Blog Post #16: What I learned from Assignment 2 presentations (Part 2)

Although I wasn't able to make it to class, I still learned a lot from just reading the slides! Here are 4 things that stuck with me: 

1. In Ivan's presentation, I really appreciated the inclusion of the Ojibwa, an Anishinaabe Nation, who started measuring distance by the time it took them to travel. I find this so natural and beautiful; a very immersive form of measurement. I am currently reading a book titled Rewind Yourself (which I can recommend like nothing else!) about how to enjoy nature by immersing yourself in new ways. This form of measurement, accounting for rough terrain and weather is kind of a wonderful way to think of measurement and a very interesting new way to immerse yourself in nature. How long does it take to travel by foot from here to hope? Well, now I want to find out! It is kind of beautiful to think that people can take all sorts of pathways to get to the same destination, and that each measurement is representative of the timing, decisions, and personalities of each measurer. It's also a great way to experience travelling the hidden roads!

2. In Emilie's presentation about the history of geometric constructions, I learned an incredible tool to use when teaching geometry: origami! Not only is this involving art (another very important subject) in the lesson, but it can be used at every level of education and can spark interest for students who find math a little bit too 2D. You can use simple origami or more complex origami for all different levels which is something I love about this idea. I was recently discussing the lack of tangible construction and engineering applications in the BC curriculum, but this may be a tiny step in the right direction!

3. In Mike's presentation about Pythagorus, I found it fascinating that Pythagorus had formed a cult-like religious brotherhood. To believe that their soul could be enlightened by studying certain numbers is not actually that uncommon of a thought. As a certified yoga teacher (although I do not actually teach), I have learned that 108 is a sacred number and that many cultures have different sacred numbers, many of which bring enlightenment to those who immerse themselves in the numbers. Back to this aspect of Pythagorus' life, I realize that someone who has had a large impact such as pythagorus, doesn't necessarily need to be sane. A cult-like leader may not be the role model we all look for in the great mathematicians that came before us! I also find it somewhat ironic that the "brotherhood" (which I'm assuming had no female members) dedicated themselves to the mysticism in numbers where 2 was symbolic of female principles, and all even numbers were female. How can one study numbers where half are dedicated to women, and not involve women in their studies? I wonder what pythagorus was like in conversation and if we would look at him as "crazy" if he were alive today. 

4. In Yiru's presentation about surface area and volume, I found it fascinating how innovative Archimedes was to have derived and proved so many surface areas and volumes! By progressively doubling the sides of a hexagon he was able to get a more accurate representation of a circle, which is genius! I also think it's incredible to have food that the area was pi*r^2 and to have studied the circle so much as to approximate pi as greater than 25344/8069 but smaller than 29376/9347! Without a calculator this must have taken him years and years!