HAPPY PI DAY! Not sure what Pi is, or just looking for some Pi Day fun? This week’s challenge is to head on over to the Math Minute page and complete one (or more) of the Pi Day Math Minutes! Enjoy your Pi Day!!!
All posts by Jenny Henningsen
Stumper of the Week #8
June 28, 1921
On this day in history, bridge builder Joseph Strauss submits his finished plans for the Golden Gate Bridge to city officials in San Francisco. Some people worry that the bridge will spoil the natural beauty of the landscape. After spending a dozen years convincing people that the bridge should be built, Strauss noted, “The value of an idea depends not only on the sweat you put into thinking it up, but also on the sweat you put into getting people to accept it.” The Golden Gate Bridge is famous not only for its beauty but also for its span of 4,200 feet.
Challenge: With your teacher’s permission, measure the longest hallway in your school and figure out how many times the hallway could be laid end to end on the span of the Golden Gate Bridge. You could also do this with a hallway at home and compare. Email Ms. Skaggs with your findings!
Day-By-Day Math Susan Ohanian Math Solutions Publications 2000
Science, Math, & Technology at Your Fingertips!
Have you ever wondered how an atom is created? Or maybe you find yourself wondering how energy forms and changes. Do building fractions and creating creatures from area formulas excite you? Then this simulation website is for you!
PhET Simulations is an interactive website full of simulations that introduce you to many different areas of math and science such as force and motion, energy forms and changes, the Greenhouse Effect, Glaciers, and more! Click here to get started on your own simulation journey! Leave a comment with your favorite simulations.
*Be sure to hold your iPad horizontally while working with the simulations.*
Stumper of the Week #7
There are 2 jars of equal capacity. The first jar has 2 amoeba inside, while the second jar contains 4 amoeba. An amoeba reproduces itself by doubling every 3 minutes. Jar #1 is filled in 2 hours. How long does it take jar #2 to fill?
Math Starters & Stumpers – Marcy Cook
Eggstraordinary Experiment
For this post we are going back to the beginning…of STEAM that is. So in honor of the “S,” how about a science experiment post to get your investigative juices flowing…
The Dissolving Egg Shell & Bouncing Egg Experiment
This experiment is simple, it involves a lot of observation but the results are really interesting to watch.
Reflection 1:
To start with, take time to reflect on what you think will happen when the eggs are put into the vinegar and water. Make a note of your reflection in a notebook or other recording device that you are able to keep your future reflections and comparisons in.
What You Need:
eggs
(we used raw eggs – 2 brown & 2 white)
vinegar
water
clear cups
What To Do:
1. Set up 4 clear cups.
2. Put 1 egg into each cup.
3. Add vinegar to 1 of each cup containing a white & brown egg.
4. Add water to the other 2 cups.
*eggs should be covered completely by each liquid.
5. Observe
Start of Experiment/Day 1:
Reflection 2:
What do you notice happening in the 2 cups?
Can you explain why these things are happening? (may require research)
A few hours later…
Reflection 3:
What do you notice about the egg in each cup?
Do you have a hypothesis as to why this is happening? (again, you may have to do a little research)
Write a prediction about what you think will happen to all 4 eggs at the end of 7 days?
Day 2:
Day 3:
Day 5:
Day 7:
End of Experiment – Day 7:
Reflection 4:
What has happened to the eggs?
Test your eggs to get more information by dropping them on a protected surface (adult approved of course).
What observations did you make?
And Now, The Science:
What is the chemical reaction that is taking place in this experiment?
Why does this happen?
How could you change this experiment to learn more about this reaction?
What other egg experiments have you done?
We’d love to have you share some of your reflections by leaving a comment!
Happy Experimenting!
Adapted from http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/
Full STEAM Ahead #15: Learn More About the Elements on The Periodic Table
If the last Full STEAM Ahead post ignited your passion for the periodic table, then this week’s post is for you! TED Ed joined forces with the people at Periodic Videos to bring us the what-is-what on each element of the periodic table. Choose an element, watch the video (sometimes they only work in the pop-up boxes), take the quiz and then dig in deeper to find out even more! Leave a comment with what element was most interesting to you.
Stumper of the Week #6
See if you can do this one in your head…
Begin with the number that is 5 more than 7. Increase this number by 8, twice. Add 20. Now reduce the answer by half. What is the number?
Happy Solving!
Adapted from the Bright Ideas Calendar / Picture: play.google.com
Stumper of the Week #5
6-themes.com
Math Starters and Stumpers by Marcy Cook
Seagulls were on the beach when a boat horn scared them. Half the number flew away but one returned. Another blast made half the number fly away, but one returned. If the number of seagulls at the end is equal to the beginning number, how many seagulls were there?
Email Ms. Skaggs to check your answer!
STEM Contest from DIY.org
www.mrwallpaper.com
BOOM! CRASH! BANG! Sounds are all around us everyday, but what is sound? DIY and Design Squad Global are asking just that. If you are curious about sound and love a good challenge, then this contest is for you! Check out all of the info at this link and happy creating!
Full STEAM Ahead #13: Cubes in Space!
Have you ever wondered what would happen to an everyday item when it travels to space? With the help of the Cubes in Space program, you no longer just have to wonder! This unique opportunity provides students ages 11-18 a chance to send their experiment into the realms of space via the Sounding Rocket or Space Balloon.
Ok, so you’ve just found out that you get a cube and have the chance to take your experiment to new heights. What would your experiment be? What would you be testing? What materials would you use? What impact would this have on our lives here on Planet Earth? Leave a comment with your idea! Stumped? Check out the student videos below that showcase ideas that got selected and launched into space!
For more information about the Cubes in Space program, check out their website at this link!