Making Math Visible

George Hart is a sculptor and applied mathematician who demonstrates how mathematics is cool and creative in ways you might not have expected. Whether he is slicing a bagel into two linked halves or leading hundreds of participants in an intricate geometric sculpture barn raising, he always finds original ways to share the beauty of mathematical thinking. An interdepartmental research professor at Stony Brook University, he holds a B.S. in Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT. His background in math, engineering, and education has enabled him to design many hands-on activities and to lead workshops around the world.

Elisabeth Heathfield is a certified teacher and an artist with in-depth experience running math workshops at the middle and elementary school levels. For the 2015/2016 academic year, she is a visiting scholar at Stony Brook University where she is conducting research into early math education. She is interested in exploring the connections between math and art and how hands-on construction activities can change children's mindsets about mathematics. Elisabeth has created and managed a weekly after-school STEAM club, as well as community math nights and Celebration of Mind events for Martin Gardner's birthday. She has given math-education workshops to teachers at Lakehead University, at the Ontario Association of Math Educators Conference, at the MIT Museum, and various NY City schools.  Elisabeth has a B.A. in Visual Art from OCAD University, a B.Ed. from Lakehead University, and an M.A. from Norwich University of Art. She is also a practicing artist whose work has been exhibited in Canada, England, Italy, and the US and has taught fine art classes at various institutions in Ontario.