Paola Magnaghi-Delfino - Faces of Geometry: II Edition

Editors

Paola Magnaghi-Delfino , Giampiero Mele and Tullia Norando

Faces of Geometry

II Edition

1st ed. 2021

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This book is dedicated to the memory of our colleague and friend Paola Magnaghi Delfino.

Paola has been working for many years in our Department, employing the best of her efforts in planning and carrying out many initiatives. In particular, as a member of the FDS didactic laboratory, she was actively engaged in several projects dedicated to high school students, aiming at the improvement of their scientific knowledge and, in particular, at the study of mathematics through art. In particular, she took active part in the projects Progettiamo con la Matematica (Planning with Math), In Action with Math and Matemartiamo (Math & Art). All these initiatives were attended by hundreds of students, together with their teachers, throughout the years.

Paola was interested in all the fields in which Mathematics plays a role; another example is her collaboration with the company Pacta dei.Teatri for a series of theatre shows, inspired by mathematical concepts.

Yet another field in which Paola was engaged is the valorisation of the contributions made by women to scientific research in Mathematics. In particular, Paola was deeply involved in the conception and organization of the international conference Faces of Geometry, from Agnesi to Mirzakhani. The Proceedings of the second edition of this conference are published here.

The whole staff at the Department of Mathematics of the Politecnico Milano, including of course myself, is deeply grateful to Paola for all the work she carried out with enthusiasm and competence. I hope that reading these proceedings can act as an incentive to the youngest researchers to undertake the difficult but important field of dissemination of Mathematical Knowledge in multidisciplinary contexts. And I am sure, that Paola would share this intent with us.

Giulio Magli, Head of the Department of Mathematics, Politecnico Milano

Dear Paola,

We began to work together by chance, then we continued by choice. Sharing the same passion for Mathematics, we have decided to engage in experimenting with innovative forms of students training and dissemination. Paola, do you remember when I pushed you to go on stage to explain the mathematical arguments of theatre shows? You were frightened but you faced it with great courage. Not to mention the time when you arrived by car to set up the panels for the exhibition saying: If the students cant come to the Politecnico, lets go to them!. And what about the time when we decided that art was the key to bringing scientific thinking into the hearts of students, and you were telling me about how your father was talking to you about Architecture. That was the point when we connected, and you let me into that same world where you were putting all your heart in, and all your enthusiasm, determination, and will to overcome any obstacles.