Primes and Resonance: Sophie Germain’s 250th Birthday

Sophie Germain is remembered for her major contributions to mathematics, ranging from advances in number theory (related to Fermat’s Last Theorem) to foundational results on vibrating plates. She was the first woman to win a major competitive research prize in mathematics. 

We will celebrate her 250th birthday with four general-audience talks, a live demonstration, and a speaker panel bringing her life and work into focus. 

Expect history, Fermat’s Last Theorem, sand figures on vibrating plates, and open questions on primes, moving from deep theory to patterns you can see. 

For a general audience. No specialist background is assumed.