The California Tech Volume CXViii number 8 Pasadena, California teCh.CalteCh.edu noVember 24, 2014 Physicist Matt Taylor Techers join Harvey Mudd students in stirs up “Shirtstorm” over hosting high school math competition objectification of women HANNALORE GERLING- Nature Newsteam. The shirt in DUNSMORE question was covered in a pattern Contributing Writer of women wearing lingerie in a variety of sexually suggestive On Nov. 12, the European poses. Almost immediately, social Space Agency (ESA) made history media exploded with feminist with the first controlled landing outrage. Both men and women on a comet, as the Philae lander expressed their anger, citing the touched down onto Comet 67P struggles women already face when (67P). About 480 million km from attempting to enter STEM (science, Earth, Philae detached from the technology, engineering, math) Rosetta spacecraft it was launched fields, claiming the shirt further with in March 2004 and landed alienated an already marginalized on 67P a total of three times; the demographic. On Nov. 14, Dr. first two attempts were bounces. Taylor issued an apology for his Even though its harpoon, designed clothing choice, stating “I made to anchor the lander to the comet, a big mistake, and I’ve offended did not fire, Philae remained many people, and I’m very sorry Harvey Mudd student Martin Loncaric, one of the organizers of the competition, addresses the high school students. on the comet and successfully about this,” before appearing to Photo Courtesy of Ching-Yun (Chloe) Hsu collected desired data. Due to the wipe away tears. landing difficulties, Philae ended Some people have tried to debate CHING-YUN (CHLOE) HSU team was given 10 short answer Breaker Round where the eventual up approximately one km from whether or not the shirt in question Contributing Writer questions and a series of 4 proof- ranking of winners was determined. its intended landing site, which is actually offensive, or if people based power questions to solve in Meanwhile, the rest of participants put it in the shadow of a cliff. should be offended by its pattern; The Caltech Harvey Mudd 75 minutes. Following the lunch enjoyed a Mixer Round, where Subsequently, Philae received frankly, that is a waste of time. Math Competition (CHMMC) is a break was the Individual Round, they met new friends and worked insufficient light to charge its The reality is, the shirt did offend team competition for high school during which participants had one on problems together. Finally, the battery with its solar panel, and a large number of people; even students organized by the Caltech hour to try their best on 15 short 2014 CHMMC culminated in the Philae lost power on Nov. 14. As more important than noting their and Harvey Mudd College math answer questions. The questions long-waited awarding ceremony. 67P and its new passenger travel response, it is vital to understand clubs. The CHMMC was founded in both rounds were of varying This year’s CHMMC was closer to the sun, Philae may find why so many people were offended. by Caltech alumnus Yakov (Yasha) difficulty and represented diverse sponsored by Mu Alpha Theta, itself in an orientation with more Thus far, the discussion has been Berchenko-Kogan (’11) and Harvey topics. the MathWorks, Wolfram light, and thus may regain power focused on responses to the shirt, Mudd alumnus Joshua Ehrlich Harvey Mudd organizer Mimee Research, the Harvey Mudd Math at a later point. However, even if without an attempt to unpack back in 2010. The competition takes Xu noted, “We are super pleased Department, the Harvey Mudd Philae never again re-establishes the greater issues shaping those place at Caltech and Harvey Mudd with the types of questions we Presidents’ Office, and the Caltech communication with Earth, the responses. Only by understanding in alternating years. The CHMMC have! Our mix of problems had Department of Mathematics. Top mission has been considered a the fundamental reasons why the is entirely student-run, aiming to more diversity in combinatorics scoring individuals and teams massive success. shirt offended so many people can motivate interest in math. and approachable types of graph received Mathematica licenses and Unfortunately, the focus has the true issues at hand be resolved. On Nov. 22, CHMMC welcomed theory for instance.” While all the copies of Matlab as recognition for shifted from the ESA’s massive Additionally, by only focusing on 46 teams and 256 individuals from answers were being graded, Dr. their outstanding performances. triumph to a shirt. Specifically, the shirt, and by extension Dr. 29 different high schools to Harvey Rob Thompson from the Harvey Star League A-Star Earth Team the shirt Dr. Matt Taylor, a Taylor, the criticisms have been Mudd. After registration and a brief Mudd Math Department gave a was the winning team in the Team physicist from Imperial College overly personal, leading to social