Month:

What Angles do We Make when We Walk?

  • September 9

This video was features two IF/THEN® ambassadors, Dr. Julie Mirpuri and Dr. Kirsten Tulchin-Francis. Dr. Julie Mirpuri is a Physician Scientist at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Dr. Kirsten Tulchin-Francis is the Director of Movement Science at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Julie and Kirsten answer the questions: What angles do we create walking? How are they important for getting where we need to go? Can you try walking around wi... CONTINUE READING

What is the weight of an ice rink?

  • September 9

Ronald Kirk Bridge is a pedestrian bridge over the Trinity River in Dallas, connecting downtown Dallas and West Dallas. It is over 2,000 feet long and 60 feet wide. What would happen if water froze on the middle of the Ron Kirk Bridge? Could we create an ice rink on this bridge? talkSTEM members explore this question and estimate how much weight an ice rink would add to the bridge.... CONTINUE READING

How tall is the Ad Astra sculpture?

  • September 9

Join Dr. Glen Whitney, founder of the National Museum of Mathematics on a math walk. He uses the power of similar triangles to calculate the height of a giant sculpture inside the NorthPark Center. How can we estimate the height of the sculpture without getting a ladder? This video was supported by NorthPark Center. Supplementary Activity Guides for this video to extend student learning for K-12 grade levels are freely available here:... CONTINUE READING

What is the angle at the very top of the Ad Astra sculpture?

  • September 9

Join Dr. Glen Whitney, founder of the National Museum of Mathematics on a math walk. With the help of friends, he attempts to estimate the angle at the top of this very tall angle at the top of the Ad Astra sculpture. This video was supported by NorthPark Center. Supplementary Activity Guides for this video to extend student learning for K-12 grade levels are freely available here: https://talkstem.org/talkst... CONTINUE READING

What is Symmetry?

  • September 9

Symmetry describes the properties possessed by some shapes and objects that allows them to look similar when flipped, turned, or shifted. We take a look around the Dallas Public Library to find instances of symmetry in the designs around us.... CONTINUE READING

How Symmetrical Is It?

  • September 9

Dr. Glen Whitney, founder of the National Museum of Mathematics in New York and walkSTEM advisor discusses different kinds of symmetry you can experience in this place including rotational and mirror symmetry.... CONTINUE READING

How did Calatrava Build this Sculpture?

  • September 9

Dr. Glen Whitney, founder of the National Museum of Mathematics in New York and walkSTEM advisor admires the stunning and dynamic Wave sculpture created by renowned artist Santiago Calatrava. He asks and answers three questions about this artwork: Is it straight or is it curved? Is it symmetric? How did Calatrava build this sculpture?... CONTINUE READING

What is Symmetry Doing for Us?

  • September 9

Dr. Glen Whitney, founder of the National Museum of Mathematics in New York and walkSTEM advisor admires the dome shaped ceiling in Dallas Hall. He notices the symmetries in the design of the rotunda and finds a linear relationship between symmetry and decorative items. This is a great example of a beautiful design produced through the use of a variety of different kinds of symmetries. A supplementary activity guide is available for this video, thanks to participation by faculty and students at... CONTINUE READING

What’s the Most Symmetrical Solid?

  • September 9

Dr. Glen Whitney, founder of the National Museum of Mathematics in New York and walkSTEM advisor speaks to us from Klyde Warren Park where he notices interesting things about the fun climbing structure in the Children’s playground and also the shape of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in the distance. He makes connections between his observations and Platonic solids and also answers the question: What’s the Most Symmetrical Solid in the Dallas Arts District? Supplementary Activity Guid... CONTINUE READING