STEM Sim Ex

Happy Pi Day! How many numbers can you say from memory?

NASA’s Webb Scores Another Ringed World With New Image of Uranus Following in the footsteps of the Neptune image released in 2022, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has taken a stunning image of the solar system’s other ice giant, the planet Uranus. The new image features dramatic rings as well as bright features in the planet’s atmosphere.

Early exposure to STEM/STEAM opens new horizons. Check out this great article about a University of South Florida student who reached for the stars ✨

USF student illustrates children’s book for NASA Andrea Coloma has interned with NASA five times, working on a variety of 2D and 3D illustration and animation projects. Her fifth internship concluded with the creation of an educational children's book about the Artemis I mission.

What a view!

On flight day 13 of the I mission, NASA’s Orion Spacecraft reached its maximum distance from Earth, 268,563 miles away from home.

Orion has now traveled farther than any other spacecraft designed to carry humans to deep space and safely return them to Earth. go.nasa.gov/3Fd8hf1

The next launch attempt for the NASA Moon Rocket (SLS) will be in the early morning hours of Wednesday 11/14. The entire peninsula of Florida and parts of Georgia may be able to see this historic night launch! Here is a great graphic showing visibility without cloud cover.

The window opens about 1 am Eastern and lasts about 2 hours. Follow NASA for the live broadcast and updates. If this attempt is scrubbed (cancelled) the next earliest attempt would be Friday 11/18.

A total lunar eclipse – sometimes called a – is set to peak Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 5:17am ET (1017 UTC). It's the last one until 2025.

Find out if you’re in an eclipse viewing area or watch it live with NASA Moon experts: go.nasa.gov/3Te4FNt

A trailblazer in the world of computing, Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper is the person who taught computers to "talk". Her desire to make computers more accessible led Hopper to invent the compiler in 1952, which allowed for the use of English instructions as opposed to numerical code that had to be interpreted by a computer. She also co-invented the Common Business Oriented Language (COBOL), the first universal computer language used in business and government.

Considered by many “the first lady of software,” Grace Hopper was a visionary who consistently demonstrated her interest in pushing boundaries and exploring new territories. As journalist Morley Safer, who interviewed Hopper for 60 Minutes in 1983, observed: "She is more than just a superb mathematical talent; it was Grace Hopper who helped teach the machines a language, stopped them from speaking in undecipherable numbers, enabled them to speak in English or French or German or whatever language you choose." Dr. Hopper was also a mathematics professor during a time when such careers were highly unusual for women and was actively involved with the U.S. Navy for over 40 years.

Dr. Hopper was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016 by President Barack Obama. In a speech, he commended her decades of service, observing: "While the women who pioneered software were often overlooked, the most prestigious award for young computer scientists now bear her name. From cell phones to cyber command, we can thank Grace Hopper for opening programming to millions more people, helping to usher in the information age and profoundly shaping our digital world."

To inspire kids with Grace Hopper's incredible story, we highly recommend the picture book, "Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code” for ages 5 to 9 at https://www.amightygirl.com/hopper-queen-of-code

She is also featured in a fun activity book about pioneering women in technology, which includes a variety of hands-on STEM projects: "Gutsy Girls Go for Science: Programmers" for ages 8 to 11 at https://www.amightygirl.com/gutsy-girls-programmers

For adult readers, we recommend the two excellent biographies on this technology trailblazer, we recommend "Grace Hopper: Admiral of the Cyber Sea" (https://www.amightygirl.com/grace-hopper-cyber-sea) and "Grace Hopper and the Invention of the Information Age" (https://www.amightygirl.com/grace-hopper-information-age)

For a fun way to celebrate this pioneering computer scientist, she is among several women of science featured on the "Greatest Women in Science Socks" for teens and adults at https://www.amightygirl.com/greatest-women-in-science-socks

For toys and kits designed to encourage your Mighty Girl of all ages in programming, visit our blog post: "Code Like A Mighty Girl: 50 Toys & Books To Inspire Mighty Girl Coders" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=16049

