Monday, October 9
MSCS Colloquium: The Power of Mathematics Teaching in an Age of Alternative Facts
David Kung, Professor of Mathematics, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Abstract: Most citizens spend years in our mathematics classes before they ever cast a vote. Are we preparing them to be responsible, informed participants in a thriving democracy? What mathematics is required to understand current events, critically examine issues of social and economic justice, and properly evaluate public policy proposals? What can educators who teach mathematics do to fight back against the rise of alternative facts? We will discuss example problems, student projects, and pedagogical choices that push us in the direction of a more just world.
3:30 pm, RNS 310
Departments of Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science and Music Present:
David Kung, Professor of Mathematics, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Harmonious Equations: an Exploration of Math & Music
Mathematical concepts will come to life with musical examples played by a string quartet comprised of the speaker and St. Olaf Students!
7:30 pm, Viking Theater
Tuesday, October 10
MN ACS Meeting
Chemistry Seminar: Climate Change: Why Don’t Facts Seem to Matter?
Patrick Hamilton, Director, Global Initiatives, Science learning Division, Science Museum of Minnesota
Abstract: The scientific understanding of the human influence on the climate system has never been more essential to our wellbeing but often faces indifference and even antipathy. Why does climate science often meet resistance and what might we do in response?
7:30 pm, Viking Theatre,BC12
Wednesday, October 11
Physics Colloquium: Building Better Batteries for the Body
Erik Scott ’87, PhD., Bakken Fellow, Technical Fellow and Director of Advanced Development at Medtronic Incorporated, Restorative Therapies Group.
Abstract: Very often, successful products require contributions from a variety of disciplines. This talk discusses how physics, electrochemistry and materials science come to bear to solve a special problem: creating a very high performance battery to supply power for medical devices implanted in the human body.
2:00 pm, RNS 210
Thursday, October 12
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Friday, October 13
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