Patterns Around Us
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Publication 2019 Patterns Around Us Handout(2019-01-01) Davidovitch, Benjamin; Menon, Narayanan; Kermenski, Wayne; Welborn, JenniferThis is a FREE two-day program designed for Middle and High School General Science, Biology, Physics, Technology/Engineering teachers. It is funded by the National Science Foundation.Space is limited, so apply soon! Some limited funding is available for overnight stay. “Science may be described as the attempt to give good accounts of the patterns in nature. The result of scientific investigation is an understanding of natural processes.... Overall, the key criterion of science is that it provides a clear, rational, and succinct account of a pattern in nature....” Massachusetts State Frameworks for Science and Technology. Participants will explore the processes of pattern formation in biological and physical systems, and learn how to recognise, analyse and predict (RAP) patterns based on this understanding. The instructional leaders will include Prof. Benjamin Davidovitch, UMass Physics; Prof. Narayanan Menon, UMass Physics; Jennifer Welborn, Amherst Regional Middle School; Wayne Kermenski, Marlboro Elementary SchoolPublication Investigating Patterns Using Analyzing Digital Images (ADI) Software(2017-01-01) Welborn, Jennifer; Kermenski, WayneThe mean and variation of a population are easily seen by graphing the number of individuals that have a trait of a given value. In this experiment, we will investigate color variation found in a mealworm population using ADI. In this investigation, we will use digital images and ADI to measure the increased surface area created by villi located in the small intestines.Publication Patterns Around Us Presentation(2016-01-01) Davidovitch, BennyPublication Wrinkling of a floating sheet(2017-01-01) Menon, NarayananThe objective of today’s work will be to generate wrinkle patterns on very thin polymer films using the forces generated by the surface tension of a water drop. You’ll do a few sizes of water drop and we’ll give you a couple of thicknesses of film. Digital images of the pattern will allow us to make observations of the number and size of the wrinkles generated. We will try to develop an understanding of the dependence of the pattern on the materials used and the forces appliedPublication Wrinkling in Buckling and a Thin Sheet(2014-01-01) Menon, NarayananModule 1: Euler Buckling Learning Objectives: What is an instability? A sudden change in behaviour in response to a small change in conditions. Instabilities usually involve a change in symmetry from a more symmetric situation to a less symmetric one The mechanism for an instability usually involves two competing forces (one force stabilizing the symmetric state, and the other one destabilizing it), with one suddenly winning the contest These competing forces in thin objects are often the forces of compression (destabilizing force - favors buckling or wrinkling) and of bending (stabilizing force). Understanding by data collapse, the power of using dimensionless (unit-less) numbers, rather than dimensional parameters (measured in units of length, time, force, energy, etc). Module 2: Wrinkling Learning Objectives: What is the wavelength of a pattern? What decides the wavelength: reinforcing the idea of competition between many forces. Expanding and reinforcing concepts: What symmetry is broken in the wrinkling instability? Data collapse and dimensionless numbers You know what wrinkling is – it’s what you see when you look in mirror, or pinch the flesh on your arm. What we’re trying to do in this experiment, is to have you realize that this is an example of buckling but one that involves a repeating pattern caused by buckling.