Dear MoMath friends,
What can a MacArthur Fellow teach us about the mathematics of the mind? How does one man end up seeing more solar eclipses than almost anyone else in the world? And how can making mistakes in math lead to fantastic new insights? Find the answers to these questions and more at MoMath. If you want to learn how to solve the Rubik’s Cube (or simply turn it into a creative piece of art); if you want to become part of a human computer (or see how math can be used to assign dance partners); or, if you just want to celebrate everyone’s favorite never-ending number with two days of ongoing fun, then MoMath is the place for you this spring!
MoMath at a Glance | |
Now accepting applications |
Expansions gifted program at MoMath, now including high school sessions with Paul Zeitz! |
MathPlay, MoMath’s program for preschoolers | |
Wed, Mar 4 | Math Encounters: “Come Sail Away: Math for the Cruise Director” with Penny Haxell (free to register) |
Thu, Mar 5 | Minds on Math: “The Mathematics of Intelligence: Natural and Artificial” with Dr. Joshua B. Tenenbaum (free to register) |
Fri, Mar 6 | 2020 Suffolk County MoMathlon middle school math tournament, hosted by Brookhaven National Lab |
Sat, Mar 7 | Folding Fun at MoMath with OrigamiUSA |
Sun, Mar 8 | Solution Set, a daylong puzzle-solving workshop with Peter Winkler |
Mon, Mar 9 | 2020 Westchester Con Edison MoMathlon middle school math tournament, hosted by Manhattanville College |
Tue, Mar 10 | Math Gym, a workout for your brain |
Tue, Mar 10 | Rubik’s Cube for Ordinary People minicourse, second session |
Thu, Mar 12 | Equilibrium, an evening of adult mathematical games, featuring Bullseye |
Fri, Mar 13 | Family Fridays at MoMath presented by Two Sigma: “The Power of Pi” |
Sat, Mar 14 | Pi Day 2020 — daytime and evening pi-themed events! |
Sun, Mar 15 | Dazzlinks — meet the inventor |
Sun, Mar 15 | Tween Primes, the MoMath book club for tweens and teens |
Sun, Mar 15 | Unlimited, MoMath’s mix-n-mingle program for students in middle and high school |
Mon, Mar 16 | MoMath Mini-Camp: March 2020 |
Tue, Mar 17 | Rubik’s Cube for Ordinary People minicourse, third session |
Wed, Mar 18 | Free Play at MoMath |
Tue, Mar 24 | Rubik’s Cube for Ordinary People minicourse, fourth session |
Thu, Mar 26 | Trial classes for MathPlay, MoMath’s program for preschoolers |
Tue, Mar 31 | Trial class for MathPlay, MoMath’s program for preschoolers |
Tue, Mar 31 | Math Flash! A New Look at an Old Problem |
Wed, Apr 1 | Math Encounters: “Vulnerable in Digital Life: How Graph Theory Can Help Us Understand and Protect Our Digital Selves” with Allison Bishop |
Sat, Apr 4 | Folding Fun at MoMath with OrigamiUSA |
Tue, Apr 7 | Statistics for Citizens, part 4: Regression |
Fri, Apr 10 | Family Fridays: “Math Meets Art: Making a Rubik’s Cube Mosaic” with Lauren Rose |
Mon, Apr 13–Fri, Apr 17 | MoMath Mini-Camp: April 2020 |
Tue, Apr 14 | Games of Little to No Chance minicourse, first session |
Thu, Apr 16 | Equilibrium, an evening of adult mathematical games |
Thu, Apr 16 | Mathematical Solitaire is NOT Boring |
Sun, Apr 19 | Tween Primes, the MoMath book club for tweens and teens |
Sun, Apr 19 | Unlimited, MoMath’s mix-n-mingle program for students in middle and high school |
Tue, Apr 21 | Games of Little to No Chance minicourse, second session |
Wed, Apr 22 | Person Place Thing — join MoMath for a live radio recording |
Wed, Apr 22 | Deadline to apply to the Steven H. Strogatz Prize for Math Communication! |
Fri, Apr 24 | The Joy of Mistakes |
Tue, Apr 28 | The Mathematics of Simple Things (new content!) |
Wed, Apr 29 | Patterns are Never Enough |
Sat, May 2 | Folding Fun at MoMath with OrigamiUSA |
Wed, May 6 | Math Encounters with Bart de Smit — save the date! |
Thu, May 14 | Solar Eclipses: Math, Science, and Spectacle with Jay Pasachoff |
Fri, May 15 | Family Fridays: “Sky Spectaculars: Now You See It, Now You Don’t!” with Jay Pasachoff |
Fri, May 15 | Deadline to apply to the Rosenthal Prize for Innovation and Inspiration in Math Teaching! |
School days | Bring MoMath to your school with the Extensions program! |
Weekday afternoons | Summations: classroom sessions and guided exploration of MoMath for homeschool students |
Weekends | MoMath’s Derivatives tour program and Explorations educator-led sessions, available upon request |
NEW in 2020 | Combination field trip tickets for MoMath and SPYSCAPE |
Tue, Sep 8 through Fri, Sep 11 | Meet Me in Paris: MATRIX x IMAGINARY 2020 – Mark your calendars now for the biennial MATRIX conference, this year with partners IMAGINARY and Institut Henri Poincaré! |
MoMath in the news:
Editors’ Choice Award: The National Museum of Mathematics is a Top Date Spot for Intellectually Curious People in NYC
MoMath’s popular MoMathlon middle school math tournaments are back!
