Events
Ongoing
Spirographs of Venus
Spirographs of Venus, a beautiful new Math Square experience, opened on Friday, November 23. This interactive exhibit was a winning submission at Expressions, the 2018 MoMath hackathon. Conjuring up the Renaissance-era discovery of the Pentagram of Venus — the floral pattern that emerges when the orbital path of Venus is plotted in relation to the Earth — this innovative new experience invites you to step onto the Math Square and alter the universe beneath your feet!
Aug. 4-6, 2019
MOVES 2019
Math Unfolded: The Mathematical Art of Origami
Get ready for the next MOVES Conference, this August 4-6, 2019, featuring Erik Demaine and Robert Lang! MoMath is now accepting abstract submissions for research talks and family activities from all areas of recreational mathematics, with submissions in the area of origami particularly encouraged. Registration to attend the conference is also open now.
Dec. 13
3:30 pm
Math Gym, a workout for your brain!
Students, spend an hour at MoMath independently working on engaging and beautiful math problems, hand-selected by MoMath’s advisory council of math PhDs. Choose whichever problem you like from a specially curated selection and work under the guidance and with the mentorship of one of MoMath’s expert mathematicians. If you love math and want to experience the incredible joy of mathematical discovery, you won’t want to miss this new monthly program.
Dec. 14
6:30 pm
Family Fridays at MoMath presented by Two Sigma: "Reach Out and Touch Space!" with Bjoern Muetzel
Using tiles, geometric LEGOs, and 3D prints, explore the fascinating world of tessellations in the plane, on the sphere, and even in the mysterious hyperbolic space! Plus, construct the five perfect polyhedra – the Platonic solids – and prove that there can only be those five. Come with us on a journey through the fascinating world of patterns in space with Dartmouth mathematician and geometer, Bjoern Muetzel. MoMath thanks Geometiles for their support of this event.
Dec. 15
11 am - 1 pm
Folding Fun at MoMath with OrigamiUSA
An origami expert from OrigamiUSA will be on hand at MoMath to teach simple origami models to learners of all ages. Explore the wonders of paper folding and challenge yourself to master a few models — there’s math in every fold! Free with Museum admission; no pre-registration required.
Dec. 15
6 pm
Equilibrium, an adult evening of mathematical games
Tabletop gaming is more fun than ever! Come join old friends and new for a fun-filled, adult evening of mathematically rich, hands-on games. Bring a snack, play some games, and connect with new and interesting people, all while enjoying the unique evening atmosphere at the nation’s only Museum of Math.
Jan. 2
4 pm and 7 pm
Math Encounters: “Golden Textures: The Art of Dissecting Golden Geometries” with Doug McKenna
Known since ancient Greek times, the Golden Ratio arises in many areas of mathematics — but did you know it can also provide a basis for artistic creation? Explore the structure and aesthetics of recursively dissected triangles and rectangles with mathematical artist and software developer Doug McKenna, and see how he uses his math and computer science skills to play with recursion, creating beautiful self-similar patterns and tilings in the process.
Jan. 3
6:30 pm
Synchronized Spin with John Edmark
MoMath favorite John Edmark returns to share the fascinating story of how ten years of experimenting with logarithmic spirals and the golden ratio eventually led to a number of surprising discoveries and magical artworks, including the invention of Blooms, the amazing, strobe-animated sculptures that are the latest addition to MoMath’s exhibit collection. Join us for the debut of three new Blooms, one custom-designed for MoMath, and to hear John’s brilliant and entertaining story of mathematical exploration and discovery.
Jan. 11
6:30 pm
Family Fridays at MoMath presented by Two Sigma: “Math for the Win!” with Paul Zeitz
Sometimes just a little bit of mathematical analysis yields a really profound advantage. Let’s see this in action, kids versus adults! In this friendly, competitive game, the kids will get a small amount of math training, and then will challenge the grownups to a few seemingly simple games of skill or tests of super powers such as clairvoyance or telepathy. Who will win? A well-educated, sophisticated adult New Yorker, or a kid in elementary school who knows a little math? You decide!
Jan. 13
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Folding Fun at MoMath with OrigamiUSA
An origami expert from OrigamiUSA will be on hand at MoMath to teach simple origami models to learners of all ages. Explore the wonders of paper folding and challenge yourself to master a few models — there’s math in every fold! Free with Museum admission; no pre-registration required.
