April is Mathematics Awareness Month (MAM), and members of the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics (JPBM) selected “Mathematics, Statistics, and the Data Deluge” as the theme for this year.
Every day, a massive amount of data is collected, often from information we have provided to services we use regularly. Scientific data are generated daily from sensor networks, astronomical numbers of instruments, biometric devices, and other sources in amounts we almost cannot fathom—and all that data need to be sorted.
Resources for this year’s MAM are designed to show how mathematics and statistics provide the tools for understanding these data and mitigating against their misuse. In addition to the themed poster, there are articles, essays, and activities—as well as a chance to win an iTunes gift card worth $100—on the MAM website. The poster, “What Would You Do with All This Data?” is also available for download. It includes a quick response (QR) code, which takes you to the mobile version of the MAM website when scanned.
You also can order full-size copies of the poster. The cost is $1 for each poster. Mail orders may be sent to ASA Marketplace, American Statistical Association, 732 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Order online at the ASA website.
Activities for MAM are organized on local, state, and regional levels by college and university departments, institutional public information offices, student groups, and related associations and interest groups. Visit the website to submit an activity or view this year’s events and celebrations.
The JPBM is a collaborative effort of the American Mathematical Society, American Statistical Association, Mathematical Association of America, and Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.
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