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Math

Mathematicians prove 2D version of quantum gravity really works
Quanta Magazine

Mathematicians prove 2D version of quantum gravity really works

Xin Sun of the School of Arts & Sciences spoke about new research at the intersection of physics, philosophy, and math. “This is a masterpiece in mathematical physics,” he said.

How mathematicians use homology to make sense of topology
Quanta Magazine

How mathematicians use homology to make sense of topology

Robert Ghrist of the School of Arts & Sciences spoke about homology, which uses algebra to identify holes in a particular topological shape. “There’s a real impetus to have methods that are robust and that are pulling out qualitative features,” he said.

Two Churchill Scholars for Penn
Two students

Penn School of Arts & Sciences senior Adam Konkol (left) and December graduate Abigail Timmel have each been awarded a Churchill Scholarship for one year of graduate research study at the University of Cambridge in England. 

Two Churchill Scholars for Penn

Adam Konkol and Abigail Timmel have each been awarded Churchill Scholarships for a year of graduate research study at the University of Cambridge in England. Konkol and Timmel are among only 16 who were selected nationwide.
The impact of providing hands-on, interactive projects
hand using a circuit board

The impact of providing hands-on, interactive projects

With inventXYZ, President’s Innovation Prize winner Nikil Ragav has created a high-tech curriculum for high school to motivate future problem-solvers.

Dee Patel

Five Penn faculty named 2021 Sloan Research Fellows
portraits of from top left clockwise Ishmail Abdus-Saboor, Bo Zhen, Marc Miskin, Ziyue Gao, and Bhaswar B. Bhattacharya

Five Penn faculty named 2021 Sloan Research Fellows

The fellowship recognizes extraordinary U.S. and Canadian researchers whose creativity, innovation, and research accomplishments make them stand out as the next generation of scientific leaders.

Erica K. Brockmeier

Why are lines at polling places so long? Math
Wired

Why are lines at polling places so long? Math

Stephen Pettigrew of the School of Arts & Sciences explained why the voting process can take longer than expected. “The steps in the system in most states are: You have a check-in step where they verify your voter registration status, and then there’s the step of actually voting. Lines out the door can be a consequence of bottlenecks at any of those steps,” he said.

Penn Engineering and Steppingstone Scholars launch a STEM equity and innovation lab
two middle school-age students work on a robotics project.

(Pre-pandemic image) In the Blended Learning Initiative, Steppingstone Scholars use Arduino based robotics, coding and design thinking to ready themselves for Java certification and AP computer science as well as prepare for college or careers in STEM fields. (Image: Penn Engineering Today)

Penn Engineering and Steppingstone Scholars launch a STEM equity and innovation lab

Penn Engineering and Steppingstone will begin developing a new blended AP Computer Science course for the fall 2021 semester, in which engineering students will create online content modules to supplement high school classroom instruction.

From Penn Engineering Today

Graduate mentors provide undergrads with ‘any path to math’
Four portraits of people, from left to right: Abigail Timmel, Mona Merling, George Wang, and Thomas Brazelton.

From left to right: Abigail Timmel; Mona Merling, assistant professor of mathematics; George Wang, doctoral candidate; and Thomas Brazelton, doctoral student. (Image: Omnia)

Graduate mentors provide undergrads with ‘any path to math’

The Directed Reading Program pairs undergraduates with graduate student mentors for advanced learning.

From Omnia

Plato was right. Earth is made, on average, of cubes
Statue of Plato against blue sky

The ancient philosopher Plato conjectured that the universe was composed of particular geometric shapes; the earth, of cubes. Findings from a multidisciplinary research team found truth in Plato's belief. 

Plato was right. Earth is made, on average, of cubes

The ancient Greek philosopher was on to something, the School of Arts & Sciences’ Douglas Jerolmack and colleagues found.

Katherine Unger Baillie

What COVID-19 computer models are telling colleges about the fall
The Chronicle of Higher Education

What COVID-19 computer models are telling colleges about the fall

Philip Gressman of the School of Arts & Sciences co-authored research that modeled how a large university might experience the effects of COVID-19 on campus.