John Taylor, a CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø physics professor, will present an interactive lecture on the importance of understanding mathematical concepts on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Â鶹¹ÙÍø Public Library.
The lecture, titled "Johnny Needs to Know More Math," is part of the spring Chancellor's Community Lecture Series, which is featuring CU arts, science and music faculty this spring. The talk is at 7:30 p.m. in the library's main auditorium.
The series is co-sponsored by CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø Chancellor Richard L. Byyny and the Â鶹¹ÙÍø Public Library and is being held on Wednesday evenings once a month through May. The monthly lectures are at 7:30 p.m. in the library's main auditorium and are free and open to the public.
Taylor plans to discuss how recent technological advances have coincided with a reduction in the average person's understanding of everyday mathematics. He will describe the importance of knowing the mathematical concepts on which society depends.
Taylor is widely known as the original "Mr. Wizard," of the CU Wizards shows held at the University of Colorado. The entertaining shows are designed to raise local children's interest in the basic principles of science.
He also is the recipient of the 1991 University of Colorado Presidential Teaching Scholar award and the 1989 Colorado Professor of the Year award presented by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. A television series he helped produce through the university, "Physics For Fun," which aired from 1988 to 1990, received an Emmy Award.
Other lectures in the Chancellor's Community Lecture Series will include:
o Sally Susnowitz, director of the CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø Service Learning Center, presenting "Writing Persuasive Proposals," a workshop that explores different ways to write a persuasive grant proposal on March 10.
o Richard Devin, artistic director of the Colorado Shakespeare Festival discussing, "Artists . . . What Good Are They Anyway? The Place of the Artist in U.S. Society," on April 7.
o Jazz Professor Willie Hill, the first African American to be inducted into the Colorado Music Educators Hall of Fame, performing with his Jazz Quintet on May 5. Hill is president-elect of the International Association of Jazz Educators and immediate past-president of the Colorado Music Educators' Association.
For more information, contact the CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø Office of Community Relations at 303-492-8384.