The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Connecticut in Waterbury has announced that the second of three University research lectures will be held on Wednesday, March 7 from 12:45 – 2:00p.m. in room #333 at the University of Connecticut, 99 East Main Street in Waterbury. The lecture entitled, “The Mathematical Structure of Juggling”, will be presented by UConn math professor Pinchas Schreiber and is free and open to the public; advance reservation is required by calling 203-236-9924 or emailing osher@uconn.edu.
In juggling, each throw has a whole number – n – associated with it, which corresponds to the height necessary to juggle “n” objects. Successful juggling of “n” objects must satisfy specific requirements, and if they are satisfied, then you have something called a siteswap. Pinchas will show the audience how to develop new juggling patterns, and will try to convince the audience that juggling makes one smarter! No juggling experience or advanced mathematics required.
Pinchas Schreiber’s interest in juggling goes back many years, having learned the basic 3-ball pattern as a 13-year old, and over the years has practiced with balls, clubs and rings – one time juggling six balls (very briefly). He learned about siteswaps claiming it has breathed new life into his juggling interests. When not juggling, he teaches college-level math. He earned a bachelor degree in Math at SUNY at Albany and a Masters in Math from the University of Illinois.
The Osher Lifelong Learning program co-sponsors the UConn Waterbury Research Lecture Series with various academic departments. OLLI at UConn is located at the Waterbury campus and is one of a national network of Institutes associated with the prestigious Bernard Osher Foundation. Bernard Osher, a New England native, is ranked among the top fifty most generous philanthropists in the United States. Beginning its sixth year, OLLI currently provides non-credit courses, special events, author talks, research lectures, travel opportunities, and current events forums to over seven-hundred-fifty older adult participants (ages 50+) from 75 cities and towns in Connecticut. The spring session will be offered at the Waterbury campus beginning in March and the summer session of courses during the month of June, 2012.
For additional information, please call 203-236-9924 or e-mail osher@uconn.edu. For press information, contact Dr. Brian Chapman, Director of OLLI at UConn at 203-236-9881 or brian.chapman@uconn.edu.