The opening of the „Mathematics Experience” in 2018 was preceded by a three-year planning and expansion phase of the location. A previously empty attic area ofthe building was ideal for the realization of the project and was converted into a finally usable facility in various expansion stages between 2016 and 2018. A pre-opening was held in April 2018, and the official opening ceremony followed on September 29, 2018 with a mathematical supporting program of specialist lectures in the presence of guests of honor from politics and local schools.
As soon as you enter the „Experience Mathematics”, the attention to detail with which the facility is designed is apparent. Those entering are first greeted by the facility’s logo, which is also displayed at the entrance on the ground floor and is supplemented with information about the opening times. The logo is designed as a logarithmic spiral and includes the words „Experience Mathematics”, whereby the use of the Greek letters ε, α, τ, which are commonly used in mathematics, is highlighted. In addition, the proof of the Pythagorean theorem and the Fibonacci numbers can be found on the floor tiles in the entrance area.
In the main area ofthe facility, an overview first illustrates the historical development of numbers under the vivid title „From Counting to Computers”. This covers all cultures from the Stone Age onwards, and in more recent history, the area ofcomputers is given particular attention. In the early days of the „Mathematics Experience”, this was followed by a hodgepodge of mainly textual information on detailed topics in the history of mathematics (with a focus on biographies) and a few exhibits (mainly slide rules). It can be seen that the facility has experienced considerable development over the course of its five-year existence towards a larger system, a more comprehensive general overview and a considerable expansion of the inventory of objects. Calculating machines, slide rules, slide discs, compasses, adders, sextants, computers, storage media for electronic data, figures such as Kepler’s model of the world, books and many other objects now provide multifaceted insights into the diverse area ofthe history of mathematics, science and technology. A special highlight is a Curta calculator from the 1950s, the practical use of which is regularly demonstrated by the operator during private tours. The provenance of the objects is partly in the private possession of the operator and partly in donations from private collectors. A catalogue of all the exhibits is not currently available, but can be considered as a relevant future project – perhaps on the occasion of further anniversaries.
Under the heading “Trying out mathematics”, the approach of the playful and practical aspect, which is predominantly propagated in the modern museum landscape and museum education, is not neglected in the “Experience Mathematics”. For example, you can tie numbers like the Incas, cross the Königsberg bridges, lay magic squares, play quartet on the path of numbers through time or try your hand at calculating with Neper’s rods, counting rods, logarithmic tables or “on the lines”. If a more contemplative character of activity is required, the reading corner offers a retreat for browsing in the multifaceted library, which includes books on the most diverse aspects of mathematics. As in the facility as a whole, here too, the focus is always on looking beyond the horizon of one’s own discipline, and so one can, for example, find out about mathematics and art. Furthermore, the already mentioned attention to detail is also manifested in this context, as “geometry cushions” invite you to sit down – and subsequently, of course, to engage with mathematics.
The portfolio of the “Experience Mathematics” is finally rounded off by a regular lecture program. On the one hand, the operator offers individual tours that are tailored to the wishes of the interested parties and varied thematically. On the other hand, presentations by local speakers on a wide variety of topics in the history of mathematics, technology, economics, music and natural sciences are held regularly on a quarterly basis. Although the Corona pandemic required an interruption of activities, especially since the institution focuses on the face-to-face format, a successful resumption has been achieved and the response from interested parties seems to be increasing continuously. In the course of the five-year existence of the “Experience Mathematics” so far, eleven lectures have been given and a special event has been organized, which took place on the occasion of the 450th birthday of Johannes Kepler on June 10 and 11, 2022.2
All of these activities focus on a general educational mission for the general public, whereby the purely non-profit nature of the facility and the independence from all official funding bodies can be emphasized. The “mathematics experience” has also already attracted a great deal of interest in the local media. As a preview of the opening in 2018, an article appeared in the Niederösterreichische Nachrichten under the vivid title “Declaration of love for mathematics”,3 which describes the operator’s passion and the facility’s objectives in a very fitting way. But
the
“Mathematics Experience” has been presented not only in the print media, but also on local television, namely with a short contribution from
“SchauTV” on February 14, 2020 in the “schau LEBEN” section.4
As far as
“modern media” is concerned, a contribution from the local podcast “Peters
Funkturm”, also from 2020, is worth mentioning.5
The already mentioned Kepler birthday year finally provided the opportunity for further
media presence of the “Mathematics Experience” in 2022, again with a contribution
in the Lower Austrian News.6
Begun as a mathematical potpourri of all hobbies, from overview tables on
selected topics in the history of mathematics and computer science to historical
exhibits (slide rules and calculating machines), the
“Mathematics Experience” has developed into a permanent part and an
enrichment of the local educational and cultural landscape in southern Lower Austria, which has already been shown on has aroused great interest among the general public and is something that no one would want to miss. It will therefore remain exciting to follow the further developments of the “Mathematics Experience” in terms of a prosperous awareness-raising and knowledge transfer in the history of natural sciences.
—-
Faustmann has some plans for the future.
„Nobody has to do any calculations here, and nobody is being tested,” Gerlinde Faustmann reassures visitors. „You should just be amazed.” For five years, the former professor at BRG Gröhrmühlgasse has been running the „Experience Mathematics” museum in Bahngasse as a hobby – a place where numbers come to life. Last week, the „round” was celebrated.
From slide rules to pinion wheel machines to mathematical literature – in this room you can find everything a math lover’s heart desires. Numerous hidden puzzles await guests as soon as they enter the room. „If you look at the tiles, you have an 8x8 square. Suddenly the tiles are in a different position – and suddenly it becomes a 5x13 rectangle, even though no more tiles are being used,” explains the math lover. So you can find interesting mathematical details from the history of mathematics everywhere, but also from modern research areas. Gerlinde Faustmann provides the exhibits themselves. „After decades of collecting, there were more and more things. I wanted them to be accessible to the general public – that’s how it all developed.”
The „Mathematics Experience” is open every Monday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and every third Friday of the month from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There are lectures and workshops three times a semester.
The „Mathematics Experience” has developed well over the past five years – the room is now almost too small. In order to inspire more mathematicians, Faustmann is planning, among other things, a book to be published for the 13th anniversary celebrations. It will contain all the lectures that have been given so far.
Admission is free, donations will be invested in new equipment or events, says Faustmann: „I hope that this room will help more people to enjoy mathematics more – and take away visitors’ fear of it.”