pattern formation (physical sciences)

"With brief text and full-spread illustrations, this book is designed to inspire kids to observe, discover, and explore hidden structures and shapes in the natural world around them. Why are things the way they are? This question, key to scientific inquiry, runs throughout the text"--Publisher.

Presents an introduction to patterns, in simple text with illustrations, showing how animals and everyday things contain a variety of shapes and colors.

Provides an introduction to observing patterns, using examples from animals and other objects.

Discusses research in "small-worlds" theory, which contends that networks, whether they be social or biological, interact according to a set pattern; and examines the theory's application to such topics as the global economy and the Human Genome Project.