“Fibonacci” and “Phyllotaxis” and “Prime Numbers”
A Fibonacci Phyllotaxis Prime Number Sieve – the perfect combination!
http://www.vortexmath.com/ScotNelson-Instruction_Daisy_Number_Sieve.pdf
Prime Phyllotaxis Spirals
http://maxwelldemon.com/2012/03/18/prime-phyllotaxis-spirals/
“Fractals” and “Nature” and “Patterns”
Earth’s Most Stunning Natural Fractal Patterns
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/09/fractal-patterns-in-nature/
Interesting Patterns and Fractals from Nature
http://www.youthedesigner.com/2011/07/29/interesting-patterns-and-fractals-from-nature/
Were there ideas or concepts you were not familiar with? What were they?
To be honest, I wasn’t really familiar with any of the concepts except for prime numbers and patterns. I’ve heard of Fibonacci and fractals but I don’t know anything about them.
What images did you find particularly striking?
Can you identify any manifestations of nonlinear patterns within your home or your workplace? What are they?
My girlfriend’s plants have lots of different nonlinear patterns on them. Some of the fruits and vegetables, such as cauliflower, that my girlfriend eats have nonlinear patterns as well. Our curtains, carpet, and rugs also have patterns in them.
How can you adapt this webquest activity for your classroom?
Most of these topics are ones that I would never teach my students because they’re too complex and not appropriate for their grade level. However, I could have my students create different patterns and then compare and contrast the patterns that they created with others. From there, the students could research the different types of patterns and possibly learn a little about fractals linear patterns, and nonlinear patterns.
crazyaboutmsmath 