Math in nature
Our teamHello, we are students from het College Weert in the Netherlands. We think EUMIND is a good way of interacting with people from other countries, and share our knowledge with them. We're very excited to work on this project about math in nature!
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Our plan
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We are going to research the geometry in the wings of birds, camouflage of animals and the jaws of sharks and their functions.
Our research
Birds
When birds take off they flap their wings rapidly in a specific angle, so they can gain height fast. For example an eagle has large geometrical wings, which allows the bird to glide through the air at very heigh speed.
Modern planes have fixed wings that have specific geometrical shapes, which make the air flow over the wings, so the plane can rise upwards. Early attemps at flight tried to recreate the geometry and motion of birds, but didn't succeed.
When birds take off they flap their wings rapidly in a specific angle, so they can gain height fast. For example an eagle has large geometrical wings, which allows the bird to glide through the air at very heigh speed.
Modern planes have fixed wings that have specific geometrical shapes, which make the air flow over the wings, so the plane can rise upwards. Early attemps at flight tried to recreate the geometry and motion of birds, but didn't succeed.
Camouflage
Most animals like zebras, leopards, crocodile and snakes uses their skin to camouflage, so they can hide from their predator. What zebras do is first of all run (of course), and then they try to camouflage amongst dead trees. They also roll in the dirt, so they get a brownish color and blend in more with the dead trees.
But, for instance, leopards also use their camouflaged skin to attract female leopards.
Most animals like zebras, leopards, crocodile and snakes uses their skin to camouflage, so they can hide from their predator. What zebras do is first of all run (of course), and then they try to camouflage amongst dead trees. They also roll in the dirt, so they get a brownish color and blend in more with the dead trees.
But, for instance, leopards also use their camouflaged skin to attract female leopards.
Jaws
The geometrical jaws of some animals are very important for them, to catch their prey for example. Without the geometry in their jaw it would be much harder to prey. Sharks are known for the many rows of teeth in their jaw. With their bite they ambush their prey and make sure he is not able to move anymore, and waits for him to die. Because of the many rows and because they are angled backwards the prey can't escape.
Interview:
How does math effect your life?
This is an interview with Peter, he is a ranger. We chose to interview him because his job has a lot to do with nature. We thought it was interesting if he could agree with us that geometrical shapes are important for animals. He has seen the animals use their geometrical shapes to survive.
Why are geometrical shapes important for animals?
Well, because of their geometrical shapes they are able to, for instance, fly or run at high speed. It's also important for spiders, because they use their geometrical spiderweb to catch flies and make sure they can't escape. But also for birds, to make their nests, and make sure it's stable and strong.
Is there a geometrical shape that stands out?
Yes, every animal has at least one rectangle :)
Do geometrical shapes change over time in animals?
Some animals do change over time, they develop. For example, when reindeers get older they get an antler.
We want to thank Peter for his time to take this interview. We have learned that the geometrical shapes are very important for animals to survive.
Why are geometrical shapes important for animals?
Well, because of their geometrical shapes they are able to, for instance, fly or run at high speed. It's also important for spiders, because they use their geometrical spiderweb to catch flies and make sure they can't escape. But also for birds, to make their nests, and make sure it's stable and strong.
Is there a geometrical shape that stands out?
Yes, every animal has at least one rectangle :)
Do geometrical shapes change over time in animals?
Some animals do change over time, they develop. For example, when reindeers get older they get an antler.
We want to thank Peter for his time to take this interview. We have learned that the geometrical shapes are very important for animals to survive.
Conclusion
We have learned from this research that it is very important for animals to have geometry. Not only to be able to fly and run at high speed, but also for their nest, food and protection. These are thinks we had never thought of before!
We have also learned some things form doing this research, like planning. We really need to improve that, because we published our project to late.
We have also learned some things form doing this research, like planning. We really need to improve that, because we published our project to late.
Reflection
If we had to look back at this project form EUMIND, we would think back of the interaction with India. It was very much fun to Skype with them. We talked about our research, but also about the differences between India and The Netherlands. They were, for instance, shocked that we are allowed to use a calculator in a math test, but for us it's normal. It was sometimes a bit hard to understand each other, but we managed.
When we look back at our research, we think we could have done better. For example planning, because we were a bit late with publishing our research. And maybe because of our bad planning, we could have had more research done. So we had more time to research more animals.
But when we look back at everything...
We would like to do this kind of projects with EUMIND again, to show that we have learned from this experience and do it better!
When we look back at our research, we think we could have done better. For example planning, because we were a bit late with publishing our research. And maybe because of our bad planning, we could have had more research done. So we had more time to research more animals.
But when we look back at everything...
We would like to do this kind of projects with EUMIND again, to show that we have learned from this experience and do it better!
Comparison
We chose to compare our research to the research from the students of the Pawar Public School, because their research is also about geometry.
What we really liked about their research was the videoclip that explains math in nature. This makes clear what math in nature is. I don't really think we needed that for our research, because it isn't rocket science. But for their research it really helped a lot. We have learned a lot from their research.
What we really liked about their research was the videoclip that explains math in nature. This makes clear what math in nature is. I don't really think we needed that for our research, because it isn't rocket science. But for their research it really helped a lot. We have learned a lot from their research.