Starting Monday, March 2 through March 9, 8:30 am
Every spring, MoMath provides students the opportunity to compete in unique middle school math tournaments. Budding mathematicians can experience the excitement of competition, teamwork, challenge, and prizes, making friends and memories that will inspire them in high school, college, and beyond. For dates and locations of regional tournaments, and to register, visit momathlon.momath.org.
Transformations 2020, the summer camp at MoMath
Registration opens on Thursday, March 5, at noon
Students will experience the richness of mathematics in America’s only museum dedicated to math. Through full-body interactive activities, hands-on education sessions, and creative projects, math will come alive for each and every participant. Learn more and register at summercamp.momath.org.
The Steven H. Strogatz Prize for Math Communication — deadline approaching!
Application deadline: April 22, 2020
Cash prizes to high school students for the most compelling math communication projects! Your project may be video, audio, images, or written communication that shares your love of math and spreads its universality. This competition is open to high school students anywhere in the world who are age 15 to 18, as of September 1, 2019. The application period closes on April 22, 2020. To learn more and submit an entry, visit strogatzprize.momath.org.
MathPlay, MoMath’s program for preschoolers
April through June
3-year-olds: Thursdays
4- and 5-year-olds: Tuesdays or Thursdays
Led by an experienced preschool specialist, the Museum’s engaging program for preschoolers offers children the opportunity to play well-developed games that help broaden math skills, improve problem-solving skills, fine-tune motor coordination, and enhance communication and social skills. Recent studies have shown that a child’s math skills upon entering kindergarten can be a strong predictor of future academic performance in both math and reading throughout the elementary grades. MathPlay will engage your preschoolers in playful activities to help them develop a strong foundation in math, enriching their day with mathematical inspiration. Free Museum admission is included with registration; a caregiver must be present during each 30-minute session. Learn more and register at mathplay.momath.org.
- MoMath is delighted to offer free trial sessions (registration required) for MathPlay:
- Thursday, March 26: 9:30 am for 3-year-olds and 4:00 pm for 4- and 5-year-olds;
- Tuesday, March 31: 4:00 pm for 4- and 5-year-olds
The 2020 Rosenthal Prize for Innovation and Inspiration in Math Teaching
Application deadline: May 15, 2020
Submit your most creative math lesson today! MoMath is seeking an exceptional math activity to share with math teachers around the world. The winning activity will be innovative, engaging, hands-on, original, replicable, and designed for students in grades four through eight; however, you do not need to be a middle school teacher to apply. Math educators everywhere are eligible to apply. The Rosenthal Prize carries a cash award of $25,000 for the single best activity, plus up to five additional monetary awards for other innovative and inspirational activities. The application period closes on May 15, 2020. To learn more and submit an entry, visit rosenthalprize.momath.org.
Venn Pirouettes, the Art of Michael Schultheis — featured in Composite, the gallery at MoMath
Now open! Free with general admission.
Michael Schultheis paints and sculpts using math equations as models for stories about human relationships: limaçon curves that have interior and exterior loops are used to represent a person’s interior and exterior, while Venn diagrams demonstrate the way in which humans overlap in their relationships with one another. His work demonstrates a unique combination of artistry and mathematical inspiration.
