52 Weeks of Math Activities Week 40: Tensegrities In math we find balance and equilibrium. We balance equations. We keep balance by using properties of identity (multiply by 1 or add zero), Properties of Equality (mirroring operations), and by using the many other ways to manipulate and play with structures in math. This week’s math is about equili
52 Weeks of Math Activities Week 39: Toothpicks A box of toothpicks can lead to an afternoon of entertainment. This week learners can play with the toothpick sequence. The sequence produces really interesting geometries and lines as it grows. I recommend watching Numberphile’s Youtube video on this sequence here. There is also OEIS’ website that
GIF Toothpick Worms GIF Go here to play with a generator: http://oeis.org/A139250/a139250.anim.html [http://oeis.org/A139250/a139250.anim.html]
52 Weeks of Math Activities Week 38: Knotty Math Tiles I love playing with knots. Last year I designed a Knotty Math toy with wooden tiles. It is part of a series of toys I have been working on that help create single pointed mindfulness with math. These are for kids and adults alike. I think sand, clay, tiles, and tessellations can all be instruments [
Comics Kitty’s Toothpick Dream And for some fun play with toothpicks go here: http://oeis.org/A139250/a139250.anim.html [http://oeis.org/A139250/a139250.anim.html]
52 Weeks of Math Activities Week 37: Cantor Set Kirigami For this week’s activity, learners can play with Cantor Set Kirigami. The Cantor Set is created by drawing a line. Next, remove the middle third of that line (this will create 2 lines). For each of the two lines just created, remove the middle third (this will create 4 lines). Continue with this pro
52 Weeks of Math Activities Week 36: Golden Angle Scavenger Hunt and Drawing Phi-Nominal Phi-lowers The Golden ratio appears in nature all around us. Flowers and other botanicals often grow at an optimal (Golden) angle of about 137.5 degrees. For the 52-weeks of math activity, I encourage learners to seek out the Golden angle on a scavenger hunt. Take pictures or sketch in a nature journal the pin
Miscellaneous - interviews, ideas, and more Sticky Note Sunflower What you are seeing is a growth pattern of sticky notes that uses the Golden Angle (137.5 degrees) and then slowly decreases. This angle is commonly found in the plants all around us because it is an optimal angle for growth. It was a lot of fun playing with the growth angle while creating memorizin
abstract I’m Attracted to Attractors So many plots and mathematical musings throughout my life have brought on a sense of artistic beauty and awe within my being. In the windowless halls of engineering firms I have smiled at harmonics, or in a homeschooling room squealed in glee when I stumbled upon Pisano periods by trying to play Fib
52 Weeks of Math Activities Week 35: Yarn-it-up Hyperbolic Space This week let’s play with yarn! We are going to play with hyperbolic space. You will need some yarn and a crochet hook. You don’t need to know how to crochet, but you will need a little patience and a lot of desire to play. These don’t have to be perfect, and “mistakes” just add […]
GIF Isometric Yarn GIF I am working on my GIF skills… Maybe a 52-weeks of hands-on math idea for next week.
Comics Unbiased Trade Study (DAR) No weights were used, the only stakeholder in the process was Kitty, and scores need not be normalized. CMMI Level 5 not achieved… INCOSE engineers may have given an eyeroll…
52 Weeks of Math Activities Week 34: Kirigami I love paper cutting, so last week I did kirigami with some of my classes. What was so fun about this activity is the amount of play and discovery that happened with two simple supplies (paper and scissors). Below are the videos I recorded for my classes to be able to go back and work […]
52 Weeks of Math Activities Week 33: Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe Games don’t have to be complicated to require some good thinking skills. We all learn tic-tac-toe when we are younger. We soon learn how to always come to a stalemate with an equal opponent. Once you get the strategy, it can get a little boring… But what if we add a layer (or two) of […]
Additional Materials Flipping Origami Class Video After teaching this a few times this week, I created a video for those that missed it or want to go back. We made two different origami toys that have some flipping fun. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Additional Materials Isometric Drawing (Class Video) After teaching this a few times this week, I created a video so those that may want to pause and draw at their own pace while playing with isometric paper. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I love doodling on Isometric paper – enjoy! Here is a link to the isometric […]
Additional Materials Fantasy Map Drawing Video Post from This Week’s classes This is a post for my students on fantasy map drawing from our virtual classes this week. The video was too long for youtube, so hopefully you can all grab it here. This isn’t pro-video content (so forgive my “ums” and roughness). It is intended to allow students to pause and go at their own […]
52 Weeks of Math Activities Week 32: Isometric Drawing Let’s get out our pencils, isometric paper, and thinking caps this week! Isometric drawings are often used in engineering and design as a way to display 3D ideas. They can also be used to create optical illusions and escheresque works of art. To start, print some isometric paper, or set your digital
52 Weeks of Math Activities Week 31: Angle Inquiry Sometimes the simplest things have wonder hidden within. This week, learners can play with the angles of polygons. How many degrees are in a triangle? In a quadrilateral? In a hexagon? Is there a pattern? Here is a warm-up activity: Draw a triangle (any triangle), and cut it out. Next, rip the corne
Comics Kitty is dumbfounded as to why a bird map causes panic… With mom in chemo and sitting in the hospital 2-4 times a week lately, we have found the lack of access to masks and all the craziness a bit much. Humor is how we cope.
52 Weeks of Math Activities Week 30: Coloring is not Just for Kindergarten I am trying to tell my 15yr old daughter that an elective high school credit in Graph Theory would be fun next year. Of course I do this as subtly as possible – I start drawing coloring sheets for this post on my iPad and then carefully shade them in. All three of my children […]
52 Weeks of Math Activities Week 29: Design a Game This week learners can brainstorm game ideas and test them out with family and friends. Games can be prototyped with paper, clay, cardboard, maker equipment, and/or craft supplies. When I do this with classes, we often play or analyze games that we love prior to designing our own. This allows learne
