The math department has hosted the annual Math Awareness Week since 2015. During the week, students participate in competitive games by solving math problems and get free food and fun prizes.

The math department hosted a slew of events including the Math Talks Series: “Why Knot? An Introduction to Knot Theory,” “The Mathematics of Christianity,” “Everything and More,” “Problem of the Day & Math-mazing Race,” and the annual Integration Bee.

Math Professor Roy Simpson said that MAW is held to let students practice on their math skills and give them recognition for their academic achievements in mathematics.

“These students are moving on and transferring, we want to really engage with them,” said Simpson. “We want them to feel like there is a wonderful benefit at the end if it and a lot of comradery.”

The mathematical events encouraged students from all majors to attend and participate, especially for anyone that struggles with the subject and wanted to gain a better understanding of the world of mathematics.

Kayla Salee, a 23-year-old biology major who also works at the Math Center, said she believes that math needs to get more exposure on campus for the students who struggle in the subject.

“I’ve known a lot of students who struggled with algebra and it made them shy away from taking other math courses,” said Saelee. “But once you overcome that fear by getting tutoring and peer help, pre-calculus or calculus becomes really fun.”

The different events lured students into the enjoyable mathematical environment, where students could participate in activities to win prizes and better their math skills in mini competitions.

One of the curious students to attends multiple events was Mayra Maldonado, a 30-year-old medical assisting major.

“I have my struggles with it,” said Maldonado. “But attending the events shows me that math can be fun to do and it’s not all just lectures and lab.”

The MAW closed with a major turn out from all students who received information on all levels of math ranging from algebra to calculus.

Students like 23-year-old Louis Montalvo, a physics major, believe that it is important to have events like these because mathematics is essential for life outside of the classroom.

“Mathematics is a language like Spanish or French, it’s just a logical one,”  said Montalvo. “It’s working a language that has a real-world impact and can be understood universally.”