Math is the language, tool, and way of thinking that we all use—sometimes without even realizing it—to study quantity, structure, relationships between things, pattern, and change. Before Euler came along and invented all the notations we think of as mathematical symbols, math was mostly done with words and, occasionally, pictures. At the Exploratorium, we mostly do math with exhibits—and we’re always inventing new ones. Tonight, we’ll roll out some of our newest, showing you math isn’t all like that high school algebra class. In doing so, we’ll show you some of the simplicity, beauty, and elegance that make your mathematically inclined friends foam at the mouth and reveal some surprising ways that you can see mathematics everywhere.
1“The connection between symmetries and conservation laws is one of the great discoveries of twentieth-century physics. But I think very few nonexperts will have heard either of it or its maker, Emily Noether, a great German mathematician. But it is as essential to twentieth-century physics as famous ideas like the impossibility of exceeding the speed of light.
It is not difficult to teach Noether's theorem, as it is called; there is a beautiful and intuitive idea behind it. I've explained it every time I've taught introductory physics. But no textbook at this level mentions it. And without it one does not really understand why the world is such that riding a bicycle is safe.” —Lee Smolen
Buying tickets in advance is strongly recommended; door sales are limited. Tickets for limited-capacity programs will be made available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.
Experience life After Dark, an evening series exclusively for adults that mixes cocktails, conversation, and playful, innovative science and art events.
Not a theater, cabaret, or gallery, After Dark contains aspects of all three. Each evening showcases a different topic—from music to sex to electricity—but all include a cash bar and film screenings, plus an opportunity to play with our hundreds of hands-on exhibits. Join us and mingle with inventive scientists, artists, musicians, programmers, and designers. Enjoy live performances, provocative films, interesting music, cutting-edge technology, unexpected extravaganzas, and more, depending on each evening's lineup. And all night long, delicious nibbles and outrageous bay views are available at the SeaGlass restaurant. Leave the kids at home and meet friends or take a date. Where else can you find an intellectually stimulating playground for adults?
Adults Only (18+)
show less
1“The connection between symmetries and conservation laws is one of the great discoveries of twentieth-century physics. But I think very few nonexperts will have heard either of it or its maker, Emily Noether, a great German mathematician. But it is as essential to twentieth-century physics as famous ideas like the impossibility of exceeding the speed of light.
It is not difficult to teach Noether's theorem, as it is called; there is a beautiful and intuitive idea behind it. I've explained it every time I've taught introductory physics. But no textbook at this level mentions it. And without it one does not really understand why the world is such that riding a bicycle is safe.” —Lee Smolen
Buying tickets in advance is strongly recommended; door sales are limited. Tickets for limited-capacity programs will be made available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.
Experience life After Dark, an evening series exclusively for adults that mixes cocktails, conversation, and playful, innovative science and art events.
Not a theater, cabaret, or gallery, After Dark contains aspects of all three. Each evening showcases a different topic—from music to sex to electricity—but all include a cash bar and film screenings, plus an opportunity to play with our hundreds of hands-on exhibits. Join us and mingle with inventive scientists, artists, musicians, programmers, and designers. Enjoy live performances, provocative films, interesting music, cutting-edge technology, unexpected extravaganzas, and more, depending on each evening's lineup. And all night long, delicious nibbles and outrageous bay views are available at the SeaGlass restaurant. Leave the kids at home and meet friends or take a date. Where else can you find an intellectually stimulating playground for adults?
Adults Only (18+)
Math is the language, tool, and way of thinking that we all use—sometimes without even realizing it—to study quantity, structure, relationships between things, pattern, and change. Before Euler came along and invented all the notations we think of as mathematical symbols, math was mostly done with words and, occasionally, pictures. At the Exploratorium, we mostly do math with exhibits—and we’re always inventing new ones. Tonight, we’ll roll out some of our newest, showing you math isn’t all like that high school algebra class. In doing so, we’ll show you some of the simplicity, beauty, and elegance that make your mathematically inclined friends foam at the mouth and reveal some surprising ways that you can see mathematics everywhere.
1“The connection between symmetries and conservation laws is one of the great discoveries of twentieth-century physics. But I think very few nonexperts will have heard either of it or its maker, Emily Noether, a great German mathematician. But it is as essential to twentieth-century physics as famous ideas like the impossibility of exceeding the speed of light.
It is not difficult to teach Noether's theorem, as it is called; there is a beautiful and intuitive idea behind it. I've explained it every time I've taught introductory physics. But no textbook at this level mentions it. And without it one does not really understand why the world is such that riding a bicycle is safe.” —Lee Smolen
Buying tickets in advance is strongly recommended; door sales are limited. Tickets for limited-capacity programs will be made available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.
Experience life After Dark, an evening series exclusively for adults that mixes cocktails, conversation, and playful, innovative science and art events.
Not a theater, cabaret, or gallery, After Dark contains aspects of all three. Each evening showcases a different topic—from music to sex to electricity—but all include a cash bar and film screenings, plus an opportunity to play with our hundreds of hands-on exhibits. Join us and mingle with inventive scientists, artists, musicians, programmers, and designers. Enjoy live performances, provocative films, interesting music, cutting-edge technology, unexpected extravaganzas, and more, depending on each evening's lineup. And all night long, delicious nibbles and outrageous bay views are available at the SeaGlass restaurant. Leave the kids at home and meet friends or take a date. Where else can you find an intellectually stimulating playground for adults?
Adults Only (18+)
read more
1“The connection between symmetries and conservation laws is one of the great discoveries of twentieth-century physics. But I think very few nonexperts will have heard either of it or its maker, Emily Noether, a great German mathematician. But it is as essential to twentieth-century physics as famous ideas like the impossibility of exceeding the speed of light.
It is not difficult to teach Noether's theorem, as it is called; there is a beautiful and intuitive idea behind it. I've explained it every time I've taught introductory physics. But no textbook at this level mentions it. And without it one does not really understand why the world is such that riding a bicycle is safe.” —Lee Smolen
Buying tickets in advance is strongly recommended; door sales are limited. Tickets for limited-capacity programs will be made available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.
Experience life After Dark, an evening series exclusively for adults that mixes cocktails, conversation, and playful, innovative science and art events.
Not a theater, cabaret, or gallery, After Dark contains aspects of all three. Each evening showcases a different topic—from music to sex to electricity—but all include a cash bar and film screenings, plus an opportunity to play with our hundreds of hands-on exhibits. Join us and mingle with inventive scientists, artists, musicians, programmers, and designers. Enjoy live performances, provocative films, interesting music, cutting-edge technology, unexpected extravaganzas, and more, depending on each evening's lineup. And all night long, delicious nibbles and outrageous bay views are available at the SeaGlass restaurant. Leave the kids at home and meet friends or take a date. Where else can you find an intellectually stimulating playground for adults?
Adults Only (18+)
show less
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