This summer, Street Math Investigations, a member of the math-educational syndicate Better Living Through Mathematics, brings Mü-Math: The Mobile Unit to Promote Mathematical Thinking, to the Governors Galleries on the Eastern Side of Governors Island. Mü-Math features 15 different hands on, minds on installations of logical agitprop that will challenge visitors to perceive mathematics in new and potentially mind altering ways.


Note: The name Mü-Math is derived from the Greek letter “mu” (pronounced “mew”) and is commonly used in mathematics to identify certain constants and variables; it is also reminiscent of the term “New Math” which ushered in a revolutionary, albeit confusing, era of mathematics education in the1960s.

Designed and fabricted by Brooklyn resident, idealistic educator and reformed cynic Robert Berkman, Mü-Math: The Mobile Unit to Promote Mathematical Thinking, is the culmination of his professional work teaching pre-kindergarden through college level mathematics for more than 25 years. Reaching into his early background in industrial arts and graphic design, Berkman incoporates sheet metal, laser cut acrylic panels and flexible magnetic papers to fashion colorful, interactive displays which incorporate the distinct imagery of NYC. Each exhibit is hand-crafted to include minute details of New York life, from the pentagonal nut used to control fire hydrants to the rapidly disappearing mechanical parking meters.

 

  • Installation Highlights
  • •What’s Your Subway’s Number? Arrange the iridescent subway cars in a tunnel to figure out the identity of the mystery car.
  • •On the Sidewalk: How are you going to arrange those hydrants, bus stops, bicycle racks and mailboxes on a crowded sidewalk? Use the clues to figure out the answer.
  • •Is This Puzzle Kosher? : You have some pickles, you have some barrels: how can you share the pickles while keeping the barrels in balance?
  • •Find Your Fare: Using the clues provided, move your magnetic pedestrians around the streets and avenues to reach the ultimate goal: hailing a cab!
  • •Manholes All In a Row: Arrange the multi-color manhole covers so that there is a different one in each row, column and quadrant.
  • •A Walk Around the Block: The exit is only 6 feet away from the entrance, but you'll need to make 14 right turns to get there.

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Mü-Math is self-guided, with docents available to answer questions and drop hints, which may be helpful. A “Mathematical Tour” of Governors Island will also be available as a downloadable podcast that will guide visitors around the island with a special mathematical perspective on its history, geography and art. Visitors will be able to download the podcast after June 15 at www.smi-ny.com.


Location: Governors Island, The Governors Galleries, Unit 2B
Dates: May 26 to September 30, 2012
Days: Saturdays, Sundays, & holiday Mondays
Hours: 11 am – 6 pm

Volunteers Needed: email r@bltm.com for docent and internship opportunities.

 

Mü-Math: Mobile Unit to Pomote Mathematical Thinking is presented in collaboration with