Hypatia Day 2011

Date: Saturday, February 26, 2011

Place: Various locations on campus

Description: Hypatia Day (prnounced hi-pay-sha) is an event unique to Saint Mary’s College that encourages female seventh grade students to stick with their math and science studies. Students participate in labs and other activities related to math and sceince. The day is named for the first known female mathematician, Hypatia of Alexandria.

Hypatia was born in 370 A.D., the daughter of the mathematician and philosopher Theon. Theon trained his daughter in math at a time when girls did not receive such education. While times have certainly changed, girls today may not always be inclined to continue studying mathematics and science as they make their way through school. As a middle-school student, the girls attending Hypatia Day are aware that they are good at math and science and are very open to career possibilities.

Sister Miriam Patrick Cooney, CSC, Professor Emerita of Mathematics and a great advocate of promoting women in mathematics and sciences, started Hypatia Day at Saint Mary’s in March 1991. On average, 110 seventh grade girls from throughout Michiana, and an equal number of parents, attend Hypatia Day each year. Middle school mathematics and science faculty from throughout seven counties nominate the girls invited to the event. The students must have demonstrated a great ability and serious interest in mathematics and science to be considered.

This year's keynote speaker is Tracy Kijewski-Correa from the Civil Engineering and Geological Sciences Department at the University of Notre Dame.

Admission: Application and registration for this event occurs through local middle schools. Math and science teachers select students and then apply and register with the event organizers. For more information, please contact Hypatia Day organizer and math professor Kristin Jehring.

For a campus map, click here.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE.