Maplesoft(TM) Sponsors MAA Project NExT Fellow.

Support to Aid Dr. Jonathan Rogness of the University of Minnesota 

WATERLOO, Canada -- Maplesoft[TM], the leading provider of high-performance software tools for engineering, science and mathematics, announced today the sponsorship of a Mathematical Association of America (MAA) Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching) Fellow. Maplesoft's support will aid the professional development of Jonathan Rogness, PhD, a visiting assistant professor with the University of Minnesota's School of Mathematics and Institute of Technology Center for Educational Programs (ITCEP).

"Maplesoft considers the MAA to be a strategic partner and sponsoring a Fellow is very consistent with the spirit of our investment into relationships with this organization and the math community," said Dr. Tom Lee, vice president of market development for Maplesoft. "We are delighted to assist Dr. Rogness and expect him to be very successful in his teaching career."

"Maplesoft has been at the forefront of making math more accessible and easier to use for many years," said Carl Cowen, president of the MAA. "I'm delighted to have the company join other foundations, organizations and corporations that sponsor Project NExT to enhance the quality of teaching and research in mathematics. We have enjoyed working with the company on initiatives ranging from Project NExT to the Maplesoft-MAA Placement Test Suite, which dramatically enhances colleges' and universities' ability to assess students' knowledge of math."

Dr. Rogness earned his PhD in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota in 2005, enjoying the environment so much that he accepted a postdoctoral position there. His work at the university includes research, teaching, and curriculum development both for mathematics classes and ITCEP's outreach programs for K-12 students and teachers.

Dr. Rogness' research and scholarship interests have varied over a range of topics. As an undergraduate, he worked on atmospheric models at the Earth Resources Observation System (EROS) Data Center, where Maple[TM] was an indispensable tool. Later, as a Fulbright scholar in Germany, Dr. Rogness developed a fascination with algebraic topology, which became his area of study in graduate school. While earning his degree, he developed computer-based materials for Multivariable Calculus. This has led to a broader interest in the visualization of mathematics and the use of technology in the classroom. More information about Dr. Rogness is available at http://www.math.umn.edu/~rogness.

"I'm honored that my MAA Project NExT Fellowship is sponsored by Maplesoft. They have a long history of providing academic institutions with cutting-edge technology for researching and teaching mathematics," said Dr. Rogness. "I think it's great that they've decided to further support the community this way. I've only been a part of Project NExT for two months, but it has already provided me with new ideas for the classroom, not to mention valuable connections to leading scholars and innovative teachers."

The MAA's Project NExT is a professional development program for new or recent PhDs in the mathematical sciences. The highly successful program for college and university professors is now in its 13th year and has helped more than 800 alumni. Project NExT addresses all aspects of an academic career: improving the teaching and learning of mathematics, engaging in research and scholarship, and participating in professional activities. It also provides the participants with a network of peers and mentors as they assume these responsibilities.

The first year of the Project NExT experience consists of three intensive workshops covering everything from improving teaching skills and involving undergraduates in research, to writing grants and taking the preliminary steps towards sound research. After their initial formal participation in Project NExT, the Fellows continue their professional development with the Project NExT list serve, a mentoring arrangement, and by organizing sessions of their own at national meetings. More information on Project NExT can be found at http://archives.math.utk.edu/projnext.

About Maplesoft

Maplesoft[TM] is a leading developer and provider of interactive mathematical software. Its suite of products includes Maple[TM], the most powerful and intuitive tool for solving complex mathematical problems and creating rich, executable technical documents; BlockBuilder[TM] for Simulink[R], a First Principles physical modeling environment that offers automated export to Simulink; Maplesoft-MAA Placement Test Suite, a powerful Web-based placement testing system, automatically assessing student responses and performance; Maple T.A.[TM], a system for creating Web-based tests, assignments and exercises; and MapleNet[TM], a platform that allows Maple users to publish their live Maple documents on the Web.

Over two million users in thousands of organizations have applied Maple in nearly every technical field, including aerospace, automotive, biotechnology & pharmaceuticals, chemical systems, control theory and design, electronics, finance, mechanical systems, optimization, and signal processing. Maplesoft's commercial customer base includes Allied Signal, BMW, Boeing, DaimlerChrysler, DreamWorks, Ford, General Electric, Hewlett Packard, Lucent Technologies, Motorola, Raytheon, Robert Bosch, Sun Microsystems, Toyota and Tyco. Additionally, over 90% of advanced research institutions and universities worldwide, including MIT, Stanford, Oxford, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the U.S. Department of Energy, have adopted Maplesoft products to enhance their education and research activities. For more information, visit www.maplesoft.com.