Submitted by: Joe Sueyoshi, Math Instructor

(PHOENIX, Ariz., Feb. 18, 2005) - Students have an opportunity to discover that math can be humorous, fun, and exciting as they partake in a two-day Math Awareness event at Phoenix College Feb. 24-25.

The event features invited speakers who will present mathematics-related lectures that are not only entertaining but they also offer a unique learning experience for students as well.

The list of speakers includes John Hornsby and Ron Larson, prolific math textbook authors from the University of New Orleans and Penn State University at Erie; the Robotics team from Carl Hayden High School; Tony Sissons, President of Research Advisory Services, a Phoenix-based geo-demographics consultant, and Scott Flansburg, a Guinness World Record holder for his computational skills, nicknamed the "Human Calculator" by Regis Philbin.

The Phoenix College Mathematics Department has the distinction of being the only department within the District to hold an annual Mathematics Awareness event, in which it has done for many years.

Event presentations include:

Scott Flansburg - The Human Calculator

Nicknamed the "Human Calculator" by Regis Philbin, Scott Flansburg has shared his innovative approach to arithmetic with millions of people from the classroom to the boardroom. A Guinness World Record holder for his ability to beat the calculator, he fights innumeracy by teaching and demonstrating "number sense," a collection of his entertaining and applicable number techniques. Bring a calculator and challenge the
"Human Calculator."

The Carl Hayden High School Robotics Team - Robotics

Get an up close look at the spectacular victory of the Carl Hayden High School Robotics Team over universities and community colleges--including Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)--in the Marine Advance Technology Education Center (MATEC) National Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Championships. Students participated in several aspects of the competition including a static poster display, an oral presentation and an underwater robot competition. Meet the teachers, students, the ROV, and the new team from PC!

John Hornsby - Math In The Movies

His presentations focus on mathematics used in the movies and television, including scenes from The Wizard of Oz and Die Hard: With a Vengeance.

John Hornsby is a native and resident of Louisiana with seven years of teaching experience at the high school level and 18 years with the University of New Orleans. He has co-authored nearly 50 college mathematics textbooks. His interests include teaching mathematics with graphing calculators, the history of mathematics and the mathematics for liberal arts students.

Ron Larson - Graphing Calculator Lies

Graphing calculators are wonderful tools, but they can produce deceiving graphs.
Through the use of several examples, Larson stresses the importance of mathematical reasoning when analyzing graphs.

Ron Larson is a professor of mathematics at Penn State University in Erie, Pennsylvania. He is the lead author of over two dozen mathematics textbooks from 6th grade through calculus, many of which are the best selling in their markets. He is one of the pioneers in the use of multimedia to enhance the learning of mathematics, having authored multimedia programs that range from first grade through calculus. To help with the development of multimedia programs, he founded Larson Text, Inc., which with its division, Larson Learning, Inc., employs about 80 people. He received a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Colorado in 1970.

Tony Sissons - Math & Politics

His presentation will cover mathematical measures and procedures used in redistricting, including measuring compliance with state and federal constitutions and the Voting Rights Act.

Tony Sissons is President of Research Advisory Services, a Phoenix-based geo-demographics consultant, whose practice area includes political redistricting and electoral analysis. He has drawn election maps for counties, community colleges, city council, legislature and congressional districts. Recently, he provided expert testimony in the court case challenging the uncompetitiveness of Arizona's legislative districts.

All presentations will take place in the Willo Room on the Osborn Campus. Thursday's session begins at 4:30 p.m. and Friday's line-up will kick-off at 9 a.m.

For more information, call (602) 285-7885.

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