Here's a preview of my presentation for a workshop on Seeing Math Patterns in Nature for the National Science Teachers' Association, NSTA Conference in Richmond, VA, 16 - 18 October. This is timely, as the October 2014 issue of the NSTAs Science and Children e-Journal is on "Patterns" too.
In my workshop, we'll take a look at plant growing patterns that you see in pinecones, pineapples, sunflowers and other plants that are easy to find in your garden, schoolyard and grocery store - and we check out Fibonacci and non-Fibonacci sequences.
Here's my powerpoint:
Seeing Math Patterns in Nature from
MaryVanDyke
As Vi Hart might say, "Are you still feeling spirally today?"
If so, give yourself 20 minutes and check out her YouTubes:
Doodling in Math: Spirals, Fibonacci, and Being a Plant
Part 1: http://youtu.be/ahXIMUkSXX0
Part 2: http://youtu.be/lOIP_Z_-0Hs
Part 3: http://youtu.be/14-NdQwKz9w
And also spend a minute or two playing with Wolfram Mathematica's interactive models.
My favorites are:
Fibonacci Tree by Sandor Kabal
3D Spirals by Stephen Wolfram
On the Fundamental Theory of Phyllotaxis by Dmitry Weise
Enjoy the math.
It's as easy as one plus one...and then some.
