CU-Boulder physics Professor John Taylor, locally known as CU聮s Mr. Wizard, will present "Johnny and Jane Need to Know More Math," an interactive lecture about the importance of understanding mathematical concepts, on Thursday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m., in Room 250 of the Humanities Building.
The lecture, co-sponsored by CU-Boulder Chancellor Richard L. Byyny and the CU Office of Community Relations, is part of the new "Campus Lecture Series" scheduled monthly through May in CU-Boulder聮s new Humanities building.
Taylor plans to discuss how technological advances, such as the calculator, have coincided with a reduction in the average person's understanding of everyday mathematics. He will describe the importance of knowing the basic mathematical concepts on which society depends.
"Everybody should have a basic grasp of mathematics, because it really does come into play in everyday situations," Taylor said.
Taylor gained community recognition through the CU Wizards program, which he founded with former CU-Boulder Professor Jim Scott in 1976. The entertaining shows are designed to raise children's interest in the basic principles of science.
He also is the recipient of the 1999 Hazel Barnes Award, the 1991 University of Colorado Presidential Teaching Scholar award and the 1989 Colorado Professor of the Year award presented by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. He received an Emmy Award for the television series he helped produce through the university, "Physics For Fun," which aired from 1988 to 1990.
All lectures in the "Campus Lecture Series" feature former Hazel Barnes Awardees, the top campus award recognizing excellence in teaching and research. The lectures include:
* March 8 -- Anthropology Professor Emeritus Jack Kelso, discussing "Vocationalizing the Liberal Arts: Confessions of an Anthropologist." (Humanities, room 1B50)
* April 12 -- English Professor Emeritus Reg Saner discussing "Bad Books: Or, Why We Don聮t Believe What We Know." (Humanities, room 250)
* May 10 聳 Biology Professor Emeritus Jane Bock, together with her husband Carl Bock, also a professor of biology, will read from their newest book, "The View from Bald Hill: Thirty Years in an Arizona Grassland." A book signing will follow the presentation. (Humanities, room 150)
All lectures in the series are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CU-Boulder Office of Community Relations at (303) 492-8384.