COSAM News Articles 2023 November Melinda Lanius twists and tangles excitement for mathematics through a Math Carnival in Huntsville

Melinda Lanius twists and tangles excitement for mathematics through a Math Carnival in Huntsville

Published: 11/07/2023

By: Maria Gebhardt

Thousands of people attended the third annual STEAM Fest on Oct. 28 hosted by the Alabama Science Festival at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. Melinda Lanius, assistant professor, conducted outreach at the event representing Auburn University’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

“Developing a good relationship with math early on is really important,” said Lanius.

Lanius held a Math Carnival at the event where students had a chance to learn about knot theory.

“Students have an opportunity to see if their knot will actually create a knot or if it becomes unknotted,” she explained. “They get to explore and see if a pattern exists in how the rope crosses itself to create a knot or not.”

Lanius asks the students if they think the knot will shake out or stay knotted. Then, each student had the hands-on experience to try it.

“This is definitely math, but it does not feel like it,” Lanius said. “Students are learning and having fun.”

Watch Lanius speak with WAFF at the STEAM Fest.