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MAY 3: Press Preview Day for 2019 National Math Festival in DC
[May 03, 2019]

MAY 3: Press Preview Day for 2019 National Math Festival in DC


Mathematical Sciences Research Institute:

WHAT
The 2019 National Math Festival will open a day early on May 3rd to provide press and pre-registered students from local schools, including several Title I schools, an opportunity to experience many of the offerings of the free event in advance. The May 4th festival enables attendees of all ages to explore playful and accessible presentations and fun activities on the math behind how the world works. The daylong, experiential event features creative short films, math-inspired dance, a magic show, team sports challenges, hands-on art making, puzzles, games, demos, fascinating speakers, and more. Topics range from pro football to music, art, dating, cryptography, planet earth, and data. The festival is organized by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) in cooperation with the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) and the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath).

WHEN
May 3, 2019, 10am-2pm: School Preview Day for media and pre-registered local schools (May 4th is open and free to the public from 10am-4pm.)

SELECT MAY 4 HIGHLIGHTS
Below are highlights from the main event on May 4th. (The School Preview Day on May 3rd will only feature major activity presenters and not speakers from the public festival.)



  • Some of today's most fascinating mathematicians, presenters, and performers, including:
    • John Urschel, MIT (News - Alert) Ph.D. candidate in mathematics and former Baltimore Ravens NFL offensive lineman, presents on the physics of football and geometry of chess
    • Dr. Marcus du Sautoy, University of Oxford Mathematics professor, author, and BBC host, explores whether machines will evolve to be as creative as humans
    • Dr. Holly Krieger, University of Cambridge Mathematics fellow and popular guest on the YouTube (News - Alert) channel Numberphile, dives into the dizzying world of pure mathematics
    • Emily Riehl, associate professor at Johns Hopkins, explores the mathematics of social choice through the topic of voting
    • Magician Mark Mitton teaches the audience impromptu math-magic tricks
    • BARKIN/SELISSEN PROJECT, a NYC-based dance company, performs Dance of the Diagram-commissioned by mathematician Dr. James Simons
    • Young People's Project's 3rd Annual National Flagway™ Tournament features middle schoolers participating in a competition combining athleticism and math
    • Dr. Lillian Pierce, associate professor of Mathematics, Duke University, explores 300 years of math and music in 30 minutes
  • Activities-Short films, Mathical Reading Room, and Make or Take Spiral, including
    • MathMINDs Games: South of the Sahara-The MIND Research Institute's games mix history, culture, and geography
    • ThinkFun Games- Interactive games produced by ThinkFun, an Arlington, Va.-based company that creates award-winning math and engineering-inspired games
    • Fairfax Math Circle-Local afterschool math club teaches origami

WHERE
Onsite Press Registration: Upstairs on Bridge Outside Hall D Entrance
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mt Vernon Place NW, D.C.

WHY
Math is everywhere and part of all facets of everyday life. Through the National Math Festival, MSRI strives to make math accessible and exciting to those outside of the field. Located in Berkeley, California, MSRI is one of the world's preeminent centers for collaborative research in mathematics and works to advance mathematical research, foster talent, and further the appreciation of mathematics.


HOW
The event is free and open to the public. More information at: www.nationalmathfestival.org. Reporters interested in covering the School Preview Day or festival should contact Shawn Flaherty at 703-554-3609.


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