Hands-On Math

University of Massachusetts > STEM > June 2008 | Hands-On Math

HANDS-ON MATH | The First American Coins

Steve Contursi owns the first gold coin minted in the US. It's now worth 6 million dollars. But numismatists like Steve don't just collect coins-they also collect their stories. From the meaning behind the term "two-bits" to the role played by Martha Washington's silverware, the stories of our money are rich in history and math! Check out this one.

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HANDS-ON MATH | The Bakery

Whether he's making mouth-watering chocolate croissants or perfectly flaky apricot danishes, this baker has to make sure that he has just the right amount of each ingredient.  What's one of his most important tools?  Math.

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HANDS-ON MATH | Landscape Architects

With the weather warming up and flowers in full bloom, many of us will be heading to our local parks.  Have you ever stopped to think about who designs the beautiful parks, plazas and gardens that adorn our cities? Shannon Nichol and Jennifer Guthrie, from the Seattle firm of Gustafson Guthrie Nichol, explain how their company used a combination of art, history and geometry to create one of Chicago's most beautiful landmarks: the Lurie Garden at Millennium Park.

Watch this movie that combines art with math! 

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