ESP Biography

Mathematics, physics, and computer science are connected in fundamental and powerful ways. Modern science combines techniques from all these fields to enhance our understanding of the universe. In this class I will talk about some of the very cool ways in which physics and computer science interact. I'll spend about half the class talking about computational physics - using computers to solve physics problems - and its applications, which range from nuclear weapons to computer graphics in movies and video games. I'll spend another part of class talking about quantum computers, and the amazing things they can (and can't!) do. During the class, I'll explain some relevant equations and mathematical ideas. The class should be enjoyable for people at all levels of math, but I am including some more advanced math for students who are interested in the theory (math is the magic behind everything!).

Mathematics, physics, and computer science are connected in fundamental and powerful ways. Modern science combines techniques from all these fields to enhance our understanding of the universe. In this class I will talk about some of the very cool ways in which physics and computer science interact. I'll spend about half the class talking about computational physics - using computers to solve physics problems - and its applications, which range from nuclear weapons to computer graphics in movies and video games. I'll spend another part of class talking about quantum computers, and the amazing things they can (and can't!) do. During the class, I'll explain some relevant equations and mathematical ideas. The class should be enjoyable for people at all levels of math, but I am including some more advanced math for students who are interested in the theory (math is the magic behind everything!).

The pigeonhole principle, in its namesake form, states that if you have $n$ pigeons trying to fit into $m < n$ holes, then at least two pigeons must be put into the same hole. While this is a simple idea, the pigeonhole principle is actually a very powerful mathematical tool that we can use to find surprisingly simple solutions to seemingly complex problems. We will go over a few examples of the pigeonhole principle together, and then we will spend the rest of the time in groups working on progressively harder problems. This class should be fun as long as you are interested in math, puzzles, and logic. This class is a must for those interested in math contests!

The pigeonhole principle, in its namesake form, states that if you have $n$ pigeons trying to fit into $m < n$ holes, then at least two pigeons must be put into the same hole. While this is a simple idea, the pigeonhole principle is actually a very powerful mathematical tool that we can use to find surprisingly simple solutions to seemingly complex problems. We will go over a few examples of the pigeonhole principle together, and then we will spend the rest of the time in groups working on progressively harder problems. This class should be fun as long as you are interested in math, puzzles, and logic. This class is a must for those interested in math contests!

Have you ever heard of the baobab tree? How about the Blue Mauritius Bellflower? How many different kinds of cacti, succulents, and carnivorous plants can you name? In this class, I will give a brief tour of some exotic and endangered plants. The goal is to expose you to some of nature's coolest plants and to explore interesting properties of the different species. Some live plants will be brought in for fun.

Mathematics is based on proof, i.e. logical justification. This class will introduce a few common techniques, including direct proof, proof by induction, and proof by contradiction, for proving mathematical statements. I will give a brief lecture with some examples, and then we will work in groups on some cool problems to practice these techniques. If you like math, this class will give you a small taste of how new mathematical facts can be discovered!

Knot theory is an exciting branch of topology, the mathematical study of shape. With knot theory, we can analyze the very rich structures and patterns hidden within knots. We can also make fascinating discoveries - for example, did you know that knots appear in the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and many other of Leonardo da Vinci's works? This Splash class looks at knot theory from both mathematical and artistic perspectives and should be a lot of fun for anyone who likes math, puzzles, or art!

The pigeonhole principle, in its namesake form, states that if you have $n$ pigeons trying to fit into $m < n$ holes, then at least two pigeons must be put into the same hole. While this is a simple idea, the pigeonhole principle is actually a very powerful mathematical tool that we can use to find surprisingly simple solutions to seemingly complex problems. We will go over a few examples of the pigeonhole principle together, and then we will spend the rest of the time in groups working on progressively harder problems. This class should be fun as long as you are interested in math, puzzles, and logic. This class is a must for those interested in math contests!

Knot theory is an exciting branch of topology, the mathematical study of shape. With knot theory, we can analyze the very rich structures and patterns hidden within knots. We can also make fascinating discoveries - for example, did you know that knots appear in the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and many other of Leonardo da Vinci's works? This Splash class looks at knot theory from both mathematical and artistic perspectives and should be a lot of fun for anyone who likes math, puzzles, or art!