Poster session aims to demonstrate math = fun

The Heart of Mathematics, a session of presentations by students in the course “Great Ideas in Mathematics,” aims to showcase different approaches to interpreting key concepts in the field.

Slated for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, in Skelton Lounge, Chase Hall, the fair “is a great way to have the students present their material in writing and orally, to promote math on campus and to show how math connects with other disciplines,” says associate professor of mathematics Bonnie Shulman, who introduced the course this semester.

“Best of all,” she says, “it’s fun.”

Presented in posters and talks, the students’ topics will run the gamut from chaos theory to voting, from “rubber sheet” geometry to Mobius bands, and will include the mathematics of art and music.

“My goals for this — or any — course are that students should learn to read, write and speak mathematics,” Shulman explains. “This is a great way for them to demonstrate they can do all three. And having to present to someone else besides me, especially to their friends and peers, makes it more challenging and more fun.”

The new course, she says, is an introduction to math via its essential concepts. “It’s a way to introduce great ideas that are important and interesting for everyone to know and understand. It’s also a safe yet exacting space for people who may not think of themselves as ‘math people’ to realize they can understand mathematics.”

Refreshments will be offered.