Today: the wrap-up
In the next three weeks, we will
- Summarize what we have learned from our speakers'
presentations.
- Brainstorm our mathematical autobiographies.
- Present a preliminary poster session.
For your "final exam", we will hold an "open" poster session, during which I'll
invite in some faculty to learn your stories.
Okay, you've heard from a wide variety of folks, all of whom love
mathematics. You've seen how they've taken their love and turned it into a
career.
You may need to think seriously about how to do the same!
As we begin to think about our posters, I remind you of this from our
syllabus:
Your poster will be autobiographical, providing your answers to three
questions:
- In what ways have I loved mathematics?
- What do I want to do (and what have I done) with mathematics?
- Why is it important in my life, and to human civilization?
You will shine a spotlight on at least one interesting piece of mathematics.
So today let's reflect back on those talks we've heard over the past 9 weeks:
and let's reflect on them while trying to answer these questions:
- What tells you that these people truly love mathematics? What
makes it show?
- Did anyone make you think about a new career possibility, or
otherwise change your mind about what you thought was
your career trajectory?
- Some of our visitors told stories about how math impacted their
childhood or youth. What's your story?
- Early on we talked about people who may have inspired you in
your career. This would be a good time to mention them!
I've asked you to shine a spotlight on (at least) one interesting piece of
mathematics. Perhaps that's something in a current course, but it might also be
that first thing that inspired you to think that you might like doing
mathematics with your life and career.
- Can you give some examples of times in your life when you used
or saw some cool mathematics?
- What's the coolest example of mathematics that you've seen
lately?
It's time for you to tell your own story, now that others have had their
chance.