Special Lecture - ThePleasure of Puzzles

14 Nov, 2022 - 10:00 am to noon

Zoom re-play 7:00 pm Nov 21

Mechanical puzzles provide beautiful challenges that can involve
assembly or disassembly, geometric arrangement, and logical and spatial
thinking. They often require the solver to think "outside the box" and
find creative solutions to problems that at first seem impossible. They
thereby encapsulate in microcosm what many scientists, mathematicians,
engineers, and other professionals do every day. In a classroom,
puzzles can be wonderful ways to introduce students to the joy of
persevering with a problem and then feeling the "Aha" of satisfaction
that leads them to seek deeper challenges. In this event, sculptor and
mathematician George Hart will share the joy of some of his favorite
puzzles and explain why it is important for more people to be familiar
with them. This will be followed by a hands-on period in which
participants can play with a collection of puzzles he brings [and build
a small puzzle to take home].

Series Coordinator: Gary Lewis

Lecturer - George Hart

George Hart is a mathematician and sculptor whose artwork is exhibited at many galleries and universities around the world. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT. Hart's research explores innovative ways to use mathematical ideas and computer technology in the design and fabrication of sculpture, plus new ideas for enriching the mathematics classroom. He recently retired from his position as research professor in the computer science department at Stony Brook University and moved to the Owen Sound area. Hart was a co-founder of the Museum of Mathematics in New York City and is the author of two books and many technical publications. For examples of his work, see georgehart.com.