Retail Pick of the Month: Pi Pizza Cutter
What happens when the circumference of a pizza is divided by its diameter? Cut your pie with pi. This pi symbol-shaped pizza cutter is used to slice pizza pieces, and has two stainless steel blades for cutting power.
Math Encounters: “Come Sail Away: Math for the Cruise Director” with Penny Haxell
Wednesday, March 4, 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm
The cruise director is responsible for arranging all social events on a ship. How can the passengers be split into harmonious groups for dinner seatings and excursions? What’s a good way to assign partners for an evening of tango lessons? Come help the cruise director use graph theory to make arrangements such as these — you could even be part of a human computer! Special introduction by Peter Winkler, MoMath’s Distinguished Visiting Professor for the Public Dissemination of Mathematics. Learn more and register at mathencounters.org.
Minds on Math: “The Mathematics of Intelligence: Natural and Artificial” with Dr. Joshua B. Tenenbaum
Thursday, March 5, 6:30 pm (free to register)
How can we capture human intelligence in engineering terms, and what are the prospects for someday building machines that are as smart as we are? Join Dr. Joshua B. Tenenbaum, Professor of Computational Cognitive Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and 2019 MacArthur Fellow, to explore the mathematics of minds, both natural and artificial. Dr. Tenenbaum will discuss recent results and insights that come from building models of core human common sense; introduce state-of-the-art mathematical concepts from probability, programming, and simulation; and share practical examples of how these tools let us predict and explain our own minds’ workings and ultimately let us build AI systems that come ever closer to human-like intelligence. Minds on Math is jointly sponsored by the Lab for the Developing Mind at NYU and the National Museum of Mathematics. This event is free with advance registration; learn more and register at mathminds.momath.org.
Folding Fun at MoMath with OrigamiUSA
Saturday, March 7, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
An origami expert from OrigamiUSA will be on hand at MoMath to teach simple origami models to learners of all ages. Explore the wonders of paper folding and challenge yourself to master a few models — there’s math in every fold! Free with Museum admission; no pre-registration required.
Solution Set
Sunday, March 8, 10:00 am
Do you love puzzles and enjoy thinking outside the box? Or when someone poses a puzzle, is your first instinct to run? Either way, join us for a day to challenge your mind at a daylong workshop presented by Peter Winkler, MoMath’s 2019-2020 Distinguished Visiting Professor for the Public Dissemination of Mathematics. This course will cover highlights from Peter’s popular six-session puzzle-solving minicourse, presented last fall. A light lunch is included. Learn more and register at puzzleday.momath.org.
Math Gym, a workout for your brain
Tuesday, March 10, 3:30 pm
Students, spend an hour at MoMath independently working on engaging and beautiful math problems, hand-selected by MoMath’s advisory council of math PhDs. Choose whichever challenges you like and explore them with the guidance and mentorship of an expert mathematician. If you love math and want to experience the incredible joy of mathematical discovery, you won’t want to miss this enjoyable monthly program. Learn more and register at workout.momath.org.
Rubik’s Cube for Ordinary People, a four-session minicourse with Paul Zeitz
Tuesday, March 10 (other sessions on March 17 and 24), 6:30 pm
Investigate the Rubik’s Cube, learn some of the math behind it, and develop your own individualized solution strategy. If you can already solve a cube and want to get your speed down to under a minute, this is NOT the course for you! By the end of this four-week minicourse, you’ll not only be able to solve the cube in under an hour, you’ll understand WHY your solution strategies and tactics work. Register via rubiks.momath.org.
Equilibrium, an adult evening of mathematical games, featuring Bullseye
Thursday, March 12, 5:30 pm
Tabletop gaming is more fun than ever! Come join old friends and new for a fun-filled, adult evening featuring a broad array of mathematically rich games. This month’s event highlights Bullseye, a game involving dice and a balance of chance and strategy. Players use combinations of dice to create target numbers while seeking to maximize points earned. You’ll have to think fast to decide which set of combinations is best! Bring a snack, play some games, and connect with new and interesting people, all while enjoying the unique evening atmosphere at the nation’s only Museum of Math. Learn more and register at equilibrium.momath.org.
