Science and Math Themed Crossword Puzzles by George Barany and Friends
The table below lists in reverse chronological order those of our puzzles that deal with science — mostly chemistry and biochemistry, but also mathematics, logic, anthropology, etc. Some puzzles refer to scientific breakthroughs recent or historical, and some focus on individual or groups of scientists. Refer to the column entitled "Comments" for more specific guidance as to the degree of specialized knowledge required to tackle the puzzle. I routinely try to provide a picture/graphic as a "hint;" in some cases, additional information is provided for your interest to be viewed after completing the puzzle [or immediately, if you want to forego the puzzle entirely].
The page you are currently viewing can be reached quickly by using http://tinyurl.com/sciencepuz and our full menu of puzzles can be reached by clicking here. In addition, math/science lovers visiting here are encouraged to check out the Noam Elkies' Satellite Puzzle Page [added January 2013; readily accessed at http://tinyurl.com/NDEsatpuz] that contains a number of gems that are sure to challenge and delight. Enjoy!
E-mail barany@umn.edu to be added to a bcc distribution list.
GB
| Title | Date | Authors | Comments (and note that our "midrashim" have spoilers) |
| You Might Be Geeky If ... | 24-Across 2016 | Steve Bachman | "Geeky" puzzle, complete with "midrash,"released on a highly appropriate occasion, also posted on its author's bachblog. |
| Shock Sensitivity Training | 1/2016 | George Barany and Friends | "Mid-week level" science-themed puzzle, complete with "midrash," commissioned by 58-Across for their January 2016 newsletter. |
| 89 Candles for One Minnesota Chemical Luminary | 12/08/2015 | George Barany and Friends | "Mid-week level" puzzle that celebrated a specific personal occasion for a friend and colleague. Specialized knowledge useful, but not essential (13x13 puzzle). |
| First Impression | 10/2015 | George Barany | "Mid-week level" puzzle conceived in the middle of a challenging procedure (13x13 puzzle). |
| Now Playing ... | 10/2015 | George Barany and Friends | "Mid-week level" puzzle released at an exciting time to look forward and backward at baseball in real life and on the big screen. |
| RU Ready for Halloween? | Halloween 2015 | George Barany | Halloween-themed puzzle, complete with "midrash," was commissioned for Natural Selections (October 2015), as accessed here. |
| Give Me a Ring (*) | 6/26/2015 | Jeff Chen / Edited by Brad Wilber | An ingenious chemistry-themed puzzle by a friend, published in the Chronicle of Higher Education. |
| Soul Endeavor | 2/19/2015 | Michael Hanko | A different sort of puzzle, with cryptic clues, hints, and an annotated solution. |
| Enigma Variations (CONTEST) | 12/2014 | George Barany, Ralph Bunker, and Michael Hanko | Contest puzzle that is time-sensitive, with a meta (grandmaster and master levels), and fun prizes. "Midrash" coming after contest end-date. |
| Baby, It's Cold Outside | 1/2015 | Marcia Brott and George Barany | "Mid-week level" puzzle, slightly revised from the 2014 edition, re-released at a time when its title was again highly apropos! This puzzle also appeared in Natural Selections (March 2015), as accessed here. |
| Theory Guides, Experiment Decides | 9/12/2014 | George Barany | Sunday-sized science-flavored tribute to accompany a very special local celebration (21x21 puzzle). |
| Plastic Surgery | 5/2014 | Todd Gross / Edited by George Barany | Sunday-sized pun-fest, complete with a "midrash," that represented its constructor's debut to our pages (21x21 puzzle). |
| Cyclops de Mayo | 5/6/2014 | George Barany and Friends | Tuesday-ish puzzle, complete with "midrash," coupled to a personal event, Main version does not require any knowledge about my family, whereas an alternative is provided that includes some "inside" information and jokes. |
| Jedi hope you know today's date | Spring 2014 (solve the puzzle!) | George Barany | Relatively easy puzzle, specific to the date it was released, with an unusually shaped grid (21x5). |
| Physiology Phun! | 4/29/2014 | Ashley Fike and Christie Martin | Non-standard puzzle created for a Human Physiology course (PHSL 3051) at the University of Minnesota (28x28; many unchecked squares). |
| Material Guys | 4/12/2014 | George Barany and Friends | "Mid-week level" tribute to two University of Minnesota Chemical Engineering & Materials Science colleagues on the occasion of a scientific symposium that celebrated their one-day-apart 60th birthdays. |
| Darwinian Evolution | 3/31/2014 | Big Brother and the Holding Company | Sunday-sized science- and family-oriented commemoration of a meaningful (to us) 40th anniversary, as elaborated in this "midrash." Our All-Star beta testers vouch that no specialized knowledge is necessary (21x21 puzzle). This puzzle also appeared in Natural Selections (July/August 2014), as accessed here. |
| Baby, It's Cold Outside | 1/2014 | Marcia Brott and George Barany | "Mid-week level" puzzle released at a time when its title was highly apropos! |
