Month:

What is the Engineering Design Process?

  • September 9

Join Katie, an engineering student at Duke, as we investigate what the engineering design process is here at Abele Quad in Duke University. Read her blog post about creating this design-themed tour here: https://talkstem.org/designing-a-tour-about-design-thinking-and-engineering-what-i-learned-while-creating-walkstemduke-unive... CONTINUE READING

How Does Design Impact Capacity at the Bryan Center Plaza?

  • September 9

Duke University engineering student, Katie takes us on a tour through the Bryan Center Plaza, and shows us how design can impact the capacity of a space - particularly important when social distancing rules are in place! You can access supplementary student activity sheets here: https://talkstem.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/walkSTEM-at-DukeUniversity.pdf .... CONTINUE READING

What is a Makerspace?

  • September 9

Duke University, engineering student, Katie shows us the Design Pod, a dedicated makerspace on campus. But what is a makerspace, and how can we use one? Let's discuss! Read her blog post about creating this design-themed tour here: https://talkstem.org/designing-a-tour-about-design-thinking-and-engineering-what-i-learned-while... CONTINUE READING

What Shaped the Design of the Duke Engineering Quad?

  • September 9

We join Duke University engineering student, Katie as we investigate the design principles at play in the Harrington Engineering Quad, and what historical precedents those designs grew out of. Read her blog post about creating this design-themed tour here: https://talkstem.org/designing-a-tour-about-design-thinking-and-enginee... CONTINUE READING

How does Gravity Affect Flowing Water?

  • September 9

Dr. Glen Whitney, founder of the National Museum of Mathematics in New York and walkSTEM advisor explores the natural phenomenon of water tapering in as it flows downward. Have you ever noticed this? A supplementary activity guide is available for this video, thanks to participation by faculty and students at Simmons School of Education and Human Development at SMU: https://talkstem.org/talkstem-activity-guid... CONTINUE READING

How Do You Create Your Own Labyrinth?

  • September 9

Dr. Glen Whitney, founder of the National Museum of Mathematics in New York and walkSTEM advisor discusses the differences between a labyrinth and a maze and poses the math questions that directly relate to the design of a labyrinth, which is a winding path that never repeats, and yet has only one route that can take you from the outer edge to the center. How do you design a labyrinth? How many different labyrinths could there be or is this the only one?... 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

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

How do you Measure Slope?

  • September 9

Dr. Glen Whitney, founder of the National Museum of Mathematics in New York and walkSTEM advisor wonders what is the slope of the amphitheater and figures out a quick way to estimate it.... CONTINUE READING

What is Mathematical about a Tree?

  • September 9

Dr. Glen Whitney, founder of the National Museum of Mathematics in New York and walkSTEM advisor wonders what is mathematical about trees. He asks why do trees always have a larger singular trunk at the Earth, and more smaller branches in the sky? Why not one singular branch that stretches up? Dr. Glen Whitney explores this natural phenomenon that applies to all trees. A supplementary activity guide is available for this video, thanks to participation by faculty and students at Simmons School of... CONTINUE READING