Fractals are SMART: Science, Math and Art!

Fractivities

Fractivities are hands-on projects that teach fractal concepts in a fun, artistic way. Students utilize their math skills in real-world applications and also work together as a team to create large fractal designs.

With support from the Albert I. Pierce Foundation, our fractivities are aligned with common core standards in mathematics and English language arts so you can more easily incorporate teaching fractals in your classroom, combining science, math and art!

You can use our curriculum for free or can hire us to come to your school to lead fun, hands-on activities. Check out our education and outreach page!

 

Need help in choosing a fractivity?

This summary page shows what grades each activity is appropriate for and what common core math standards they meet.

This page includes the associated English language arts standards met by the activities.

We are sharing these fractivities with teachers for free and request that you provide feedback to us so we can continue to refine and improve our curriculum. Thank you, and have fun!

See what people are saying about us on our feedback page!

sierp170

Fractal Triangle

Learn to make the classic triangle fractal, and join many together into a bigger one.

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Fractal Cutout Card

Make a 3-dimensional fractal with paper and scissors.

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Fractal Trees

Measure the ratios and angles of a tree’s branches to uncover its fractal structure.

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Watersheds and Rivers

Learn about the fractal nature of rivers, understand what a watershed is and create your own fractal design.

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The Koch Curve and Coastlines

A simple geometric substitution leads to a jagged fractal much like a coastline.

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Fractal Tetrahedrons

Teams of students build a fractal tetrahedron made of toothpicks and marshmallows.

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Fraction Tree

Use a simple model of an apple tree to practice fractions.

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Fractal Scavenger Hunt

Discover fractals surrounding you in the natural world

Exponents

Use fractals to learn about exponents

FractalImageMandPurple&Blue copy

XaoS

Use free software to explore fractals and create beautiful art

Pascal’s Fractal Triangle

Create Pascal’s Triangle and discover the Sierpinski Fractal Triangle!

Nature Walk Bingo

Explore what fractals you can see around your school or even in your neighborhood

Bingo

Bingo

Learn all about fractals by playing bingo

Fibonacci Sequence and Spirals

Learn the Fibonacci sequence and understand how it creates spirals in the natural world

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Flower of Life

Create a beautiful, repeating pattern of circles that turns into a fractal flowerbed

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3D Paper Tetrahedron

Build tetrahedrons out of cut and folded paper

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Menger Cube

Create your own Menger cube out of paper

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Tic Frac Toe

Play a fractal version of Tic Tac Toe

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Turbulence

Learn about and play with fractal patterns of turbulence with some fun, hands-on experiments

These Fractivities were developed with the generous support of the Math & Science Bureau of the NM Public Education Department, Albuquerque Community Foundation and the AI Pierce Foundation.nmped-acf-logos