This summer, Fernbank Museum invites guests to embark on a journey to discover the mathematical patterns that surround us in nature and how they are used in other ways.
Opening June 8, 2024, “A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature” tells the story of patterns found in every aspect of our world — from the veins of a leaf to the internal structures that form large buildings — and more.
“A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature” is an interactive and immersive exhibit that highlights four separate types of patterns found in the world: Spirals, Voronoi patterns, Fractals and the Golden Ratio. The crown jewel of this exhibit is a 1,700 sq. ft mirror maze that reflects fractal patterns — a phenomenon created by repeating a simple process over and over in an ongoing feedback loop.
This exhibit opens with an immersive theater presentation displaying footage of nature, the human body, and even art and architecture, superimposed with graphics demonstrating the mathematical patterns beneath these familiar scenes. From there, guests enter the impressive mirror maze for an immersive experience that demonstrates the fractal pattern often found in nature. This maze features motion-activated elements that flash on the mirrors themselves, for a truly interactive venture.
From here, “A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature” opens to a variety of hands-on and digital interactives, from a two-way mirror superimposition that demonstrates patterns on your body to a station that allows guests to compose a piece of music to explore symmetry. Guests will also be able to draw patterns on a digital screen, observe fractals creating a computergenerated landscape and more. The exhibit also features an array of artifacts — Bighorn sheep antlers, honeycomb and an aluminum anthill casting — that demonstrate real examples of patterns in objects from the natural world. Humans have been using nature’s patterns to design modern innovations for years; computer animation, architecture, musical composition and more are influenced by mathematical patterns commonly found in nature. For example, the same pattern that’s found in the foam on your latte can create the structure that supports an Olympic stadium!
“By showcasing that fascinating numerical patterns are all around us, we hope kids and adults alike discover not only how math and other STEM elements are present in our daily lives but also how these natural occurrences can inspire exciting innovations in art, science and more,” says Dr. Olivia Castellini, Sr. Exhibit Strategist, Museum of Science + Industry, Chicago.
“A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature” is open June 8 – Sept. 9, 2024. This exhibit will be included with General Admission at Fernbank Museum. For more information, please visit https://fernbankmuseum.org
“A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature” is designed and developed by the Museum of Science + Industry, Chicago. Local support provided by the Isdell Family Foundation. Additional support provided by the Frances Wood Wilson Foundation.
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Are spiders a source of fear or fascination for you? (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Curious about the notorious black widow? Do you know what spiders you’ll find here in Georgia? (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum The latest exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History promises to unravel these mysteries and more with its latest offering, “Spiders – From Fear to Fascination.” (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Dr. Linda S. Rayor, a prominent spider biologist from Cornell University, spearheads this enlightening exhibit. Reflecting on her own journey into the world of science, Dr. Rayor shares her passion for arachnids. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum “Spiders are just fantastic,” Dr. Rayor told WSB-TV’s Nelson Hicks. “Spiders are totally awesome animals and what I think is that this exhibit actually catches that and shares for people who might be nervous or people are already enthusiastic.” (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Spanning the exhibit are over 250 live and preserved specimens, most of which originate from Dr. Rayor’s laboratory. From the imposing tarantula to the elusive wolf spider, visitors can marvel at a diverse array of arachnids. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum “We’ve got three different species of tarantulas,” Rayor noted. “We’ve got a Huntsman spider, born in my lab. We’ve got bromeliad spiders. We’ve got a Georgia fishing spider. We’ve got wolf spiders. We’ve got black widows, brown recluses and golden orb weavers.” (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Among the highlights are interactive experiences, including an augmented reality encounter placing a spider directly in one’s hand. Additionally, visitors can witness captivating scenes from nature showcasing spiders in their element. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Noteworthy displays include a captivating depiction of the spider wasp’s predatory behavior, as well as a comparison between male and female spiders. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Fernbank Museum will host the “Spiders – From Fear to Fascination” exhibit until early May, providing ample opportunity for arachnid enthusiasts and those who would rather run the other way to explore the intricate world of spiders. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum.
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum.
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum.
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
Spiders – From Fear to Fascination at Fernbank Museum Here are some more photos from the "Spiders – From Fear to Fascination" exhibit at Fernbank Museum. (Nelson Hicks)
