The 69th School of Illustrative Mathematics “Completely Different, Yet Exactly the Same” Has Come to an End
Some of the events were held at the Silesian University of Technology Library, while the main programme took place at the Educational and Conference Centre.
The five-day programme featured 20 lectures, including two open lectures.
The conference programme began informally on Thursday evening, ahead of the official opening on Friday, with “An Introduction to Mathematical Rebus Puzzles at a Higher Level of Abstraction” („Wprowadzenie do rebusów matematycznych na wyższym poziomie abstrakcji”), prepared by Bartłomiej Bzdęga. This year’s School also featured the exhibition “Mathematics in Focus” („Matematyka w obiektywie”), presenting works from an international photography competition combining mathematics and the art of photography.
Friday’s official opening was attended by Vice-Rector Prof. Zbigniew Paszenda and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Applied Mathematics Dr Mariusz Pleszczyński. As is tradition, the official opening of the School began with the presentation of the Filc Medal, awarded for the best lecture delivered during the previous edition. This was followed by a lecture by the medal’s recipient, Professor Zbigniew Marciniak, entitled “Completely Different, Yet the Same: Four Examples” ( „Kompletnie co innego a jednak to samo: cztery przykłady”).
The individual conference days were chaired by Szymon Charzyński, Marek Kordos, Martyna Strach and Witold Tomaszewski.
Best Lecture Competition
The first prize in the Best Lecture Competition went to Łukasz Rajkowski for his presentation “55 Faces of Dobble” („55 twarzy Dobbli”). The remaining top places were awarded to Andrzej Grzesik, Joanna Jaszuńska, Andrzej Dąbrowski and Paulina Rowińska.
The next edition of the School will traditionally open with the ceremonial presentation of the Filc Medal to Łukasz Rajkowski, followed by his winning lecture.
Poster Session and Other Events
The School included a Poster Session held in the form of an exhibition opening. The main prize was awarded to Martyna Pieczka for her work “Fivefold Symmetry – From Mosaics to Quasicrystals” („Symetria pięciokrotna – od mozaik po kwazikryształy”). Distinctions were awarded to Adam Drażyk, as well as Filip Nawrocki and Kacper Chmura.
The Model Participant Competition, organised by Małgorzata Misztal and Rafał Bieliński, was won by Bruno Pitrus, who received the gold medal. The silver medal went to Nicole Meisner, while the bronze medal was awarded to Łukasz Rajkowski.
Friday evening featured “Puzzles” („Zagadki”), hosted by Renata Jurasińska. The competition ended with Rafał Bieliński taking first place.
On Saturday evening, the Silesian University of Technology Library hosted a presentation of two books: “121 Deltoids” („121 Deltoidów”) by Joanna Jaszuńska and “Unjustly Forgotten Geometry” („Niesłusznie zapomniana geometrya”) by Jerzy Bednarczuk.
Sunday’s programme included the “Lecture into Infinity” („Wykład w nieskończoność”), during which Michał Skrzypczak delivered a presentation entitled “Does the Time Axis Have to Have a Direction?” ( „Czy oś czasu musi mieć zwrot?”). The lecture was accompanied by an original game, in which Adam Drażyk achieved the highest score.
Patronage and Support
The 69th edition of the School of Intuitive Mathematics was held under the honorary patronage of:
- the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology,
- the Director of the Silesian University of Technology Library,
- the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Mathematics of the Silesian University of Technology,
- Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka, Mayor of Gliwice,
- the President of the Polish Mathematical Society,
- the Rector of Warsaw University of Technology,
- the Rector of the University of Warsaw,
- the Director of the Institute of Mathematics of the Polish Academy of Sciences,
- the Editor-in-Chief of Delta magazine.
This year’s edition was supported by Pegasystems Software Limited, the Silesian University of Technology Library, the Faculty of Applied Mathematics of the Silesian University of Technology, Aksjomat Publishing House in Toruń, and Delta magazine.
The 70th School of Illustrative Mathematics is planned for the turn of summer and autumn 2027 and will once again be held in Gliwice.
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