Ship Collision Risks Webinar

Join us on February 12th for an opportunity to hear from Michael Shields, a Johns Hopkins engineer specializing in risk assessment.

Hosted by the Maryland Society of Professional Engineers (MDSPE), participants will receive 1 PDH for this event.

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Mike Shields Bio

Michael D. Shields, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Civil & Systems Engineering, Johns Hopkins University

Michael D. Shields is an Associate Professor in the Dept. of Civil & Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins University where he is also the Director of the Center on High-Throughput Materials Discovery for Extremes (HT-MAX), holds a secondary appointment in the Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, and is a fellow of the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute. Prof. Shields conducts research in uncertainty quantification (UQ) and probabilistic modeling for problems in structural mechanics, materials science, and physics with applications ranging from multi-scale material modeling to assessing the reliability and safety of large-scale structures. He received his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics from Columbia University in 2010, after which he was employed as a Research Engineer in applied computational mechanics at Weidlinger Associates, Inc. He joined the faculty at Johns Hopkins in 2013. For his work in UQ, Prof. Shields has been awarded the ONR Young Investigator Award, the NSF CAREER Award, the DOE Early Career Award, and the Johns Hopkins University Catalyst Award. Prof. Shields and his group also develop the open-source UQpy (Uncertainty Quantification with Python) software, which is a general toolbox and development environment for UQ in computational, mathematical, and physical systems.

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MATHCOUNTS

About MATHCOUNTS

Developed in 1983 as the first nationwide program of its kind, MATHCOUNTS combines the efforts of volunteers, educators, industry sponsors, the government and the technology community to promote math excellence among middle school students. The purpose of MATHCOUNTS To provide engaging math programs to US middle school students of all ability levels to build confidence and improve attitudes about math and problem solving. Currently in its 42nd year, MATHCOUNTS meets its purpose by providing three separate, but complementary, programs for middle school students: The MATHCOUNTS Competition Series and The National Math Club.

This grassroots network of more than 17,000 volunteers organize MATHCOUNTS competitions nationwide. Each year over 500 local competitions and 56 “state” competitions are conducted, primarily by chapter and state societies of the National Society of Professional Engineers. In Maryland, we are 100% volunteer led. There are no paid positions. All contributions go directly to supporting the purchase of trophies, tee-shirts, buttons, patches, etc.
to make the day memorable for the Mathletes. We are very fortunate to have the Maryland Society of Professional Engineers Education Foundation, The McDonogh School and STV Incorporated as our sponsors for our State Chapter Competitions so far this year. Below you will find the 2025 competition schedule.

Upcoming Competitions

Chapter Competitions

Saturday, February 1, 2025:  Baltimore/Chesapeake Chapter and Howard Chapter (Baltimore, Cecil, Harford, Baltimore City and Howard Counties)
Location: The McDonogh School
Coordinator Email: Joel.Oppenheimer@STVInc.com

Saturday, February 1, 2025: Southern Maryland Chapter Competition (Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties)
Location: Calvert High School
Coordinator Email: Natalie.Cotton@SMECO.coop

Saturday, February 8, 2025: Potomac Chapter (Montgomery/Prince George’s Counties)
Location: University of Maryland at College Park
Coordinator Email: Chris.S.Anderson.PE@gmail.com

Saturday, February 8, 2025: Frederick Chapter (Frederick and Carroll Counties) 
Location: Walkersville Middle School
Coordinator Email: MikeSwan1200@hotmail.com

Saturday, February 22, 2025: Annapolis Chapter (Anne Arundel County, Eastern Shore)
Location: Chesapeake Science Point Charter School
Coordinator: Kelly.Misner@STVinc.com

Saturday, February 22, 2025: Hagerstown Chapter (Washington, Garrett and Allegany Counties)
Location: Washington Middle School, Cumberland
Coordinator Email: stephen.thompson@acpsmd.org

Maryland State Competition

Saturday, March 15, 2025
Location: The McDonogh School
Coordinator Email: Joel.Oppenheimer@STVInc.com

National Competition

May 11-12, 2025 | TBD, Washington, DC
Top four Maryland Mathletes based on the results of the Maryland State Competition will attend and represent Maryland.

The MATHCOUNTS Competition Series is comprised of up to 4 different rounds:

  • The Sprint Round (40 minutes) consists of 30 problems. This round tests accuracy, with time being such that only
    the most capable students will complete all of the problems. Calculators are not permitted.
  • The Target Round (approximately 30 minutes) consists of eight problems presented to competitors in four pairs (6
    minutes per pair). This round features multi-step problems that engage Mathletes in mathematical reasoning and
    problem-solving processes. Problems assume the use of calculators.
  • The Team Round (20 minutes) consists of 10 problems that team members work together to solve. Team member
    interaction is permitted and encouraged. Problems assume the use of calculators.
  • The Countdown Round is a fast-paced, oral competition for top-scoring individuals (based on scores in the Sprint
    and Target Rounds). In this round, pairs of Mathletes compete against each other and the clock to solve problems.
    Calculators are not permitted. In Maryland, the Countdown Round is unofficial and is only conducted for the fun of it.

