Brain Waves, the Mathematics Department's equivalent to Ink Waves, presents mathematical problems, puzzles and art for the enjoyment of readers with a mathematical sensibility. It also is looking for students to contribute these mathematical mysteries.
The publication is the brainchild of Industrial Engineering major Monica Block.
"When I'm in a creative mood, I see possibilities in most everything," she said. "I happened to see a mathematics journal that my mom had given me from her college years, and thought, ‘Why doesn't MSOE have one, we have a creative writing magazine?'"
So Monica suggested the publication to the math department and Assistant Professor James Carr signed on as the faculty advisor. As editor, Block compiled and formatted Brain Waves 2005 after soliciting entries through a number of e-mails.
Monica's sister Allison, a computer engineering major, edited the following year's edition. Fun articles such as Professor Ed Griggs' "Revenge of the Chicken," which challenged readers to solve several problems in algebra and calculus (all but one was solved; one had two solutions) bolstered the publications success. Twice as many students submitted work to the second issue and twice as many copies were printed since the first "sold out."
The deadline for submissions to Brain Waves is the first Friday of Spring Quarter. Submissions received before that date will be considered for the publication in the current year; submissions received after, for the following year.
Learn more about Brain Waves.