It has been a while since the Museum of Science and Industry added a new permanent exhibit to its Hyde Park campus, so the introduction of Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze is a somewhat momentous occasion for frequent visitors. The majority of the exhibit (which is included in the price of a regular ticket) is squarely aimed at younger children, introducing them to concepts like the Golden Ratio, the Fibonacci sequence and tessellation with the help of an introductory film and numerous activities. The exhibit cleverly introduces mathematical concepts without hitting visitors over the head with complex equations, using naturally occurring examples like spiraling shells and the fractal branching of anthills to bring a sense of familiarity to the experience. In the words of the narrator of the introductory film: "Mother Nature is also Teacher Nature."
The centerpiece of the exhibit is an 1,800 square foot mirror maze that throws visitors in a disorienting, reflective wonderland where nothing is quite what it appears to be. An attendant at the entrance warns that if you get lost in the maze you should just find a wall and follow it to the end, but you'll have more fun if you navigate the Tron-inspired labyrinth with your arm stretched out in front of you, checking each surface to see if its a doorway or another reflection. Throughout the path, you'll find secret alcoves (and an entire hidden room) where motion detectors trigger projections or lights revealing objects hidden behind two-way glass which reinforce the geometric concepts that the maze harnesses. The maze is the part of the exhibit that adults will appreciate the most, though you'll likely have to dodge confused kids during your trip through the mirrored passage.
At the end of the maze is a room filled with interactive stations where attendees can learn more about some of the mathematic concepts introduced earlier in the exhibit. Some of the more interesting attractions include a Kinect-powered camera and video screen that measures your height and wingspan, telling you if your body conforms to the Golden Ratio. Another station allows you to explore the concept of symmetry by arranging cards containing melodic patterns taken from Bach's "Crab Cannon" before listening to your creation. Elsewhere, a motion sensing camera lets users manipulate three-dimensional images on a computer screen with their hand, exploring fractal patterns and spirals that are present in everyday objects. There's a lot of technology on display, making Numbers in Nature the most cutting-edge exhibit in a museum that largely houses older attractions. If you want to walk through a reflective maze and get a refresher course on some concepts you likely haven't used since high school, it's worth the trip to Hyde Park.