July 6 - July 10, 2009 (9:00am - 5:00pm)
The goal of this week-long course is to develop the skill set needed for success in the 21st century -- the ability to think and solve problems, while having a lot of fun. Science as a career is largely the solving of mysteries based on a few indirect clues. The challenge is in finding the links between these clues, and the effort to find these links can be as much fun as getting to the final result. How can we look inside a closed object, without taking it apart? What is the biggest shape I can make with a limited number of simple playing pieces? To enjoy these puzzles and succeed at solving them, it doesn’t require any special background or ability in math or science, but only an interest in trying.
One of the major tasks of the course will be to solve the Rubik's Cube -- with a lot of help from the instructor and the assistants. Students will also attempt to solve a number of mathematical puzzles such as aggregation bias problems, deriving the Pythagorean Theorem and using it to solve several problems, and studying non-transitive dice and other related phenomena. Other problems will be taken from geometry, operations research, risk management and probability. Instructional strategies include some lecture with a majority of small group and individual instruction.
Dr Edwin
Meyer from B-W's Physics Department is the director.
275 Eastland Rd.