Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004
-- Dr. John Bonomo, assistant professor of computer science, and Dr. Carolyn Cuff, professor of mathematics at Westminster College, will bring science and mathematics into everyday items at Faculty Forum Wednesday, April 21, at 11:30 a.m. in the McKelvey Campus Center Theater.
"Mathematics has obvious applications in engineering and scientific problems, but it is just as useful in analyzing ordinary, everyday items," Bonomo said. "In this talk, we take a mathematical look at common children's toys, focusing on those consisting of movable disks on pegs. After reviewing some well-known results, we conclude with some novel analysis we have done on the stacking ring toy."
Bonomo, who has been with Westminster College since 1998, earned his undergraduate degree and master's from Catholic University in Washington and a master's and Ph.D. from Purdue University.
Cuff has been with Westminster College since1989, and is chair of the Environmental Science Committee. She earned her undergraduate degree from Westminster College, and her master's and Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University.
Faculty forum, established in 1990, serves as a venue for the exchange of ideas and information among Westminster College faculty. Speakers present their research, teaching ideas, lectures, performances, special programs, and uses of technology to keep faculty informed about the work of colleagues from many disciplines.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Bonomo at (724) 946-7287 or e-mail bonomopj@westminster.edu or Cuff at (724) 946-7291 or e-mail ccuff@westminster.edu.
