The Harmony Learning Community Blog

News, Updates, Program Recaps, and Homeschooling Information

ESCHER #1: What is Symmetry?

Posted by Rodi Steinig 
· Tuesday, January 13th, 2015 

(January 6, 2015)  How do you define symmetry?   This question became the crux of our first Math Circle on Escher.  Our 11-13 year-olds debated this question for well over an hour. It all started when I passed a bunch of images around: >beehives and other natural patterns, >examples of Moorish architecture, >various Escher works, and >a guy staring at his…

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PROOFS #6: Math as Art, Collaboration, and Spectator Event

Posted by Rodi Steinig 
· Thursday, June 6th, 2013 

(May 21, 2013)  There’s more than one way to prove the vertical angle theorem:  verbally, numerically, algebraically (with various approaches), intuitively, visually.  Our Math Circle participants debated and attempted them all.  When the theorem was finally proven algebraically, everyone smiled.  It was a satisfying proof.  And it was fun.  And we learned on the way.  Some highlights: N asked “What…

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