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When the St. Cloud State University Department of Mathematics and Statistics debuted its latest event for high school students, the “St. Cloud State Calculus Showcase,” this summer, it was the team from Sauk-Rapids Rice High School, Alex Martins and Ryan Spies, who took home the first-place trophies – but there were strings attached.
Six strings each, to be exact. Their winning presentation was titled simply “Guitars.”
Martins and Spies, leading off with an original song – both playing along on their guitars – on the subject of calculus and the AP Calculus exam. Having used curve-fitting software and a published table of data to derive a formula relating the effective length of a guitar string to the note made when the string is plucked, they made use of the concept of derivative, presenting calculations giving the rate at which the frequency of a note changes as one’s finger moves up the string.
The Calculus Showcase is an invitational event for high school students. Competitors are two or three-person teams giving 20-minute presentations about applications of calculus they have found beyond their mathematics classrooms. The team members are to agree on a subject that they are interested in, and then find the mathematics within it. Presentations are judged in five areas: choice of topic, accuracy of information, appropriateness to audience, quality of presentation (both visual and spoken) and shared team effort.
Alex Martins, Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, presents statistical analysis for his team’s presentation “Guitars.” Submitted photo
“The purpose of the event is to recognize students for their achievement and interest in mathematics,” said Stephen Walk, professor of mathematics and a member of the organizing committee. “We want to celebrate these students and show how engaged and creative they can be.”
Three teams accepted the committee’s invitation this year, accompanied by teachers, family members and classmates to cheer them on. Members of the mathematics and statistics department were on hand to listen to the presentations and to volunteer.
While the judges’ tallied the final scores, attendees toured the Integrated Science and Engineering Laboratory Facility (ISELF), which included a demonstration of the Visualization Lab. They returned to the Engineering and Computing Center for a closing reception, with the presentation of certificates to all and trophies to the first-place team.
“Ryan and Alex are exceptional mathematics students,” said Chuck Kruger, the Sauk-Rapids Rice calculus teacher. “They have a natural curiosity. I believe that is why they are a good team.”
The event was funded by donors from among current and former faculty and office staff of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Further support, in the form of in-kind donations, was provided by the College of Science and Engineering, University Communications and the Office of Admissions.
The 2016 Calculus Showcase is scheduled for June 7.