Family Fridays at MoMath presented by Two Sigma: “The Power of Pi”
Friday, March 13, 6:30 pm
Family Friday is Family Pi-day this month! Many of us know pi as a funny number that goes on and on but never repeats…and that it starts with 3.14…but what does pi actually mean? What does this famous number represent, and why does it show up in so many places? And how do we know that it’s really bigger than three and smaller than four? In this special version of Family Fridays, get ready for a hands-on exploration of the meaning of pi! Thanks to the generous support of Two Sigma, this program is free to attendees. Register at familyfridays.momath.org.
Pi Day 2020
Saturday, March 14, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, and 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Don’t miss MoMath’s exciting celebration of Pi Day this year…visit during the day and enjoy some pi-themed events, including Rhythmic Rotations, MoMath’s signature giant hula-hooping contest in honor of pi. Then join us for a special Pi Night celebration featuring all sorts of pi…play with some new pi-themed manipulatives, try out the new “Pi Detector,” enjoy pi-themed refreshments, and even participate in a giant group demonstration of the meaning of pi! MoMath’s Pi Day 2020 events coincide with the first-ever UNESCO International Day of Mathematics — join the worldwide celebration! Learn more and register at piday2020.momath.org.
Dazzlinks
Sunday, March 15, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Explore geometry and angles with Dazzlinks, an amazing new cardboard engineering kit. Meet the inventor and build with this versatile product. Free with museum admission.
Tween Primes, the MoMath book club for tweens and teens: The Absolute Value of Mike by Kathryn Erskine
Sunday, March 15, 5:30 pm
Mike tries hard to please his father, but the only language his dad seems to speak is calculus. And for a boy with a math learning disability, nothing could be more difficult. His dad sends him to rural Pennsylvania for the summer to work on an engineering project, but instead, he finds himself part of a town-wide project to adopt a boy from Romania while working alongside his wacky eighty-something-year-old aunt, a homeless man, and a punk-rock girl. Mike might not learn anything about engineering, but what he does learn is far more valuable. 1 teenage boy + 1 crazy town + 3 weeks – $40,000… you do the math! Learn more and register at tweenprimes.momath.org.
Unlimited, MoMath’s mix-n-mingle program for students in middle and high school
Sunday, March 15, 6:30 pm
Don’t miss the next installment of Unlimited, MoMath’s mix-n-mingle evening for students in late middle school through high school. If you’re excited by the idea of a fun-filled, math-focused night where you can hang out with old and new friends, enjoy some snacks, and move to some great tunes, then you won’t want to miss this exciting program. Learn more and register at unlimited.momath.org.
MoMath Mini-Camp: March 2020
Monday, March 16, 9:00 am
For thousands of years, people have navigated the Earth by looking at the stars. Did you ever wonder how? Come find out about this and more as we learn the math behind traveling on land, at sea, and even in outer space. MoMath Mini-Camps are a great way to spend school holidays and enjoy hands-on fun in mathematics. Learn more and register at minicamp.momath.org.
Rubik’s Cube for Ordinary People, a four-session minicourse with Paul Zeitz
Tuesday, March 17 (other sessions on March 10 and 24), 6:30 pm
Investigate the Rubik’s Cube, learn some of the math behind it, and develop your own individualized solution strategy. If you can already solve a cube and want to get your speed down to under a minute, this is NOT the course for you! By the end of this four-week minicourse, you’ll not only be able to solve the cube in under an hour, you’ll understand WHY your solution strategies and tactics work. Register via rubiks.momath.org.
Free Play at MoMath
Wednesday, March 18, 2:00 pm
Come enjoy Free Play! From 2:00 to 6:00 pm on March 18, admission to MoMath will be completely free for all visitors! Come enjoy all your favorite exhibits — and if you have friends who have never been to the Museum, there’s no better time to bring them along.
Rubik’s Cube for Ordinary People, a four-session minicourse with Paul Zeitz
Tuesday, March 24 (other sessions on March 10 and 17), 6:30 pm
Investigate the Rubik’s Cube, learn some of the math behind it, and develop your own individualized solution strategy. If you can already solve a cube and want to get your speed down to under a minute, this is NOT the course for you! By the end of this four-week minicourse, you’ll not only be able to solve the cube in under an hour, you’ll understand WHY your solution strategies and tactics work. Register via rubiks.momath.org.
