Invited Speakers

Sarah Greenwald

Appalachian State University

Mathematical Morsels from The Simpsons and Futurama

Friday November 19, 2021, 5:00 PM

Abstract: Did you know that the animated shows The Simpsons and Futurama contain hundreds of humorous mathematical references? We'll explore the content and educational value of related mathematical conjectures, theorems, and people during an interactive talk.

Popular culture can reveal, reflect, and even shape how society views mathematics, and with careful consideration of the benefits and challenges, these programs can be an ideal source of fun ways to introduce important concepts and to reduce math anxiety. A calculator and writing utensil will be useful. For more information, check out SimpsonsMath.com.

Bio: Sarah J. Greenwald, an MAA Polya Lecturer, is a professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences and a faculty affiliate of Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at Appalachian State University. Greenwald earned a PhD in Riemannian geometry from the University of Pennsylvania and a BS in mathematics from Union College.

Investigating connections between mathematics and society, Greenwald has won awards for teaching, scholarship and service. These include an MAA Henry L. Alder Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Beginning College or University Mathematics Faculty Member, an AWM Service Award, and College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teacher of the Year. As an AWM Fellow, Greenwald was cited for “creative and effective efforts to spark interest in mathematics among young people, especially girls… extensive contributions to advancing women in mathematics through writing, lectures and working with professional societies… and mentorship of students.” Recent work includes Fifty Years of Women in Mathematics: Reminiscences, History, and Visions for the Future of AWM, an AWM-Springer book edited by Janet L. Beery, Greenwald, and Cathy Kessel, which is anticipated in early 2022.

Escape Room -- Break into a Virtual Conference

Friday November 19. 2021, 6:00 PM

Abstract: This social event has some of the feel of an escape room in that you will work in teams to open locks, collect clues, and eventually escape a myriad list of problems that you could confront at a virtual conference. You will not actually be locked in a room, but rather, locked out of a fun math conference, MathPuzzleCon. Feel free to come with your own team of 3-4 people, or come alone and meet new people.

Created by:

Julie Barnes, Shih-Wei Chao, Rachel Epstein, Kerri Jamerson, Wei-Kai Lai, Allie Ray, and Laura Steil

Adriana Salerno

Bates College

The Stories We Tell

Distinguished College or University Teaching Lecture: Saturday November 20, 2021, 10:30 AM

Abstract: Stories are how we make sense of our world and ourselves. In a mathematics classroom, whether we notice it or not, we tell stories -- about what mathematics is and who it’s for. Additionally, each person in that classroom (teachers and students) brings in their own stories and experiences with mathematics. In this talk, I will share how acknowledging and making room for different stories has shaped my classroom and my own growth as an educator. And of course, there will be stories.

Bio: Adriana Salerno is originally from Caracas, Venezuela, where she received her undergraduate degree in mathematics from the Universidad Simon Bolivar in 2001. She then went on to earn her PhD at the University of Texas in 2009. She is now a Professor of Mathematics at Bates College, a small liberal arts college in Maine. Salerno’s main research area is number theory, in particular the intersections of number theory with geometry, physics, cryptography, and coding theory. She is also very interested in the communication and teaching of mathematics to create a more inclusive and equitable math community. Salerno is Vice-President-Elect of the MAA.

David Nacin

William Patterson University

Padovan, Pascal, and Proofs Without Words

The Christie Lecture: Saturday November 20, 2021, 3:00 PM

Abstract: What happens when we attempt to construct the Fibonacci spiral with triangles instead of squares? We get the Padovan numbers, a sequence which answers its own collection of unique and beautiful counting problems. In this talk, we will show how this construction defines this sequence and then rediscover the same sequence hiding again in other surprising places. We then prove several identities without using either words or numbers, by considering triangles composed of colored dots.

The Fibonacci sequence is connected to the golden ratio which arises from a simple question about rectangles and proportion. A slightly different natural question leads to a new ratio and yet another method for defining our sequence. We then observe the uses of this sequence and its ratio in architecture and discuss the history behind the patterns we've uncovered. We conclude with a counterexample to a conjecture about this sequence that leads us to a final construction involving copies of the Fibonacci sequence itself.

Bio: David Nacin is a professor of mathematics at William Paterson University, where he also serves as director of the M.S. in Applied Mathematics graduate program. He received his Ph.D. from Rutgers University in 2005. His research interests include non-commutative algebra, discrete mathematics, and recreational mathematics. A Python enthusiast, he codes for research, teaching, and fun, and recently restructured the curriculum in his department to include the programming language in several classes. Author of the book Math-Infused Sudoku, his mathematical puzzles have appeared in many magazines and academic journals, and he maintains a puzzle blog at quadratablog.blogspot.com.

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