ACR 124, as introduced, Wieckowski. Mathematics Awareness Month.
This measure would proclaim April 2014 as Mathematics Awareness Month and would, among other things, encourage colleges, universities, and other organizations to hold events to celebrate Mathematics Awareness Month.
Fiscal committee: no.
P1 1WHEREAS, Engagement with and education in mathematics
2are key to preparing students for careers in Science, Technology,
3Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields; and
4WHEREAS, Mathematics Awareness Month began in 1986
5when President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation for National
6Mathematics Awareness Week; and
7WHEREAS, April 2014 is recognized as Mathematics
8Awareness Month; and
9WHEREAS, The theme for Mathematics Awareness Month
102014, “Mathematics, Magic, and Mystery,” highlights how
P2 1brain-teasing challenges such as magic squares, Möbius bands,
2and card tricks promote creative and rational thinking, attract a
3wide range of people to mathematics, and often inspire serious
4mathematical research; and
5WHEREAS, The theme of Mathematics Awareness Month 2014
6honors the centennial of the birth of renowned mathematics
7popularizer Martin Gardner, whose extensive writings inspired
8enthusiasts of all ages to engage deeply with or even pursue a
9career in mathematics; and
10WHEREAS, According to a 2011 study by the United States
11Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics
12Administration, although women fill close to half the jobs in the
13United States economy, they make up only 24 percent of the STEM
14workforce; and
15WHEREAS, Encouraging women and members of other
16underrepresented groups to join the STEM workforce in proportion
17to their representation in the overall labor force will help ease the
18STEM worker shortage;
19WHEREAS, Mathematics Awareness Month encourages
20colleges, universities, and other organizations to hold events that
21pique and engage students’ interest in mathematics; now, therefore,
22be it
23Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
24thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims April 2014 to
25be Mathematics Awareness Month, and be it further
26Resolved, That the Legislature does all of the following:
27(a) Supports the goals and ideals of Mathematics Awareness
28Month.
29(b) Encourages colleges, universities, and other organizations
30to hold events to celebrate Mathematics Awareness Month.
31(c) Urges the establishment of STEM outreach programs to
32encourage the recruitment of girls and women to study and work
33in STEM fields.
34(d) Supports increased public awareness and appreciation for
35the importance of mathematics at all levels of the educational
36system in the United States; and be it further
37Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
38of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
O
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