FARMINGTON — What are some of the connections between math and art, and math and sustainability, and how do we encounter them in our daily lives? This question and more will be explored with “Applying Mathematics: From Sustainability to Origami,” the next academic focus celebrated by UMF’s year-long, 150th anniversary Farmington Forum Series.

This forum offers family-friendly artistic and scholarly events, including an art display, origami workshops, films, music, faculty research, professional presentations and a festive Pi Day celebration. Events run from March 9-21, and are free and open to the public.

Pi Day is an annual, international celebration on March 14, commemorating the mathematical constant pi. That day’s featured speakers are Dr. Carrie Eaton, associate professor of mathematics at Unity College, and Philip Mallinson, mathematics teacher at Phillips Exeter Academy, a co-educational residential school in New Hampshire. All Pi Day events will take place in the Emery Community Arts Center.

A Unity College faculty member in their Center for Biodiversity, Eaton is presenting “House of Cards: Understanding Sustainability Issues through Mathematics.” Her talk will focus on understanding sustainability issues and exploring how mathematics is helping humanity to grasp the consequences of actions in the context of a complex system. 

A longtime educator and active leader of workshops and mini-courses, Mallinson is presenting “Origami’s Not Just for Folding Cranes.” His talk will present three different but interlocked fields of contemporary origami — origami as an art form, understanding the mathematical potential of origami and practical applications of origami in the real world. Mallinson will lead two workshops on March 15, one for children and one for adults, where participants will have a hands-on origami experience.

Schedule of Mathematics Farmington Forum events:

Sunday, March 9: Math Film Festival Part I, 3:30 p.m., “Donald Duck in Mathemagic Land (G); 4 p.m., “Stand and Deliver” (PG); 6 p.m., “Good Will Hunting” (R); Lincoln Auditorium, UMF Roberts Learning Center.

Monday, March 10: Math Film Festival Part II, 7 p.m., “Doodling in Math Class” by Vi Hart (G); 7:30 p.m., “A Beautiful Mind” (PG-13); Lincoln Auditorium , UMF Roberts Learning Center.

Monday, March 10, through Friday, March 21: “Pictures: Polymath,” a math art display in the Emery Community Arts Center.

Wednesday, March 12: Music and Faculty Research, 11:45 a.m., original music by Pete Hardy; noon to 1 p.m., Math and Computer Science Faculty: Current Research Projects; Thomas Auditorium, UMF Preble/Ricker Halls.

Friday, March 14: Pi Day Celebration in Emery Community Arts Center, PIE reception, 2:30-3:30 p.m., (pie and coffee); General Audience Talk: Dr. Carrie Eaton, 3:30 p.m. “House of Cards: Understanding Sustainability Issues through Mathematics”; 4:40 p.m., original music by Pete Hardy; General Audience Talk: Philip Mallinson; 5 p.m., “Origami’s Not Just For Folding Cranes.”

Saturday, March 15: Origami workshops and reception in North Dining Hall A,B,C; Reception, 10-10:30 a.m., coffee, juice and pastries; Kids Origami Workshop with Phil, 10:30-11:30 a.m., (ages 6 and up, children under 10 should have adult helper); Adult Origami Workshop with Phil, 1-3 p.m. (Anyone age 13+ is welcome to attend one or both workshops).

For additional details, visit 150.umf.maine.edu.