FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Cindy Deppe, media relations, 641-269-4834

April 1, 2008

"DO DOGS KNOW CALCULUS?" TOPIC OF GRINNELL COLLEGE LECTURE

GRINNELL, IA.- Mathematician Tim Pennings, accompanied by his dog Elvis, will attempt to prove the claim that "dogs know calculus," Thurs., Apr. 10 at 4:15 p.m. in the Noyce Science Center, Room 2022, on the Grinnell College campus.

Pennings is professor of mathemathics at Hope College in Holland, Mich., where he teaches a senior seminar in "the confluence of mathematics, physics, philosophy, and theology." He also mentors undergraduate students in summer research in dynamical systems, chaos, and mathematical modeling.

In proving his dogs and calculus claim, Pennings says "a standard calculus problem is to find the quickest path from a point on shore to a point in the lake. Elvis, my Welsh corgi, has never had a calculus course but when we play fetch, he appears to choose paths close to the calculus answer." In his Grinnell talk, Pennings will reveal what he has learned in experimenting with the dog’s ability.

Pennings’ presentation is one of the college’s Roberts Lectures, established in 1968 to bring visiting scholars to campus to speak on "topics of scientific research, literary work, influence on student character or other outstanding achievements."

The Noyce Science Center is located at 1116 8th Ave. on the Grinnell College campus. -30-