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Welcome back to our road trip! We have been taking our time as we explore Inspiring STEM Across America, meeting industry trailblazers all over the country and seeing some sights along the way. It’s time to munch on some Cheddar Cheese Combos and jam out to “Born to be Wild” by Steppenwolf as we embark on the longest stint of our trip—a whopping 32 hours of drive time until we reach our next-to-last destination: Madison, Wisconsin!
Along the way we will drive through Reno, Nevada and Salt Lake City, Utah, two of the most interesting and beautiful cities in the west. Reno is a hop, skip, and a jump away from Tahoe’s lakes and mountains, while Salt Lake City boasts family-friendly venues, as well as easy access to some fantastic state parks. Both cities might set us back a bit on our trip, but they are worth it!
We will not detour too long, because we cannot wait to meet our next influencer in the STEM field: Jordan Ellenberg, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin. Professor Ellenberg makes our list of influencers due to his two latest books highlighting the practicality of mathematics for everyday life.
A graduate of Harvard and Princeton, Ellenberg studied both math and fiction writing. His research has focused on the fields of number theory and algebraic geometry, uncovering new and unexpected connections.
While he might say that his specific interests include rational points on varieties, asymptotic enumeration of number fields, and a host of other very complicated-sounding math words, Ellenberg has shown himself to be a prolific author on top of his mathematical accomplishments. Whether it’s writing articles for the New York Times, the Washington Post, or the Wall Street Journal or crafting works of fiction like The Grasshopper King, Ellenberg has found a way to use his gifts and talents in not one but two disciplines.
As such, Jordan’s work outside of research and teaching has focused on writing for general audiences and encouraging them to use mathematical logic in everyday life. He also has an extensive list of publications, research fields, and honors.
One of Ellenberg’s notable books, How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking, shows that math is related to everything we do and is not simply confined to an abstract, dull set of rules. According to Ellenberg, math allows us to see that there is a method to the madness of everyday life. His book dives into questions such as: How early should you get to the airport? What does “public opinion” really represent? Why do tall parents have shorter children? Who really won Florida in 2000? And how likely are you, really, to develop cancer?
The beauty of Ellenberg’s writing is that you do not need to be a mathematician to appreciate it; it is written in such a way to make sense to the layperson, giving the reader a deeper and more meaningful lens through which to view the world around them.
We appreciate Jordan Ellenberg’s willingness to work outside the box of his field; he has used his expertise not only to make advances in mathematics but to bring mathematics out of the classroom and into daily life.
KMC Controls is an independent and family-owned manufacturer of turn-key solutions based in New Paris, Indiana. For the last fifty years, KMC Controls has remained dedicated to the American ideals of quality and innovation, focusing on intuitive solutions created by responsive and supportive people.
Consider us your Building Geniuses® who are building geniuses, one blog post at a time! KMC is dedicated to inspiring interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Join us next week for the last installment in our series Inspiring STEM Across America.
References:
https://academicinfluence.com/people/jordan-ellenberg
https://time.com/collection/time100-ai/#innovators
https://www.tomsguide.com/news/future-tech-awards-2021-future-50
https://www.jordanellenberg.com/
https://people.math.wisc.edu/~ellenberg/
https://thepokergrid.com/2021/09/09/the-grid-058-ft-jordan-ellenberg-five-deuce-offsuit/