Texas State University SIAM Student Chapter Sparks Mathematical Joy at Julia Robinson Math Festival

The Texas State University SIAM Student Chapter orchestrated a successful and engaging Julia Robinson Math Festival on Saturday, April 19, at the San Marcos Public Library. The four-hour event brought the joy and practicality of mathematics to the people of San Marcos, Texas, and fostered a lively atmosphere of mathematical exploration for attendees of all ages.

This collaborative initiative was spearheaded by the Texas State University SIAM Student Chapter under the guidance of advisor Iván Ojeda-Ruiz. The chapter partnered with Texas State’s Department of Mathematics and the San Marcos Public Library to cultivate a meaningful connection between the university and the local community. The festival—made possible by the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival nonprofit, which seeks to empower math appreciation outside of the classroom—effectively showcased mathematics’ real-life applicability through a variety of interactive games, challenges, and puzzles.

The San Marcos Public Library buzzed with energy as participants explored a wide array of activities. Favorites like “Skyscrapers” and “Cup Stacking” offered hands-on fun, while “Four Color Challenge” and “Sprigs” (hosted by the Texas State University Math Club) encouraged creative problem solving. The SIAM student chapter had its own table that featured the “Magic Flowers” puzzle and a “Map Coloring” challenge. Bobcat Racing, a Texas State student engineering team, added to the excitement with a racecar simulator.

Dedicated student and faculty volunteers from Texas State played a crucial role in the festival’s success, providing guidance and ensuring a safe and stimulating environment for everyone. The leadership team comprised director Eirian Whitson—who oversaw the event and led the other volunteers—and assistant directors Kristan Beluso and Ashok Paudel, who managed attendee check-in. Beluso, Paudel, and Nishant Shrestha also handled registration, while Adriana Martinez and Ari Rider supervised the refreshments. The various games were facilitated by Ishmum Tihami (“Skyscrapers”), Shreejal Bhattarai and Burcu Cinarci (“Cup Stacking”), Cameron Poole and Angel Verde-Salas (“Gerrymandering”), Haley King (“Toothpick Triangles”), Piyush Shroff (“Maze Mat”), Mohammad Zarrin (“Dice Bingo”), Nathan Miller (“Star Battle”), and Ellen Couvillion and Weam Al-Tameemi (“Connect the Dots”). Representatives from the Pi Mu Epsilon mathematics honor society and the Math Club—including Nav Sharma, Sumit Sah, and Austin Penrose—were also present.

The Julia Robinson Math Festival welcomed both preregistered attendees and walk-ins to guarantee broad community access, and the library’s convenient location and ample parking made participation easy for local families. Ultimately, the event’s success highlights the Texas State University SIAM Student Chapter’s dedication to the promotion of mathematical engagement and appreciation throughout society. It exemplified the cooperative spirit of the Texas State mathematics community by inspiring a lifelong love of mathematics through interactive discovery.