Humanising Math and Physics
On Computer Science
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Good Afternoon!
The first is Faraday’s law of induction, the second is Ampère’s law as amended by Maxwell to include the displacement current ∂D/∂t, the third and fourth are Gauss’ laws for the electric and magnetic fields. The displacement current term ∂D/∂t in Amp`ere’s law is essential in predicting the existence of propagating electromagnetic waves.[..]
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
The effects
Okay.
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Hi!
- Computer Engineer
- Programming
- Electronics
- Math <3 <3
- Physics
- Lego
- Meetups
- Animals
- Coffee
- GIFs
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Disclaimers
My personal opinion here
There are people with different experiences
If you have ideas, comments, etc, please contact me @hannelita
This subject is wide, so I'd like to hear
your thoughts!
Why are you talking about Math/Physics?
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Short story about my undergrad. course
Calculus I
Calculus II
Calculus III
Differential Equations I
Analytics Geometry
Startistics
Physics I
Physics II
Physics III
Physics IV
Calculus IV
Differential Equations II
Discrete Mathematics
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Ahhhh
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
"Solve this equation"
- Why?
- Where am I going to use this?
- How this was invented?
Some professors did not contextualize Math and Physics
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Sometimes, this lack of context confuse us
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Or demotivate us.
"I hate Calculus"
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Or 'dehumanize' us
This feedback was *FOR ME*.
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Techniques to humanize
Math and Physics
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Tell the story behind the equation
(sometimes Professors try)
Technique 1:
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
But not this:
"In XVI Century, the mathematician created the following structure: [..]"
Provide a date is not 'History'
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Tell the story of the Scientist
They were also humans!
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
We can find in Math and Physics history:
- Family drama
- Tragical deaths
- Amazing random facts
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Example 1: Kepler
- Catholic Church chases
- He wrote a fictional book, Somnium, about an expedition to the moon
- He came from a really poor family and did amazing things especially because one of his friends, Tycho, gave him financial aids
What comes to your mind when you read "Kepler"?
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Benefits of teaching Kepler History
- Could be a bridge for teaching Renaissance history
- Teach about Inquisition chases for those who did not agree with their laws (by that time, you should believe that the Earth was the center of the Universe)
- Show literature examples about Science Fiction!
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Example 2: Euler
What comes to your mind when you read "Euler"?
(This question is tricky and controversial because he did too many things)
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Example 2: Euler
- Show a human example of doing math even blind
- Act in many areas of math/physics and other subj
- Mental calculations techniques
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Benefits of teaching Euler History
- Motivate the students: 'hey, he was blind when he did this! Move on, don't give up!'
- Teach about medical issues
- Stop bullying
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
We have several examples
Some could become movies
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Technique 2
Make more movies about science history
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
There should be a movie about Évariste Galois
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Galois movie
- French History
- Math
- Rebelions
- Young math genius ignored
- Political opposition, chases, threats
- Absolutism
- Math genius is also member of revolution
- Seduced by young woman
- Killed in a duel by the age of 20 years old
- Political Conspiracy
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Galois movie
- Group theory!
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
It's important to show we have humans behind
People with feelings
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
This movie technique seems to have worked for Alan Turing
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Final part
Applying these tips to Computer Science
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Technique 3
Connect Math and Physics with the main area of study
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Example 1
Teach numerical methods with algorithms or data structures
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Don't forget to tell the story behind the numerical method!
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Don't forget to tell the story behind the algorithm!
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Teach statistics during UI/UX classes!
Example 2
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
So students will learn to collect and analyse data from the users
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Keep in mind: we have humans, like you and me, making science :)
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Maybe their stories stimulate our students
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
In software development, we have been trying to unify the areas
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
We also need a better unification between Math, Physics and Technology on industry!
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Don't waste time blaming students and professors.
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
My small contribution
http://medium.com/@hannelita
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Thank you :)
Questions?
hannelita@gmail.com
@hannelita
#HumanisingScience #froscon @hannelita
Froscon Humanising Math and Physics
By Hanneli Tavante (hannelita)