SF Math Teachers’ Circle Episode 1 Season 6: GeoMetric Puzzles

Geometric Puzzles: Tiles and Rep-Tiles

We’ll explore puzzles which are appealing to both children and adults: tangrams, pentominoes, supertangrams, and rep-tiles. All of them involve the use of specific tiles to cover various figures. In most cases, we’ll use hands-on materials. Although most of the puzzles we’ll tackle can be solved, we’ll prove some are impossible. Solvable puzzles will range in difficulty from easy to, ahem, funstrating. 
These geometric puzzles can be used in the classroom, K-12, as they touch on symmetry, congruence, similarity, convexity, and the Pythagorean theorem. I will reference those uses, but we will not dwell on them: our main focus will be on solving the puzzles and thinking about them.

Proof School, like most schools, has a frequently updating health protocol, and we will  let you know any details shortly before Jan 14.  Expect to wear a mask and show proof of vaccination.

We will provide coffee, tea, bagels, and lunch.  Whether the lunch is indoors or outdoors will depend on the current health rules. When we needed to be outside, we often got Chipotle and ate it in Yerba Buena Gardens nearby, which was always just OK, but not great.  If possible, we will get something much nicer and eat it indoors or possibly at Kapwa Gardens next door.

Proof School is located on Mission Street between 5th and 6th.  There’s cheap metered street parking across the street (you’ll need to refresh the meter after 2 hours) and more expensive parking at the Fifth and Mission garage at…guess!  And BART and buses are nearby.

All teachers at all levels are welcome.  Feel free to share this invitation with others.  Our events are free (including lunch).

Please RSVP with this form by Wednesday 11 Jan 2023.

We hope to see you soon!