Date: February 3, 2017

The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS) was founded in 1996, and the University of Saskatchewan joined in 2008.

The members of PIMS now include all the major Canadian research universities west of Ontario, as well as universities in Washington and Oregon. Please join us on the 3rd of February to celebrate PIMS and 20 years of promoting research, training, and public awareness for the mathematical sciences. The celebration will start with a public lecture by Dr. Gerda de Vries from the University of Alberta, one of the PIMS founding Universities, followed by a reception.

Program

• 3:30pm Welcome and opening remarks
• 3:45pm Public Lecture: Dr. Gerda de Vries (University of Alberta):
  MAKING MATHEMATICS WITH NEEDLE AND THREAD: Quilts as Mathematical Objects

  The connection between textiles and mathematics is intimate but not often explored, possibly because textiles and fiber arts have traditionally been the domain of women while mathematics was viewed as a male endeavour. How times have changed! Today, textiles and mathematics, like art and science, are recognized for their interwoven, complementary attributes. In this presentation, mathematics professor Gerda de Vries will examine the connection between textiles and mathematics, in the context of both traditional and contemporary quilts. In a sense, every quilt is a mathematical object, by virtue of the fact that it has shape and dimension. But some quilts are more mathematical than others, and in very different ways. She will show how mathematical concepts such as symmetry, fractals, and algorithmic design show up in the world of quilting through serendipitous and intentional design.

  This lecture is for a general audience. A background in mathematics is not needed, nor the ability to sew!

• 4:45pm Reception

Attendance is free of charge, but please RSVP preferably by noon on Monday January 30th