What Happens at MPM?

Individual Projects

At the start of the workshop, each participant chooses an accessible math paper to read, under the guidance of a graduate student or advanced undergraduate student. On the last day of the workshop, each participant will give a 5-minute presentation on some of the math they learned in this paper. 

Mini-Workshops

A faculty member or post-doc gives a one-hour, interactive presentation on an accessible mathematical topic. These talks are similar to talks given at Math Circles;  examples from recent years include permutation groups, error-correcting codes and topological data analysis. Each MPM we have two mini-workshops.

Future Opportunities Panel

At the future opportunities panel, we invite approximately 5-7 University of Minnesota alumni (we especially welcome MPM alumni) who are currently in math-related careers. This includes positions in both academia and industry. In the past, we have had teachers, actuaries, financial analysts, professors, and research scientists from companies such as Medtronic, 3M, and Target.

Summer Opportunities Workshop

The summer opportunities workshop highlights math-related internships and research opportunities for undergraduate students.

Group meals

During MPM, we have breakfast, lunch, and dinner as a group. One of the dinners is with the panelists from the Future Opportunities Panel. Another meal is with UMN faculty. 

Scavenger Hunt

Travel throughout Vincent Hall solving some fun math puzzles to win a prize!

Each of the following equity-driven sessions include time in small group discussions facilitated by two to three graduate students as well as resources tailored to the goals of supporting underrepresented groups in math:

1. Growth Mindset

2. Imposter Syndrome 

3. New to MPM 2025: Self-advocacy (partnered with the UMN Office for Equity and Diversity)