Zhang Weiping is giving a lecture. Photo by Zong Qiqi

　　Character business card

　　Zhang Weiping: Academician of China Academy of Sciences, born in Shanghai in March, 1964. Since 1988, he has been studying for doctoral students in Nankai Institute of Mathematics (later renamed Chen Shengshen Institute of Mathematics) of Nankai University. After receiving his doctorate in 1993, he has worked in Nankai University since then, and was elected as an academician of China Academy of Sciences in 2007. Zhang Weiping is mainly engaged in Atia in global differential geometry — Singer’s index theory and its application research have achieved a series of research results, and won the honors of "Top Ten Outstanding Young People in China", Chen Shengshen Mathematics Award, National Advanced Worker, and the Second Prize of National Natural Science Award.

　　"Many people say that I don’t look like a math student … …” Zhang Weiping told reporters with a smile. Indeed, Zhang Weiping, with a canvas bag, white shirt, trousers and casual shoes, is full of smiles and spirits, and talks wisely and humorously.

　　"Doing one’s best for China’s mathematics is the speech made by Mr. Chen Shengshen at the inaugural meeting of Nankai Institute of Mathematics in 1985, and it is also the principle he practices." The dialogue with Zhang Weiping began with his teacher and master of mathematics, Chen Shengshen. "It is Mr. Chen Shengshen’s long-cherished wish to build China into a powerful country in mathematics. For this goal, generations of algebra researchers have gone wave after wave. "

　　"Mathematics is a pure and beautiful knowledge, which is worth pursuing all your life."

　　In 1988, 24-year-old Zhang Weiping was admitted to Nankai Institute of Mathematics of Nankai University (later renamed Chen Shengshen Institute of Mathematics) and became a closed disciple of Chen Shengshen. In 1990, under the recommendation of Chen Shengshen, Zhang Weiping went abroad to study, and put forward the famous "Bismuth — Zhang Theorem ". During his study abroad, Zhang Weiping received a letter from Chen Shengshen, in which the sentence "Let China’s mathematics stand up" has been engraved in his heart … …

　　In 1993, Zhang Weiping got his doctorate and chose to return to Nankai University to start as a teaching assistant. "Patriotism should be one of the most important spiritual qualities of scientists." Zhang Weiping said. In November 2004, Chen Shengshen attended an activity in the field of mathematics, and he called on scientific researchers to be indifferent to fame and fortune and make selfless contributions to the country. Zhang Weiping has kept the recording of the teacher’s words to this day, so as to encourage himself, calm down and swim in the boundless sea of learning … …

　　According to Su Guangxiang, a professor at Chen Shengshen Institute of Mathematics, "Zhang Weiping has made so many achievements because of his perseverance and courage to explore mathematics research." For example, how to prove a famous theorem about positive scalar curvature on a lobular manifold by differential geometry has always been a great challenge to differential geometricians. Since 2000, Zhang Weiping has made a systematic study on the positive scalar curvature of lobular manifolds. In the course of his research, he tried various methods such as adiabatic limit and constantly revised his research ideas. After nearly 16 years of hard exploration, Zhang Weiping finally gave the differential geometry proof of this theorem, which was highly recognized by colleagues at home and abroad … … "Mathematics is a pure and beautiful learning, which is worth pursuing all your life." Zhang Weiping said.

　　"If you are doing something you like, continuous hard work is enjoyment."

　　Separated from Tianjin Central Line by a river, the provincial building of Nankai University is an independent corner, and there is a window that reveals lights almost every night … … This is Zhang Weiping’s office. For many years, Zhang Weiping stayed in the office day and night, immersed in the world of mathematics; On holidays, excitement has nothing to do with him. He often thinks quietly for a long time for a new idea … …

　　"Every day is Sunday for mathematicians", which is what Zhang Weiping used to say. He doesn’t mean that the work of an indexer is easy, but that every day dealing with mathematics is pleasant. Zhang Weiping’s calendar has never been divided into working days and rest days. He works in high spirits every day.

