CDU unveils friendly face of modern maths

Students, parents and educators are invited to Charles Darwin University this Friday evening for an outdoor mathematics activity that promises to be as much fun as it will be challenging.

Math on the Green will feature a series of interactive activities that are designed to engage participants and demonstrate the friendly face of modern mathematics.

Organiser Professor Frances Rosamond said several outstanding mathematical communicators from Australia and overseas would host the activities on the lawn near the basketball courts and (building) Purple 12 on Casuarina campus.

“It will give participants an opportunity to experience new ways of looking at math through activities that are fun, quirky and interesting,” Professor Rosamond said.

“For example, we will use puzzles to demonstrate the principles of graph theory and games of chance to demonstrate probability. There will be robots to play with and we’ll introduce participants to a world of geometric possibilities with fractal postcards.”

Professor Rosamond said the free activity was the perfect way to end day one of the Creative Mathematical Sciences Communication conference, which runs until 10 August.

“In essence, delegates will explore how we can foster curiosity, enthusiasm and perseverance in maths,” she said.

“It is vital in our complex world that we develop a greater interest among students, and the population in general, in mathematics and computer science.

“This will be the first international workshop of its kind so it will be interesting to see what outcomes can be achieved by bringing together mathematical scientists, computer researchers, teachers and others.”

Math on the Green is a free public event that will take place next to the basketball courts on Casuarina campus on Friday 2 August from 5.30pm – 7.30pm.

For details about the conference: http://www.cdu.edu.au/conference/csmaths