Brown, CP orcid.org/0000-0002-6551-3953, Cook, KR, Beales, PA orcid.org/0000-0001-9076-9793 et al. (1 more author) (2022) SAWstitch: exploring self-avoiding walks through hand embroidery. Physics Education, 57 (4). 045029. ISSN 0031-9120
Abstract
A self-avoiding walk (SAW) is a sequence of moves on a grid that does not visit the same point more than once. SAWs are used to study how networks form, including social networks, biological networks and computer networks, and have provided inspiration to scientists, artists and designers. Here we describe a collaborative project which aims to deliver public engagement activities that embrace creative thinking to explore SAWs through the medium of hand embroidery. We introduce the physics of SAWs and then present an activity which uses materials from hand embroidery to explore these concepts. Specifically, the activity makes use of a Maker Kit which contains all the materials needed to create SAWs on an embroidery hoop. We evaluate the impact of the Maker Kits and reflect on the opportunities provided by a creativity-led engagement activity for physics teaching and research.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2022 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd. Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI. |
Keywords: | random walks, networks, creativity, public engagement, art-science interface |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Chemistry (Leeds) > Physical Chemistry (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Physics and Astronomy (Leeds) > Molecular & Nanoscale Physics |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) EP/T028718/1 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 27 Apr 2022 14:08 |
Last Modified: | 29 Mar 2023 14:08 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | IOP Publishing |
Identification Number: | 10.1088/1361-6552/ac6929 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:186086 |