| Doubly Distinguished | 12/2013 | George Barany, Jed Fisher, Michael Hanko, and Marjorie Russel | This "mid-week level" puzzle, complete with "midrash," pays tribute to some of the most remarkable scientists of the 20th century. |
| Crossword 2.0 | 12/2013 | Tom Williams and George Barany | "Mid-week level" puzzle that should amuse nerds of all ages, and includes a "midrash." |
| RU Familiar with RU? | 12/2013 | George Barany and Marjorie Russel | "Mid-week level" commissioned holiday treat for the Natural Selections (Dec 2013-Jan 2014), as accessed here, that may be of particular interest to current and past faculty, students, and staff at my alma mater. |
| You've Got Class! | 12/2013 | 57-Across of Chem 1905 | "Early-week level" puzzle constructed, with a little help from my friends, for some rather special classes of students. |
| Crossing Curing with Caring (*) | Winter 2014 | George Barany, Deane Morrison, and Marcia Brott | Published in Minnesota magazine (Winter 2014 issue) of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association (21x21 puzzle). |
| Guess Who? | 11/2013 | Tom Williams and George Barany | "Mid-week level" puzzle celebrating the 50th anniversary of a TV show by many a nerd. The "midrash" alone is worth the price of admission (which is free). |
| What are the Odds? | 11/13/2013 | George Barany and Friends | "Mid-week level" puzzle celebrating an interesting coincidence in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Minnesota. Three names are revealed that will be easily recognized by insiders, but may stump outsiders (crossing words are fair, though). When done, please read our "midrash." |
| Great Dane | 9/20/2013 | George Barany and Alex Vratsanos / Edited by Jeffrey Harris | Published in the Chronicle of Higher Education, and celebrating an important scientific anniversary with an evocative grid. |
| Everybody Loves Christopher Raymond | 4/2013 (posted Fall 2013) | Alex Vratsanos / Edited by George Barany | "Sunday-sized" erdy tribute (meant in a good way) to the constructor's favorite math professor (21x21 puzzle). |
| Crossing Curing with Caring | 9/18/2013 | George Barany, Deane Morrison and Marcia Brott | Puzzle in support of Varsity Team Rally III, a community outreach event with an uplifting medical theme (21x21 puzzle). When done, please read our "midrash." |
| Nine Decades of the Central Science | 9/9/2013 | George Barany and Friends | Commissioned puzzle to mark the 90th anniversary of Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) (21x21 puzzle). |
| Technophilia | 9/8/2013 | Arthur Rothstein and George Barany | "Mid-week level" puzzle: Words for nerds! When done, please read our "midrash." |
| Crossroad of 90th and ELM | 7/2013 | George Barany and Betsy Grindstaff | "Mid-week level" puzzle celebrating a personal occasion for an "almost" member of the family; specialized knowledge useful, but not essential. When done, please read our "midrash." |
| A Special Construction for a Special Deconstructor | 6/23/2013 | George Barany and Charles Deber | "Mid-week level" puzzle, for which science knowledge is helpful. This puzzle complemented a major award at the 23rd American Peptide Symposium. When done, please read our "midrash." |
| Highest Honors | 6/17/2013 | George Barany and Friends | Tribute to four remarkable colleagues (15x16 "early-week level" puzzle). |
| Baccalaureate to the Future | 6/6/2013 | George Barany and Friends | Chemistry-themed "high school level" puzzle commissioned by Barbara Barany to celebrate the end of the school year (17x17 puzzle). |
| The Central Science | 6/6/2013 | George Barany and Friends | Chemistry-themed "college level" counterpart to this puzzle (17x17 puzzle). |
| A Puzzle to Circumnavigate (*) | Summer 2013 | George Barany and Deane Morrison | This "mid-week level" puzzle was published in Minnesota magazine (Summer 2013 issue) of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. |
| Milestone In Inorganic Chemistry | 5/26/2013 | George Barany and Friends | This puzzle celebrated a specific personal occasion for a friend and colleague. Two versions provided, one "mid-week" level with chemistry-slanted clues, the other with clues accessible to intelligent non-specialists. When done, please read our "midrash." |
| 104.5 Degrees of Separation | 5/7/2013 (5/2013) | Jeff Chen | Originally published in Tuesday New York Times, and retitled by our site to call attention to the chemistry side of its ingenious theme. |
| They Zoomed In On Life | 5/10/2013 | George Barany and Marjorie Russel | Tribute ("mid-week level") to pioneering Rockefeller University scientists. |
| H-B Oration | 4/26/2013 | George Barany / Edited by Mark Lipton, | Specialized knowledge useful. This puzzle saluted a sister institution on a historic occasion (15x16 "late-week level" puzzle). |
| One of a Kind | 4/2013 | George Barany | Tribute ("mid-week level"), with a considerable science component, to a long-time friend and colleague. |
| Mass. Action | 3/2013 | George Barany and Robert Hammer | This "late-week level" puzzle celebrates biotechnology, and has commercial overtones (17x17 puzzle). |