Math Flash! A New Look at an Old Problem
Tuesday, March 31, 6:30 pm
People have been solving quadratic equations for thousands of years, with millions (or perhaps even billions) of people using a memorized — but not necessarily understood — formula. Join Po-Shen Loh, social entrepreneur, Carnegie Mellon math professor, and national coach of the USA International Mathematical Olympiad team, as he shares a simple alternative to rote memorization. As recently described in The New York Times, a sequence of simple steps, components of which have been known for hundreds (or even thousands) of years, can be combined in a retrospectively obvious way, bringing clarity and beauty to the solution of these age-old problems. Learn more and register at mathflash.momath.org.
Math Encounters: “Vulnerable in Digital Life: How Graph Theory Can Help Us Understand and Protect Our Digital Selves” with Allison Bishop
Wednesday, April 1, 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Join cryptographer and data scientist Allison Bishop, President of Proof Trading, on a journey into the mind of an attacker in cyberspace. Learn how to map the structure of your digital life, systematically probe it for weakness, and improve your defenses. Then, join us in an activity to see how well you’d do against a simulated attack! Special introduction by mathematician David Saltman, Director of the Center for Communications Research, Princeton University. Learn more and register at mathencounters.org.
Folding Fun at MoMath with OrigamiUSA
Saturday, April 4, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
An origami expert from OrigamiUSA will be on hand at MoMath to teach simple origami models to learners of all ages. Explore the wonders of paper folding and challenge yourself to master a few models — there’s math in every fold! Free with Museum admission; no pre-registration required.
Statistics for Citizens, part 4: Regression
Tuesday, April 7, 6:30 pm
This is an encore session, by popular demand, of the January–February minicourse that wrapped up with an explanation of normal distribution, margin of error, and confidence intervals. Building on this knowledge, we will examine how statistics analyzes the relationship between two variables — specifically, the technique of linear regression. If you have always wondered about statements like, “heredity only determines 30% of IQ,” this session is for you. Note: This is part four of a series, but newcomers are welcome — we will catch you up! Learn more and register at citizens.momath.org.
Family Fridays at MoMath presented by Two Sigma: “Math Meets Art: Making a Rubik’s Cube Mosaic” with Lauren Rose
Friday, April 10, 6:30 pm
The Rubik’s Cube is a versatile puzzle whose tactile nature and complexity make it fun and interesting to all ages and experience levels; it can also enhance problem-solving and mathematical skills. But did you know that Rubik’s Cubes can also be a source of creative and artistic play? Join mathematician and math educator Lauren Rose as we design and construct beautiful patterns with Rubik’s Cubes. No previous experience with Rubik’s Cubes is assumed, and anyone between the ages of 9 and 99 will enjoy this unique, hands-on workshop. Thanks to the generous support of Two Sigma, this program is free to attendees. Register at familyfridays.momath.org.
MoMath Mini-Camp: April 2020
Monday, April 13–Friday, April 17, 9:00 am
For thousands of years, people have navigated the Earth by looking at the stars. Did you ever wonder how? Come find out about this and more as we learn the math behind traveling on land, at sea, and even in outer space. MoMath Mini-Camps are a great way to spend school holidays and enjoy hands-on fun in mathematics. Learn more and register at minicamp.momath.org.
Games of Little to No Chance, a two-session minicourse
Tuesday, April 14 (second session on April 21), 6:30 pm
Gambling is for suckers. Mathematicians prefer games that can be analyzed, where it is possible to discover and implement guaranteed winning strategies, or at least strategies where the probability of winning is more than 50%. Join Paul Zeitz as he shares techniques for analyzing simple and not-so-simple games and explains how to design “sucker bets” that will fool even the most sophisticated adversaries. Learn more and register at chance.momath.org.
Equilibrium, an adult evening of mathematical games
Thursday, April 16, 5:30 pm
Tabletop gaming is more fun than ever! Come join old friends and new for a fun-filled, adult evening featuring a broad array of mathematically rich games. Bring a snack, play some games, and connect with new and interesting people, all while enjoying the unique evening atmosphere at the nation’s only Museum of Math. Learn more and register at equilibrium.momath.org.
Mathematical Solitaire is NOT Boring
Thursday, April 16, 7:00 pm
Simple one-player games provide a fantastic distillation of mathematical investigation. Join Paul Zeitz to learn how to play — and become awestruck by — Bulgarian solitaire, Conway’s Soldiers, and others. Learn more and register at solitaire.momath.org.
