9322041 Strichartz This award provides a research environment for a group of eight undergraduate researchers in the mathematical sciences working at Cornell University. The project will engage the students in an eight week program of experimentation, exploration and computation leading them to consider serious mathematical problems drawn from several areas. These include harmonic analysis related to wavelets and fractals, stability of periodic circle packings, interactive particle system models of ecosystem dynamics and superconvergence points in spline-Galerkin methods. On problems related to nonlinear phenomena, as students will be offered a number of open-ended problems and encouraged to attack them numerically and analytically. To assist the investigations, students will be given instruction in the using computer facilities. Additional students supported by REU supplements on research grants will provide additional opportunities for healthy interaction among the students. Students will present the results of their work orally as well asin written form. Recruiting efforts will focus on attracting applications from students in underrepresented groups, especially through personal contacts. ***
