Mathematics

Lightning bolts, river deltas, tree branches, and coastlines are all examples of patterns in nature called fractals. In this Snack, you get a striking hands-on introduction to fractal patterns and how they’re formed.

Asked to get an estimate for the famed mathematical constant pi (π), you might do what the ancient Greeks did: Divide the circumference of a circle by its diameter. Here you can estimate pi by a less conventional method: the random tossing of toothpicks.

This video describes the interaction at the exhibit Pi Toss, which uses a statistical technique called "Buffon's Needle" to calculate pi.

Meet Exploratorium physicist Larry Shaw, the originator of Pi Day.