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Where can I see symmetry in nature? - Summary
Maths in the wild
How can we know if something is symmetrical? In this KS2 video from The Regenerators, Change Champs Hannah and Maya meet Angela to discover what symmetry is, how to figure out if something has reflective symmetry and how we can use natural materials to test this out.
In this video, students will learn:
- What reflective symmetry is.
- How to draw a line of symmetry or mirror line.
- How to recognise when something isn't symmetrical.
- How to use natural materials to create a symmetrical pattern.
Classroom video - Where can I see symmetry in nature?
Maths in the wild
The Change Champs are a team of children who like to learn about the world around them. In each video, the Change Champs meet an expert who sets them an exciting challenge.
Hannah and Maya arrive at Backwell Lake to meet Angela, who sets them a challenge to help discover the symmetry of the natural world.
(CHEERFUL MUSIC)
Hannah: I'm Hannah and this is Maya. And we have come to Backwell Lake in North Somerset. We are here to meet Angela, who is going to teach us all about symmetry.
Angela: Hi girls, great to meet you. It's brilliant to meet you outdoors, because we can learn absolutely anywhere. And it's so good to be in all this nature because it's so good for us.
Hannah: We want to find out more about what symmetrical means. So we are off to find somewhere comfortable to sit.
Angela: There are different types of symmetry, but we're going to talk about reflective symmetry. If you draw a line down something and the two sides are a reflection of each other, you have found the line of symmetry, or the mirror line.
Can you see the two sides of this shape? They're just flipped, or a mirror image. Can you find me something else on this board that's symmetrical? What do you think? You think that leaf might be symmetrical?
Hannah and Maya: Yeah.
Angela: Can we use the mirror to double check? So if we put it there and is it the same on both sides?
Hannah: Yeah
Angela: So you found the line of symmetry.
Maya: I think this leaf is also symmetrical. I think a line of symmetry would be there. I don't think this feather is, though.
Angela: Does it look as if it's the same on both sides?
Hannah and Maya: No.
Angela: Girls, I have a mission for you. Who wants to open it?
Hannah: I'll open it, and Maya, you can read it.
Maya: "Hannah and Maya, make some nature in a pattern using reflective symmetry." We could do a butterfly.
Hannah: Yeah, butterfly.
Angela: Brilliant idea. Let's make ourselves a line of symmetry. What should we start with?
Maya: Umm. Sticks?
Angela: Sticks. Let's get some sticks then.
Hannah: Is that gonna be the wing?
Maya: Now, we need one here.
Hannah: Shall we just use loads of these for them?
Maya: Maybe make it join up?
Hannah: Should I get some flowers to decorate?
Maya: Yeah, you grab the flowers.
Yeah, daisies are good. See? They're symmetrical.
(CHEERFUL MUSIC)
Hannah: Angela, we finished.
Angela: Wow, girls, this looks amazing! That's a perfect example of reflective symmetry. I'm going to take a photograph of it.
(CAMERA CLICKING)
(CHEERFUL MUSIC ENDS)
Quick facts about symmetry in nature
- There are several different types of symmetry.
- Reflective symmetry is when you draw a line down the middle of something and the two sides are mirror images of each other.
- This line is called the line of symmetry or mirror line.
- Natural things like leaves and butterflies can be symmetrical.
Let's discuss: What other objects found in nature do you think could have reflective symmetry?
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