Tween Primes, the MoMath book club for tweens and teens: The Boy Who Reversed Himself by William Sleator
Sunday, April 19, 5:30 pm
When Laura finds her homework in her locker with its writing reversed, she’s baffled until she learns an unbelievable secret: her weird neighbor, Omar, has the ability to travel to the fourth dimension. Laura convinces him to take her there and then goes there on her own. There’s only one problem — she doesn’t know how to get back. Learn more and register at tweenprimes.momath.org.
Unlimited, MoMath’s mix-n-mingle program for students in middle and high school
Sunday, April 19, 6:30 pm
Don’t miss the next installment of Unlimited, MoMath’s mix-n-mingle evening for students in late middle school through high school. If you’re excited by the idea of a fun-filled, math-focused night where you can hang out with old and new friends, enjoy some snacks, and move to some great tunes, then you won’t want to miss this exciting program. Learn more and register at unlimited.momath.org.
Games of Little to No Chance, a two-session minicourse
Tuesday, April 21 (first session on April 14), 6:30 pm
Gambling is for suckers. Mathematicians prefer games that can be analyzed, where it is possible to discover and implement guaranteed winning strategies, or at least strategies where the probability of winning is more than 50%. Join Paul Zeitz as he shares techniques for analyzing simple and not-so-simple games and explains how to design “sucker bets” that will fool even the most sophisticated adversaries. Learn more and register at chance.momath.org.
Person Place Thing
Wednesday, April 22, 6:30 pm
Join MoMath for the live recording of a special episode of Randy Cohen’s radio show, Person Place Thing. The evening features a conversation with mathematician Alex Kontorovich and live music by jazz saxophonist and Harvard-trained mathematician Marcus Miller and friends. Learn more and register at personplace.momath.org.
The Joy of Mistakes
Friday, April 24, 6:30 pm
One of the great things about math — real math, not school math — is that mistakes are not bugs, but features. Mistakes often lead to new ideas and new ways of thinking about things. What happens if we add fractions the “wrong” way? In elementary school, we’d get corrected. As mathematicians, we enter a world of wonders. Likewise, a naive algebra mistake called the “freshman’s dream” leads to fantastic mathematical insights. Join mathematician Paul Zeitz in exploring the joy of mistakes. Learn more and register at mistakes.momath.org.
The Mathematics of Simple Things (new content!)
Tuesday, April 28, 6:30 pm
Very simple objects can yield great mathematical richness. Join mathematician Paul Zeitz in this occasional series as he describes the surprising (and mathematical!) fun you can have with items as simple as toothpicks. Learn more and register at most.momath.org.
Patterns Are Never Enough
Wednesday, April 29, 6:30 pm
G.H. Hardy once said, “A mathematician, like a painter or a poet, is a maker of patterns. If his patterns are more permanent than theirs, it is because they are made with ideas.” But just finding a pattern is never sufficient — you need to make sure that your pattern is true. Join Paul Zeitz in an exploration of a variety of situations in which what initially appears to be a beautiful pattern turns out to be just a mirage, and in the process, discover some of the mysteries at the frontier of research mathematics. Learn more and register at mirage.momath.org.
Folding Fun at MoMath with OrigamiUSA
Saturday, May 2, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
An origami expert from OrigamiUSA will be on hand at MoMath to teach simple origami models to learners of all ages. Explore the wonders of paper folding and challenge yourself to master a few models — there’s math in every fold! Free with Museum admission; no pre-registration required.
Math Encounters with Bart de Smit — save the date!
Wednesday, May 6, 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Math Encounters is MoMath’s popular free public presentation series celebrating the spectacular world of mathematics, produced with support from the Simons Foundation. Learn more and register at mathencounters.org.
Solar Eclipses: Math, Science, and Spectacle
Thursday, May 14, 6:30 pm
As a veteran of 35 total solar eclipses, 17 annular solar eclipses, and 19 partial solar eclipses, as well as two transits of Venus and 4 transits of Mercury across the face of the Sun, astronomer Jay Pasachoff is uniquely positioned to share recent scientific work related to eclipses, international coordination of observations, and future plans. What role does mathematics play in predicting eclipses, from the ancient saros observations to Halley’s 1715 map, and from Bessel’s 19th-century equations to today’s web-based zoom-and-click maps? How do theoretical predictions based on magnetic-field measurements, emission spectra of high ionization lines, and radio observations compare to the high res images available today? How is math used at the times of transits of Venus and Mercury to find the distance to the Sun? Join us to find out! Learn more and register at solar.momath.org.
