All posts by lspady

#41: Future Spacecraft

Math Mini Sparks

Will future spacecraft fit in our pockets?  Learn about  this small technology and how scientists are exploring our world.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #41: Future Spacecraft
  2. Watch this video, write about some of the calculation scientist must make for these tiny spacecraft to be created. 

3. Think about the following:  NASA provides opportunities for students, researchers and industry to launch their small satellite payloads on NASA’s own launches.  What type of small satellite would you build and what type of data or experiment would you carry out if you could send a small satellite to space?

4. Read about Specific Impulse on this site.  It’s some higher level math, but try to read through it and pick out at least one new thing you can write about on your recording page.

5. Read about SmallSats and CubeSats at NASA. Record some details on your recording sheet.

6. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Wait…is this a Math Spark or a Science Spark?  Math and science are so intertwined that it’s hard to tell sometimes whether you’re doing one or the other.  Many times it’s both!

Social Studies Mini-Spark #20-Geography Wonders

Social Studies Enrichment

    Calling all Geographers!

 

Stretch your geography skills by studying several of these Wonderopolis Wonders :

Where is the Forbidden City?- #644

Where is the Windy City?- #897

Where is the Quietest Town in American?-#1557

Which City Has the Longest Name?-#1123

Where is the Oldest City in America?-#692

Where are the Suburbs?-#1547

Have You Ever Been to the Big Apple?-#718

Where is Timbuku?- #1064

Where is the Big Easy?-#1143

How are Cities Founded?-#1229

For each wonder that you study, come up with a creative way to show what you learned. If you would like, create some geography bee style questions. Share your questions and answers in the comments.

#26: STEAM Challenge: Straws

Full STEAM Ahead, Mini Challenges, Other Events & Contests

Dive in to this building challenge? Grab some straws and tape and get started! With just these two materials, you can create amazing structures.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #47: STEAM Challenge: Straws

2. Look over the STEAM challenge.

3. Make a sketch of what your structure will look like and any ideas that you have. Add a picture of your sketch to your recording page.

4. Gather the materials you will need. Ask an adult to help you if necessary.

5.  Take a picture of your supplies before you start. Add the picture to your recording sheet.

6. Take a picture of you final project at add it to your recording sheet. Record the height of your project.

7. Explain your project, what you did well on this challenge and where you can improve.

8. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Poetry Contest-Deadline April 24, 2018

Other Events & Contests

The Omaha Local Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) is sponsoring an illustrated poem contest for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Write and illustrate a poem using the CCEW theme, “Dive into Marine Chemistry.”

Contest Deadline: April 24, 2018

Contest Details: https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/outreach/ccew/illustrated-poem-contest.html

Prizes: Local winners advance to the national contest for a chance to win cash prizes. ACS will award $300 to first-place and $150 to second-place national contest winners in each grade category!

Winners of the Omaha Local Section’s Illustrated Poem Contest will advance to the National Illustrated Poem Contest for a chance to be featured on the ACS website and to win prizes!

 

#40: Universal Calendar Puzzle

Math Mini Sparks

This is a date calculation puzzle to try! Other date puzzles can be found at Math Mini Spark #30 and #90.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #40: Universal Calendar Puzzle
  2.  Take notes as you watch the tutorial. It is also helpful to pause the video while you are watching to do the calculations. NOTE Pause the video and calculate the date 10.19.1902.  Unpause the video to see if you were correct.

3. Please complete two date calculations of your choice from start to finish and put the date, your math and your solution on your recording page.

4. This info sheet is very helpful.  You can print it to help you do step number 3.

5. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Tech Savvy April 21, 2018

Other Events & Contests
Tech Savvy, a program of AAUW,  introduces girls in 6th through 9th grades to many types of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers and teaches “savvy skills” such as critical thinking, sharing opinions, financial literacy, and negotiation.

