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Jamology

What's that, you ask?

We are all familiar with jamming phenomena in various transportation systems, such as cars and buses, but have you ever seen it in ants? Interdisciplinary research on jamming of self-driven particles has been recently termed jamology. It is based on mathematical physics and also includes engineering applications. So, if you want to be a jamologist, then you might become a traffic engineer or a zoologist.

In this , Dr Katsuhiro Nishinari of the University of Tokyo discusses the simple mathematical models that support his research into traffic jams.

This lesson plan uses the movie Hidden Figures as stimulus. Students learn what it is like to 'make new mathematics' when 'there is no formula', and experience what it takes to use mathematics they are familiar with (e.g. shapes, graphs) to solve a new problem: communicating with someone who can't see what you see, and can't ask any questions.

Download Hidden Figures  (PDF, 298 KB)

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