Life Sciences Commons^™

Patterns Of Life: Integrating Mathematics With Science, Culture, And Art, Dian Calkins, James B. Cunningham, Foad Satterfield, Mietek Kolipinski, Sibdas Ghosh

Collected Faculty and Staff Scholarship

We offered undergraduate students an interdisciplinary course Patterns of Life that develops mathematical reasoning strategies to solve complex problems. In its most essential form, mathematics is the study of patterns; and mathematical (patterned) reasoning is the ability to think with a plan and a purpose. Students personally experience and use patterns of reasoning in diverse disciplines, and then work in groups to form a valid strategy for solving a selected problem. Patterns of Life is designed as guided, on-site, active-learning experiences, in cooperation with local scientific, cultural and fine arts communities. Course goals for students include: (1) to increase mathematical …