Folding the future: From origami to engineering

Kim Krieger

Back in the days before smart phones with GPS functions became ubiquitous we had maps. Remember how hard it was to fold them? Mathematicians feel your pain; they have struggled with map folding problems for generations. But a recent insight by a maths student suggests there might be another way to approach these problems, one that makes an unlikely connection between combinatorics, origami and engineering.

Miura fold

Old-fashioned navigation aid.

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Do infinities exist in nature?

Vector Walk

Starting with two basic vector steps, which destinations can you reach on a vector walk? Read more.

STEM Teacher Inspiration Day: Embedding STEM in the Curriculum

Date: 
Thursday, 4 July 2013 - 10:00am to 4:00pm

The free NRICH STEM Teacher Inspiration professional development programme aims to support Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 mathematics, science and technology teachers who are committed to enhancing mathematical links across STEM subjects within their school. The aim is to help teachers nurture confident, resourceful and enthusiastic learners with a deeper understanding of the fundamental links between mathematics, science and technology.

Event full?: 
Places still available
Level additional information: 
Key Stage 3, 4 or 5 mathematics, science and technology teachers
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Why you shouldn't use a toss for overtime

Steven J. Brams and Zeve N. Sanderson

In soccer a coin toss is used to decide who goes first in a penalty shootout and similarly in American football a coin decides who plays offence in overtime. But is this really fair? This article explores an alternative.

When a tied game in professional soccer leagues (football in most of the world) goes into overtime in knock-out tournaments or cup competitions, a coin toss is used to determine which team starts a sequence of penalty kicks to break the tie. Similarly, when a tied game goes into overtime in the National Football League (NFL) in the United States, a coin toss is used to determine which team starts as offence and which starts as defence in the overtime period.

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Vector Journeys

Charlie likes to go for walks around a square park, while Alison likes to cut across diagonally. Can you find relationships between the vectors they walk along? Read more.

Weights

Different combinations of the weights available allow you to make different totals. Which totals can you make? Read more.