A fractal is a pattern that repeats itself at different scales. It is ideal for modeling nature: a tree is a branch of a branch of a branch; mountains are peaks within peaks; clouds are puffs of puffs, and so on. But modern computer scientists aren't the only ones to use fractals: Africans have been using them for centuries to design textiles, sculptures, architecture, hairstyles and more. In this website you will learn how fractal geometry is used in computing and science, and apply that knowledge to simulating African designs.
To navigate through these lessons in order, click the "NEXT" link at the top right of each page.
The content on these web pages was originally created by Ron Eglash. The Javascript fractal explorer in this version was written by Stephen Tate for the UNCG CSC 100 class.