MathPath 2023: Midway Reflections

We have reached the midway point of MathPath 2022, and are reflecting on the remarkable growth and development our students have exhibited thus far. The initial nerves and uncertainties have given way to a sense of comfort and familiarity, allowing our students to truly make the most of their MathPath experience. However, now that we’re comfortable, we expect time to begin to move faster. This emphasizes the importance of making every moment count and fully immersing ourselves in the remaining time we have together.

MathPathers working together during the annual Puzzle Hunt

We hosted many fantastic visiting speakers this past week. Satyan Devadoss of the University of San Diego spent Wednesday and Thursday with us. He spoke with vigor about a geometric puzzle developed by Albrecht Dürer involving “unfolding” faces of polyhedra. Dr. Devadoss shared a story about how he built a two-ton interactive sculpture of this unfolding which was showcased at the Burning Man festival. He encouraged the students to continue working with their hands, as he feels that physical creations make mathematics more tangible and affecting. Later in the week, Leanne Merrill joined us from Western Oregon University. She shared her research on crossword puzzles with the students, handing out whiteboards for students to explore the combinatorics involved with constructing crosswords. Dr. Merrill’s infectious enthusiasm and vibrant teaching style made the session both educational and enjoyable for all. Beyond her expertise in mathematics, she surprised and delighted the students by sharing her remarkable opera singing voice at the end of the plenary.

Prof. D thanks Professor Leanne Merrill with a MathPath 2023 t-shirt and hat

This week's lineup of breakout courses provided us with a wealth of knowledge and insights. Dr. Asia introduced us to the intriguing ability to create “Proof By Story.” In this breakout, students learned how they could prove various combinatorial identities by telling the right story. Dr. Van Cott challenged our number theory skills in the captivating “Frobenius Numbers,” giving students the tools to discover which orders of McDonald’s chicken nuggets are impossible. Additionally, Glen enlightened us with "Spherical Trigonometry," showcasing the unique geometry that emerges when placed on a sphere instead of a plane. As always, Glen's captivating storytelling immersed us in the history of developing geometry on a sphere and the remarkable discoveries made by mathematicians of the past about the workings of the universe.


Illustrating stories in “Proof by Story” with Dr. Asia

This past weekend, we ventured off campus and had a blast exploring a fresh set of field trip destinations. A group of eleven lucky students embarked on an exhilarating zipline adventure, exploring the scenic forests outside of Portland from the air. Meanwhile, another group embarked on a picturesque hike to the historic Pittock Mansion in Forest Park, located conveniently across the Willamette River from our campus. Led by Counselor Hannah, a group of enthusiastic MathPath game lovers visited Red Castle Games, where they indulged in collecting and renting various board games. The largest group excursion of the day took place at Skyzone, where a swarm of MathPathers enjoyed bouncing on trampolines, playing dodgeball, and engaging in friendly duels with foam javelins.

Counselors Lawrence and Charles leading a hike across the river from downtown Portland




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