IAP 2009

Mon Jan 5, Wed Jan 7, Fri Jan 9, Mon Jan 12, Wed Jan 14, 2:00 - 4:00pm,  24-619

ORIENTEERING: MAP AND COMPAS NAVIGATION

MCatherine Olsson

Orienteering is a fast-paced sport combining map-and-compass navigation with all-terrain running. In this class you will learn the basics of orienteering such as reading and interpreting a map and using a compass to orient yourself, as well as more advanced techniques for choosing routes effectively, executing your plan cleanly, and recovering from errors. You will also get the chance to practice your skills on mini-courses set on the MIT campus. You don't need to have a good sense of direction or be in great shape; if you're quick-witted and can learn to use a map and compass to your advantage, then you can learn to orienteer! Please dress for the weather, and bring a compass if you own one. If you are interested in orienteering but can't make the IAP sessions, please let the contact person know. For more information contact catherio@mit.edu.

MATH AND GAMES

Melissa Gymrek

Come challenge your friends in popular games and then learn the math behind them. We'll have card games, computer games, board games, and some interesting math toys.  For more information contact mgymrek@mit.edu.

INSURGENT SCIENCE SERIES:

"A PATTERN LANGUAGE FOR ANIMAL FORM"

Stuart Newman, New York Medical College

Dr. Newman presents evidence for his theory that the major driving  force for the inherent to organisms' mesoscopic materials rather than, as the standard  conception of biological evolution holds, genetic change driven by  chance. He specializes in cellular and molecular mechanisms of vertebrate limb development, physical mechanisms of morphogenesis, and evolution of developmental mechanisms. For more information contact lperlman@mit.edu.

Wednesday January 28, 1:30 - 2:30 P.M., 4-231

INSURGENT SCIENCE SERIES:

"A BIGGER PHYSICS"

Michael Augros, Center for Higher Studies in Thornwood, NY

Erwin Schrödinger warned in 1951 about the vanity of overspecialization and the importance of synthesizing knowledge. What could it mean to 'synthesize' all of natural science? To what extent is such a thing possible or even desirable? Whose job is it? And how would it relate to mathematics? Come join philosopher of science Dr. Augros to explore the possibility of a general theory of nature.  For more information contact lperlman@mit.edu.

Thursday, January 29, 2:00 - 3:00 P.M., 24-619

OBSTACLES TO THE SCIENTIFIC-TECHNOLOGICAL CONQUEST OF NATURE

Svetozar Minkov

This one-shot seminar will examine philosophical questions about the relationship between humans and nature. Before a large-scale effort to conquer nature for the good of humanity can be reasonably made, one needs to have attempted to measure the degree of the intelligibility and beneficence of nature and human nature.Is there a natural human good? Is it knowable? Can nature serve as either a theoretical or a practical guide for its own 'conquest'? For more information contact lperlman@mit.edu.