Last week I mentioned an opportunity to hear from mathematician Francis Su on the topic The Integration of Faith and the Academic Calling (a webinar cohosted by ESN and the Society of Christian Scholars). I am not aware of any opportunities to view the presentation after the fact, so for those of you who were unable to participate, I will share a few highlights. He covers some similar territory in an interview with Quanta (text, video), his Mathematical Association of America presidential address, and this article on … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Adding to the Conversation
mathematics
Science Corner: The Prizes are in Bloom
Last fall I wrote about the Abel Prize ceremony because I was intrigued by the maze constructed for the occasion. I didn't intend to cover every winner, but I thought that Karen Uhlenbeck becoming the first woman to receive the honor warranted attention. Her work laid the foundation for a whole new branch of mathematics--geometric analysis--and she also provided critical tools to mathematical physicists for working with the Yang-Mills equations, which are central to the Standard Model of particle physics. Beyond her … [Read more...] about Science Corner: The Prizes are in Bloom
Science Corner: Finding Your Way Through Math
Topology is a standard topic in mathematics; topiary less so. That's why I thought it was pretty cool to read about a mathematician-designed maze in celebration of the Abel Prize. At least, I like the idea in principle; I might feel differently after a couple of hours of wandering. Still, it is a nice little metaphor. Math, like many intellectual pursuits, involves twists and turns and blind alleys. Although unlike mazes, there are no deterministic algorithms guaranteed to get you out (eventually). So making progress … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Finding Your Way Through Math
Science Corner: Take Me to Your Victrola
On a trip to the National Air & Space Museum with my son this weekend, I had a chance to look at a copy of one of the records that was sent on the Voyager space probe. The photo on the right shows the top of the record, which is meant to provide details on how to play it and how to decode the images stored on it. (We sent both music and images intended to represent the ecological and cultural diversity of Earth.) These instructions also include some basic science and the coordinates of our planet. It is believed any … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Take Me to Your Victrola
Science Corner: Prime Real Estate
Want to hear about science communication from the science editor of Christianity Today, a public radio producer, and me? Details at the end. The old saw about real estate says that the most important features are location, location, location. Mathematicians care about location too, such as the location of the prime numbers. Prime numbers, divisible only by themselves and 1, have several uses, most popularly in the encryption that guards our Internet transactions. Consequently, we are always on the lookout for new … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Prime Real Estate