By instinct or on purpose – our art, buildings, music, and more mimic patterns found in nature and have for centuries. 

Now through Sept. 9, descend Fernbank Museum’s spiral staircase to enter A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature exhibit and further your understanding of the mathematical patterns all around you.

 “What I find really amazing about this exhibit, is how we as humans have taken those patterns – spirals, golden ratio [pleasing to the eye proportions like the Mona Lisa], Voronoi [think giraffe spots] and fractals– and used them in our everyday lives”, said Maria Moreno, Fernbank Program Manager.

Experience awe-inspiring activities for guests of all ages.

The first must-do is to explore the 1,700 square-foot mirror maze, which itself is a pattern of repeated equilateral triangles that appear infinite. 

 “This is a great bonding and learning experience for families to do together,” Moreno said.  “Look for six ‘easter eggs’ of extra content that illuminate by motion on the dead ends.” Like the one about Acoma Pottery crafted with geometric patterns by generations of Pueblo artisans. 

On the other side of the maze are interactives that immerse you in patterns in nature, culture, and your own body. Manipulate 3D models of objects, like an artichoke, to demonstrate its spiral quality.

“It’s very futuristic,” Moreno said. “You operate it by waving your arms.” 

Are you the next Beethoven? Find out as you compose music using symmetry by switching out different sound cards or creating a musical scale on a harp.

Next, match patterns to architectural structures across thousands of years and continents.

Then create your own sequences, shapes, and objects on a series of touchscreens.

Don’t miss the crowd-pleasers of discovering ratios and proportions in your own body.

“You can see how symmetrical your face is,” Moreno said. “You line up the right side of your face and it shows you what your face would look like if the left was perfectly symmetrical to the right.”

The Perfectly Imperfect interactive reveals your height and wing span as it relates to the perfect ratio. See also, how fractal patterns in our lungs mimic lightning bolts with branching pathways that optimize flow.

“The exhibit is great for adults because of the content but it’s also a lot of fun for the little ones because they can learn things hands-on,” Moreno said. 

Father and daughter guests from Stone Mountain agree.  

“I loved everything!” the daughter shared. “The maze was complicated! I kept losing myself.”

Will it change how she sees the outside world?  

“Like the back of a leaf – there’s lots of patterns on the back of a leaf,“ her Dad explained.

“There are patterns everywhere!” she responded. 

Keep seeking patterns outside of the exhibit. 

“Head out to Fernbank’s Forest to find fractal branches in the trees or Voronoi in the cracked mud,” Moreno urged.  

And consider gathering your friends, family or colleagues for a night out at Fernbank… but later on June 28, 6:00 to 9:00 pm. The first in the after-hours summer series, come enjoy an evening of exploring the exhibit, unique activities – like programming a robot to escape the maze, outdoor nature explorations, and more!

“Then take the knowledge out into the world,” Moreno said.  “It opens another door, another window.”