Fractals in England

English Children at the Gateway School enjoying a fractal zoom.

The Fractal Foundation delivered its first educational presentation in the UK, at the Gateway School in Great Missenden, England. About 160 enthusiastic, but extremely well-mannered, 4th and 5th year students enjoyed a beautiful introduction to fractals in science, math and art. Several elementary teachers attended the lecture as well. The response of the English audience was every bit as positive as the American audiences we are accustomed to; people everywhere love fractals!

Only two days after the presentation, Christine Phillips, the teacher who helped coordinate the visit, reported that many of the students were extremely excited by the fractals, and many had download the software. Indeed, they’d already created many digital fractal artworks using the free XaoS program, Altogether they’d also created over 54 fractal triangles, which we look forward to including in the 2011 Fractal Trianglethon.

Algebraic fractals made by 4th and 5th year students at the Gateway School.

After this auspicious overseas debut, look for the Fractal Foundation to continue to expand our international outreach programs. Already, we’ve received interest from teachers in Australia, Canada, and Brazil, and we hope to be able to bring our programs to these countries as well.

27 fractal triangles made by English students - a contribution to the Fractal Trianglethon.

Just a side comment, for those who wonder why European students routinely outperform American students in math and science achievement: Note that the English students are still in school at the end of June - a month after US students have left for vacation!