Yes, Robin. Hang on to your equations. Fractal geometry gets you thinking – maybe even counting – in a whole new way.
Did you know that the geometry you study in school has been around since about 300 B.C.? The geometry we're used to using looks at circles, squares and other shapes. But have you ever thought about the shapes found in nature, like the branches of trees or the shape of a river? How do mathematicians study shapes like those? They use fractals and a branch of science called chaos theory.
Dr. Jonathan Wolfe knows a lot about both. Trained as a neuroscientist- – someone who studies the brain – he spent a lot of time learning how this thinking organ works. "I study the visual system," he says. He wanted to take his understanding of how the brain perceives a visual system and make it understandable. He wanted to educate and inspire. And he kept coming back to fractals, where science and art became mixed. He created the Fractal Foundation with the intent to excite and inspire people through fractals.
"The exciting thing about fractals is that they are math, science and art all in one," he says. "They transcend categories." See for yourself on your own computer at home. Anyone who goes to the Fractal Foundation Web site (
http://www.fractalfoundation.org) can download the free XAOS software that allows anyone to zoom in or out of fractals.
What are fractals? They're geometric forms that can be subdivided into parts that are replicas of the whole, or self-similar. They often look like objects found in nature. A sunflower's seeds repeat in a pattern within its center circle. A fern's fronds repeat the same pattern, leaf after leaf. Since fractals can model the natural world, scientists use them as tools. Suppose a water scientist, or hydrologist, wants to see how a river's path might change over 100 years with certain amounts of rainfall. That scientist could create a computer model that shows how the river would change, just by plugging in the numbers. Rivers, coastlines and mountains could be studied over time.
Fractals really give us a new way to see the world. Jonathan knew that, and wanted everyone else to know, so he created Fractal Fridays. Every first Friday of the month, he presents a show about fractals to the public on the LodeStar Astronomy Center's planetarium dome. Each show for the past seven months has sold out. One recent Friday night's performance had audience members gasping at the possibilities found in the tiniest part of a fractal point. Images on the dome dove further and further into the fractals, sweeping everyone through a visual microcosm of a singular point in space.
Introducing the different principles of chaos theory, Jonathan showed the audience how the flap of a butterfly's wings might cause a hurricane, and how turbulence looks like cream mixed into coffee. The dazzling Friday shows are suitable for all ages. And since each show is different, it's no surprise that some people come back every month. It's the kind of show that's highly entertaining but educational at the same time. "One of the things I believe is that everyone is an artist," Jonathan says. Fractal Fridays' images prove that, and the shows bring out the artist in every audience member.
Students are proving to be great fractal artists as well. 2006 was the Fractal Foundation's first year for its Fractal Challenge, where middle and high school students enter fractal images they've computed. Entries came from single students and entire classrooms. Winners' images will be showcased at the Intel Science Fair this May. "We'll do a special presentation there," Jonathan says.
But as inspiring as it is to bring fractals to classrooms and the planetarium, Jonathan doesn't stop there. He's working with LodeStar to create fractal shows that could be seen in planetariums worldwide. And look for his fractal hot air balloons at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta each year. He has four fractal-inspired, hand-dyed balloons.
Jonathan would like to see Albuquerque become the fractal capital of the world. He's working with city planners to see if any arts funding can go to projecting fractal images onto public buildings. Or, "why not an Isotopes All Star Game?" he wonders. From ballpark to infinity, and beyond.
"You don't need to know math to explore fractals," he says. Perhaps not. But with Jonathan Wolfe and the Fractal Foundation, math, art and science have ventured into a whole new realm.
Pat -- The following should probably be made into a sidebar -- in a box, or shaded area or something...
Learn about the Fractal Foundation, chaos theory and how to book Jonathan at your school at this Web site
http://www.fractalfoundation.org.
Take a preview look at the fractal images for First Friday shows with the videos online, and imagine them on a large dome.
Fractal Fridays take place the first Friday of every month at the LodeStar Astronomy Center, located in the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 1801 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104. Call (505) 841-2869 for ticket information. Shows are at 6 and 7:30 p.m., $7 adults, $6 seniors; $4 ages 3-12. Since each show sells out early, it's recommended that tickets be purchased ahead. Call the morning of that day's show for information or to make your purchase.
http://www.lodestar.unm.edu/Are you a teacher? Each month, 10 teachers get into the Fractal Friday show free to preview. Reserve your spot early to discover a new way to teach math, science and art.
