Episode Overview:

In this Flashcard Friday episode of Math! Science! History!TM Gabrielle breaks down the powerful numbers behind the misinformation and legislative attacks targeting LGBTQ+ and especially transgender communities in the United States. With over 550 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced across 49 states in 2023 alone, it's time to ask: What does the data actually say?

From the percentage of Americans who identify as LGBTQ+ to the hard truth about who actually commits acts of harm, this episode unpacks the math that shatters the myths. Because when fear leads, facts must speak louder.

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode:

1. What percentage of the U.S. population identifies as LGBTQ+ and how small the transgender community actually is.

2. Who is statistically responsible for most sexual violence—and how trans people are often the victims, not perpetrators.

3. Which states introduced the most anti-LGBTQ+ bills in 2023, and what types of legislation are being proposed.

Resources

Gallup: LGBTQ+ Identification Rises to 7.6% in U.S.

UCLA Williams Institute: Transgender Population Estimates

The Trevor Project: 2023 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health

ACLU: Legislative Attacks on LGBTQ Rights

Trans Murder Monitoring Report (TGEU)

Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com
To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

Let’s Connect!

www.Instagram.com/math.science.history

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Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved.
On Matters of Consequence from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

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Episode Overview:
Long before Europe adopted the concept of zero, the ancient Maya had already created one of the most sophisticated mathematical systems in the world. In this episode of Math Science History, host Gabrielle Birkjak uncovers the secrets of Mayan mathematics, from the elegance of their base-20 number system, to their revolutionary use of zero, to the celestial precision encoded in the Dresden Codex.

We explore how the Maya embedded math into everything from pyramids to calendars, and how European scholars like Ernst Förstemann helped rediscover their brilliance centuries later. This isn’t just a story about numbers, it’s a story about worldview, time, astronomy, and one of the most advanced mathematical traditions of the ancient world.

Three Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How the ancient Maya independently invented and used zero in a positional number system.

Why their base-20 (vigesimal) system was uniquely suited for astronomy and calendar cycles.

How the Dresden Codex survived colonialism and war to become a key to understanding Mayan math and astronomy.

Resources and Further Reading:

SLUB Dresden Digital Archive: View the Dresden Codex:
https://digital.slub-dresden.de/werkansicht/dlf/29691/1

Förstemann, Ernst. Commentary on the Maya Manuscript in the Royal Public Library of Dresden (1901): https://archive.org/details/commentarymaya00fruoft

Coe, Michael D., and Stephen Houston. The Maya, 9th ed. Thames & Hudson, 2015.

Ifrah, Georges. The Universal History of Numbers. Wiley, 2000.

British Museum, Maya Mathematics Learning Resource:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/learn/schools/ages-7-11/maths/maya-mathematics

Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com
To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

Let’s Connect!

Website: mathsciencehistory.com
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mathsciencehistory.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/math.science.history

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🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved.
Selections from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

🎵 Audio mixed by David Aviles

Until next time, carpe diem!

Ever find yourself squinting at a metric label, trying to figure out how much a liter is in cups—or how heavy your suitcase is in pounds? In this episode of Math! Science! History!, host Gabrielle Birchak shares fast, intuitive tricks to help you convert metric units, without numbers, calculators, or charts.

Through rhythm, storytelling, and everyday comparisons, you’ll learn how to feel conversions in your head, whether you’re driving, walking, or cooking. From chocolate bars and milk jugs to cat weights and yoga mats, we’re turning complex conversions into simple, memorable cues. This episode is perfect for anyone who wants to sharpen their mental math, and sound like a genius without pulling out their phone.

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode:

- How to mentally visualize metric conversions using sensory and familiar objects—no math required.
- Real-world reference points for converting volume, weight, distance, and temperature.
- Simple memory tricks to help internalize metric vs. imperial conversions while on the go.

Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com
To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

Let’s Connect!

www.Instagram.com/math.science.history

https://bsky.app/profile/mathsciencehistory.bsky.social

https://www.linkedin.com/company/math-science-history/

https://www.threads.com/@math.science.history

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☕ Support the Show! We are sponsored by Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc

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Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved.
On Matters of Consequence from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

Until next time, carpe diem!

Episode Overview

How did a bold Enlightenment vision become the universal language of science and technology? In this episode of Math! Science! History!, Gabrielle takes you on a journey through the revolutionary origins, global adoption, and modern significance of the metric system. Discover how a chaotic world of local measurements gave way to an elegant, decimal-based system designed to unify not just France—but the entire planet. From the daring expedition of Delambre and Méchain to today's atomic-clock-calibrated definitions, this story reveals how the metric system continues to shape spaceflight, AI, and even cryptocurrency.

3 Things You Will Learn

Why the French Revolution called for a measurement system “for all people, for all time.”

How the metric system evolved from platinum prototypes to quantum-based constants.

Why the metric system is essential in today’s world, from Mars missions to microchips.

Resources & References

BIPM – International System of Units (SI)

NIST – Redefinition of the Kilogram

Alder, Ken. The Measure of All Things

Quinn, Terry. From Artefacts to Atoms

O’Connor, Anahad. “Why the U.S. Doesn't Use the Metric System” – The New York Times

Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com
To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

🌍 Let’s Connect!

Website: mathsciencehistory.com
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mathsciencehistory.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/math.science.history
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/math-science-history

Enjoying the Podcast?

If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:
Leave a review – It helps more people discover the show!
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☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc

Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store

🎵 Audio: Mixed by David Aviles

Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved.
Selections from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers
Waltz with Me by Beat Mekanik
Camille Saint-Saëns, Danse Macabre by Kevin MacLeod

Until next time, carpe diem!

Episode Overview:

In this episode of Math, Science, History, host Gabrielle Birchak explores the extraordinary life and legacy of Alan Turing, the brilliant mathematician, codebreaker, and father of artificial intelligence. From cracking the German Enigma code in World War II to laying the theoretical foundations for modern computing, Turing’s story is one of genius, perseverance, and tragic injustice. This episode examines not only his scientific contributions but also the deeply personal journey of a man whose work continues to shape our world.

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode:
- How Alan Turing’s theoretical "Turing Machine" became the foundation of computer science.
- How Turing’s work at Bletchley Park helped end WWII and save millions of lives.
- How his tragic treatment after the war led to a powerful legacy of recognition, apology, and progress in both science and human rights.

Click here to listen to my interview with Daniel Shiu: https://sites.libsyn.com/212183/the-codebreakers-who-reshaped-uk-mathematics-daniel-shiu-on-bletchley-parks-lasting-impact

Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com
To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

Let’s Connect!

www.Instagram.com/math.science.history

https://bsky.app/profile/mathsciencehistory.bsky.social

https://www.linkedin.com/company/math-science-history/

https://www.threads.com/@math.science.history

Resources!

Bletchley Park Museum: https://bletchleypark.org.uk

The Turing Institute: https://www.turing.ac.uk

Hodges, Andrew. Alan Turing: The Enigma.

National Museum of Computing: https://www.tnmoc.org

Enjoying the Podcast?

If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:
Leave a review – It helps more people discover the show!
Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!
Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform

☕ Support the Show! We are sponsored by Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc

Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store

Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved.
On Matters of Consequence from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

Until next time, carpe diem!

In this episode of Math, Science, History, host Gabrielle Birchak sits down with Daniel Shiu to discuss his recent article in Cryptologia, “The Influence of Bletchley Park on UK Mathematics.”

What began as a top-secret wartime codebreaking operation became a powerful incubator for intellectual exchange and mathematical innovation. Dr. Shiu unpacks how the intense collaboration and problem-solving culture at Bletchley Park spilled over into British academic institutions, shaping research directions, creating new career paths, and forging a generation of mathematical minds.

