BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:researchseminars.org CALSCALE:GREGORIAN X-WR-CALNAME:researchseminars.org BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Parker Adey and Ness Schattman (University of Toronto Scarborough) DTSTART:20260710T153000Z DTEND:20260710T164500Z DTSTAMP:20260714T035246Z UID:CompMath/33 DESCRIPTION:Title: On The Art Of Braiding Algorithms\nby Parker Adey and Ness Schattman (University of Toronto Scarborough) as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAb stract\nThis workshop explores string figures as algorithmic art. We share a novel application of braid groups to analyze string figure algorithms. Participants will engage in hands-on exploration with real string. We'll t alk about relevant braid theory. We'll also reflect on the role of notatio n in mathematics. \n\nThis workshop requires each participant to have a cl osed loop of string. You'll need to make your own at home before the talk. Generally\, a good length of string for someone is the distance between t heir finger tips when their arms are fully extended side-to-side. We encou rage people making loops at home to experiment with longer and shorter loo ps using a variety of materials. Polyester string can be made into loops b y melting the ends together and is available in a variety of colours at a low cost. However\, any old string will do!\n\nSpeakers' bios: \nParker Ad ey is a friendly geek\, who juggles\, does magic\, and plays with string. He’s also an Assistant Professor\, Teaching Stream\, in the Department o f Computational and Mathematical Sciences at University of Toronto Scarbor ough. He was born near Thunder Bay\, and grew up in London\, ON. He receiv ed his undergraduate degree in mathematics and philosophy from Trent Unive rsity\, where he got to know his professors and share in the fun of discov ering mathematics together. His PhD at the University of Toronto focused o n the geometry of high dimensional manifolds. He believes professors shoul d be approachable and friendly\, and that mathematics is open for everyone and anyone to explore. When he is not hiking with his family\, playing wi th his daughter\, or writing\, he can be found teaching mathematics\, orga nizing mathematics education events\, or chatting with students.\n\nNess S chattman is a third-year undergraduate at the University of Toronto Scarbo rough. When she's not nerding out about her two majors - computer science and molecular biology - she can be found nerding out about math\, music\, language\, philosophy and theatre. At university she has enjoyed getting t o know her professors\, leading review seminars for math and CS courses\, and doing her two research projects on string figure math and ecological m odelling. She hopes to keep learning for her whole life.\n\nModerator's bi o: Based on a degree in Mathematics\, Operations Research\, Karen Little h ad a 25-year career in Supply Chain management and education. After she re tired\, she started a YouTube channel called Awesome Reversible Knitting\, which explores and shares reversible stitch patterns and projects\, and i s especially focussed on the technical aspects of knitting. Her daughter\, Alexanna Little\, introduced Karen to her math colleagues\, which created a new platform for her to share the awesome aspects of the math of revers ible knitting. Included in the research is the development of several math ematical definitions of reversible knitting\, an app to evaluate reversibl eness\, and methods to knit mathematical objects that rely on the seamless ness of reversible knitting. \n\nKaren’s favourite thing about reversib le knitting is blending mathematics and creativity! She is thrilled to be asked to moderate a talk in the fibre arts field\, which is a similar blen d!\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/33/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR