2024 winners of the Mathematical Sciences Sponsorship Fund

The Elsevier Mathematical Sciences Sponsorship Fund is proud to support events and activities that benefit individuals and groups within the mathematical sciences community. Here we share the institutions and projects selected for grant support in 2024.

AIMS provides innovative postgraduate training in mathematical sciences, research and public engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Founded in 2003 in South Africa by acclaimed physicist Prof. Neil Turok, it has since been replicated in several countries, including Cameroon.

How they plan to use the funding: To organize a Mathwoman Boot Camp that will address the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields by:

1. Encouraging young girls’ interest in mathematics through interactive and engaging learning experiences.

2. Expanding awareness of career opportunities in mathematics and related fields.

3. Strengthening mathematical skills by providing refresher courses on fundamental mathematical concepts.

4. Connecting participants with female mentors in STEM fields who will provide guidance, and support and act as role models.

Since its inception in 2013, AWoM has held eight marathons (RUN4MATH), conducted three MATHCAMPS, visited over 200 schools, supported more than 20 schools with calculators, textbooks and graph paper, provided hygiene lessons and sanitary towels to over 2,000 girls, and impacted more than 1 million learners.

How they plan to use the funding: To organize a math camp called Math Adventurers: Discovering Mathematics Through Nature and Surroundings. Key objectives include:

1. Promoting mathematical literacy by enhancing learners' understanding of mathematical concepts and their real-world applications.

2. Encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills through engaging and challenging mathematical activities.

3. Showcasing mathematics in daily life by demonstrating its relevance and importance in everyday activities and various career fields.

4. Fostering a positive attitude towards mathematics by making learning fun and interactive.

5. Motivating learners to pursue further studies and careers in mathematics-related fields.

6. Demystifying mathematics.

Each researcher affiliated with CONICET conducts their research at different centers across the country, such as the Universidad Nacional del Litoral, located in the Province of Santa Fe, and the Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, located in the City of Buenos Aires.

How they plan to use the funding: To support the Ada Lovelace Project, which focuses on organizing STEM workshops and resources for girls and adolescent women. The project has three fundamental pillars:

1. Providing tangible role models: Offering girls direct access to professional women in STEM fields during exchange breakfasts and event workshops.

2. Fostering inclusive STEM networks: Providing open educational materials and explanatory videos, extending its reach to vulnerable sectors.

3. Creating a support network: Strengthening an empowerment network by training local women to lead committees.

Founded with a vision to advance technological innovation and foster a strong academic environment, almost all ITTP’s study programs require mathematics in their curriculum.

How they plan to use the funding: To increase diversity in the mathematical sciences curriculum. Objectives include:

1. Increasing inclusion: Revising and expanding the existing curriculum to include significant contributions from women and diverse mathematicians.

2. Raising awareness and appreciation: Increasing awareness among students and faculty about diverse contributions to mathematics.

3. Empowering underrepresented groups: Highlighting role models and achievements in mathematics.

How they plan to use the funding: To support the Mathematics REBoot Kenya initiative, which focuses on enhancing the skills of female mathematics teachers at the junior secondary level under the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya. The initiative will concentrate on two main activities:

1. Offering a two-week online course on the Foundations of Mathematics.

2. Organizing a three-day boot camp at the university for participants.

The core mission of Samara University is to produce graduates who generate problem-solving research outcomes and offer community services tailored to needs through education, training, consultancy and research.

How they plan to use the funding: To empower females through mathematics education. Project objectives include:

1. Research on diversity and inclusivity: Study the current status in mathematical communities in the Afar region, identifying areas for improvement.

2. Address barriers: Identify and understand the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in mathematics and work to remove them.

3. Develop strategies: Create effective strategies for promoting diversity and inclusivity, including mentorship programs, networking opportunities and outreach initiatives.

4. Promote mathematics education: Raise awareness about the importance of mathematics education and its potential impact on the lives of females in the region.

5. Increase participation in STEM Fields: Provide mathematics education to empower females to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields.

This enables them to prepare the next generation of Africans to effectively transition from education to employment as self-reliant problem solvers for Africa's economy. They have developed a first-to-market, classroom-centered, learning management solution that hosts students and educators in virtual lab sessions and project-based work with minimal internet requirements.

How they plan to use the funding: To organize a Math Capacity Building Bootcamp for educators and adolescent girls in Kumasi, Ghana. Objectives include:

1. Providing math-adaptive curricula to 190 educators and enhancing the learning experience for over 2,000 adolescent girls aged 13 to 17.

2. Empowering educators as impact coaches to establish 70 math clubs that encourage girls to collaborate on problem solving and research community challenges.

3. Increasing mathematical proficiency and interest among minority and out-of-school girls, improving problem-solving skills, and strengthening support networks through mentoring and ongoing learning in Mathematics Clubs.