Nature’s Numbers is a free, 4-week program created by local high school student Simon Heidt in partnership with the Okanagan Science Centre. Through hands-on experiments and interactive activities, participants will explore how math and science appear throughout the natural world.
Math and science can sometimes feel abstract, but Nature’s Numbers brings these concepts to life by showing how plants and animals use them every day - making real-world connections that inspire curiosity and discovery.
Week 1 (February 15th) - Soaring Seeds: We will explore how trees use math and science to design seeds that travel, spread, and grow new forests. Participants will investigate patterns, shapes, and forces that allow seeds to spin, glide, and float through the air using clever natural designs.
Week 2 (February 22nd) - Catapult Creatures: Let's explore how animals use math and science to launch, leap, and propel themselves through their environments. Participants will investigate angles, force, and motion to discover how projectiles help animals hunt, escape predators, and survive.
Week 3 (March 1st) - Crazy Crystals: We will explore how math and science shape the sparkling world of crystals in nature. Participants will investigate patterns, symmetry, and growth processes to see how crystals form and develop their unique shapes.
Week 4 (March 8th) - Power of Propulsion: Power of Propulsion shows how animals use math and science to move efficiently through water, air, and on land. Participants will explore forces, motion, and energy to understand how fins, wings, tails, and legs propel animals in amazing ways.
Date: Sundays beginning February 15th to March 8th
Time: 11:15am-12:15pm
Suitable for ages 5-10
Cost: FREE
Disclaimer: Parents and caregivers may register their child(ren) for any or all workshops in this series. There is no requirement to attend all four sessions. Space is limited and registration is required. Adults must remain with youth for the duration of the workshop. Additional charges will apply if visiting the Okanagan Science Centre exhibit spaces.
More on Simon Heidt: "Since I was 3 years old I have always loved two things: math and the outdoors; however, it wasn't until over a decade later that I realised the intricate and beautiful connection between them. Too often, math is taught as a list of symbols to be memorized, and as a result, its connection to the world around us can be lost. So, when tasked to find an idea for my capstone and district project scholarship projects (see links below), I took it as an opportunity to share this relationship with the next generation of curious thinkers. Partnering with the Okanagan Science Centre, we are starting a 4 week program where kids can explore crystals, symmetries, fractals and more through hands-on activities and challenges—bringing math to life through nature."
More information on the Capstone project can be found here.
