UBC Math Workshop Was Today! — Posted by Michael
Today a UBC professor, Melania Alvarez, came in to do a workshop on mathematics! She brought some math puzzles and activities, and she also spoke to us about what mathematicians do. She works in both anthropology and math, and her background has allowed her to work on all sorts of projects, including studying the quipu of the Ancient Incans! She talked about how many careers are open to you if you have a strong mathematics background.
The first activity we did was about figuring out a number based on a set of criteria or clues. We were given a number grid/chart numbered 1-100. Then there were three problems that have some rules about the mystery number and we had to figure out what the number was four times, once with the whole class and three by yourself or with a partner.
The second puzzle was about making structures with coloured blocks based on a set of criteria. So of the criteria was the blue block has to touch the red block with an edge and the green block had to be at the bottom. It was a 3D structure and each puzzle only had one possibility. If you got it right on the first try then you get ten points, on the second try you would get nine points, and so on. This taught and showed us what mathematicians do. In the end we had a lot of fun while learning in the process!
Thank you to Joshua for his help with this entry!