The Coral Reef Project

in #steemstem7 years ago (edited)

A few years ago while working in the science library at the University of Florida I had the opportunity to participate in “The Crochet Coral Reef” project. The objective of the project was to create an intersection between mathematics, science, handicrafts, environmentalism and community arts.


292B1D0D-0879-41DB-B89B-29D68FFE1768.jpeg


Photograph of Hyperbolic crochet kelp garden by the “Institute For Figuring” at the Los Angeles County Fair.

Hyperbolic Crochet is the term coined by a now retired Cornell University mathematician by the name of Daina Taimina. During the 1990s Daina was trying to make a physical model of hyperbolic space. She tried several different medias in her attempts to demonstrate hyperbolic space, but none displayed the results she required. Many mathematicians believed it was impossible to demonstrate.

One quality of hyperbolic space is that as you move away from a point, the space around it expands exponentially.

Think of it this way-Hyperbolic planes are spaces of negative curvature. Imagine the shape of a saddle where all lines curve away from each other. Hyperbolic planes are common in nature and appear everywhere in repeating patterns.

It occurred to Dr. Taimina, who had grown up knitting, that the concept easily translated over to crochet. She was then able to successfully demonstrate the hyperbolic model through her crochet. The results of her experiment resembled the coral living in oceans.


2007E702-1DE3-4EC1-A01D-648FF9942CA3.jpeg


Photograph a unidentified folded coral in Flynn Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns, Queensland, Australia By Toby Hudson

The Coral Reef Project was the brain child of twin sisters Margaret and Christine Wertheim, both are pioneers in developing creative strategies to engage women in the sciences and mathematics or STEM as it’s frequently referred.

Margaret Wertheim has dual degrees in physics/mathematics. Her twin Christine is the co-Creator of the reef project and teaches experimental writing and feminism at the university level.

The bottom line for these women of science is the realization that the biology of corals and handicraft are linked to the foundations of the geometry and mathematics underling general relativity.


089C7D88-4CE1-4DF1-AAE1-B5841657C346.jpeg


They decided to demonstrate the concept by combining math, science and community based artistic handiwork to create a stunning visual exhibit-The Coral Reef Project.


866F2440-154F-45D0-9D6A-331B12D664EF.jpeg


The Föhr Reef is part of the "Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef" project exhibit in Germany during the exhibition "Wie Schönes Wissen schafft", at the Museum of the University Tübingen (MUT) photograph by NearEMPTiness

A secondary benefit of the project was to increase awareness regarding the ecology of the worlds oceans and specifically the decrease of coral reefs.

Intrigued by the reef project two University of Florida Associate Science Librarians decided to start a “crochet circle” inviting anyone interested to contribute to the satellite reef project.


C5700DAA-820D-4153-9F5B-799725AD25C9.jpeg


Marston Science Library, University of Florida

Participants would meet daily in the science library to crochet and enjoy the fellowship of like minded individuals. If someone appeared who knew nothing about crochet (like me) they would be instructed the only requirement was to bring your own yarn and hooks.


4BC20517-4C1A-41C9-AB6A-2DF235FD7891.jpeg


When the student is ready the teacher appears!

After several weeks the crochet circle’s handiwork would be boxed up and sent to Margaret Wertheim, and the designated curators for inclusion in the exhibit.

The Crochet Reef project is now the largest participatory endeavor combining science with art.

10,000 people from all over the world have now contributed to the project and 3 million people have seen Crochet Reef exhibitions. It’s been exhibited in galleries and museums all over the world including London and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. and many others.

The “Institute For Figuring” founded by the Wertheim sisters currently develops exhibits and programs for museums, galleries, colleges, and community groups throughout the world.

Sort:  

The Project itself is stunning! The intersection of such (seemingly) different disciplines was the real eye-opener for me.

If you think about it, we do something similar when we re-purpose familiar materials into a new function. Using crochet as a 3-D visual aid for a scientific theory is not a run-of-the-mill pairing, granted, but the concept still hold true.

Excellent post and thanks for highlighting such a positive Project!

Thanks so much. It is stunning and such a creative way to spread the word about geometry through crafts. 🐓

(you hear an engine rev and horn honk)
MEEP! MEEP!
(the window on the humvee rolls down to reveal a warm smiling face)
"Hello! I'm @shadow3scalpel and with the help of my protege, @chairborne, we are actively assisting veterans, retirees and active servicemen and women here on Steemit. We feel it is our 'duty' to support each other. Any questions or comments you may have, simply respond to this comment, thank you!"
(the window rolls up and the engine roars as it drives to the next person on the list)
Comment by @killerwhale. This is a opt-in bot.

Thanks for driving by🇺🇸

This is a very cool project. Who would have thought that you could create a realistic looking coral reef in crocheted yarn! It looks stunning. Thanks for sharing this project.

Thank you, it is stunning and helps to spread the word on the ocean reefs and geometry for those of us who are mathematically challenged.🐓

Very deep information and some abstract to me.

Thanks for stopping by, it is a bit abstract.🐓

I try not to engage in hyperbole. But this is a neat and beautiful project. The crocheting does look so much like that stuff in the sea.

Thanks so much for having a looksie🐓

That is so beautiful, what a neat project... I got "reprimanded" by cheetah for no good reason as well... ;)

Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed it. They are being a bit vigorous with their stupidity lately. Maybe they need to refine their bot and go after the real culprits!🐓

That is some handy knit work! Love it looks so real. A very important subject and one I follow closely :) 💯🐒

I never understood how people crochet not paying a bit of attention to their hands and converse freely with others. 😉🐓

My attempts at knitting have all ended in a woolly mess, thats with no talking an tongue fully engaged ;) 💯🐒

Maybe that is the only way to learn it. Just don’t pay any attention and let your hands work the crochet hook. Monkeys are usually very fast learners. I mean at least 99 out of 100! Lol🐓🐓

Haha like what you did there. Maybe I should give it another go. Need someone to teach me though! 💯🐒

Don’t look at me! 🐓🐓

Coin Marketplace

STEEM 0.17
TRX 0.15
JST 0.028
BTC 62345.27
ETH 2427.57
USDT 1.00
SBD 2.49