Creation

The first thing I want you to do is consider an answer to a question. Mathematical scientists: what is the most interesting or elegant solution, derivation, or proof you have seen or executed and the problem it solved? Engineers: what is the most interesting or elegant thing you ever created and the problem it solved? I’ll give you a few seconds to quietly think of your answer.

Those on the end of each row, check the color of your sign. If it’s blue, raise your hand and point backward so everyone in your row can know your direction. If your sign is fuchsia, raise your hand and point forward so everyone in your row can see your direction. Again, blue backward, fuchsia forward. Those in the center, note your direction.

This might create a little chaos, but when I say “go,” turn around or lean forward and share your answer with a person or two in your vicinity. I’ll give you 1 minute total, so be quick. Go!

Thanks for sharing with one another!

Here’s my answer:

When I worked at NASA JPL in Pasadena, California, I was in a group tasked to solve the problem of collecting data at the surface of Venus. For those who don’t know, Venus is a very interesting, but inhospitable, place. Interesting, because it’s very similar to Earth in both size and location in the solar system. Inhospitable, because of the

• very dense CO₂ atmosphere,
• surface temperature of 460 °C and
• surface pressure of 92 Earth atmospheres.

Oh, and the sulfuric acid droplets in the “air.” If the temperature and pressure don’t kill you, the sulfuric acid will!

**** Venus slide here. ****