　　Chen Shengshen once said: "If a mathematician says that he has great intuition, don’t believe it, because the mathematical results are calculated step by step." Zhang Weiping also believes that the results come from long-term careful accumulation.

　　In 2004, Mr. Chen Shengshen passed away, and the baton of the director of the institute was handed over to Zhang Weiping, 40. "The responsibility is great, but it is incumbent on you, only you can work harder." With the development of the Institute, Zhang Weiping has added a lot of white hair to his temples. He was glad to see that the Institute kept moving forward: Professor You Jiangong was invited to give a 45-minute report at the 28th International Congress of Mathematicians, and Professor Tang Zizhou won the academy of sciences for the developing world Prize in Mathematics … …

　　"Difficulty, confusion and joy in the process of mathematical research and demonstration … … It’s a long story. If you are doing something you like, continuous hard work means enjoyment, not suffering. " Zhang Weiping knew that making China strong in mathematics needs the collective efforts of the mathematical circles in China. He actively participated in and organized various academic activities, supported other mathematicians to organize academic conferences, and invited experts and scholars to visit and give lectures … … He often cooperates with international mathematicians to build more bridges and ties for the development of mathematics in China. In 2014, Journal of Mathematics, an international mathematical magazine, published a paper on cooperation between Zhang Weiping and Professor Ma Xiaonan of the University of Paris VII. "We use the idea of analytic localization to solve the conjecture of geometric quantization in noncompact space put forward by a French mathematician in 2006. For this conjecture, the academic community has been studying it for 8 years and it is still inconclusive." Zhang Weiping said.

　　"I will study harder and cultivate more mathematics talents needed by the new era."

　　Teaching students in accordance with their aptitude, "one person, one policy", and determining different research topics according to the characteristics of different students; Give students a report on the basis of mathematics and advances in mathematics to stimulate students’ interest in mathematics; Instruct a number of graduate students and postdoctoral students, and lead students to continuously promote research with a solid style of study and rigorous attitude towards learning … … "It takes ten years to grow trees and a hundred years to nurture people. We should cultivate more and better talents for the country." Zhang Weiping has always attached great importance to the selection and training of talents.

　　A common sight in the institute is that students are in groups of three or five, discussing math topics. Every corridor has a blackboard, which is convenient for calculation at any time. "I never force students to do anything. As long as they love it, they will naturally study hard." Zhang Weiping said.

　　"That was my happiest day in Nankai." Many years after graduation, Han Fei, a student who works in a university in Singapore, still remembers a praise from his tutor Zhang Weiping: during his master’s degree study, Han Fei put forward an idea to Zhang Weiping, and the students worked on the blackboard while Zhang Weiping worked on the draft paper, which was meticulous and verified each other. When it comes to the bright future, teachers and students will smile at each other … …

　　Later, Han Fei graduated one year ahead of schedule, and his master’s thesis was awarded the "Zhong Jiaqing Mathematics Award Master Award" by chinese mathematical society; Han Fei also gave a new solution to a problem that has puzzled Zhang Weiping for more than ten years, which was published in the Journal of Differential Geometry.

　　Talking about the expectations of young people, Zhang Weiping said: "Mathematics is a basic subject, so we should pay more attention to it ‘ Useless ’ Use. As far as academic research is concerned, it is worthy of recognition to add icing on the cake on the basis of existing research results, but it is the most rare thing to really make original achievements. "

　　In Zhang Weiping’s view, the development momentum of domestic mathematics research is very good. "These young people have unlimited potential and represent the future of mathematics in China." Zhang Weiping said, "I will study harder and cultivate more mathematical talents needed in the new era."

　　■ Reporter’s Notes

　　Drive more people to love mathematics.

　　In an interview with a reporter, Academician Zhang Weiping, who knows the beauty of simplicity in mathematics, is tireless and clear-cut. For the great achievements made in personal academic research, he is low-key and modest. He is optimistic, firm and thoughtful about the construction of national mathematics discipline … … In his view, mathematics has never had anything to do with boredom, but a happy thing worth paying for all his life. In the face of difficulties and obstacles, he never stopped.

