Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Preface
- Introduction
- Contents
- Learning from the Medieval Master Masons: A Geometric Journey through the Labyrinth
- Dem Bones Ain't Dead: Napier's Bones in the Classroom
- The Towers of Hanoi
- Rectangular Protractors and the Mathematics Classroom
- Was Pythagoras Chinese?
- Geometric String Models of Descriptive Geometry
- The French Curve
- Area Without Integration: Make Your Own Planimeter
- Historical Mechanisms for Drawing Curves
- Learning from the Roman Land Surveyors: A Mathematical Field Exercise
- Equating the Sun: Geometry, Models, and Practical Computing in Greek Astronomy
- Sundials: An Introduction to Their History, Design, and Construction
- Why is a Square Square and a Cube Cubical?
- The Cycloid Pendulum Clock of Christiaan Huygens
- Build a Brachistochrone and Captivate Your Class
- Exhibiting Mathematical Objects: Making Sense of your Department's Material Culture
- About the Authors
Exhibiting Mathematical Objects: Making Sense of your Department's Material Culture
- Frontmatter
- Preface
- Introduction
- Contents
- Learning from the Medieval Master Masons: A Geometric Journey through the Labyrinth
- Dem Bones Ain't Dead: Napier's Bones in the Classroom
- The Towers of Hanoi
- Rectangular Protractors and the Mathematics Classroom
- Was Pythagoras Chinese?
- Geometric String Models of Descriptive Geometry
- The French Curve
- Area Without Integration: Make Your Own Planimeter
- Historical Mechanisms for Drawing Curves
- Learning from the Roman Land Surveyors: A Mathematical Field Exercise
- Equating the Sun: Geometry, Models, and Practical Computing in Greek Astronomy
- Sundials: An Introduction to Their History, Design, and Construction
- Why is a Square Square and a Cube Cubical?
- The Cycloid Pendulum Clock of Christiaan Huygens
- Build a Brachistochrone and Captivate Your Class
- Exhibiting Mathematical Objects: Making Sense of your Department's Material Culture
- About the Authors
Summary
Introduction
Most of the chapters in this volume suggest ways to use historical mathematical instruments or replicas of those instruments to highlight mathematical or pedagogical principles within the classroom. Yet, some teachers and professors may wish to bring these objects to a wider audience. An on-line or physical exhibit is one venue for increasing public awareness of mathematics and of one's own mathematics department. This chapter outlines fundamental principles of exhibit planning to help professors, teachers, and students identify, understand, and arrange historical objects and books that might be available to them. It suggests methods appropriate to a range of projects, from those displayed for a single day to cases professionally designed at the time of a major school anniversary or building renovation. It is illustrated with examples of models, devices, and books held by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History (NMAH) and the Smithsonian Institution Libraries.
Preliminaries
What is meant by the “material culture” of mathematics? This term simply refers to the objects used in mathematical research and teaching. It includes books, letters, and manuscript notes relating to mathematics. It encompasses drawing instruments as well as computing devices such as slide rules, planimeters, adding machines, and electronic calculators. It also includes physical objects that teach mathematical principles—certain games, toys and puzzles; geometric models; and mathematically important software. If you, your colleagues, or your students have any of this mathematical “stuff” tucked away in a drawer, closet or library, you have the raw materials for an exhibit.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Hands on HistoryA Resource for Teaching Mathematics, pp. 163 - 174Publisher: Mathematical Association of AmericaPrint publication year: 2007