Month:
Physics of Dance Workshop – Part 4
- September 9
Have you ever considered the math and science involved in something as artistic as dance? In this video we take a metaphorical walk through the amazing dance moves demonstrated to us by members of the Dallas Black Dance Theater. Physics especially contributes to dance, and you can learn more about the following properties in this video: Gravity and Friction... CONTINUE READING
What determines where leaves are positioned on branches?
- September 9
Leaves are what plants use to gather sunlight, necessary for plants to grow and thrive. This means that it is to a plant's advantage if their leaves' position is such that all leaves receive the most possible sunlight - minimizing overlaps and shadow wherever possible! Different plants use different strategies and arrangements to make this happen, though there are some common trends across many different species. By using a protractor to measure the angles between leaves, we can tease out some o... CONTINUE READING
Physics of Dance Workshop – Part 5
- September 9
Have you ever considered the math and science involved in something as artistic as dance? In this video we take a metaphorical walk through the amazing dance moves demonstrated to us by members of the Dallas Black Dance Theater. Physics especially contributes to dance, and you can learn more about the following properties in this video: Angles, Horizontal and Vertical Momentum... CONTINUE READING
Is it possible to measure an animal’s behavior?
- September 9
Animals have a wide varieties of behaviors, many of which can be difficult to analyze. To make animal behavior research easier, scientists use ethograms - tables of possible behaviors that they can check off as the observation goes on. The ethogram used by zoo employees to study their elephants is discussed, and ways of making use of and presenting that data investigated. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant DRL 2115393. Any opinions, findings... CONTINUE READING
What Angles do We Make when We Walk?
- September 9
This video was features two IF/THEN® ambassadors, Dr. Julie Mirpuri and Dr. Kirsten Tulchin-Francis. Dr. Julie Mirpuri is a Physician Scientist at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Dr. Kirsten Tulchin-Francis is the Director of Movement Science at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Julie and Kirsten answer the questions: What angles do we create walking? How are they important for getting where we need to go? Can you try walking around wi... CONTINUE READING
Is there anything mathematical about a visual pattern like the giraffe coat pattern?
- September 9
The spots on a giraffe's coat are made up of various geometric patterns,. Each giraffe has their own unique pattern of spots; additionally, each type of giraffe has their own pattern-determining rules. Properties of these patterns, and differences between them, are discussed, as well as how these differences can be used to identify different types of giraffe. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant DRL 2115393. Any opinions, findings, and conclus... CONTINUE READING
Is there a mathematical pattern to the way that penguins use their nests in South Africa?
- September 9
The guano that African penguins use as a nesting resource has depleted in recent years; alternate nesting methods, including man-made artificial nests, are being tested out at Dallas Zoo. To track how well these nests work, the amount of eggs laid month by month must be compared to that of natural nests. Analysis of these patterns is valuable information for helping these penguins continue to survive! This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant DRL 2... CONTINUE READING