By Cynthia Chin
Madison East High School
November’s Math Modeling Team wrote a paper on the environmental impact of AI and other high-powered computing applications, such as data science. Megan Carpenter, Arturo Castaneda Dower, Atticus Curwen, and David Hazen were tasked with crafting a data-supported addendum to the United Nations 2024 report “Governing AI for Humanity,” focusing on how the dramatic increase in electrical power demand for increasingly common computer operations poses a challenge to previously set targets for carbon emission reduction.
As part of the COMAP High School Mathematics Competition in Modeling, teams were asked to project the impact of high-powered computing on carbon emissions by 2030, and to create recommendations for scaling up clean energy production to meet demand. Contest results will be announced in February.
Students interested in tackling tasks such as these are encouraged to talk to their math teachers about joining the team for weekly meetings on Mondays at lunch. Our next competition will be the Mathworks M3 Challenge on March 3.
Math Club students have been competing virtually against other Dane County schools throughout the fall semester. New team members are welcome to join for the February and March math meets, and also for the cool noncompetitive problems discussed every week during lunch on Fridays. There will also be some national and international meets before the year ends. Contact Ms. Paschke or Mr. Galarowicz to get involved.
NOCHE DE CIENCIAS Event: East High’s Engineering Club and the Latino Parent Group hosted guests from the UW-Madison College of Engineering and the wider STEM community for an evening of conversation and hands-on activities for the whole family, with information in both Spanish and English. Activities included model glider design, homemade lava lamps, reversible electric motors, microplastics water filters, thermal camera experimentation, and a special appearance by the East High First Tech Challenge robot.
Representing Region 4: In November, 18 East High students attended the Fall Regional Conference of the National Society of Black Engineers in Milwaukee. They met with African and Black role models and mentors from a broad spectrum of industry and university programs throughout the Midwest and enjoyed a lunch session with Dr. Karl Reid from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Various groups of East students participated in math competitions, future problem-solving seminars, and hands-on design workshops. Thanks to the students who represented East High at the conference. Thanks also to the MMSD Pathways program for helping cover the costs of this experience.
Some of these students hope to attend the National NSBE Conference in Chicago in March. If you are in a position to offer financial support for this group’s travel or conference registration, please contact our engineering club advisor as soon as possible: cchin@madison.k12.wi.us or 608-709-9925 (voicemail or text).
National Engineers Week is Feb. 16-22: The year’s theme is “Design Your Future!” Visit one of these websites for more information about engineering careers (discov
ere.org/engineering-careers or engineering.wisc.edu/degrees-programs/undergradate), and talk to your counselor about related course options to pursue right now.
Engineering Summer Program (ESP) and ProCSi summer sessions at UW-Madison are now accepting applicants. These are competitive applications and require teacher recommendation. Students from economic or cultural groups which have been historically underrepresented in engineering are especially encouraged to apply. All the programs are free and provide excellent career exposure and academic/technical education.
ESP is an in-person, 3-week residential program for 11th and 12th graders and a 1-week virtual program for 9th and 10th graders. ProCSi is a 1-week residential computational science camp. The application window typically closes in March for ESP and will close May 11 for ProCSi. Apply at engineering.wisc.edu/engineer
ing-summer-program and sbel.wisc.edu/outreach/procsi/procsi-h.
Project Teen Money Scholarship Application closes Feb. 16. Up to 10 students from Madison’s high schools will be selected to compete for top scholarships. Applicants submit a short video (between 30 seconds and 2 minutes) addressing this question: “How do you create a savings plan and stick to your savings goals?” Share your top tips.
Summit Credit Union chooses video finalists and features them on the credit union website. The public votes for their favorite. Scholarships are awarded to all 10 finalists: grand prize $3,000, second place $2,000, third place $1,000, fourth and fifth place $750 each, runners-up $500 each. Apply at summitcreditunion.com/project-teen-money/about.
