PATTERNSScience 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 process…… Overall, the key criterion of science is that it provides a

clear, rational, and succinct account of a pattern in nature.Massachusetts Department of Education Curriculum Frameworks Statement.

REPEATING PATTERNS

• Everywhere we look we see repeating patterns. Sometimes these patterns are coincidental.

REPEATING PATTERNS

At other times these patterns reveal important similarities.

Paratroopers during an exercise A jellyfish colony

slowing the motion Both are in Motion propelling the motion

IMPORTANT SIMILARITIES

Same Pattern but on Different Scales

These have the same spiral motion, but the scale is different.

The hurricane spirals counter-clockwise. The galaxy spirals in a clockwise

direction.

Closeup of an eye Planet debris around a dwarf star

Although there are great differences in scale, the visual pattern is very similar.

IMPORTANT SIMILARITIES

Butterfly Lorenz Attractor

An insect with its beautiful markings Shows that some recursive equations in math

on it wings have small changes that create big consequences.

Referred to as the butterfly effect

Important similarities

REPEATING PATTERNS WITH A PURPOSE

• This pattern is no accident. It is one of the adaptive survival strategies several species of butterflies use to scare away predators. It is known as mimicry

PATTERNS WITH AN EXPLANATION

Human fingerprint Koala Bear print

Form of evidence for evolution and the family relationship of all living things

FINGERPRINTSA FORENSIC SCIENCE OF PATTERNS

• The patterns of the ridges that form on your epidermis are fingerprints.

• You started getting your own unique fingerprints even before you were born!

• These patterns change size , but not shape, as the person grows.

• These prints have now been used as identification.

• Fingerprints are now classified into file groups based on their general shape.

PATTERNS WITH A PURPOSE

Sea Anemone Patch of Violet Anemone

These have visual similarity but are very different; one is an animal & the other a plant.

CLASSIFICATION:A PATTERN-BASED SCIENCE

• The Animal Kingdom is classified in its early stages by the type of symmetry an animal has.

Radial Symmetry Asymmetrical

Multiple lines of symmetry No lines of Symmetry One line of symmetry

PATTERNS TO INVESTIGATE

• Be Observant

• Ask WHY there is a pattern.

• Use and develop tools to help understand patterns.

• Background Knowledge. What do you already know and how can you apply it to help explain the patterns you see.

• Acquiring Knowledge. Do research and perform experiments to investigate the patterns.

• Apply physical principles to evaluate new pattern observations.

INVESTIGATE THE PATTERNS BY OBSERVATION FIRST

Wrinkles?

ASK WHY THERE IS A PATTERN

Why are there wrinkles?

Balance of forces?

Properties of materials?

Forms of Energy?

BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

What do you already know and how can you apply it to help explain the pattern that is

observed?

ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE

Do ResearchResearch the details of the

topic that you are investigating.

Conduct ExperimentsCarry out investigations with your topic and

Record you data.

APPLY PHYSICAL PRINCIPLES TO EVALUATE PATTERS

Overarching Principles

Forces Materials EnergyWhat forces create the What are the properties of the Does the wrinkling show

wrinkling pattern? Materials that create wrinkles? potential or kinetic energy?

SCIENCE STUDENTS AND PATTERNS

Hierarchy of Student Pattern Skills

• Recognizing Patterns

•Describing Patterns

•Understanding Patterns