Please join us for the first Mathematics Teaching Seminar! This seminar will be held once a quarter and will feature three 20-minute talks highlighting innovative instructional practices, mathematics education research and other teaching related items.
This first seminar will feature the following talks:

• "Problem Solving through Active Learning in Physics 2" - Phil Collins, Professor of Physics, UCI
• "Learning Proof Writing by Grading Incorrect Proofs" - Sarah Eichhorn, Mathematics & Distance Learning Center, UCI
• "Encouraging Participation in a College Mathematics Classroom" - Cynthia Northrup, Mathematics Graduate Student, UCI

Abstract: Can we make objects invisible? This has been a subject of human fascination for millennia in Greek mythology, movies, science fiction, etc. including the legend of Perseus versus Medusa and the more recent Star Trek and Harry Potter. In the last decade or so there have been several scientific proposals to achieve invisibility. We will introduce some of these in a non-technical fashion concentrating on the so-called "transformation optics" that has received the most attention in the scientific literature.

The Mathematics Department at UCI, with the support of NSF RTG grant DMS-1044150, is proud to present "Secrets of Mental Math," a breathtaking show by the great mathemagician Dr. Arthur Benjamin.

The event is part of a math seminar series for undergraduates and will take place on January 12th from 12 to 1 p.m. in Pacific Ballroom C, at the UCI Student Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Arthur Benjamin is both a professor of mathematics and a magician. He has combined his skills to create a dynamic presentation called "Mathemagics", suitable for all audiences, where he demonstrates and explains his secrets for performing rapid mental calculations faster than a calculator. Dr. Benjamin has presented his high energy talk for thousands of groups throughout the world, including many colleges and universities. He has appeared on many television shows and radio programs, including: The Today Show, CNN, The Colbert Report, and National Public Radio. He has been profiled in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Scientific American, Discover Magazine, Omni Magazine, Esquire Magazine, People Magazine, Wired and Reader's Digest.

Dr. Benjamin received a standing ovation when he presented part of his show at the TED 2005 meeting. Since the talk went online, it has been viewed over a million times. Reader's Digest calls him "America's Best Math Whiz".

For more information on Dr. Benjamin, please visit his website at: http://www.math.hmc.edu/~benjamin/mathemagics/

For a preview of his show, please go to: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=arthur+benjamin+mathemagics&...