Tech Savvy will be held April 21, 2018, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the College of St. Mary, 7000 Mercy Rd, Omaha, NE.

Find out more at: https://aauw-ne.aauw.net/tech-savvy/

#39: Hexaflexagon DIY

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized

Learn how to make a really fun geometric toy—a Hexaflexagon! There are many types of flexagons. The names of flexagons tell the type of polygon and the number of faces.  Hexaflexagons are paper polygons you will create in this math mini spark. They were first discovered in 1939 by Arthur Stone, who set up a Flexagon Committee to investigate their properties.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #39: Hexaflexagon DIY
  2. Add information to your recording page about these shapes from the intro above.
  3. Watch this Vi Hart video. Add  5 math terms from the video to your note taking page.

4. Look over these PDFs that will help you make your own.  Print off the instruction page and the the template. READ IT VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU START.

5. OPTIONAL: If you would  like to try larger puzzle here is a page with instructions and other templates.

6. Snap a picture of your finished project and add it to your recording page.

7. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Info from: http://www.auntannie.com/Geometric/HexaHexaFlexagon/

Central Honors Institute

Other Events & Contests
The Central Honors Institute (CHI) is a five-day residential academic camp for middle school students who have completed the 6th or 7th grade and who have demonstrated academic accomplishments, leadership and maturity among their peers.

Students attend classes during the day (see below) and socialize with peers in the evenings while experiencing life on a community college campus.

  • CHI Stream Team: During this biology based track, Stream Team campers will investigate living and non-living objects, food web, and biodiversity in a nearby aquatic ecosystem.
  • FLY CHI Track:  This track will focus on the fascinating aspect of flight from archery to ornithology, rockets, gliders, combustion and beyond!
  • CSI at CHI Track: Campers in this track will investigate and solve a number of puzzling cases throughout the week.
  • CHI Creativity Track: Campers will explore their creative potential through teamwork and cooperation.

To learn more, visit: https://www.cccneb.edu/chi/

Applications are due May 1, 2018

Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest

Other Events & Contests, Uncategorized
The Friends of Omaha Public Library are currently accepting submissions for the Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest.  The contest is for students in 5-8th grade.  First prize in each grade is $100.

The Virginia Frank Memorial Writing contest is held each year in the spring to recognize the creative writing talent of area students. This contest, sponsored by the Friends of Omaha Public Library, recognizes the top three winners from each grade. Each winner receives a cash prize and certificate, is recognized in a ceremony at the library, and has their story published on the library website. The school libraries of each winning student are also recognized with a matching cash prize.

Eligibility Requirements

    • Stories must be submitted with an entry form to be considered. Complete all fields either online or on a printed entry form and submit with your story.
    • Students must be in 5th to 8th grade and live in Douglas or Sarpy counties.
    • Students may be enrolled in public, private, parochial or home school.
    • Stories must be typed and no longer than 750 words.
    • Entries must be original fiction featuring a character from a book you have enjoyed and read on your own. Identify the book and author from which your character originated in the title or subtitle of your story.
    • Only one entry per contestant will be accepted.
    • The decision of the judges is final.
    • All entries become the property of Friends of Omaha Public Library (FOPL) and may be featured by Omaha Public Library on its website or social media.
    • Deadline for entries is February 28, 2020.

    Prizes

    • First ($100), second ($75) and third place ($50)
    • Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners from each grade.
    • The school library of the winning students will be recognized with matching cash prizes.

Read the winning stories from the 2019 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest

About Virginia Frank

The Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest began in 2003 and is named in honor of a longtime Friends of Omaha Public Library volunteer. Virginia Frank was a Central High and UNO graduate. She acquired a master’s degree from Brown University and taught English literature and creative writing at UNO for many years. Her passion for students and young people inspired everyone around her, and her enthusiasm encouraged many students to explore their creative writing talents. Frank volunteered thousands of hours with the Friends of OPL to help ensuring a bright future for our public libraries.