McNeese Offers Rowdy’s Math Rodeo 

McNeese State University’s Department of Mathematical Sciences received a grant from the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) for Rowdy’s Math Rodeo, an interactive mathematics exhibit aiming to teach students in kindergarten through high school about advanced mathematics through play. 

“The activities we piloted this spring introduced students to various topics in discrete mathematics, including graph theory, combinatorial designs and discrete geometry,” explained Dr. Haile Gilroy, assistant professor and freshman math coordinator. “We are currently in the process of designing and building additional activities on a wide range of mathematical topics with the help of recently awarded funding.”   

The funding is an MAA Dolciani Mathematics Enrichment Grant funded by the Mary P. Dolciani Halloran Foundation. These grants support projects that promote math enrichment for middle and high school students.  

Rowdy’s Math Rodeo premiered at the Louisiana Region V Science Fair where students could visit the tables at their leisure. The exhibit is mobile, consisting of a series of activities designed for students to browse.  

Gilroy explains that traditional mathematics events for school age students are typically competition-based for students with excellent math grades or are focused on speedy calculations. Through these whimsical and engaging exhibits, students can discover that math is more than being an efficient human calculator. 

“By presenting challenging mathematics concepts as inviting, playful exhibits, we hope to foster students’ curiosity about math and invite them to experience the subject as mathematicians do – children at play,” she said. 

This initiative was inspired by Dr. Melinda Lanius’ Math Carnivals at Auburn University, whom Gilroy worked with while earning her doctorate degree. 

The mathematical sciences department wants to engage students with Rowdy’s Math Rodeo all over Southwest Louisiana, especially at STEM-related events. For more information, or to contact the Math Rodeo team, visit the website at  https://tinyurl.com/rowdysmathrodeo  

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