Expanding Your Horizons - Math & Science for Girls

Mill's College in Oakland Ca. had another great Expanding Your Horizons conference encouraging girls into math and science. It's so inspiring to see the many incredible women role models volunteering to do fun hands-on workshops for the girls. As for me, I just take my video camera around and shoot two second shots then quickly run it to music in imovie and play it on the big screen for the girls at the end of the day. It's great for them to be able to see themselves doing high level math, science and engineering activities. The picture shows a view of the rocketry workshop.Here's the 4 minute movie of the day. There are EYH conferences all over the country. If you'd like to do a workshop at one, or just help out, check out the national Expanding Your Horizons Network or the Mills College EYH.

Matchstick Puzzles - Old Favorites

I can't resist poking around with puzzles and matchstick puzzles are always a good distraction because they exercise the brain and you can do them as a problem solving activity or on a school field trip when you're waiting for the bus, or have them in stations. Of course we don't use matchsticks usually. Toothpicks, pine needles, twigs or anything long and thin will suffice. I was glad to run into this webpage with a great collection. Check it out. Jim Loy's Matchstick Puzzles.
The one shown here described as an olive in a martini glass, but I just say it's a cherry at the bottom of an ice cream sundae glass. Move two matchsticks to redraw the glass so the cherry is outside the glass.