opening ceremony, participants presentation about introductory Round, and Benjamin Chen from London, chose to wear to discuss backlash against the perceived were led into different rooms for topology. The top-scoring Orange County Math Circle placed the mission in an interview for Continued on page 4 Team Round, during which each individuals were then put into a Tie- first in the Individual Round. Caltech Y’s Explore LA event a success in Little Tokyo TYLER OKAMOTO well as racial discrimination since KEVIN CHEN immigration. The issue of prejudice Contributing Writers was exacerbated during World War . II when thousands of Japanese The Caltech Y’s Explore LA series Americans were forced to relocate gives Caltech undergraduate and to concentration camps under graduate students opportunities adverse living conditions. The walk to see Los Angeles from a new around the Japanese American perspective.On Nov. 8, a group National Museum certainly offered of six embarked on a journey to the students a powerful insight learn about Japanese-American to the struggles of the early Asian culture, beginning at the Japanese American community. American National Museum. Afterwards, the group shopped Starting with a reconstructed at the Village Plaza, which was filled house from the Heart Mountain with a variety of souvenir stores, internment camp, the museum ranging from traditional Japanese exhibited incredibly detailed teapots to adorable plush dolls. records of the lives of Japanese The six Techers then concluded Americans during the twentieth their visit at Daikokuya, a popular century. It was a sensational local ramen restaurant, where they experience to see how issei enjoyed delicious food to wrap up Techers pose in Little Tokyo with Hello Kitty and later enjoy delicious food! overcame the cultural shock as the evening. Photos Courtesy of Tyler Okamoto neWs | pAge 2 FeAtuRe | pAge 3 spoRts | pAge 5 FeAtuRe | pAge 7 In thIs ukRAIne stRuggles nAIlen dIsCusses teCheRs set seveRAl BRAd/ChAd tells FoR nAtIonAl sov- stott’s “FAIth In neW ReCoRds you WhAt to do Issue eReIgnty stRAngeRs” to get FIt! news 2 noVember 24, 2014 the CAlIFoRnIA teCh Caltech Y Caltech-Occidental Concert Band performs Column at quarterly showcase with guest conductor CALTECH Y NEERA SHAH second performance on Sunday afternoon at have a guest conductor. She worked well with Contributing Writer Thorne Hall at Occidental College. the band.” There are weekly group practices, starting Composers who have worked with the The Caltech Y Column serves to inform On Friday, Nov. 21, the Caltech-Occidental at the beginning of the quarter, to prepare for band or served as a guest conductor in the past students of upcoming events and volunteer Concert Band held one of their annual the performance. Directed by William Bing, include Joseph Curiale, Bruce Lofgren, Dirk opportunities. The list is compiled by Neera concerts in Ramo Auditorium. The group the concert band puts on a performance for Fischer, and George Stone. Frank Ticheli, Shah from information given by the Caltech was led by guest conductor Sharon Lavery, the community once every quarter. According another composer and conductor from the Y and its student leaders. co-conductor of the USC Thornton School to Ellen Price, a 4-year band member as a USC Thornton School of Music, often works Founded by students in 1916, the Y was of Music Wind Ensemble. Students from the French horn player, Bing will, on occasion, with the band and has also appeared as a organized to provide extracurricular activities Blair High School Band also performed to perform with the band if there is a guest guest conductor in past performances. planned and implemented by students as an introduce the Caltech-Occidental band. conductor. The group has performed at other events opportunity to learn leadership skills and The band is composed of students, faculty, The performance featured pieces by such as an international music festival at discover themselves. The mission of today’s Y staff, and alumni from both Caltech and Charles Ives, George Gershwin, Paul Disney Hall and a variety of places across remains the same—to provide opportunities Occidental College, the Caltech-administered Hindemith, and Auturo Márquez. The theme the world, including the Great Wall of China that will prepare students to become Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the local for the night was “America”; Price’s personal and Carnegie Hall. They have three to four engaged, responsible citizens of the world. community. Since the band is composed of favorite piece to play was “Danzón No. 2,” major concerts every year, and their next The Y seeks to broaden students’ worldviews, members of both schools, the band had a composed by Márquez. She added that “the community performance is expected to be raise social, ethical, and cultural awareness concert was interesting—it’s always cool to near the end of next quarter.