Student Paper Contest in the History of Mathematics

HOMSIGMAA, the History of Mathematics Special Interest Group within the MAA, has recently announced a student paper contest. The contest is open to all undergraduate students. Its purpose is to increase awareness of and interest in the history of mathematics among undergraduates. A grand prize and two runner-ups will be chosen. All three will receive a one year student membership to the MAA; the grand prize winner will also receive a $25 dollar gift certificate to the MAA bookstore.

Topics for the paper can be drawn from any field of mathematics. Papers may address a single person, topic, or period, or may survey the history of a broader topic or a school of thought. They should be approximately 5000 words (12 double-spaced 12pt pages) long, should include a full citation list, should not draw too heavily from internet sources (except for web sites that give access to printed material, such as JSTOR or Gallica). Papers will be judged by a panel of specialists for content, presentation, and grammar.

The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2004. Submitted papers should include the student’s name, institution, their email and postal address, and the name of the supervising instructor if applicable. Submissions and questions should be directed to Amy Shell-Gellasch at amy.shellgellasch@us.army.mil or by post at Dr. Amy Shell-Gellasch, CMR 415, Box 3161, APO AE 09114. Results will be announced via email and on the HOMSIGMAA website in May 2004.

Information on the contest can also be found at the HOMSIGMAA web site at http://home.adelphi.edu/~bradley/HOMSIGMAA.