The new math students had a great lunch time event today. In 10 groups of 7 or 8 they had to make posters around the theme of math and buildings. All sorts of interesting ideas and designs and content. Everyone attending the event could vote for the best or their favorite or whatever and outright bribery was encouraged. One lot had a cake with a great photo on it, one lot were offering candy, another group had come up with an engaging game (8 years and 8 photos of pyramids to attach to them - from the Egyptian Great pyramid, through examples from the Romans and Aztecs to the Transamerica Tower in San Francisco and the Louvre in Paris. You got a chocolate for playing and another for getting it right.)

I have to say I was so engaged by the game, I had to vote for that poster. The fact that I not only got two chocolates for getting it right but another when I helped one of the academics who was struggling a bit was, of course, nothing to do with it. I think I learned some mathish stuff as well.

Those participating seemed to be really enjoying it as well and had bonded well as groups. No wonder they do quite well for student satisfaction on the national survey.