Month:

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

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

Do animals all walk with the same pattern, or are there different walk patterns?

• September 9

Quadrupeds – animals that walk on four legs – move their limbs in many different patterns as they travel. These walking patterns are known as gaits, and each type of gait can be described mathematically and compared to gain insight into animal locomotion! This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant DRL 2115393. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily r... CONTINUE READING

Physics of Dance Workshop – Part 2

• 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: Horizontal Momentum, Power of Triangles, Right Angles, Gravity, Center of Gravity... CONTINUE READING

Physics of Dance Workshop – Part 3

• 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: Friction, Horizontal and Vertical Momentum, Torque, Center of Gravity, Inertia, Newton's 3rd Law of Motion, Angular Momentum... CONTINUE READING

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

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

walkSTEM@ Parkland Hospital During COVID-19 pandemic

• September 9

Dr. Jain, infectious disease specialist at UT Southwestern Medical Center contributed the content for this video showing the processes in place at the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful to her dedication and to her desire to support the education of all children.... 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