It’s Math! It’s Art! It’s Science! Welcome to Pattern Place

When people hear the word "math," they often picture blackboards full of equations or timed flashcards. But if you ask a scientist or a mathematician, they will tell you the truth: math is actually the science of patterns.

At the Magic City Discovery Center, we believe math should be vibrant, hands-on, and breathtakingly creative. That’s why our Pattern Place Gallery is designed to completely change how your family sees the world! Based on the architectural geometry of the MCDC logo itself, Pattern Place is packed with open-ended exhibits where visitors of all ages can observe, analyze, predict, and build visual and mathematical patterns.

Step inside and discover how art, nature, and geometry weave together right here in Minot!

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Six Zones of Hands-On Discovery

Pattern Place is split into interactive clusters designed to ignite curiosity:

• The Mirror Maze: A real visitor favorite! Navigate your way through a maze lined with mirrors precisely angled at 60 and 120 degrees. As you search for the hidden exits, you’ll see infinite reflections of yourself while exploring the physics of light and reflection. (Don't worry—accessible 3-foot pathways, a central wheelchair turning radius, and colorful floor strips ensure fun for explorers of all abilities!)

• Pattern Detective (MicroEye Projection Scope): Zoom in on nature’s hidden geometry! Using a projection microscope, kids can examine real crystals, shells, and fossils up close to spot nature’s favorite designs: spirals, stripes, rays, and symmetry.

• Geometry Lab & Termesphere: Build 3D solids like cubes and octahedrons using Geometiles and Magic Magnetic Sticks. Hovering above the lab, marvel at "Square Dance"—a rotating artwork on a sphere created by world-renowned geometric artist Dick Termes.

• Cornering Reflections & Mosaic Tables: Use hinged mirrors set at precise 15-degree angles to design your own kaleidoscope patterns, or piece together complex tessellations inspired by artist M.C. Escher.

• Patterns Around the World: Discover how cultures globally use math in art! Kids can create digital Kente cloth, Japanese fans, First Nation bead designs, and Scandinavian quilt blocks.

• Patterns in Motion: Test out the Harmonograph; a dual-pendulum table that draws hypnotically spiraling "Lissajous figures" using pure physics!

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The "Secret" Science: Why Patterns Matter

While your children are piecing together mosaics or lost in the Mirror Maze, they are secretly practicing high-level North Dakota Math and Science Standards:

• Geometric Reasoning: Building 3D shapes and classifying 2D tiles lays the foundation for geometry concepts like area, angles, and symmetry.

• Algebraic Thinking: Recognizing how a visual pattern repeats trains the brain for algebraic rules, sequencing, and even computer coding!

• Fine Motor & Spatial Mastery: Manipulating tiny pattern blocks and navigating spatial mazes sharpens hand-eye coordination and spatial reasoning.

Ready to see math in a whole new light? Come lose yourself in the Mirror Maze and build something extraordinary in Pattern Place on your next visit to MCDC!