Three related but independent workshops were planned, bringing together those working on the theory of computational geometry with those implementing or using geometric algorithms:
June 24-28
Organizer: Ayellet Tal
ayellet@wisdom.weizmann.ac.ilA wide variety of research topics in software and mathematical visualization will be discussed, as well as the use of visuali- zation for education in all levels. The research areas include, among others, the visualization of geometry, knot theory, calculus, dynamical system, tiling, minimal surfaces, 3-manifolds, statistics, the visualization of very large software systems, combinatorial structures, and algorithm animation.
July 1-3
Organizer: Tim Baker
baker@cougarxp.princeton.eduThe aim of this workshop is to bring together two groups of researchers, computer scientists specializing in computational geometry and computational scientists whose research deals with problems of an essentially geometric nature. In particular, the workshop will address the issues of mesh generation, surface representation and solid modeling. The emphasis will be on identifying the key problem areas (e.g. mesh quality and optimal triangulations for the solution of flow problems in 2-D and 3-D, the blocking problem of decomposing arbitrary regions into a collection of hexahedral domains, surface meshing to achieve optimal approximation of curved surfaces, etc.). Our intention is to have a series of presentations by leading researchers in both the numerical methods and the computer science communities, as well as a number of panel discussions to identify areas that might benefit from a closer collaboration between the two groups.
July 8-12
Organizer: Bernard Chazelle
chazelle@cs.princeton.eduThe workshop on Hot Topics in Computational Geometry will present an opportunity to hear the latest results in the computational, discrete, and combinatorial aspects of geometry.
Most events were open to interested members of the mathematics and computer science communities.
All presentations (talks, videos, software demonstrations, etc.) were by invitation; requests to make presentations were honored at the discretion of the appropriate workshop organizer.
List of Participants (by Picture)
Discussion Groups
Resources Developed by Participants (under construction)
The Education program's daily schedule included a morning class, a plenary session before lunch, and an afternoon class, along with some evening presentations and social events.
Another group of participants at the Institute were researchers participating in three week-long research workshops on Software & Mathematical Visualization, Computational Geometry Problems in Aerodynamics, and Hot Topics in the Theory of Computational Geometry.
One of the goals of the Institute was "vertical integration" -- having researchers and teachers interact and learn about one another's jobs and concerns.
This interaction happened at plenary sessions, at evening presentations, at social events and at meals.
Instructors: Robert L. (Scot) Drysdale III; Iliana Bjorling-Sachs
scot@flume.cs.dartmouth.edu; bjorling@lafcol.lafayette.eduThe morning class, taught by Professors Scot Drysdale of Dartmouth and Iliana Bjorling-Sachs of Lafayette College, had two goals.
The first was to teach some computational geometry, in particular two topics that we expected high school teachers to be able to incorporate into their curriculum: Voronoi Diagrams and Delaunay Triangulations as an approach to solving a number of interesting "closest point" problems, and "Art Gallery" and related visibility problems. Both lend themselves to "exploration" types of assignments that we hoped that high school students (and teachers) would enjoy.
The second goal was to give background information to help prepare the teachers for the plenary sessions.
Instructors: David Dobkin; Ken Steiglitz
dpd@cs.princeton.edu; ken@cs.princeton.eduOn-Line Lab Modules
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Topics in computer science occupied the afternoon. First, Professors David Dobkin and Ken Steiglitz (Princeton University faculty) introduced the teachers to their computer-module based class. This class described the inner workings of the computer, demonstrated use of a variety of applications and taught basic programming in Java. This was done through a combination of lectures and labs tailored to the teachers' backgrounds.
Once or twice a week the plenaries were given by researchers who would give general-audience surveys of their fields, for the benefit of the teachers and the other researchers. The plenary lecturers were invited to have a follow-up session with the teachers to further elaborate and to deal with questions.
Other plenaries were given by lead teachers on topics of interest to both groups. Outside speakers also gave some of the plenaries. For example, Owen Astrachan, a former high school teacher who now is a faculty member at Duke and is chair of the committee in charge of the computer science Advanced Placement exam, discussed the introductory computer science course and the implications of using C++ for the computer science Advanced Placement exam. All the participants attended the plenary we had some stimulating conversations during lunch.
Follow-Up 1 - September 28, 1996 - Princeton University
Follow-Up 2 - November 9, 1996 - Princeton University
Follow-Up 3 - March 21-22, 1997 - Rutgers University
Follow-Up 4 - June 29 - July 1, 1997 - Rutgers University