Splash Biography

Explore the elegant, invisible logic that dictates how the natural world grows and thrives. This session bridges the gap between the "dirt-under-the-fingernails" reality of gardening and the mathematical rules of evolutionary efficiency. Participants will learn that nature’s regularities—from the petals on a flower to the branching of a tree—are not random but are designed to optimize light capture, seed packing, and structural integrity. Key Learning Modules: The Fibonacci Sequence & Phyllotaxis: Discover the "Law of Addition" (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8...) and how plants use the Golden Angle (approximately 137.5°) to arrange leaves so new growth never shades the old . We will practice calculating phylotactic ratios (t/n) for common trees like Oak and Apple . Fractals and Infinite Branching: Understand the concept of self-similarity, where patterns repeat at every scale . Explore how fractal geometry allows trees and root systems to create massive surface areas for efficient nutrient transport and gas exchange . Voronoi Patterns & Hexagonal Efficiency: Examine how nature partitions space based on the Law of Proximity . Learn why the hexagon is the most mechanically stable shape for building structures like honeycombs and pineapple skin while using the least amount of material . Symmetry and Edibility: Study bilateral and radial symmetry in animals and plants . We will explore the "five-petal rule," noting that almost all edible plants possess flowers with pentagonal geometry linked to the Phi ratio (1.618) . Practical Master Gardener Applications: Learn to use mathematical patterns as a diagnostic tool; "glitches" in a plant's geometry can signal environmental stressors like pests, drought, or soil deficiencies . Additionally, discover how to apply the Golden Ratio to landscape design to create visually balanced and "natural" proportions . Course Requirements This class is designed for a sophisticated, plant-loving audience and stays at a high conceptual level without requiring advanced calculation skills . Participants are encouraged to bring pinecones or sunflowers for hands-on "Garden Lab" activities to find hidden sequences in real time. For a "Garden Lab" session tailored to Master Gardeners, you can include several interactive activities that move from abstract mathematical theory into tangible, hands-on discovery. 1. The Pinecone Count (Phyllotaxis in Action) This activity demonstrates how plants follow the Fibonacci sequence to optimize space . The Task: Participants use large pinecones (such as Sugar Pine or Ponderosa) and markers to trace the spirals winding up the cone . They should count the number of spirals winding clockwise and then the number winding counter-clockwise . The Reveal: Almost every pinecone will display two consecutive Fibonacci numbers, such as 8 spirals going one way and 13 going the other . 2. The Golden Ratio Caliper Test This exercise helps gardeners understand why certain plant proportions are visually pleasing and how the Golden Ratio (ϕ) manifests in individual plants . The Task: Using rulers or specialized "Golden Mean" calipers, participants measure the width of a leaf versus the length of its stem, or the diameter of a flower’s center versus its total diameter . The Goal: Gardeners can see how close these natural proportions come to the ratio of 1.618, providing a mathematical basis for landscape aesthetics . 3. Fractal Branching Mapping By observing the self-similarity in trees, gardeners can better understand how a plant will respond to pruning . The Task: Using dried branches from different species (such as Oak, Maple, or Forsythia), participants create paper-and-charcoal "rubbings" or simplified sketches of the branching patterns . The Goal: Participants observe how the branching angle of the main stem is repeated at smaller scales in the twigs . This reveals the fractal logic the tree uses for efficient nutrient transport . 4. The "Golden Angle" Perspective This simple observation task illustrates how plants maximize sunlight capture . The Task: Participants look straight down the stem of a succulent or a young sunflower . The Goal: They can visually verify the "Golden Angle" (approximately 137.5°) by noticing how the leaves spiral to fill every available "gap" of light, ensuring that new leaves do not perfectly shade the ones directly below them . 5. The Petal Count Challenge This is a quick visual diagnostic tool to identify common garden patterns . The Task: Provide a variety of local blooms—such as Lilies, Buttercups, Delphiniums, and Daisies—and have participants count the petals . The Goal: Participants will find that most flowers possess a Fibonacci number of petals (e.g., 3, 5, 8, or 13), reinforcing the idea that these patterns are nature's "perfect plan" for regenerative growth

Join us to explore the pervasive challenge of algorithmic bias and injustice as we integrate new technologies such as GPS into education. This workshop provides practical strategies for cultivating global competencies, geospatial intelligence, and computational thinking skills while actively addressing misinformation. Through engaging media literacy activities, we'll critically examine alternative viewpoints on current events and global issues, empowering participants to combat algorithmic bias and champion social justice in their teaching practices.

This workshop investigates the role of Algorithmic Bias/ Injustice integrating new technologies such as Global Positioning System (GPS) while developing global competencies, geospatial intelligence, and computational thinking skills. It offers creative strategies and possibilities for eradicating myths and misconceptions in education. We will engage in a wide range of media literacy activities exploring geospatial and computational thinking skills. We will investigate alternative points of view on news, global issues, algorithmic bias, and social justice through media literacy education.

This workshop investigates the role of Algorithmic Bias/ Injustice integrating new technologies such as Global Positioning System (GPS) while developing global competencies, geospatial intelligence, and computational thinking skills. It offers creative strategies and possibilities for eradicating myths and misconceptions in education. We will engage in a wide range of media literacy activities exploring geospatial and computational thinking skills. We will investigate alternative points of view on news, global issues, algorithmic bias, and social justice through media literacy education.

This workshop investigates the role of Algorithmic Bias/ Injustice integrating new technologies such as Global Positioning System (GPS) while developing global competencies, geospatial intelligence, and computational thinking skills. It offers creative strategies and possibilities for eradicating myths and misconceptions in education. We will engage in a wide range of media literacy activities exploring geospatial and computational thinking skills. We will investigate alternative points of view on news, global issues, algorithmic bias, and social justice through media literacy education.