Professor of Mathematics, James Madison UniversityJMU
Computational design for fiber arts and 3D printing
About
Hi, I’m Laura Taalman, a professor of mathematics at James Madison University. My research spans knot theory, the mathematics of puzzles and games, and computational approaches to mathematical design in digital fabrication and the fiber arts.
Online I’m mathgrrl, and I use mathematics as a design tool for 3D printing, crochet, weaving, and vintage knitting machines. Along the way I make and share generative art, algorithmic design tools, and open-source code that anyone can use for their own creative experiments.
I give talks and workshops about mathematics and design, including 3D printing, knot theory, crochet, and what happens when things go sideways. I’m available for keynotes, public lectures, and workshops.
Professional Bio: Dr. Taalman brings more than twenty-five years of experience in mathematics, education, and design, combining academic research with hands-on industry work in 3D printing and computational design. She has served as a Professor of Mathematics at James Madison University since 2000, where she founded the JMU Experimental Mathematics Lab and the 3SPACE 3D printing classroom. Her industry experience includes leading digital products as Senior Product Manager for Education at MakerBot and strategic research consulting for education at Ultimaker. Her background in research, generative design, publishing, and public engagement allows her to bring clients rigorous, creative, and practical perspectives on design, education, and communication.
Areas of consulting
STEM education innovation and product integration
3D printing and design, for education and for products
Curriculum for maker-focused, project-based learning
Content strategy and editorial systems for educational resources
Computational and generative design
Mathematics communication, exhibits, and public programs
Puzzle and game design
Corporate board service, by invitation through a recruiting firm or directly from the company
Relevant experience
Professor of Mathematics, James Madison University, 2000–present
Research Fellow, Illustrating Mathematics, ICERM, Brown University, 2019
Strategic Research Consultant, Ultimaker, 2016–2017
Content Strategist, Digital Harbor Foundation, 2015–2016
Senior Product Manager, MakerBot Industries, 2015
Mathematician-in-Residence, National Museum of Mathematics, 2014
Founder, JMU 3SPACE 3D printing classroom, 2013
Founder, JMU Experimental Mathematics Lab, 2013
Press
Here are the interviews, articles, books, and videos where I’ve been featured or mentioned. Thank you to everyone who has shared my work or invited me to be part of theirs.
Fiorella Grossi, The Addict's Guide to Everything Sudoku. Fair Winds Press, 2007.
Before you download
These designs are free for personal and educational use. Please credit mathgrrl, don't sell the files or prints made from them, and if you remix a design, share your remix the same way.
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
This website brings together all of my content from Hacktastic, MakerHome, Geekhaus, Yarncraft, Google Sites, Thingiverse, Shapeways, Sketchfab, mathgrrl designs, and my academic site. All of the content is filterable and searchable.
Accessibility
This site aims to meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA, and AAA where it can. Settings in the top bar icons allow you to turn on reduced motion, high contrast, and light/dark mode. If something doesn't work for you, please tell me: laurataalman@gmail.com.
Licenses
ModelsCC BY-NC-SA 4.0 for 3D models I made, unless credited otherwise; you're welcome to print and remix them with credit, but please don't sell them, and share remixes the same way.
ImagesCC BY 4.0 for images I made, unless credited otherwise; you're welcome to use them on Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.
Behind the scenes
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