　　Zhang Weiping has always been aiming at the forefront of international mathematical research, and has been climbing scientific research peaks. Promoting the development of mathematics is not only the dream of his teacher, Mr. Chen Shengshen, but also his lifelong goal. Zhang Weiping said that he hoped to make more people fall in love with mathematics and expected more outstanding students to devote themselves to basic scientific research.

　　Nowadays, Zhang Weiping is studying the theory and application of Dirac operator, the most advanced mathematics operator, and continues to explore in the vast and profound fields, writing the legend of China mathematicians … …

"Taoism is natural", especially in early childhood education. As a naive child, the best education method is to respect nature and let nature take its course. Clever and effective use of natural resources to develop preschool education curriculum plays a unique role in children’s feeling and integration with nature, developing personal perception and mental ability, and cultivating the natural concept of harmonious coexistence between man and nature and harmony between man and nature.

Gongyi city, located at the foot of Mangshan Mountain and the bank of Heluo River, has developed a series of characteristic preschool education courses such as clay sculpture, sand sculpture, sand painting, weaving, music, perception, games, etc. by using the common natural resources that can be found everywhere and easily available locally, so as to promote the natural and healthy development of preschool education.

Be creative and natural, and use natural gifts skillfully.

Gongyi is located in the Central Plains, where the Yellow River and Luohe River meet to form Luoling, which nurtured the ancient civilization of the Chinese nation. It is not only the birthplace of Hutuluo, the hometown of poet Du Fu, but also the birthplace of Tang Sancai and the Northern Wei grottoes "The Ritual of the Empress". Teachers of early childhood education in Gongyi started from excavating local unique culture, and combined ordinary and spiritual materials such as water, soil, sand and stone with classroom teaching, thus creating a new chapter in early childhood education in Gongyi.

Taking advantage of the delicate and sticky local soil, local kindergartens have developed and created clay sculpture courses for children. From selecting soil, rolling, filtering, injecting water, mixing mud and shaping, groups of ordinary loess and red soil have become various animals, figures, toys and even jars and teacups in the hands of children to learn tea ceremony and entertain guests. In addition, some traditional clay games also bring new experiences to children in the classroom. Children can never get tired of playing games such as mud, throwing tile houses, sticking, scraping walls with mud, and climbing in pits.

Among them, throwing tile houses is an ancient traditional game that remains in the hearts of Gongyi people. The game requires children to knead mud into a small bowl shape and then throw it hard into the ground. It’s better to see who is more powerful, and the area that falls to the ground will win greatly. The key is to let the tile house bloom. It seems simple, but it is extremely difficult to do it perfectly. The choice of soil, the amount of water added, the size of the mud block, the shape of the kneading, the weight of the force, the inertia of the force, etc., are all key factors to determine whether to win or lose. During the activity, the children are familiar with their own small tile houses and concentrate on making them, only to hear a bang, and one by one, the small tile houses are blooming on the ground. The children scattered around, looking for small sticks, small ropes, etc., and couldn’t wait to measure whose area was large and whose flowers were good … In close contact with the soil, the children eliminated the anxiety of entering the park, gained happiness and growth, and fully exercised their arm strength, estimation ability, cooperation ability and flexibility of their fingers, thus effectively inheriting the culture that the farming civilization in the Central Plains valued soil and attached importance to it and moved safely.

The Yellow River rushes down from the upper reaches to the intersection of Luohe River, which becomes open and calm. Fine yellow sand is deposited on both sides, forming a deep and vast sandy land, and beach games have become another natural place for preschool education. The kindergarten teacher in Gongyi took the children to the Yellow River and moved the kindergarten into nature. Children have changed from "plastic children" to "wild children" who are free-range, running around, tumbling and wrestling at will on the vast land; On the beach, the children are full of creativity … They build sand piles, construct sculptures and play at will. At this time, the sand is as rough as their father, giving the children a chance to experience; Children make it into a sand table, and the game projects the inner real world. At this time, the sand is as gentle as a mother, giving children spiritual security and conversion; Children make it into a sand sculpture. At this time, the sand is as smart as a teacher, teaching children to create and cultivating their innovative ability of thinking. Children use it to make sand paintings, or draw directly. At this time, sand is more intimate like friends, communicating with children cordially and expressing boldly. A world in a grain of sand, children are playing the eternal charm in an instant.

