IMAGINARY

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IMAGINARY is a platform for open math exhibitions and a project of math communication by the Matematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach. Originally developed as an open source traveling exhibition, it has grown to include two full exhibitions ("Through the eyes of mathematics" and "Mathematics of planet Earth"), a collection of user exhibits submitted by particulars, a project of popularization of research in maths (snapshots of modern mathematics from Oberwolfach), and it also promotes some initiatives for the math outreach community (Math Communication Network). Its exhibitions have been displayed in more than 130 cities in over 30 countries, attracting more than 1 million visitors.

Exhibits from "Through the eyes of mathematics"

  • Programs
    • SURFER [1]. Visualization of algebraic surfaces in real time.
    • jReality Exhibit. Videogame-like environment with minimal surfaces and other mathematical objects.
    • Cinderella Applets. A collection of miscellaneous small interactive programs.
    • 3D-XplorMath. Rendering of various collections of surfaces.
    • Morenaments. Drawing patterns with the seventeen wallpaper groups.

Exhibits from "Mathematics of planet Earth"

  • Physical
    • Erosion and fractal coasts
    • Where are you?
    • Coriolis force
    • Permeable or impermeable?
    • The melting of glaciers
    • Tectonic Plates
    • Is the core of the Earth solid or liquid?
    • Where is the sun at noon?
    • All maps are wrong!
    • Satellites under control
    • Solitons and Tsunamis
    • Turbulent Weather!
    • From Earth to the sky
    • Fractals objects: models for nature

IMAGINARY discovery box (Entdeckerbox)

Some 3D figures in Entdeckerbox

The IMAGINARY-Entdeckerbox (meaning in German "discovery box") is a packed set of IMAGINARY materials ready to ship to schools and other organizations to "discover" the IMAGINARY exhibition. The box contains a collection of various discovery ideas, software, films, 3D prints and images, with the aim of triggering discovery and experimentation with Mathematics. Similar to a game collection, the box offers a multitude of features which can be used by themselves or in combination, alone or in a group setting. The emphasis is on letting curiosity and creativity loose, rather than having to follow step-by-step instructions. The box was launched in December 2013 in Germany (so far only in German language).


Projects for the community

IMAGINARY promotes the interaction and collaboration of all people involved in math outreach. This includes the community of math museums and math communications, but also the academic world and the education world. IMAGINARY has started a Math Communication Network for people devoted to math dissemination, which includes a list and map of math museums, periodic newsletters with information not directly related with IMAGINARY, and a set of guidelines for the community known as the Dresden Declaration proposal (this proposal is not endorsed by any institution so far). It is also the administrator of this WikiMathCom.