Seeing Math in Nature: Fractals and Forests

The Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill presents "Seeing Math in Nature," a series of workshops during Spring 2021. In this series of workshops you will learn to see, interpret, and recreate the patterns around us. Math is the universal language. The translators will be agaves, trees, rivers, and jaguars, aided by guest scientists and artists. Each session takes a different approach to understanding the functioning of nature, collectively allowing us to see in new ways.

FRACTALS AND FORESTS

Instructors: Brian Enquist (University of Arizona, EEB) and artist Paul Mirocha

University of Arizona research ecologist Brian Enquist will share how measuring one tree using fractal mathematical formulas can be used to calculate carbon impact of a whole forest, because in fact they are not random—forests are mathematically structured. Then, Tumamoc Artist in Residence Paul Mirocha will lead a session drawing trees using Mandelbrot formulas and other fractal imaging. You will never think of a tree the same way again after this fascinating workshop.

Length: 2 hours

Time: 10 am – noon (Arizona/Phoenix time)

Cost: $45 each or $170 for all four of the series