08/10/2020

During Science and Technology Month, IMPA has a special program.

Marcelo Viana, diretor-geral do IMPA, abre a programação com uma apresentação do instituto. Foto: Tomás Rangel

On the date it turns 68, IMPA will be part of a special program: the first edition of the National Science and Technology Month (MNCT) , an initiative of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) that takes place throughout the month of October. Lectures, practical activities and interviews will be broadcast on MCTI's YouTube channel and IMPA's Facebook page on Thursday (15), so that everyone can participate in the celebration. The goal is to inspire people of all ages to access the wonderful universe of mathematics and present the history of the institute, a stronghold of cutting-edge scientific research in the discipline.

“The MCTI initiative highlights the importance of conveying to the entire society the importance and value of science for the country,” points out Marcelo Viana, Director-General of IMPA. The event includes the participation of more than 27 institutions linked to the ministry, which are divided into more than 220 hours of virtual programming throughout the month.

With photos, videos, and testimonials, the Director-General of IMPA, Marcelo Viana, opens the October 1Thursdays program with a general presentation of the institute. The relationship between games and mathematics will be addressed by Fernando Lenarduzzi, a postdoctoral researcher at IMPA. Is it possible to color countries on a map using only a few colors? This is the old mathematical challenge proposed by Professor Maria João Resende, from the Federal Fluminense University (UFF), who will lead the practical activity.

It's no secret that mathematics drives technological advancements. But what about the reverse? In a lecture, researcher Roberto Imbuzeiro, from IMPA, will show examples of the close relationship between the two fields, such as a mathematical pastime related to the transmission of information, even when subject to errors.

The trajectory, routine, mission, and importance of IMPA for Brazil will be discussed in a special interview with Marcelo Viana. To conclude, Viana, Imbuzeiro, and Paulo Orenstein, a visiting researcher at IMPA, will participate in a debate about the interaction between academia and the productive sector.

The National Movement for Science and Technology (MNCT) will also promote debate on the importance of scientific impacts worldwide. According to Minister Marcos Pontes, this year, with Covid-19, science and technology have overcome barriers and are closer to the population.

The National Science and Technology Week (SNCT) , traditionally held in October, is still on and will have its 17th edition between the 17th and 2Tuesdays of this month. With the theme "Artificial Intelligence: The New Frontier of Brazilian Science," the event will be broadcast on the MCTI channels. On October 20th, at 9 am, IMPA researcher André Nachbin will present the lecture "Levitating a droplet using physics, mathematics and computing."

MNCT's October 1Thursdays schedule:

9:00 AM to 9:50 AM – Institutional presentation of IMPA, with Marcelo Viana (IMPA)

10:00 AM to 10:50 AM – Games and Mathematics beyond the headshot, with Fernando Lenarduzzi (IMPA)

11:00 AM to 11:50 AM – Let's color maps?, with Maria João Resende (UFF)

12:00 to 12:50 – Mathematics, technology and mathematics as technology, with Roberto Imbuzeiro (IMPA)

4:00 PM to 4:50 PM – Interview with Marcelo Viana (IMPA)

5:00 PM to 6:30 PM – The interaction between academia and the productive sector, with Marcelo Viana (IMPA), Roberto Imbuzeiro (IMPA), and Paulo Orenstein (IMPA)