influential woman in mathematics.

Our expectations for the applicants and parents are the following:

• Online application filled out with the interest paragraph written by the potential participant.
• Upon acceptance: NO FEES NEEDED.
• You must provide or authorize daily access to laptop and internet to participate in the program. Pariticpants are expected to attend all weekday sessions.
• Participant must come with their enthusiam for math and learning!

The program begins with a first day of activities, introduction to the topics, and topic selection. On the second day, you are assigned your topic and female mathematican to research. In 2020, topics included Knot Theory, RSA Cryptography and Patterns & Fractals. The packets are designed to be self-contained with intermediate exercises to test your knowledge. The daily schedule for the rest of the week will follow the set time, 2 to 4 pm each day. You will have occasional lectures and workshops, but most of the time will be groupwork periods where you will have to divide your work between the material and the podcast.

During this groupwork periods, you will work towards your goals. There will be volunteer team leader for each group of 5 who is happy to help answer questions about the topic. This is similar to how we have tutoring for classes on campus.

The last day will be a special day full of fun and celebration. We will host exciting online escape room with prizes to cheer that you have made a major step towards a future in STEM.

Podcasts will be drafted during the camp with (likely) virtual interviews with mathematicians. There will be a rehearsal recording of the podcast. The final recording will be in a follow up fall/winter event.

More activities include panels, lab tours, ice cream party, and special speakers. Please check out the blog posts on our webpage or our soundcloud page to hear some podcasts. Apply next summer to come join us!