I was recently asked to speak at the awards ceremony for the winners of the Witwatersrand math competition. This presented a particular challenge, because there were winners in age groups ranging from nine-year-olds to college students. Here is the talk I ended up giving:
Wonderful talk.
I’m so glad you’re in this world, Steve.
David R. Henderson
B.Sc., University of Winnipeg, 1970. (Winner of the Gold Medal in Math)
I was one of the organisers. Steve a public thank you for agreeing to speak. We really enjoyed having you. Since the talk (a few hours at this point) I’ve received a few independent and unsolicited messages from people saying how much they enjoyed your talk in particular.
You could have been a recruiter!
That was quite beautiful. I wish I heard that talk when I was 18.
David R Henderson (#1):
I’m so glad you’re in this world, Steve.
I feel the same way about you, David. Often.
Monster of a talk!
Nicely pitched, I think, to the different levels. I like the community part at the end as well. Makes maths sound a lot more cozy than the usual conception. Inspiring.
It is something of a shame that the audience (initially at any rate) will be those already turned on to maths. This could be adapted for those struggling and wondering why they are bothering at all.
So you are on the side of invented rather than discovered (e.g. negative numbers)? Although that does clash a bit with the later claim that maths would be true without humans. Was that something you thought about?
Not entirely off-topic for a thread about young math geniuses – I think this would be enlightening for many of them…
Thank you so much, Steve.
Very busy with deadlines but let’s have our talk later this month.
I like the aspergers talk. I think the question how do you feel? is something most men can relate to.
It is a very good and empathic description of how people who may think a bit differently are essentially the same but their differences are such that they stand out.
It was quite moving and put across different ways of thinking very clearly. Thanks for posting that.
I just watched that video for the first time, and realized that my stepdaughter is an Aspie.
I should have realized that earlier, given that I am one, but the presentation of the disorder is just so different in girls.
As a high school mathematics teacher, you did a great job engaging the attention of your target audience. Students who are passionate about mathematics and compete in prestigious competitions have a vested interest and curiosity about mathematics, and are very receptive to the many ways that mathematics is useful, valuable, and provides infinite possibilities. You did an outstanding job connecting relevant applications of mathematics and the contributions that have helped shape the understandings and technologies available today.
Sarah D (#11): Thanks very much for stopping by to share this.