| Chemistry 101 | 12/6/2012 (3/2013) | Jill Denny and Jeff Chen | Originally published in Thursday New York Times, and later titled by our site to highlight its remarkable theme. |
| Science as a Second Language | 2/2013 | Charles Deber | Some knowledge of biochemistry helpful, but not necessary ("early-week level" puzzle). |
| Skullduggery | 12/18/2012 | George Barany and Friends | "Mid-week level" tribute to an important centennial in the annals of scientific discovery. |
| 86 Candles for One Minnesota Chemical Luminary | 12/08/2012 | George Barany and Friends | "Mid-week level" puzzle; specialized knowledge useful, but not essential. This puzzle celebrated a specific personal occasion for a friend and colleague (13x13 puzzle). |
| Fountain of Youth | 10/22/2012 | George Barany and Mike First-Six-Letters-of-73-Across | Specialized knowledge useful. This puzzle celebrated a specific personal occasion for a friend and colleague (18x18 "late-week level" puzzle). |
| First Names First | 10/14/2012 | George Barany and Friends | Sure to be of interest to those who care about the University of Minnesota Department of Chemistry (21x21 "Sunday-level" puzzle). When done, please read our "midrash." |
| Very Justified Honor | 9/27/2012 | George Barany | "Mid-week level" puzzle, science knowledge helpful. This puzzle celebrated a career milestone for a longtime friend. |
| Crossword Puzzle | Summer 2012 | George Barany ('71) and Friends | "Mid-week level" puzzle, complete with "midrash," published in the Summer 2012 newsletter of the Stuyvesant High School Alumni Association. |
| Requiescat in Pace | 7/2012 | George Barany | Commemorating the approximate Yahrzeits of my parents, Michael and Kate Bárány, but not requiring any specialized knowledge about my family. "Early-week level" puzzle. |
| A Cryptic Tribute | 6/22/2012 | George Barany / Edited by Patrick Berry | Published in the Chronicle of Higher Education, and celebrating an important centennial in an unusual way. When done, please read our "midrash." "Mid-week level" puzzle. |
| Kelly's Hero | 3/2012 | Donna Huryn and George Barany | "Late-week level" tribute to a well-known scientist. When done, please read our "midrash." |
| Seeking Chemistry at a Singles Bar | 2/2012 | Michael Shteyman and George Barany | Published in Games (February 2012 issue) (unusual format). "Mid-week level" puzzle. |
| See You Soon | 11/2010 | Michael Shteyman and George Barany | Published in Games (November 2010 issue) (21x21 "Sunday-level" puzzle). |
| He Never Uttered A Cross Word | 4/13/2010 | George Barany, M. J. Brott, Betsy Grindstaff, and Michael Shteyman | Tribute to a well-known scientist ("Thursday level" puzzle). When done, please read our "midrash." |
| Minnesota Chemistry Anagramacrostic | Fall 2009 | George Barany, Carol Stoneburner, Deborah Schoenholz, and Michael Shteyman | A novel puzzle format, but specialized knowledge needed. Published in the Fall 2009 alumni newsletter of University of Minnesota Department of Chemistry. |
| They Have Chemistry | Fall 2006 | George Barany and Michael Shteyman | Published in the Fall 2006 alumni newsletter of University of Minnesota Department of Chemistry (21x21 "Sunday-level" puzzle). |
| Gimme a Spring BREAK, or How to Make a FUN Comeback in Chemistry 2302 | 3/2006 (6/2013) | Jeff Youngquist / Edited by George Barany | Unorthodox "late-week level" puzzle by one of my students reinforced in entertaining fashion several points that I was making in lectures to a large college organic chemistry class. |
| Molecular Crossword Puzzle | 12/2005 | George Barany and Michael Shteyman | Treat for chemistry students who were completing final exam. Original and unusual format (7x7 puzzle). When done, please read our "midrash." |
| Fun of the Above | 5/5/2005 | Michael Shteyman / Edited by George Barany | Coordinated to the teaching of a college organic chemistry class, this puzzle had a dazzling "reveal" accessible to word lovers regardless of their level of scientific background. "Mid-week level" puzzle. |
| Don't Worry, Be Happy | 4/21/2004 | Michael Shteyman | Published in Wednesday New York Times and titled as an end-of-semester diversion for my chemistry students. |
| Forsooth, It's a Boy Forsyth! | 11/6/2003 | Michael Shteyman and George Barany | This "late-week level" puzzle represented a unique baby shower gift to two dear friends and colleagues, and was my first opportunity to collaborate with MS. When done, please read our "midrash." |
| Squared Puzzle for Squares | circa 2003 (6/2013) | Michael Shteyman | This ingenious "early-week level" puzzle ran in the (now-defunct) New York Sun, circa 2003, and is reprinted here with original clues and a snappy new title. |
| ___ to the 16th American Peptide Symposium | 6/26/1999 | Charles Deber and George Barany | A special puzzle for the 16th American Peptide Symposium (Minneapolis 1999) (17x17 "early-week level" puzzle). |
| It's Element-ary | circa 1985 | Charles Deber | A delightful puzzle, hitherto unpublished. Simple chemistry background puts solver at a slight advantage. "Mid-week level" puzzle. |
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