At the MAA MathFest, from left, Jeremy Newton, Dr. Laura Singletary, Briana Yankie, Amy Wells, Dr. Debra Mimbs, and Adam Carty (Lee student who attended with the group).
Lee University assistant professors of mathematics Drs. Debra Mimbs and Laura Singletary, along with three students: Jeremy Newton, Amy Wells and Briana Yankie, presented at the 2015 MathFest in Washington D.C. The MAA MathFest is the annual summer meeting of the Mathematical Association of America, which this year is celebrating its centennial.
Dr. Mimbs presented on “Integrating Mathematics and Biology through Mathematical Modeling,” which examined the benefits of the recently established mathematical modeling class offered at Lee University. The class combines both mathematics and biology, and students of both disciplines participate. The major project of the class is a research project, conducted by mathematicians and biologists who examine a practical use of both fields of study in a real life assessment. It is the discoveries of this research that Ms. Wells presented on.
Dr. Singletary presented two talks. She presented “Focusing on Mathematical Arguments,” which examines her research about how mathematics teachers support student engagement in collective argumentation. Her other presentation was on “Using a Dynamic Software Program to Develop Geometric Constructions,” which examines the value of problem solving in the classroom by giving students “creative and challenging geometric construction problems.”
Mr. Newton, who was mentored by Dr. Mimbs, presented on “10,000 Ways to Count a Truncated Tetrahedron.” Ms. Wells, also mentored by Dr. Mimbs, presented on “Mathematical Modeling of the Water Quality of Lake Eerie.” Ms. Yankie, mentored by Dr. Singletary, presented on “Examining Disproved Mathematical Ideas Through the Lens of Philosophy.”
“The students are so creative, and we were honored to work with them,” said Dr. Mimbs. “It was such a journey, and we all enjoyed learning together.”
Dr. Singletary added, “The students exceeded all of our expectations and showed great determination through the research process. We heard so much positive feedback from other attendees; we are very proud of them.”
Dr. Mimbs joined Lee’s faculty in fall 2010. She earned her doctorate and master’s degree in applied and computational mathematics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and her bachelor’s degree from Lee University. She has published research in such publications as Transactions of the American Mathematical Society.
She currently directs or co-directs multiple grants involving undergraduate research and promoting the awareness of the beauty of mathematics among high school students. She co-directs the Mentoring Mathematicians in the Making program with Dr. Singletary, serves as a counselor on the Council for Undergraduate Research, and has participated in NSF sponsored programs such as CURM (Council for Undergraduate Research in Mathematics, ProjectNeXT, and PIC (Preparation for Industrial Careers) Math.
Dr. Singletary joined Lee’s faculty in fall 2012. She earned her doctorate in mathematics education from the University of Georgia and was awarded the Presidential Graduate Fellowship while there. She received her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Lee University. She has published research in such publications as Mathematical Thinking and Learning, Educational Studies in Mathematics, Mathematics Teacher Educator, Mathematics Teachers, and School Science and Mathematics.