HANC gets math maps up

Sixth Graders in Class 6-103 at HANC’s Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Elementary School, in West Hempstead, have been working on an E2K project called Coloring Maps, by Gali Shimoni.

The project is based on a hypothesis by mathematician Francis Guthrie who states that no more than four colors are required to show the different regions on any map. It took nearly 100 years from when Guthrie first introduced his hypothesis to actually prove it and the proof was not mathematical in the conventional sense, because most of it was calculated by a computer. 

Mrs. Vera Pinn, the sixth grade math teacher, used Guthrie’s hypothesis and the math associated with it as a fun way to engage her students and a way to bring math and science to life.

“I loved doing this activity because it challenges me,” said Olivia Peller. “It’s good to have a challenge once in a while, and it’s enjoyable,” said Adam Speiser.