Family Fridays at MoMath presented by Two Sigma: “Sky Spectaculars: Now You See It, Now You Don’t!” with Jay Pasachoff
Friday, May 15, 6:30 pm
Join Professor Jay Pasachoff, one of three people who have seen more total solar eclipses than anybody else in the world, for an evening celebrating the wonder and delight of observable events in our solar system. What makes the sun disappear, and what’s the best way to watch it when it does? Why are some eclipses full and others partial, and what causes an annular (ring) eclipse? When can we see the next partial and total eclipses in New York, and what other exciting things will be happening in our skies? Professor Pasachoff, Chair of the International Astronomical Union’s Working Group on Solar Eclipses and a professor at Williams College, takes us on an exciting journey of mathematical discovery, including a hands-on demonstration illustrating why solar and lunar eclipses occur just a few times each year. Register at familyfridays.momath.org.
Meet Me in Paris: MATRIX x IMAGINARY 2020
Tuesday, September 8 through Friday, September 11
MoMath is pleased to announce that it is joining forces with Institut Henri Poincaré and the IMAGINARY team to bring you MATRIX x IMAGINARY 2020. If you work with a math museum or want to create one; if you design, create, or operate math exhibits; or if you are involved or want to be involved in math outreach or creative math programming, then this is the conference for you! Join us for four days of sharing, networking, and learning as we gather in Paris for the fourth biennial MATRIX conference. For more information, visit matrix.momath.org.
Meet Me in Paris: MATRIX x IMAGINARY 2020
Tuesday, September 8 through Friday, September 11
MoMath is pleased to announce that it is joining forces with Institut Henri Poincaré and the IMAGINARY team to bring you MATRIX x IMAGINARY 2020. If you work with a math museum or want to create one; if you design, create, or operate math exhibits; or if you are involved or want to be involved in math outreach or creative math programming, then this is the conference for you! Join us for four days of sharing, networking, and learning as we gather in Paris for the fourth biennial MATRIX conference. For more information, visit matrix.momath.org.
Ongoing Offerings at MoMath
Expansions: An engaging program for gifted math students
Afternoons through May
Reinvent math class with Expansions, MoMath’s afternoon gifted program. Featuring programs for mathematically gifted students currently enrolled in 1st through 12th grade, Expansions hands-on lessons are designed and delivered by MoMath’s educational team to challenge and inspire students and to broaden their mathematical horizons. With topics ranging from fractals to cellular automata, these afternoon sessions provide an opportunity for participants to learn advanced and fascinating topics not included in the standard K-12 curriculum. Plus, your child can benefit from enjoying math together with small groups of talented and focused young scholars. Expansions offers sessions at several levels; admission is by application only. To learn more, visit expansions.momath.org. MoMath is currently accepting applications for limited spots in the spring 2020 semester.
Expansions has expanded to include grades 9-12, with sessions taught by International Math Olympiad participant and trainer Paul Zeitz. Paul is the co-founder and Board Chairman of Proof School, co-founder of the San Francisco Math Circle, co-founder of the Bay Area Math Olympiad, and author of The Art and Craft of Problem Solving. Click here to learn more and to apply for the Icosahedron program.
Special combination field trip tickets for MoMath and SPYSCAPE
This spring, MoMath is partnering with SPYSCAPE, the museum of spycraft, to bring your class a limited-time opportunity to visit both museums for a discounted rate. Excite your students with the intrigue of cryptography at MoMath, then learn about some real-life stories while solving logic puzzles and other challenges at SPYSCAPE. For more information, visit spyscape.momath.org.
Extensions: bring MoMath to your school!
School days throughout the 2019-2020 academic year
MoMath’s Extensions is an hour-long program, presented in a math class or in a school auditorium, that exposes students to new ways of thinking about mathematics. Students will discover that math is both an art and an exploratory science by engaging with puzzles, games, investigations, and physical activities. Extensions is being offered to middle schools and high schools on a limited basis, through the end of the 2019—2020 school year. Learn more and request a presentation at extensions.momath.org.
Summations, MoMath’s homeschool program, now offers guided Museum exploration.
