Short Wave Choose Your Own (Math) Adventure
Oct 18, 2022
Dr. Pamela Harris, a mathematics professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee known for her work in combinatorics, shares her fascination with Choose Your Own Adventure books. She connects these interactive narratives to her field, explaining how math involves exploring branching possibilities. The conversation dives into parking functions, showcasing how personal choices affect problem-solving. Harris emphasizes the creativity in mathematics, illustrating how storytelling enhances understanding and invites listeners to appreciate the joy of mathematical discovery.
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Childhood Hook
- Dr. Pamela Harris recalls being captivated by a Choose Your Own Adventure book as a child.
- The decision-making aspect of the story hooked her instantly.
Math and Adventures
- Dr. Harris connects Choose Your Own Adventure books to combinatorics, her field of mathematics.
- Both involve exploring endless, branching possibilities and decision-making.
Parking Functions Project
- While working on parking functions with students, they explored many "what if" scenarios.
- This led to a collection of potential research projects, mirroring the branching paths in Choose Your Own Adventure books.