Hosted by: SIAM, TXST Department of Mathematics and the San Marcos Public Library
Location: San Marcos Public Library
Date: Saturday, April 25th, 2026
Time: Noon to 4 PM
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Julia Robinson Math Festival
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NEXT in Math
Promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor & Tenure
Hiroaki Tanaka
Promotion from Associate Professor to Professor
Kathleen Melhuish and Hiroko Warshauer
@TXST Math
- Location:
- DERR 330; 330
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Jackson Rebrovich (jdr134@txstate.edu)
The Math Club is a student-led organization for anyone who enjoys problem-solving, logical thinking, and exploring math beyond the classroom. Whether you love tackling challenging puzzles, preparing for competitions, or just want to sharpen your skills with friends, our club offers a fun and supportive environment to learn, collaborate, and grow. No matter your experience level, curiosity is all you need—come think, solve, and discover with us!
Our theme for the semester will be:
"Learn Math with AI'' Click here for more information
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Our theme for the semester will be:
"Learn Math with AI'' Click here for more information
- Location:
- DERR 338; 338
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Hamilton Hardison
hhardison@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
Faculty and students learn about and discuss issues related to the teaching and learning of mathematics and new findings in mathematics education research. Graduate students in the Mathematics Education programs are expected to attend whenever possible; students from other programs are always welcome.
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- Location:
- DERR 121; 121
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Cameron Farnsworth
cfarnsworth@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
Love a good problem? Like to solve difficult puzzles?
Join professors, graduate students and undergraduates as we tackle problems presented from several mathematical journals. An interest in higher level mathematics is all that is required to join our round table. Offer what you know, learn what you don't in a relaxed environment with some of our department's finest! Click here for more information
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Join professors, graduate students and undergraduates as we tackle problems presented from several mathematical journals. An interest in higher level mathematics is all that is required to join our round table. Offer what you know, learn what you don't in a relaxed environment with some of our department's finest! Click here for more information
- Location:
- Online Only
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Hamilton Hardison
hhardison@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
Dr. Irene Ferrando - University of Valencia, Spain
Title: Fermi Problems as a Research Laboratory for Mathematical Modelling: Strategies, Solving Conditions, and Intercultural Awareness
Abstract: Fermi problems are often used as accessible tasks for introducing mathematical modelling. In this talk, I argue that they can also serve as a productive research context for studying modelling processes. Drawing on studies with prospective teachers, I will show how Fermi problems enable the characterization of solution strategies, the analysis of errors and performance, and the exploration of flexibility across task sequences.
Building on this, I will discuss how modelling activity in Fermi problems is shaped by both task features and solving conditions. Specifically, I will address how the setting (classroom-based, outdoor, or AI-supported) and the format of the problem statement (its textual complexity or the inclusion of images) influence strategy use, flexibility, and model complexity.
Finally, I will discuss a line of research that uses Fermi problems to elicit culturally grounded assumptions and foster intercultural awareness. Drawing from an international project, I will illustrate how comparing locally representative solutions can make visible the cultural dimensions of mathematical modelling. Click here for more information
more about event
Title: Fermi Problems as a Research Laboratory for Mathematical Modelling: Strategies, Solving Conditions, and Intercultural Awareness
Abstract: Fermi problems are often used as accessible tasks for introducing mathematical modelling. In this talk, I argue that they can also serve as a productive research context for studying modelling processes. Drawing on studies with prospective teachers, I will show how Fermi problems enable the characterization of solution strategies, the analysis of errors and performance, and the exploration of flexibility across task sequences.
Building on this, I will discuss how modelling activity in Fermi problems is shaped by both task features and solving conditions. Specifically, I will address how the setting (classroom-based, outdoor, or AI-supported) and the format of the problem statement (its textual complexity or the inclusion of images) influence strategy use, flexibility, and model complexity.
Finally, I will discuss a line of research that uses Fermi problems to elicit culturally grounded assumptions and foster intercultural awareness. Drawing from an international project, I will illustrate how comparing locally representative solutions can make visible the cultural dimensions of mathematical modelling. Click here for more information
- Location:
- DERR 329; 329
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Jeremiah Birrell
jbirrell@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
Dr. Stefania Patrizi from the University of Texas at Austin will talk about "The Fractional Laplacian and the Peierls-Nabarro Model"
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- Location:
- San Marcos Public Library
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr. Piyush Shroff
pshroff@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- SIAM, TXST Department of Mathematics and the San Marcos Public Library
The Julia Robinson Math Festival (JRMF) is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to sharing a fun, hands-on, and engaging math experience with students across the country. Last year was a huge success! This year, we are hosting the festival at the San Marcos Public Library on Saturday, April 25th from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This event is hosted by SIAM in collaboration with the Texas State Department of Mathematics and the San Marcos Public Library. The festival will feature engaging math games such as Skyscrapers, Cup Stacking, and the Four-Color Challenge, along with additional student led booths and hands-on activities designed for children ages around 5 and up. We will also provide snacks and refreshments for attendees. Our goal is to bring together STEM organizations at TXST and the greater San Marcos community to celebrate Math and Statistics Awareness Month while making mathematics accessible, exciting, and meaningful for local students and families.
Click here for more information
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- Location:
- DERR 238; 238
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Illona Weber ih10@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Department of Mathematics
Math CATS is here to assist in most MATH courses! If you're intimidated by the subject, come in and let's problem solve together. Tutors are here to help reiterate, reinforce and help you relate to the content you heard in lecture. FREE & NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED!
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