Overview

These materials are intended to assist anyone interested in modeling a program after MPM at their own institution. Each session has a short summary, an overview page detailing the usual way the session is run, and additional materials (such as questions for small group discussions). 

This workshop has successfully run both in-person and virtually. Most sessions are easily adapted to either format; compare the two versions of the schedule.

• Sample In-person Schedule (4 days)

• Sample Virtual Schedule (5 days)

Anyone interested in running a program similar to MPM should feel free to contact the organizers for more details and discussion about how to adapt this to another institution!

Individual Projects and Presentation

Each student reads an article from an undergraduate math journal, a small section of a textbook, or another mathematical paper that they find interesting and accessible. They then present their article in under five minutes at the end of the workshop.

• Individual Projects Overview

• Introductory Presentation

• List of Project Ideas

• Mathematical Article Worksheet

Growth Mindset Workshop

Students are taught about the growth mindset and are challenged to think of times when they exhibited a growth mindset.

• Growth Mindset Overview

• Challenge Questions

• Discussion Questions

• Thought Reframing Worksheet

Imposter Syndrome Workshop

Discussion on the imposter syndrome and ways to combat it.

• Imposter Syndrom Overview

• Discussion Questions

• Sample Pictures

Summer Opportunities Workshop & Resume Review

Discuss opportunities (e.g. UROPs, REUs, or internships) and work on application materials (e.g. CV/resume, cover letter, or personal statement).  Later in the week, meet with mentors and counselors to review newly drafted materials or edited old materials.

• Summer Opportunities Overview

• Academic Opportunities Presentation

• Industry Opportunities Presentation

• Sample Resumes, Cover Letters, and Personal Statements

Mini-Workshops

Faculty members or post-docs lead a hands on lecture about some aspect (broadly interpreted) of their research.

• Mini-workshops Overview

Finances

Discuss funding opportunities available to undergraduates at UMN (e.g. scholarships, teaching assistantships, grading positions). In addition, talk about general finance resources on campus for student loans, tuition, etc, and provide some information about funded opportunities such as internships and REUs.

• Finances Overview

Changing the Culture

Students discuss their experiences in mathematics at UMN and beyond. In particular, they note which elements of classroom/department culture helped them to succeed and which posed challenges. This session culminates in compiled feedback attached to a letter to relevant department members. 

• Discussion Questions

• Session Overview

• Sample Letter

Implicit Biases Workshop

Students are taught about implicit biases by exploring their own (unintentional) biases. 

• Implicit Bias Overview

• Discussion Questions

Math Puzzles 

Small groups work on math puzzles together and are guided by graduate mentors. Prizes are awarded for best explained answers.

• Math Puzzles Overview

• Problem Set

• Problem Set Solutions