2019 Diversity in Mathematics

Hosted for a second year by PIMS, Diversity in Mathematics is part of a multi-year, multi-level program geared towards promoting diversity and inclusivity in STEM. The highlights of the annual two-week program include:

(a) An interactive math day camp for high school students from groups that are consistently under-represented in the STEM fields. The aim is to increase their representation and retention at post-secondary institutions in STEM fields. More on eligibility and application process below.

(b) A national summer school that inspires talented undergraduate women to specialize in a mathematics-related field at the graduate and post-graduate level and consider career options focused on science and mathematics. The summer school will also serve as a sister program for the math camp. More on eligibility and application process below.

(c) A creative forum for mentorship and leadership at all levels, where the undergraduate participants learn to serve as mentors for their younger counterparts.

Only a stable support network can enhance minority representation in STEM fields. The program will not just teach exciting math, but also showcase role models and create a self-sustaining support system by training future leaders.

Download the event poster below. 

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A) Highschool Math Day Camp Application Information:

Highlights of the math camp:

Are you in grade 10, 11 or 12? Do you find math stimulating and fun? Do you want learn more math but are not sure how to? Do you wonder if and how math would be helpful for a future career? Do you want to meet undergraduates in science majors studying in universities nationwide and learn about their journey from high school to university? If the answer is yes, then this camp could be for you!

The main goal of the camp is to provide an opportunity to a group of high school students with diverse backgrounds to explore their talents and further develop their mathematical skills in a collaborative and encouraging environment.

This will be achieved by:

(a) Exposure to mathematical areas not part of regular curricula.

Possible topics include the mathematics of origami or puzzles, elementary graph theory, game theory, or math modelling. All material will be presented in the way that is accessible to high school students.

(b) The camp will showcase numerous academic, industrial and corporate career options that math can lead to, via guest presentations, panel discussions and field trips. Participants will get a sense how mathematics is woven into the fabric of modern life, allowing them a view of the subject that goes beyond a course requirement.

(c) Through joint activities with the participants of the national summer school for women who study mathematics at the undergraduate level, the camp will facilitate interaction between the two groups. As a result, the camp participants will be mentored by their older peers on particular mathematical topics, but also about the joys and challenges that university students experience during their academic journey.

We wish to give the camp participants a glimpse of higher math and college life, and help them realize that university is a place for them.

High School Camp Information and Registration 

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B) Undergraduate Summer School - Application Information:

Eligibility Requirements:

The summer school is open to female-identifying, non- binary and two- spririt undergraduate students studying mathematics or a related discipline such as computer science, physics and statistics at a university in Canada or in the northwest United States, with at least one year of studies remaining in their program. Priority will be given to second and third-year students. Each participant will receive on-campus room and board and a possible allowance for travel expenses to and from Vancouver.

Please note that the purpose of the program is to introduce the undergraduate participants to a wide variety of professions and careers, in academia and in industry, where advanced mathematics is used every day with spectacular success. The summer school is rigorous, intensive but rewarding, depending on applicant backgrounds and course subject matter. It is NOT a purely research-oriented or purely industry-oriented summer school, rather a sampler of different flavours of mathematics-based careers.

A new component of the program will facilitate effective engagement and interaction with high school students who are good at math, who may not have had enough opportunities to learn about the impact of advanced mathematics and who can thrive under the mentorship of bright and strong undergraduate women in STEM.

Please use the above information to assess your interest and fit for the program. Address these items adequately in your personal statement through the information and registration link provided below. 

Highlights of the Undergraduate summer school:

Location: