The hidden mathematics of music, literature and art

For ages 13-17 years old

Duration: 8 weeks (2 hours/week)


STEAM Fields: MATHEMATICS, ARTS, LITERATURE, ENGINEERING

The hidden mathematics of music, literature and art

The Pythagorean school is known for its studies on the relationship between mathematics and music. Louis Carroll, through his famous work "Alice in Wonderland", uses a "crazy" story to bring to light fascinating and unknown mathematical aspects. At the same time, Picasso and Escher with Cubism and their repeating mosaics, respectively, prove that mathematics is not only numbers and geometry, but a living and human expression.
The program reveals to children the hidden mathematics hidden in music, literature, and art, while cultivating their critical thinking so that they can recognize mathematical elements in many everyday works of art.
Students, divided into groups, will research and study various works of music and art, developing analytical thinking to understand the mathematics behind the images and sounds they encounter. They will construct mathematical "blocks" and cubic works, and present their findings and creations at the end of the program.

Learning objectives

1.Explain the mathematical basis of music, such as harmonic ratios and scales.
2. Analyze the use of geometry and symmetry in works of art such as Picasso and Escher.
3. To study how mathematical logic appears in literature, through examples such as "Alice in Wonderland".
4.Create mathematical artwork, such as mosaics and cubic patterns, applying mathematical principles

NAGC skills cultivated:

1.Analytical and abstract thinking
2.Synthetic understanding of interdisciplinary topics
3.Creative expression and interpretation
4. Application of mathematical concepts in arts
5.Critical evaluation and investigative curiosity

Connection to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4 – Quality Education
SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 17 – Collaboration for the Goals