Humanizing Math and Physics

On Computer Science

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @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.[..]

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @hannelita

The effects

Okay.

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @hannelita

Hi!

  • Computer Engineer
  • Programming
  • Electronics
  • Math <3 <3
  • Physics
  • Lego
  • Meetups
  • Animals
  • Coffee
  • GIFs

I'm from Brazil (it's colder there than here!!11)

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @hannelita

Why are you talking about Math/Physics?

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @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

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Ahhhh

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"Solve this equation"

  • Why?
  • Where am I going to use this?
  • How this was invented? 

Some professors did not contextualize Math and Physics

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Sometimes, this lack of context confuse us

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Or demotivate us.

"I hate Calculus"

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Or 'dehumanize' us

This feedback was *FOR ME*.

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#HumanizingScience #osb15 @hannelita

Techniques to humanize

Math and Physics

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @hannelita

Tell the story behind the equation

(sometimes Professors try)

Technique 1:

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But not this:

"In XVI Century, the mathematician created the following structure: [..]"

Provide a date is not 'History'

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @hannelita

Tell the story of the Scientist

They were also humans!

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We can find in Math and Physics history:

  • Family drama
  • Tragical deaths
  • Amazing random facts

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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"?

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @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!

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @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)

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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

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @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

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We have several examples

Some could become movies

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Technique 2

Make more movies about science history

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @hannelita

There should be a movie about Évariste Galois

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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

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @hannelita

Galois movie

  • Group theory!

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It's important to show we have humans behind

People with feelings

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This movie technique seems to have worked for Alan Turing

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Final part

Applying these tips to Computer Science

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Technique 3

Connect Math and Physics with the main area of study

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Example 1

Teach numerical methods with algorithms or data structures

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Don't forget to tell the story behind the numerical method! 

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Don't forget to tell the story behind the algorithm! 

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @hannelita

Teach statistics during UI/UX classes! 

Example 2

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So students will learn to collect and analyse data from the users

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Keep in mind: we have humans, like you and me, making science :)

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @hannelita

Maybe their stories stimulate our students

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In software development, we have been trying to unify the areas

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We also need a better unification between Math, Physics and Technology on industry!

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @hannelita

Don't waste time blaming students and professors.

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My small contribution

http://medium.com/@hannelita

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @hannelita

Thank you :)

Questions?

 

hannelita@gmail.com

@hannelita

#HumanizingScience #osb15 @hannelita

By Hanneli Tavante (hannelita)