SEMINAR EXPLORES POETRY IN NATURE AND ART IN SCIENCE

The ocean, earth and atmospheric sciences department's Spring 2003 Seminar Series continues at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 24, in Room 200 of the Oceanography and Physics Building. In this two-part seminar, John Adam, University Professor of Mathematics, will discuss mathematics in nature as demonstrated by large-scale phenomena and higher organisms in his presentation, "Patterns, Principles and Poetry in Nature: Some Observations." Martina Doblin, research assistant professor in OEAS, will then describe the "Art in Science" project, a unique K-12 curriculum, and how it relates to improving scientific literacy.

Adam earned his bachelor's degree in physics and doctorate in theoretical astrophysics from the University of London. He conducted postdoctoral research in theoretical astronomy at the University of Sussex and in applied mathematics at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. He was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Rochester, N.Y., in the Department of Mechanical Engineering before joining ODU in 1984. His book, "Mathematics in Nature: Modeling Patterns in the Natural World," will be published by Princeton University Press later this year.

Doblin received her doctorate from the University of Tasmania in 1998 and joined the OEAS faculty in 2001. She initiated the Art In Science project in fall 2001, which involved the collaborate efforts of the colleges of sciences, Arts and Letters, and Education. Integral to the curriculum is a set of photomicrographs taken by Doblin and Lisa Drake, research assistant professor in OEAS, which creates a participatory, inquiry-based learning experience for students and teachers. Through engagement, exploration, explanation, elaboration and evaluation activities, the program facilitates student learning of both art and life science concepts.

For more information call 683-4285.