Program
Local Hosts: Ronda and Will Webber, Mike Naylor
TITLE: Bézier Curves: A Design Unit for
Pre-Calculus
PRESENTER: Seth Bundy
DESCRIPTION: In this unit, we introduce the concept of a parametric
equation to learn how Bézier curves work. We begin by doing string
art to explore how a quadratic Bézier curve is created from three
points connected by two line segments. After making the parametric connection,
we go on to use Casteljou's algorithm to create a cubic Bézier
curve, the type most commonly used today in software such as Adobe Photoshop.
We will use Geometer's Sketchpad to deepen our understanding and to
create letters in our own invented font.
TITLE: Using Physical Models and Graphing Calculators to Calculate
Volumes of Solids of Revolution
PRESENTER: Connie Savoie
DESCRIPTION: Participants will be using graphing calculators
to do curve fitting from physical models. From there, the calculators
will be used to find the volume of the solid of revolution. Please bring
a graphing calculator if you have one.
TITLE: Abacaba-Dabacaba!
PRESENTERS: Mike Naylor and Will Webber
DESCRIPTION: Take a fast and fun romp through the world of patterns!
We'll follow a single mathematical thread and marvel as it weaves through
geometry, algebra, fractals, puzzles, poetry, art, music, higher-dimensional
space... and beyond!
TITLE: Introducing the 4th dimension
PRESENTER: Will Webber
DESCRIPTION: This activity will be an introduction to geometric
shapes in the 4th dimension. Using triangular graph paper and the zome
tool we will investigate the similarities of drawing 3D objects in the
plane and "drawing" 4D objects in space.
TITLE: Folding with a staple
PRESENTER: Will Webber
DESCRIPTION: Investigate the possibilities of doing origami
with stapled paper. This activity will lead us in some very unexpected
directions.