Together, we explore:

How cryptographic work at Bletchley Park sparked post-war mathematical advancements

The role of camaraderie, innovation, and shared urgency in building lasting academic communities

Why this hidden history still matters in today’s mathematical and cybersecurity landscapes

Whether you're a WWII history buff, a mathematician, or a fan of untold stories, this episode will uncover a rarely discussed legacy of Bletchley Park.

Listen now and explore the crossroads of history, math, and memory.

Read the full article: “The Influence of Bletchley Park on UK Mathematics” Published in Cryptologia:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01611194.2025.2457086

🌍 Let’s Connect!

Website: mathsciencehistory.com
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mathsciencehistory.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/math.science.history

Enjoying the Podcast?

If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:
Leave a review – It helps more people discover the show!
Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!
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☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc

Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store

Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved.
Selections from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

Until next time, carpe diem!

Episode Overview:

In this episode of Math, Science, History, we hop into a fictional electric vehicle—Einstein's EV—and cruise through space and time to uncover the fascinating world of relativity. What is the theory of relativity, and how did a curious young patent clerk change our understanding of the universe forever?

Using simple language and a fun driving analogy, we break down the core ideas behind both Special and General Relativity, explore Einstein’s thought experiments, and show how his discoveries shape your daily life—yes, even your GPS.

Whether you're a physics newbie or a science buff, this episode offers a friendly, accessible introduction to one of the greatest scientific breakthroughs in history.

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode:

How Einstein's thought experiments led to the discovery of relativity.

What “time dilation” and “space-time curvature” actually mean—and how they affect your everyday life.

Why your GPS wouldn’t work without Einstein’s theory.

Resources & Further Reading:

Einstein’s 1905 Papers on Special Relativity (English Translation)

NASA: General Relativity - Theory and Tests

PBS Space Time: How GPS Relies on Relativity

Einstein Online - Max Planck Institute

🔗 Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com

📚 To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

🌍 Let’s Connect!

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☕ Support the Show

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🎙 Sponsored By: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc

🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved.
On Matters of Consequence from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

Until next time, carpe diem!

Episode Overview

In this episode of Math, Science, History, host Gabrielle dives deep into the extraordinary—yet often overlooked—life and legacy of Mileva Marić, Albert Einstein’s first wife and intellectual companion. Far more than a footnote in Einstein’s story, Mileva was a brilliant physicist and mathematician in her own right. Together, the couple studied, collaborated, and may have laid the foundation for some of the most revolutionary scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century.

Gabrielle uncovers newly re-examined letters, analyzes quotes from Einstein’s professors and contemporaries, and presents biographical findings that shed light on Marić’s intellectual contributions to Einstein’s early work—especially during the years leading up to his famous 1905 Annus Mirabilis.

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode:

How Mileva Marić helped shape Einstein’s early scientific thinking—and what letters and biographies reveal about their collaboration.

What Einstein’s professors and colleagues really thought about his student days—and why Minkowski called him a “lazybones.”

Why historians now believe Mileva Marić’s role in Einstein’s 1905 papers may have been more significant than previously acknowledged.

Resources Mentioned:

The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein – Vol. 1: The Early Years, 1879–1902

Albert Einstein and Mileva Marić: The Love Letters (Princeton University Press)

Senta Troemel-Ploetz, “Mileva Einstein-Marić: The Woman Who Did Einstein’s Mathematics”

Desanka Trbuhović-Gjurić, Im Schatten Albert Einsteins (German)

Einstein’s letters at Christie's Auction House

🔗 Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com
📚 To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

🌍 Let’s Connect!

Website: mathsciencehistory.com
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mathsciencehistory.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/math.science.history

🎧 Enjoying the Podcast?

If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:
🌟 Leave a review – It helps more people discover the show!
📢 Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!
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☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc

🛍 Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store

🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved.
Selections from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

Until next time, carpe diem!