The Joint Policy Board for Mathematics has selected Mathematics and the Internet as the 1997 MAW theme. This theme includes such subjects as computer security and encryption, data mining, network analysis, information theory, and the availability of mathematical information on the world wide web and other technologies.

Mathematics Awareness Week materials, including the MAW poster and visuals, will be posted on the MAW web site beginning in December. Additional information will be posted and MAW-related activities discussed on MAW-list.

A Mathematics Awareness Week session will be held at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in San Diego on Friday, January 10 at 9:30 am in room 7B of the San Diego Convention Center. This session will feature case studies of 1996 MAW activities presented by representatives of participating institutions, presentation of the 1997 MAW theme poster and supporting materials, an overview of mathematics on the Internet, and an online demonstration of the 1997 MAW web site. See further information about this session.

Institutions and organizations who are planning MAW activities may wish to post them on MAW-list and on their WWW sites. Links from and postings to the MAW web site may be arranged with Melissa Dershewitz; send mail to dersh@mathforum.org.

To assist in 1997 planning, summaries of 1996 activities are currently posted on the MAW web site with links to many individual MAW web pages.

General questions about Mathematics Awareness Week can be directed by email to mawjpbm@deans.umd.edu.