Assistant Professor Dr. Brock Williams (Texas Tech University)

                   Greeks, Graphs, Bridges and Brains
We will follow an idea from its roots in ancient Greece over the bridges of Konigsberg to modern applications in the study of the brain and the design of games.  A geometric object is called regular if all the sides are the same length and all the angles are the same, for example, equilateral triangles, squares, and cubes.  The Greeks knew that while there are infinitely many two-dimensional regular polygons, there are only 5 three-dimensional regular polyhedra.  We will discover what's special about these five and explore some modern applications.

  Horn Professor Dr. Clyde Martin (Texas Tech University)

Mathematics has no Answers

Have you ever wondered where the word problems in your algebra book come from? In this workshop we will expose their source and try to decide if a selection of these problems are dumb, dumber or dumbest! We will take a close look at one problem in particular. We look at the problem “If Jane can mow the yard in 1 hour and her brother John can mow the yard in two hours how long will it take them to mow the lawn if they work together?” in some detail. We will find the origins of this problem in cave art from the Pleistocene. We will ask the eternal question “Does this problem make sense?” and find the answer that is surely NO. However, we will try to find a version of the problem that does make sense and in doing so we discover that mathematics doesn’t have answers but is only a tool for helping to make real life decisions.

  Assistant Professor Dr. Magdalena Toda (Texas Tech University)

                 THE MATHEMATICS OF ART AND ART OF MATHEMATICS: ORIGAMI

The art of Origami – or the science of paper folding – is based on some fundamental concepts of mathematics. In the past few years, origami models have entered the mathematics libraries, as well as many math clubs, as a very hot and fun topic. Many of the math and origami books, although for use in the classroom or clubs, go way beyond the material taught in schools. Our goal will be to investigate some of the fundamental geometric properties of origami 3-D models. Higher geometric concepts such as discrete surfaces and surface curvatures will be approached through polyhedral models. Participants will be able to start on some origami projects hands-on – so everybody should get ready for some paper folding. At the end of the workshops, 50 beautiful and quite intricate 3D origami paper roses of various colors will be distributed as a souvenir. They traveled to Texas Tech University all the way from Japan.

  Assistant Professor Dr. Ram Venkataraman Iyer (Texas Tech University)

 Assistant Professor Dr. Arne Ledet (Texas Tech University)

                Symmetries and permutations
If we consider a mathematical object of some kind, the ways in which it can be moved around or re-arranged without losing its structure form a group, which is a concept embodying symmetry. We will look at some examples of groups, mostly coming from geometrical objects, and their basic properties.

 Associate Professors Dr. Carl Seaquist and Dr. Padmanabhan Seshaiyer

How do you use “bones” and rods to multiply? What’s a Slide-rule? How do French children do long division? What do Vedic sutras have to do with calculation? These and other questions will be answered as we explore Calculation across Cultures and History.

            Workshops for Teachers

  Professor Dr. Elisabeth Yanik (Emporia State University):

                Water, Water Everywhere- to make a student think!

Dr Yanik was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring during ceremonies in Washington DC , May 16, 2005! We are proud to have her here at TTU!!
 

  Assistant Professor Dr. Jerry Dwyer (Texas Tech University)

               Integrated math-science modules in k-12 classrooms

Innovative activities that link mathematics and science will be presented. These models are mostly designed for use in the middle schools. But teachers may adapt them to suit other grade levels. These activities will illustrate problem solving strategies that are applicable to all grade levels. Different pedagogical approaches will also be explored. The use of the modules as enrichment in the K-12 classroom will be discussed.