Seeking Visiting Mathematicians

Each year at Math On-A-Stick, twelve visiting mathematicians and mathematical artists bring their creativity and enthusiasm to the Minnesota State Fair—a different person each day!

Thanks to the generous support of the Minnesota State Fair Foundation and the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics, we are now able to offer a $300 stipend to each visiting mathematician and artist. Our hope is that this will aid in recruiting a more diverse collection of visitors with a wider range of expertise and backgrounds.

The first step in that process is bringing potential visiting mathematicians and mathematical artists to the attention of the Math On-A-Stick committee. There is an easy way to do that! Simply fill out this form to nominate yourself or somebody else for consideration. The MOAS committee will begin working on this year’s schedule in early spring, with the final schedule in place at the beginning of June.

We think broadly and openly about what it means to be a mathematician or mathematical artist; the most important qualification is being excited to bring some version of creative math to children and families. For inspiration, here are some recent activities from mathematicians and artists visiting Math On-A-Stick:

• Making designs for perler beads on paper, and translating the design into reality to take home a magnet, pendant, or charm
• Predicting and analyzing the results of dipping mathematically-interesting bubble wands into bubble fluid
• Coloring math patterns
• Asking how many colors are necessary to properly color a map of Minnesota counties
• Making patterns and designs on the Mega Pattern Machine that consists of 6561 pop up buttons
• Operating a mechanical calculator
• Perusing and discussing the traveling Calculator Museum which contains everything from an abacus to Desmos

Each year, the committee supports visitors in turning their ideas and dreams into hands-on activities. If you have any questions, reach out to Christopher Danielson at mathematics.csd@gmail.com. The Math On-A-Stick committee of MCTM also includes Annie Perkins, Egohsa Awaa, Jonathan Osters, and Sarah Moffett.