Week 1 Reflection

Learning about symmetry was interesting and engaging. The ranking activity on google

slides was cool because I never thought about symmetry being on a scale. Before I would just

think, is it symmetrical or is it not, like a binary. I also really enjoyed learning about how circles

have infinite lines of symmetry (reflectional and rotational) because something about that is so

artistic. And it scientifically/mathematically just makes so much sense when you think of what

role circles play in our human lives/life on Earth. Before this week I didn’t know there were

different types of symmetry like reflectional and rotational.

It took me a second to understand rigid motion, I got it better once I got to the slide

about non rigid motion. It actually reminded me of when I have to edit images I scan at work on

photoshop. I have to make sure to shrink the image with the length and width ratio locked, so I

can change the size of the image and maintain the original dimensions, so it doesn’t get

distorted.

This was also the first time I read or heard the word Ethnomathematics and I find the

concept amazing. Especially the quotes included in the slides to explain it a little bit. I think I

gravitated towards this study of ethnomathematics because I was a kid (and adult) who has

struggled with math but has a strong passion for culture/art & other studies. As I've grown

older and naturally made connections between math and art, nature, life etc. I've had more of a

desire and confidence in learning math academically (especially math that I feel is relevant to

day-to-day life).
 The examples of symmetry in the slides are what prompted me to do my

poster/presentation on cornrows/braids. I’m not sure if I would of thought of that as an

example of symmetry on my own, when I think symmetry, my mind goes to natural examples

like plants --but I was really excited to do it on braids I'm glad I did! Also, seeing the examples of

different cultures traditional patterns that include symmetry made me realize how crucial

symmetry is to human life and design. We love symmetry!