On April 26, 2024, the Power of Radiance Program, in collaboration with the Central Youth Council, organized a special session on the Beauty of Mathematics and Science of Bauhinia variegata (Orchid tree). This event took place within the framework of the Little Dien Bien Soldiers program, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Historic Dien Bien Phu Victory, at Be Van Dan Primary School in Dien Bien Phu City.
Bauhinia variegata - Orchid tree - The symbol of Northwest Vietnam
The Orchid tree (Vietnamese name: ban) is a distinctive flower of Vietnam’s Northwest region, embodying pristine beauty and vigorous vitality, and is considered a symbol of the land and its people. Scientifically known as Bauhinia variegata, this tree is widely distributed in the northern mountainous provinces of Vietnam, such as Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, and Lao Cai. Hoa Ban typically blooms from February to March, in the spring when the weather is warm. The flowers, which are white or light pink, grow in clusters and exhibit a refined and elegant beauty.
The Dien Bien Phu Campaign in 1954 took place in the spring, coinciding with the blooming season of the Hoa Ban. In the song “Victory at Dien Bien” by musician Do Nhuan, there is a line: “Liberating Dien Bien, our troops march back, during this season of blooming flowers, the Northwest is jubilant.” The flower mentioned in this song is indeed the orchid tree – ban flower. Annually, Dien Bien province hosts the Ban Flower Festival. The Ban is not only a symbol of the natural beauty of the Northwest during spring but also represents the culture and spirit of the people of Dien Bien.
The Mathematical and Scientific Beauty of "Ban" flower
Ms. Hong Quyen, who hosted the seminar, guided the students in exploring the characteristics of the Hoa Ban tree from mathematical and scientific perspectives. Despite living in a city known for Ban flowers, the students were discovering this familiar flower through the lens of STEM for the first time.
Regarding the Ban petals, Ms. Hong Quyen instructed the students to measure the width (at the widest point) and the length (at the longest point) of the Hoa Ban petals and record the data. They then calculated the ratio of the length to the width of the petals.
The fascinating discovery the students made was finding the “gold” in the Hoa Ban petals through mathematics. They measured the petal dimensions to be approximately 5.0 – 6.0 cm in length and 2.8 – 3.2 cm in width, with the ratio of length to width ranging from 1.6 to 1.7. This ratio is close to the golden ratio in mathematics (1.618).
The Symmetry of Ban - Orchid tree Leaves
The students continued to explore the symmetry of Hoa Ban leaves. The leaves exhibit axial symmetry and have a shape similar to a cardioid. The students measured the dimensions and identified the differences between the sizes of the leaves and the flowers. While the petal sizes do not vary significantly, the leaf sizes differ greatly depending on whether the leaves are young or old and the nutritional condition of the tree.
Constructing Patterns from Ban (Orchid tree) Leaves
With the task of designing decorations using Hoa Ban leaves according to a specific rule, the students of Be Van Dan Primary School enthusiastically participated and showcased their creativity. They creatively applied symmetry and translation transformations in their creations.
Are Mathematics and Science Tough Subjects?
After engaging in the exploration activities of Hoa Ban, the students discovered that understanding objects through Mathematics and Science isn’t tough at all. The allure of Mathematics and Science lies within nature, and with the proper methods of observation and measurement, intriguing findings can be uncovered.
