23rd ACMS Biennial Conference
June 1-4, 2022
Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA 91702
The Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences and Azusa Pacific University Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics will be hosting the 23rd ACMS Biennial Conference on June 1-4, 2022 with optional preconference workshops on May 31 and June 1. Conference registration is now open and available until April 30, 2022. (See Dave Klanderman’s blog post in Christian Scholar’s Review for his perspective on ACMS conferences.)
The main conference will begin with dinner on June 1 and will conclude with lunch on June 4. The conference will feature invited and contributed talks on history, pedagogy, faith integration, and current research in disciplines including computer science, mathematics, and statistics. Participants will enjoy fellowship over meals, worship and prayer, and a choice of excursion to either the Huntington Gardens or the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. There will be a formal banquet on Friday evening.
Invited Speakers
Matt DeLong, Marian University (Mathematics)
Jason Thacker, chair of research in technology ethics at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (Computer Science)
Talithia Williams, Harvey Mudd College (Statistics).
Pre-Conference Workshops
Three pre-conference workshops will be held concurrently from Tuesday morning until Wednesday early afternoon. Participants may choose one of the following options:
Workshop 1: Mathematics in Context: its History, Philosophy, and Connections with the Christian Faith (organizers: Bob Brabenec, Russell Howell, Richard Stout, and Dusty Wilson)
Description: The ACMS was founded in part to facilitate the discussion of issues related to the integration of faith and learning in mathematics courses. Such a task seems to require some knowledge of the foundational and philosophical issues in mathematics, as well as a sense of the historical background that generated them. This workshop is designed to introduce topics that could be used throughout the curriculum, but are generally not a part of most undergraduate or graduate programs. The first day will focus on historical topics, primarily from the 18th and 19th centuries (e.g., the rise of axiomatization, introduction of new geometries, development of complex numbers, work of Cantor and set theory). The second day will explore philosophical issues, such as the implications of Godel’s theorems, a summary of classical philosophies of mathematics, and a discussion of current issues in the philosophy of mathematics. No prior background in these topics is assumed.
Workshop 2: Integrating Ethics into Your Courses (organizers: Lori Carter, Catherine Crockett, Stacy De Ruiter, Randall Pruim)
Description: Are you struggling to find ways to naturally integrate your faith into your teaching? Would you like to become part of a project that will impact students well into their careers? The ongoing Integrated Ethics Labs project provides professor- and student- friendly ethics labs that can be integrated into computer science, data science and statistics courses throughout multi-year programs. We believe, as have others before us, that ethics have become an increasingly important part of the undergraduate education of students in these disciplines. We also believe that Christians should be at the forefront of this movement. In this workshop, participants will:
- be introduced to the existing materials available at integratedethicslabs.org;
- experience several of the ethics labs that tie ethics directly to the subject matter;
- get tips on how to include ethics labs in a course or throughout a program;
- adapt and/or create ethics labs to be used in their own courses;
- practice presenting a lab and receive feedback;
- learn how to get involved in the Integrated Ethics Labs project.
Workshop 3: Professional Development
Description: Are you an early career faculty member trying to find the rhythm in academic responsibilities? Are you a faculty member preparing for promotion and tenure? Are you a graduate student contemplating your professional future? Would you like to think more deeply about the connections between your discipline and your faith? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the ACMS Pre-Conference Workshop is for you. This one-day workshop will include sessions on the following topics:
- What we know about modern faculty life and how to find your rhythm
- Research models: The three pillars of scholarship
- The scholarship of teaching and learning
- Faith integration/faith connections with your discipline
- Thinking strategically about preparing for promotion and tenure
- Looking for your first (or next) job
This workshop is being facilitated by a team of people with a wide variety of experience in scholarly activities including: scholarship of teaching, perspectival scholarship (faith integration), and more traditional research. There will be a limited amount of reading to be done in advance of the workshop. We are trying to get a rough headcount of participants. If you would like to participate or if you have more questions, please contact Maria Zack at mzack@pointloma.edu. She is coordinating the leadership team.
Session Proposals
Please use this form to submit your proposal for a presentation during one of the parallel sessions. Most talks will be 15 minutes, but we may be able to accommodate a limited number of 25-minute talks. If you would like to be considered for a 25-minute slot, then please indicate that below. The deadline for presentation proposals is February 1, 2022, but early submissions are encouraged.
Those who present at the conference will have the option to submit a paper by August 31, 2022 for the conference proceedings, which will be peer-reviewed.
Travel Information
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), 42 miles from APU, is the largest airport in the region. Traffic between LAX and APU is likely to be bad during rush hour. Ontario International Airport is just 21 miles from APU, with less traffic. Burbank, Long Beach, and John Wayne airports are also within 40 miles of campus.
The most inexpensive way to get from LAX to APU is to take the LAX FlyAway Bus from LAX to Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles (estimated time 35 minutes, cost $9.75), and then the Metro Gold Line Train from Union Station to the APU/Citrus College Station (a very pleasant 50 minute ride, cost $1.75). This will deposit you a half mile walk from APU’s campus. You can return to LAX the same way.
Other ground transportation options include SuperShuttle, Uber, Lyft, a taxi, or a rental car.
Travel and Child-Care Grants
The ACMS will provide a limited number of reimbursement grants of (up to) $250 for childcare or travel. To be eligible for these grants, you must join the ACMS or renew so that your membership is current through December 31, 2022 **and** register for the 2022 conference.
Childcare grants may be used to help with the cost of childcare for registered participants of the 2022 conference. The funds may be used for child care that frees a parent to participate more fully in AMCS. Travel grants are intended to assist those who plan to attend the conference but are unable to obtain the necessary funding from an academic institution or other organization.
To apply, complete this form. Applications will be accepted until March 1, 2022. Final decisions on recipients will be made on or before April 1, 2022. All grant funds will be provided in the form of a check which will be issued at the ACMS conference.
Additional Information
Direct all questions to Bryant Mathews at bmathews@apu.edu.