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University of San Diego Fletcher Jones professor of applied mathematics, Dr. Satyan Devadoss, questions whether mathematics should be learned merely for the sake of utility and efficiency. Throughout high school, we are taught mathematics because it is useful in STEM fields. It is for the sake of new technologies that you learn about percentages, Pythagoras, and polynomials. But perhaps, by turning math into merely a science, we have missed its poetry. As Dr. Devadoss discusses in his book, Mage Merlin’s Unsolved Math Mysteries, the beauty of mathematics is not its technological use, but its ability to expand our imaginations and discover the world beyond the limits of the material.

Topics:

• Modern Math Education - Skill over Discovery
• The Loss of Wonder in Modern Math Education
• Joy in Solving Unsolved Math Problems
• Rediscovering the Beauty of Mathematics
• How STEM studies Became Separated from the Humanities and why it matters
• Exploring Education and Interconnectiveness
• Complexity and Value of Different Disciplines
• The Value of Analog vs Digital - "Learning to be Human again"
• "What books have had an impact on you?"
• "What advice do you have for teenagers?"

Bio:
Dr. Satyan Devadoss is the Fletcher Jones professor of applied mathematics at the University of San Diego. Before this, he was professor at Williams for nearly 15 years, and has held visiting positions at Ohio State, Harvey Mudd, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, and Stanford. He is a fellow of the American Mathematical Society, and recipient of two national teaching awards, with his thoughts appearing in venues such as NPR, the Times of London, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. His most recent book is Mage Merlin’s Unsolved Math Mysteries (MIT/Penguin), and his other adventures can be explored here: https://satyandevadoss.org/

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