Jan. 13
5:30 pm
Tween Primes, the MoMath book club for tweens and teens: Lawn Boy (Tales to Tickle the Funnybone #7) by Gary Paulsen
A 12-year-old boy starts a lawn-care business after receiving an unexpected birthday present from his grandmother — a riding mower. Capitalism, supply and demand, and even a prizefighter all make an appearance in Gary Paulsen’s comic story about how a summer job becomes a slapstick lesson in business as one boy turns a mountain of grass into a mountain of cash.
Jan. 13
6:30 pm
Unlimited, MoMath’s mix-n-mingle program for students in 6th through 9th grades
Don’t miss the next installment of Unlimited, MoMath’s mix-n-mingle evening for students in late middle school through high school. If you’re excited by the idea of a fun-filled, math-focused night where you can hang out with old and new friends, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, and move to some great tunes, then you won’t want to miss this exciting program.
Jan. 14
3:30 pm
Math Gym, a workout for you brain!
Students, spend an hour at MoMath independently working on engaging and beautiful math problems, hand-selected by MoMath’s advisory council of math PhDs. Choose whichever problem you like from a specially curated selection and work under the guidance and with the mentorship of one of MoMath’s expert mathematicians. If you love math and want to experience the incredible joy of mathematical discovery, you won’t want to miss this new monthly program.
Jan. 19
6 pm
Equilibrium, an adult evening of mathematical games
Tabletop gaming is more fun than ever! Come join old friends and new for a fun-filled, adult evening of mathematically rich, hands-on games. Bring a snack, play some games, and connect with new and interesting people, all while enjoying the unique evening atmosphere at the nation’s only Museum of Math.
Jan. 28
9:30 am - 3 pm
Professional Development at MoMath: M-cubed (High school educators only)
Join Professor Alex Kontorovich as he illuminates some of the most beautiful and timeless mathematical problems and solutions, the people behind these discoveries, and the historical developments that led to each breakthrough. Geared for high school educators, this series will provide a bird’s-eye view of many landmark developments in mathematics, from antiquity to the 20th century.
Jan. 30
Mean Girls special event at MoMath
Save the date! The cast of Mean Girls comes to MoMath!
Jan. 31
6:30 pm
Volumes, the MoMath book club: The Art of Logic in an Illogical World by Eugenia Cheng
For thousands of years, mathematicians have used the timeless art of logic to see the world more clearly. Today, truth is buried under soundbites, spin, memes, divisive arguments, and “fake news.” In an age where seeing clearly is more important than ever, mathematician and author Dr. Eugenia Cheng takes a careful scalpel to politics, privilege, sexism, and dozens of other real-world situations in her insightful and engaging new book, The Art of Logic in an Illogical World.
Feb. 6
4 pm and 7 pm
Math Encounters, “The Biggest Secrets in the World: Everything We Know We Don’t Know” with Rogério Martins
The world is full of simple questions without answers; secrets for which only Mother Nature knows the answer. Join Rogério Martins, mathematician and Portuguese TV star of “Ese Matematics,” on a journey into the unknown. Fold a map, observe a levitating chain, and see an odd tumbler toy floating in an aquarium. But, no worries, because… this is math!
Feb. 7
3:30 pm
Math Gym, a workout for your brain!
Students, spend an hour at MoMath independently working on engaging and beautiful math problems, hand-selected by MoMath’s advisory council of math PhDs. Choose whichever problem you like from a specially curated selection and work under the guidance and with the mentorship of one of MoMath’s expert mathematicians. If you love math and want to experience the incredible joy of mathematical discovery, you won’t want to miss this new monthly program.
Feb. 8
8 pm
Quadrivium, MoMath’s Math+Music Salon, featuring Marcus Miller
Save the date! Jazz musicians and mathematicians view their work in much the same way: mastery of theory, problem solving, skill sets, and joyous, spontaneous creation are all part of the deep history and the ongoing development of jazz and mathematics. Quadrivium, MoMath’s exciting Math+Music Salon hosted by jazz saxophonist Marcus Miller, brings together the creative and technical communities in NYC and creates a space where learning and growth are filled with fun, wonder, and warmth.
Feb. 10
11 am - 1 pm
Folding Fun at MoMath with OrigamiUSA
An origami expert from OrigamiUSA will be on hand at MoMath to teach simple origami models to learners of all ages. Explore the wonders of paper folding and challenge yourself to master a few models — there’s math in every fold! Free with Museum admission; no pre-registration required.
