Mathematics for the people

Abstract

This is a brief report by the Mathematics Media Office of the German Mathematical Society (Deutsche Mathematiker-Vereinigung, DMV), on the 2008 Year of Mathematics in Germany, one of a series of national Science Years in Germany. The Year of Mathematics was seen and successfully used as a great framework for communication among the mathematical sciences, schools, and society at large. It was also a gigantic learning experience, a welcome experimental platform, and perfect opportunity for the professionalization of mathematics communication in Germany. The Year of Mathematics was viewed as extremely successful; it had more impact than most other Science Years. New grounds of communication were broken, new communication formats created. In the following, we start with a short glimpse on the development of science communication in Germany, then we discuss some “do’s” and “don’ts” in math communication. We give an account of some of our experiences during the Year of Mathematics and describe some of the communication and event formats that turned out to be especially successful.