    The Individual Scores are determined as the number of correct Sprint Answers plus the number of correct Target Round
    Answers x 2 (maximum score is 46). The Team Score is the average Individual Scores of the four team members plus 2 x
    the number of correct Team Round Answers (maximum score is 66).

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering can include proctoring which begins with the beginning competition time (8:30 or 9:00 am for Chapter
Competitions and 9:30 am for the State Competition and is done by approximately 11:30 am or noon; helping with grading
(we provide answer sheets) and that begins 30 minutes after the competition begins and is usually done by 12 or 12:30 pm
and help in the scoring room which is usually done by 1 pm or 1:30 pm but starts a little later (approximately 30 minutes
after the competition begins).

If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact the Chapter Coordinator listed above. They will provide all the details you need.

Volunteering for MATHCOUNTS is a rewarding experience where you’ll witness firsthand the enthusiasm and talent of Maryland’s brightest young mathematicians. Join us and make a difference!

For more information, visit www.mathcounts.org

Mike Sarafin Bio

Mike Sarafin, Mission Manager, NASA Headquarters

EXPERIENCE: Sarafin currently serves at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., as the mission manager for Artemis III, which will land astronauts on the Moon to advance long-term human lunar exploration and scientific discovery. Before, in late 2022, Sarafin served as the mission manager for the maiden voyage of Artemis I, confirming that the agency’s deep space rocket, spacecraft, and ground systems needed for launch and recovery are ready to fly astronauts on missions to the Moon. As mission manager, Sarafin chairs the Mission Management Team (MMT) for uncrewed and human spaceflight missions involving the Artemis program — comprised of the Space Launch System rocket, Orion spacecraft, Exploration Ground Systems, Gateway, and Human Landing System programs. As the MMT chair for Artemis III, Sarafin has requirements-change authority, provides risk acceptance at the agency level and oversight of mission operations across all flight phases (launch, in space, and recovery), and is the launch decision authority — giving the final “GO” to proceed with launch. Prior to becoming mission manager, Sarafin served as one of 87 individuals who have led human spaceflight operations as a NASA flight director. In that role he accumulated a decade of experience, with overall responsibility for safety and success of assigned space shuttle, International Space Station, and Orion flight test mission operations from within mission control in Houston.
Sarafin’s experience to date totals 65 spaceflight missions, including 43 space shuttle missions; 20 station Expeditions of American, Canadian, European, Japanese, and Russian astronauts and cosmonauts; and two Orion uncrewed flight tests. Thirty-three of those missions he supported as flight director (12 space shuttle, 20 station, and two Orion), and 31 of those missions were supported as a space shuttle Guidance, Navigation, and Flight Control officer (call sign “GNC”) mission controller. As GNC, he executed launch, landing, rendezvous, and docking operations of the space shuttle with the former Russian Space Station Mir and the present-day space station. He also led flight testing of the uncrewed Orion spacecraft aboard a Delta-IV Heavy rocket, conducted assembly and repair operations of the station, servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), deployment and recovery of unmanned satellites, and enabled missions dedicated to science and human research. In his current and previous roles, Sarafin represents the U.S. government and NASA’s human spaceflight programs and partnerships around the globe during mission operations. Leading up to mission execution, he serves as a senior technical leader that integrates mission requirements, mission planning, operations, and flight readiness.
Additionally, Sarafin completed a one-year rotational assignment at NASA Headquarters in 2011 as a program analyst. He also supported the Space Shuttle Columbia Accident Investigation Board and recovery effort by performing parallel vehicle recovery and flight reconstruction accident investigation activities.

PERSONAL DATA: Michael Sarafin was born in 1972 in Herkimer, N.Y., and graduated from Richfield Springs Central School in upstate New York in 1990. He considers Richfield Springs, NY, his hometown and currently resides in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Angela.

 

EDUCATION: Sarafin received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering from Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y., in 1994.

SPECIAL HONORS:

  • Two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals: 2007, 2014
  • Three NASA Exceptional Service Medals: 2008, 2009, 2010
  • NASA 25-year Civil Service Award: 2018 • Woodstock Award, Clarkson University: 2014
  • NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal: 2005
  • Mission Control Plaque Hanging Honors for support of STS-111 space shuttle mission: 2002
  • Astronaut’s Personal Achievement Award (Silver Snoopy): 2000

Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge Webinar

Join us on August 28th for an opportunity to hear from the engineering professionals directly involved with the removal of the former Key Bridge structure and from the Maryland Transportation Authority on the path forward for rebuilding the new bridge.

Hosted by the Maryland Society of Professional Engineers (MDSPE), participants will receive 2 PDH’s for this event.

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