Feb. 10
5:30 pm
Tween Primes, the MoMath book club for tweens and teens: The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
Lucy Callahan was struck by lightning, and now she’s a math genius! At age twelve, she’s technically ready for college, but her grandma insists she go to middle school for one year. Lucy’s not sure what a girl who does calculus homework for fun can possibly learn in 7th grade. Unless there’s been a miscalculation?
Feb. 10
6:30 pm
Unlimited, MoMath’s mix-n-mingle program for students in 6th through 9th grades
Don’t miss the next installment of Unlimited, MoMath’s mix-n-mingle evening for students in late middle school through high school. If you’re excited by the idea of a fun-filled, math-focused night where you can hang out with old and new friends, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, and move to some great tunes, then you won’t want to miss this exciting program.
Feb. 15
6:30 pm
Family Fridays at MoMath presented by Two Sigma: “Patchwork Patterns” with Elaine Ellison
Who was Pythagoras? How about Hippassus of Metapontum? What are the rational and irrational numbers? And was there a murder mystery involving the irrational numbers? Patch it all together with Elaine Krajenke Ellison, who’s used quilts in the classroom since the early 1980’s. Enjoy a hands-on quilt pattern activity that illustrates rational and irrational numbers, plus take home your colorfully completed (paper) sampler.
Feb. 16
6 pm
Equilibrium, an adult evening of mathematical games
Tabletop gaming is more fun than ever! Come join old friends and new for a fun-filled, adult evening of mathematically rich, hands-on games. Bring a snack, play some games, and connect with new and interesting people, all while enjoying the unique evening atmosphere at the nation’s only Museum of Math.
Feb. 19
6:30 pm
Volumes, the MoMath book club
Save the date!
Feb. 26
6 pm
2019 MoMath Masters, the annual adult math tournament and charitable benefit
Join MoMath for another edition of the one-of-a-kind MoMath Masters, the exciting annual competition and charitable fundraiser. Put your thinking caps on for this fun-filled night, from the entertaining cocktail round right through to the challenging and suspenseful finals. Participate or just come to watch; a good time is had by all.
Feb. 28
6:30 pm
The Math of Particle Physics with CERN researcher James Beacham
As a scientist at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and a member of the ATLAS collaboration (one of the teams that discovered the Higgs boson in 2012), James searches for evidence of new particles — dark matter, gravitons, dark photons, and exotic Higgs bosons among them — that could provide answers to the fundamental open questions of physics.
Mar. 2
10 am
Math and Magic with Manjul, a daylong workshop
Back by popular demand, this daylong workshop will explore some of the striking relations between mathematics and magic, and will cover a number of the highlights of the minicourse given in the fall. Some of the very best magic tricks invented over the years have involved serious mathematics, including concepts from number theory, group theory, recursion theory, topology, coding theory, and cryptography. Conversely, and somewhat more surprisingly, a great deal of nontrivial and important mathematics has been discovered in these areas in recent years due to corresponding developments in magic. In fact, these mathematical ideas have also had important applications in areas beyond magic. Join Fields Medalist and Princeton University Professor Manjul Bhargava in an engaging exploration of magic tricks and the beautiful mathematical ideas that drive them.
Wednesdays
PolyPals
PolyPals is back! The popular MoMath program for toddlers and preschoolers returns. Recent studies have shown that a child’s math skills upon entering kindergarten can be a strong predictor of future academic performance in both math and reading throughout the elementary grades. Math learning promotes working memory, improves attention, and increases other basic cognitive skills. PolyPals offers the opportunity to listen to math-themed stories and have fun exploring the concepts behind them. Engage your toddlers and preschoolers in these playful activities to help them develop a strong foundation. Children will participate in songs, stories, and activities tied to a different theme each week. Patterns, shapes, numbers, and more — PolyPals is a great way to enrich your child’s day with mathematical inspiration.
Tuesday and Thursday afternoons
Expansions: MoMath’s innovative program to engage and challenge NYC’s brightest math students (separated by level)
Reinvent math class with Expansions, MoMath’s afternoon gifted program. Featuring programs for mathematically gifted students currently enrolled in 1st through 8th grade, Expansions’ hands-on lessons are designed and delivered by MoMath’s educational team to challenge and inspire students, and to broaden their mathematical horizons. With topics ranging from fractals to cellular automata, these afternoon sessions provide an opportunity for participants to learn advanced and fascinating topics not included in the standard K-12 curriculum. Plus, your child can benefit from enjoying math together with small groups of talented and focused young scholars. Expansions offers sessions at several levels; admission is by application only.