All kinds of nature, discover the beauty of nature

In Xiaolihe Kindergarten, Mihe Town, gongyi city, a large number of common or even abandoned straws in rural areas are used in doorroom signs such as home contact column and class house number. The same idea has been applied in different ways in the Eastern Experimental Kindergarten and Xiangyu Kindergarten. All the theme recycling in the Eastern Experimental Kindergarten is made of plant straws, while Xiangyu Kindergarten uses seeds for large corridor recycling.

These common plant materials, through the ingenuity of teachers and children, have become works of art and living space with strong local flavor and modern customs. Decorative wall paintings made of tung tree shells, bark, stones, corn stalks, wood chips and reeds, 24 solar terms pictures made of plant materials, grenades made of corn and gourd, mice made of sweet potatoes, and various stickers made of shells, seeds, leaves, shells and walnuts can be seen everywhere and are very beautiful. In particular, the knitting courses offered with various natural materials perfectly combine traditional handicraft art with modern handicraft education. Corridor railings have become children’s weaving columns, and there are children’s homemade curtain weaving artifacts, weaving walls that can be woven at any time, and weaving angles of each classroom …

In the kindergarten, knitting activities that integrate handwork, color and composition can be carried out anytime and anywhere. The materials used for weaving are all taken from nature without exception: wicker, reed, straw, rattan, and the skins of various plants have all become the raw materials for children to be confident and skillful. In the living area, cushions, water coasters and various storage baskets woven with corn husks; In the puzzle area, various wisdom chessboards woven with corn husks and sorghum stalks. All kinds of materials are stretched and entangled between children’s fingers, and their hands, brains and eyes are fully exercised and coordinated. The children collected wild weeds and wild flowers from the mountains, created flowers and started a small florist.

Bookmarks made of wild flowers in nature have become the most eye-catching gifts for Teachers’ Day. Tie-dyed with pitaya, impatiens and pomegranate peel, and tied with discarded corncobs and sorghum stalks, all kinds of figures and animals are vivid and lively. There are also children and teachers who use thatched sheds built with millet stalks to shelter from the wind and rain and enjoy the fun of returning to the countryside and nature.

Music is natural, listen to the sound of nature.

In the field of music, teachers invited musicians from nature. Nature is a tune, and every material has a note. Willow branches, willow leaves, acorn shells, snail shells, bamboo joints, bamboo poles, wooden sticks and so on can make all kinds of wonderful notes simply. Although these materials are not exquisite enough and the music is not crisp enough, the children’s cheerful laughter is enough to make nature proud of its musicians.

Nature is also the best place to cultivate children’s sensory ability. Covering the children with leaves, they can lie still for 20 minutes. Let the children listen to the sound of falling leaves quietly, and they can actually perceive the difference between broad leaves and needles. Teachers will also take children to listen to Songtao, listen to frogs by the pond and listen to cicadas in the Woods. Children’s study is accompanied by ants, earthworms and snails. Nature is really the best place to experience and feel. This kind of play has feelings and temperature, which is the joy that plastic toys can’t give children.

Bacon, a western philosopher, said, "Only by understanding nature", and the concept of "harmony between man and nature" in Chinese culture shows us the essence and essence of education. Only by letting children fully integrate into nature, enjoy nature and return to nature can we better cultivate the ecological concept of harmonious coexistence between man and nature. Based on the exploration of local culture, we not only let the children gain healthy bodies, free souls and unruly wildness in the close relationship with nature, but also gain many qualities such as enthusiasm, self-confidence, concentration, cooperation and frugality, and gain a genetic link that is in perfect harmony with their local local local culture. Moreover, we gain a new pre-school education characteristic course that inherits local culture and attaches importance to ecological civilization.