Traditionally, mathematics is a male-dominated field. While women have made significant strides as mathematical professionals (23.5 percent of 2008 mathematics PhDs were awarded to women), much remains to be done to level the playing field and break negative stereotypes.



Through this important program at the Temple University College of Science and Technology, we’re able to bring 75 local middle school girls to learn about the field of math and possible career paths. Sonia Kovalevsky Day is about exposure and opportunity, and it epitomizes the principle that equal opportunity to study mathematics yields similar performances of girls and boys. The proposed outreach program focuses on providing middle school women participants with competent and engaging mathematical instruction intertwined with strong mentorship by Temple undergraduate and graduate women students in STEM disciplines who are in a position of scientific leadership at the college level. The long-term goal of the Sonia Kovalevsky Mathematics Day program is to impact the way young women view mathematics as a discipline while strengthening their mathematical skills.



Each year the program accomplishes the following:



Encourages middle school girls to study mathematics and to consider mathematics-related careers.



Creates a mentoring network involving middle school girls, parents, teachers, women faculty, and graduate and undergraduate students interested in mathematics in the greater Philadelphia area.

Celebrates the accomplishments of women in mathematics.

Supports the Temple undergraduate and graduate students involved (both women and men) in the organization of the program to become more marketable and overall to become more well rounded professionals.

Involves middle school students in local, national and international mathematics competitions.

Creates the larger sense of a national mathematical community through accessible mathematics lectures given by women guests.

This program is heading into its seventh year and by now has a very successful record. If we reach our goal of $5,000, we’ll be able to continue the program and encourage bright young women to pursue higher education in STEM. Any amount you can give will help us on this mission.

Suggested gift amounts

$250 covers the cost of all educational materials for the program.



$200 covers the cost of one instructor stipend.

$100 covers the cost of one TA stipend.

$66 covers the entire cost of one middle school girl’s attendance.

$10 covers the cost of a T-shirt for one middle school girl.



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