A 3D model of the Standard Model chart - Click on image and scroll to bottom of page for 3D model
What can we do with this new (for some) yet very old model of physics?
Dr. Marimba Ani references the multidimensional understanding of reality conveyed by the Dogon people of Mali in their concept of 'giri so' or 'word from the front', 'benne so' or 'word from the side', 'bolo so' 'word from behind', and ''so dayi' 'the true word'.
This multidimensional understanding of reality is also seen in the concept of the 'ndu' ("womb" - similar to "Odu" [Yoruba]) present among the M'buti People of Zaire (Present day Congo region):
"Turnbull has elaborated upon this dimension of Mbuti thought, for it appears to be a fundamental and systematic aspect of virtually every context of their culture and one to which they themselves devote "endless discussion and speculation" (Turnbull 1978a:98).
He writes, "Their world ... is like a "sphere." Within this sphere we as individuals (or as a people, they stressed, though each talked in primarily individual terms) are normally always in the center. When we move in time or space the sphere moves with us, so we remain in the center.... However, the Mbuti say, if one's movement in time or space is too violent, too sudden, one can reach the edge of the sphere before it has time to catch up, and that is when a person becomes waziwazi, or disoriented, and unpredictable. Or if the violence of the movement, the disregard for the security that comes from remaining in the center of one's sphere, is too blatant, one may pierce through into the other world. [Turnbull 1978b: 166; see also Turnbull 1978a:97-98; 1983a: 122-123; 1983b:32-33] - "The Symbols of "Forest": A Structural Analysis of Mbuti Culture and Social Organization", Mark S. Mosko, 1987
Prepositional Statement
- We propose the utilization of African Cosmological Models to establish an Epistemological Framework
for teaching physics concepts to students of African decent will result in greater comprehension of the principles of physics.
- We propose that African cosmogonies comprise a symbolic framework that is uniquely African and therefore compatible with, what Dr. Mariba Ani refers to as the 'UTAMAWAZO ' of STEM students of African decent and that the utilization of such models will result in better test results for all STEM students.
This corresponds with the findings of 'the study "Adinkra Mathematics: A Study of Ethnocomputing in Ghana", Ron Eglash et. al (2015 ):
"The ethnomathematics literature has no lack of visionary statements on what its advantages might be. In some cases, the motivation comes from the concept of “cultural relevance” to a specific population. Jama (1999) for example draws out normative connections between indigenous mathematics and science of the Somali culture in the Horn of Africa region and local school curriculum. He suggests that ethnomathematics can be used as a “special language ” to help students see themselves as historical and political actors through deep engagement in their own cultures’ mathematical heritage."
The study concluded that:
"The ethnocomputing activity, Adinkra Computing engaged students’ interest and increased mathematical performance between pretests and posttests"
Verification Strategy
We plan on using the Epistemological Belief Assessment for Physical Science (EBAPS) developed at the University of California Berkley (http://www2.physics.umd.edu/~elby/EBAPS/home.htm ) as a measure of effectiveness.