Women in Mathematics Patch Steps

Our Girl Scouts Council's focus for programs requires components that are "girl-led" (have a voice in what they do) and include cooperative learning (work together toward a goal) as well as learning by doing (providing hands-on experiences).
    Cover Page
  1. Learn about a woman who was not afraid to be a first in the field of mathematics
  2. Reflect on experiences in mathematics
  3. Learn about the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM)
  4. Learn about careers in mathematics
  5. Share what you know

Preliminary Patch Work

If possible, we would like for your child to spend a few minutes researching Sofia Kovalevskaya/Sonia Kovalevsky. Please note that because her name is Russian, there are many different spellings of it.
The questions are on
http://cs.appstate.edu/~sjg/awm/Girl_Scouts_Step_1_2018.pdf
They should bring this information with them. If they can't complete these questions, we'll be happy to help them at the patch event!

For Potential Organizers

While we have made improvements on the program since this article, it remains a great introduction to our program: Women in Mathematics Badge (Yes, an Actual Badge!) for Girl Scouts, AWM Newsletter 45(1), Jan-Feb 2015, pp. 17-19.

2018 patch event
  • program description and upcoming events
  • entering into the room slides
  • Sarah's slides on AWM and her presentation about herself
  • AWM mathematicians who were Girl Scouts
  • pi-athlon signs
  • Activity 1: Marjorie Rice and Pentagons
  • Activity 2: F.N. David and Dice Game
  • Activity 3: Evelyn Boyd Granville Puzzle
  • Jill's slides
  • some other activities during the day
  • assessment
  • We and the girls wear nametags to help make connections.
  • We write SK quotations, information about Girl Scout mathematicians, and more on the boards to reinforce what they are hearing.


    Unsolicited feedback from a fifth grader
    This is an official Girl Scouts Peaks to Piedmont Patch Event. Our "slice of the pi/pie" sponsors for 2018 are High Country Girl Scouts and the Mathematical Sciences Department at Appalachian State University. In cooperation with the Association for Women in Mathematics.
    This conference supports the Welcoming Environment Statement of the Association for Women in Mathematics.

    Designed by Sarah Greenwald, Amber Mellon and Jill Thomley. We are happy for you to use our patch steps and design in your program, and would appreciate feedback on how it went if you do.