How many different colors do you need to color a map so that no two countries with the same color share a border?

How can we use mathematics to understand patterns in nature, count cards to gain an advantage in card games, or devise a winning strategy in a game?

To answer these questions, and more, we encourage questioning minds of all ages to attend Celebration of Mind Saturday, March 31st, to find out!

The Celebration of Mind is a worldwide, annual tribute to Martin Gardner, a mathmagician of sorts who engaged generations of people with mathematics and magic, puzzles, games and ideas. It was mathematics pursued, not for importance or power, but simply for beauty and fun. His long-running column in Scientific American broke stories on advances from the highest reaches of mathematics and, as such, Gardner is a personal hero to several members of the Department of Mathematical Sciences in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

The event is open to the public and all ages. Members of the Department will host "activities for attendees to do which show why we love mathematics and have made careers of it," said graduate organizer Michael Duffy Jr. "Attendees will also have the opportunity to play math games, look at mathematical art, and try solving math problems on their own."

Celebration of Mind will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 31 in the fourth floor of Champions Hall (CHPN).

If you are a teacher planning on bringing a class, please let us know so we may make any special arrangements necessary (such as bus parking). Parking is available in Harmon Parking Garage immediately south of Champions Hall.

The Department of Mathematical Sciences hopes to see you there!

For more information, check out the dedicated Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UACelebrationofMind or contact Duffy at mjduffy@uark.edu.

For those interested, contact Duffy about volunteer opportunities and sign up through the GivePulse event page.