Math Enrichment: Explore Ways Math Can Be Found in Nature (Ongoing)

Math is around us all the time. When we take a hike and look at the beautiful trees, animals, and other wildlife we are also looking at mathematical patterns. Knowing about the math that is around us helps us all be better critical thinkers and opens up a whole new view to the field of math as well as the study of nature. Each week this class will guide learners through a new way math can be found in nature, and after listening to me explain and a short discussion each learner will create a unique visual representation, often in the form of art projects or diagrams, to illustrate their understanding of the concept.

In this class learners will explore a variety of ways math can be found in nature. We will examine number and spatial patterns that occur frequently in the natural world. Each class will follow this format:
~ Introductions and overview of the week's lesson
~ A slideshow with lecture from me as I explain the concept
~ Discussion of places learners may have previously see the mathematical pattern and photographic examples from nature
~ Begin and possibly complete an artistic representation or short project relating to the idea we discussed in class
~ Share our projects with each other (as time allows)

Topics Include the Following:

2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR

September 2023
~ Rotation Symmetry (Sept. 10-16)
~ Thunder and Lightning (Sept. 17-23)
~ The Math Behind Rainbows (Sept. 24-30)

October 2023
~ Mirror Symmetry (Oct. 1-7)
~ The Math of Black Holes (Oct. 8-14)
NO CLASSES WEEK OF OCT. 15-21
~ Math Patterns in Animal Tracks (Oct. 22-28)

November 2023
~ Math and Modeling Natural Disasters (Oct. 29-Nov. 4)
~ Spots and Stripes on Animals (Nov. 5-11)
~ The Math Behind Sand Dunes  (Nov. 12-18) 
NO CLASS WEEK OF NOV. 19-25
~ Leaf Growth Patterns (Phyllotaxis) (Nov. 26-Dec. 2)

December 2023
~ Seashells and Geometric Patterns (Dec. 3-9)
~ Cellular Automaton Patterns (Dec. 10-16)
~ Measure Distance in Space Using Parallax (Dec. 17-23)
NO CLASSES DEC. 24-JAN. 6

January 2024
~ Geometry of Leaves (Jan. 7-13)
~ Birds: The Math of Flight (Jan. 14-20)
~ Crystallography (Jan. 21-27)
~ Distance in Space (in Light Years) (Jan. 28-Feb. 3)

February 2024
~ Math Patterns in the Food Chain (Feb. 4-10)
~ Math Patterns Behind River Phenomena (Feb. 11-17)
~ Orbits of Planets and Moons (Feb. 18-24)
~ Animal Speeds and Math Patterns (Feb. 25-Mar.2)

March 2024
~ Math Patterns Behind Ocean Phenomena (Mar. 3-9)
~ Communication Between Animals (Mar. 10-16)
~ Insect Mathematicians (Mar. 17-23)
~ Coral Reefs, Tsunami, and How Math Explains Them (Mar. 24-30)

April 2024
NO CLASSES WEEK OF MAR. 31-APR. 6
~ Greenhouse Effect (Apr. 7-13)
~ Math Patterns in DNA (Apr. 14-20)
~ Frieze Symmetry and Insect and Worm Movement (Apr. 21-27)
~ Spheres in Nature (Apr. 28-May 4)

May 2024
~ Ripples and Waves in Water (May 5-11)
~ Penrose Tiling (May 12-18)
~ The Math of Black Holes (May 19-25)

SUMMER 2024

June 2024
~ Rotation Symmetry (June 16-22)
~ Thunder and Lightning (June 23-29)

July 2024
~ The Math Behind Rainbows (July 7-13)
~ Mirror Symmetry (July 14-20)
~ The Math of Black Holes (July 21-27)
~ Math Patterns in Animal Tracks (July 28-Aug. 3)

August 2024
~ Math and Modeling Natural Disasters (Aug. 4-10)
~ Spots and Stripes on Animals (Aug. 11-17)
~ The Math Behind Sand Dunes  (Aug. 18-24) 


Please note: The topics that I teach in this class will be different from the topics in Twisted Universe: Explore How Math Can be Found in Nature (both the summer camp and weekly versions of the class).