Weekday afternoons
Join mathematician Paul Zeitz for a focused tour of the Museum, where the goal is to use selected exhibits to really learn about the mathematics behind them. Yes, there will be homework! Weekday afternoon tours can be fit to audiences starting at the middle-school level. Classroom educator sessions are also available. Learn more and arrange a visit at summations.momath.org.
Perspectives: The MoMath Summer College Volunteer Program
Each summer, MoMath offers Perspectives, a volunteer program for college undergraduates. Students who complete Perspectives gain a strong level of knowledge and experience in what it takes to operate a successful business, as well as exposure to a variety of interesting programs, lectures, and people. The expected commitment is five days per week for eight to twelve weeks, and it typically includes assignments on the floor of the Museum, in the retail shop, and in MoMath’s administrative office. Perspectives is an unpaid volunteer program. MoMath is currently accepting applications and will be admitting candidates on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply at volunteers.momath.org.
Integrators: The MoMath High School Volunteer Program
MoMath accepts a limited number of high school students for ongoing volunteer roles during summer vacation and/or the academic year. The Integrators program offers a unique chance to improve interpersonal and communication skills, explore mathematical concepts, and learn valuable job skills. MoMath students interact with visitors on the Museum floor and train with professional educators, interpreters, and managers. Students who participate during summer vacation commit five days per week. During the school year, this opportunity requires a commitment of approximately one day per week, typically a Saturday or Sunday, from September through June. Apply now for summer 2020 or the 2020-2021 school year, or both! Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply at volunteers.momath.org.
Substitutions: MoMath’s substitute educator program
If you enjoy the flexibility and pace of per-diem classroom education, consider applying to MoMath’s substitute educator program, Substitutions. MoMath is looking for motivated, experienced substitute teachers who can engage a room full of students and share their love of enriching mathematics — training provided! This program offers flexible scheduling to accommodate your needs, competitive pay, and the potential for regular engagement. Learn more about educator positions and apply at jobs.momath.org.
Weekend programs for families
Take a tour with MoMath’s Derivatives program (derivatives.momath.org) or join one of MoMath’s specially-trained educators in Explorations, a hands-on classroom experience, to discover the wonder of mathematics (explorations.momath.org). Don’t miss your chance to see math in a whole new light, only at MoMath
Events, birthday parties, and more
Looking to host a one-of-a-kind event where your guests can interact with over 40 engaging exhibits? Enter a world of mathematical intrigue, but don’t worry: amidst all the activity, there is plenty of space for gala-worthy dinners, over-the-top birthday bashes, laser-cutting parties, and bar/bat mitzvahs. Who knew math could be this much fun? Email programservices@momath.org for more information.
School and group visits
MoMath has more than one dozen great programs for school groups visiting the Museum. From graph coloring to Möbius bands, bring your students to MoMath for a view into the exciting world of mathematics and see why kids of all ages love visiting the Museum. Register at fieldtrips.momath.org.
Free trips for Title I schools
Thanks to the support of organizations including Con Edison, Two Sigma, and The Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts, as well as New York City Council Member Mark Levine, 7th District, and some generous MoMath friends, support for Title I schools is now available. To apply for a free trip in the 2019-2020 school year, visit titleone.momath.org. Interested in sponsoring a field trip? Email donation@momath.org.
Beautiful Math
See what mathematicians think is beautiful about mathematics at beautiful.momath.org.
Spread the MoMath word
Like MoMath? Let the world know! Share your comments on:
- Twitter: @MoMath1
- Instagram: @momath1
- YouTube
- TripAdvisor
Join the MoMath community
Become a member today and help ensure that MoMath continues to deliver exciting and engaging math programs for all ages. Visit momath.org/join to become a member and receive unlimited access to MoMath’s innovative exhibits, plus discounts in Additions, the shop at MoMath. Become a premium member and receive early notices and invitations to exclusive MoMath events. Join now and take advantage of MoMath’s low rates. To learn more about long-term memberships, call 212-542-0566
We need you!
Interested in volunteering on the Museum floor? If you love math, would like to help others enjoy MoMath’s interactive suite of exhibits, and are willing to devote two 4-hour shifts each month, please send an email to jobs@momath.org with the subject line “MoMath integrator.” Please include a cover letter, current résumé, and a newly-written essay that, in approximately 150 to 500 words, describes an experience that shaped your love of mathematics.
We hope to see you at MoMath!