Visitors today created a butterfly puzzle that can stay at the ANSC. Each one made a butterfly piece and together they are a tribute to famous mathematician Marjorie Rice’s work on the tessellating pentagon problem. Its a great way to end our summer series! See you next summer!
Saturdays with MathHappens at the Austin Nature and Science Center: Golden Ratio
To build on the exhibit already in place at the Austin Nature and Science Center, visitors were able to stop by our table and make their own golden ratio calipers. Alongside this activity, guests were given the opportunity to color in their own golden ratio spiral, which could then be made into a necklace. This ratio (1: 1.618…) is present
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Saturdays with MathHappens at the Austin Nature and Science Center: Fibonacci Bees
Visitors learn about the Fibonacci Sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8…) and how it relates to bee genetics. The visitors center has an actual beehive in the entryway. Visitors could color in their own bee. The bee family tree is etched on the back.
CAMT Presentation July 10!
We are excited to bring two backpacks full of MathHappens goodies for door prizes. Paola Garcia and I are co-presenting a session with star Austin High math teacher Mardi Nott. Participants are going to look into each others eyes and discover the power of geometry to analyze light reflections, using similar triangles to reveal the height or distance of objects
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#4 MathHappens at Nature Nights at the Wildflower Center: Voronoi Patterns
Visitors of all ages selected a pattern to trace. When the underlying structure is traced, the giraffe, cracked mud, turtle shell and dragonfly wing all result in similar voronoi patterns. When you compare to the bubbles you can see the similarity there as well.
# 3 MathHappens at Nature Nights at the LBJ Wildflower Center: Golden Ratio in Prairie Animals
Looking for the Golden Ratio in Prairie Animals, insects and even our own arm and hands. Over 115 visitors came by this evening.
#2 Nature Nights @ Wildflower Center – Koch Fractals
Thursday June 13, 2019. Enthusiasm for these fractal parts is amazing. Something about the stages of the Koch Fractal inspires interest, excites the mind and inspires creativity.
Saturdays with MathHappens @ Austin Nature and Science Center
Ben Duong presenting Curve Stitching! Straight lines make parabolas and conics! Favorite Quote: “I have to buy this! All three of my grandkids are totally quiet.”
Space and The Golden Ratio, Buda Public Library
Kids were surprised that they can learn about math and space! We used golden ratio calipers to find that proportion in a satellite photo of Hurricane Sandy and a space photo of Spiral Galaxy NGC1232. Participants made a Golden spiral necklace.
# 1 Nature Nights at the Wildflower Center: Bee Genetics
Paola headed to Nature Nights to present math connections to Bee Genetics. Drones have one parent: a Queen, and Queens have two: a Drone and a Queen. When we make the family tree….SURPRISE! Fibonacci Numbers! Participants made their own Bee, tessellated butterflies and used the model to see how the bee genetics relates to Fibonacci’s rabbit problem.