Professor Helps Coach High-School Math Club

18 February 2004 -- Students in the math club at State College Area High School are getting a taste of mathematics in the real world through the efforts of a Penn State professor. Bryna Kra, assistant professor of mathematics, is a volunteer coach for the high school's math club. She meets with the students about once a month and aids them in their quest to learn more about math.

During the first half of the year, the students in the club attend lectures given by Kra or other Penn State faculty members. The lectures typically focus on current research involving mathematics, and at each one the students are given one problem to consider until the following month's meeting.

"A few advanced students come to Penn State for lectures that are part of the math program for undergraduates," she said, adding that this gives them the opportunity to hear from famous researchers in the field.

During the second half of the year, the students participate in contests and attend competitions around the region. The club's adviser, Jim Banyas, a math teacher at the high school, said, "State College High usually places first or second in these competitions, sometimes by a landslide."

Banyas said the program with Penn State is very beneficial to the students in the club. "We try to immerse them in different aspects of math," he said. "It gives them an exposure to mathematics outside the high school realm."

Kra, who is in her fourth year of teaching at Penn State, said she began her role as the club's coach last year, although the program has been going on for several years now. Both Banyas and Kra agreed that the students seem to enjoy the program. "The same students come back every month," Kra said.

[ K N / B K K ]

CONTACTS:
Bryna Kra
brk11@psu.edu
814-865-1903

Jim Banyas
State College Area High School
814-231-1141