Science is the search for truth. There will always be more to learn.



https://weather.com/en-IN/india/space/news/2022-04-02-speed-of-sound-is-slower-on-mars-than-on-earth

Audio Recorded by NASA's Perseverence Reveals Speed of Sound is Slower on Mars Than on Earth | The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com While a 'deep silence prevails' on the Red Planet, NASA rover Perseverance has captured several interesting noises during its explorations. - Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com

Happy π Day! (Pi Day, 3.14159…Day, 3/14)

Today we’re STEAMing it up with our founder Lisa Pineda and one of our favorite artists, Salvador Dali! Here are a few cool ideas Ms. Lisa has come up with to make the most of this important day:

“One of my favorite things with to do with students on π Day is teach about the relationship π has with art, specifically using artists like Escher & Dali. Since we are based in St. Pete, FL, I’ve always partnered with The Dalí Museum whenever possible. They have a great outdoor garden and art room that is free to the public, so even when budgets are tight, it’s still a viable option. They also now offer deep discounted tickets to families who find themselves on government asssistence. If you have a library card, you can also check out passes for free from local libraries!”

“In the Dali garden, there are bunch of pavers set out in a straight line andnext to it, a bunch of pavers in a circle with several in a straight line through the middle. It demonstrates π by showing that if you count the pavers in the middle and then multiple by π (3.14159…) you end up the the number of pavers around the perimeter. The straight line is that same number of pavers, but it looks like more to many because they are in a long line rather than in the circle. It’s a very concrete, pun intended, and fun way to physically demonstrate how π works.”

Try this fun activity that Ms. Lisa does with scholars of all ages, but the younger ones, or those that may be challenged with concentration or dexterity may just need a little more support:

“You will need:

1 piece of paper
1 ruler
1 pencil/pen
1 small circular plate (needs to fit on paper)
1 3 ft (1 meter) long piece of string/yarn/shoelace
1 calculator
Markers/crayons/paint

1) Put plate on paper and trace.

2) Use ruler to measure across the middle of the circle at the widest part and draw a line Now measure to find the diameter (d) Write down the number next to the line. Divide by 2 if you want to find the radius (r)

3) Make a guess how long the line is that makes the circle. Write guess next to the circle with a ? next to it.

4) Now is the fun part! Use your calculator to find the circumference, or the distance around the circle, by multiplying the diameter, (straight line across the middle) x 3.14 (you can leave off the other numbers since we aren’t going for super exact)

5) Write down that number next to the circle. Is it what you expexted? How can you test your answer to see if it’s correct?

6) Let’s test our answer! Take your yarn/shoelace and carefully lay it down on top of it. Be very careful to follow it exactly.

7) When you finish the whole circle, mark where you finished tracing your circle.

8)Lay your string out straight and measure! Pretty long, right?! You will probably have to pick up your ruler so make sure you mark it before you do so you know where to start again! Does the length you measured match the number you found with your calculator?

Discussion: Circles are ALWAYS a little more than 3 times longer around than they are wide. Since we know this is a fact, we don’t have to measure the circumferences of circles or spheres, we can just use a formula! That really comes in handy when you start to talk about things like orbits of planets!

Write this in the top of your paper and commit to memory, you’ll thank me later: “C=𝜋d or C=2𝜋r”

After that, it’s time to decorate! Let your inner Dali ( or other artist) shine! Crayons, markers, paint…use your creativity to emphasis your circle and diameter, as well as celebrate π Day 🎉

For older scholars, write this down for reference later:

C=𝜋d means “Circumference = 3.14…x Diameter”

C=2𝜋r means “Circumference = 2 x 3.14… x radius (half of diameter)”

Now, let’s eat a Pi(e) to celebrate! Pizza Pie, Apple Pie, or Pecan Pie, they are all circles and you know what that means?! You now know how to calculate the circumference of them all! You can also figure out the area, but we’ll save that for another day. Enjoy!”

https://www.artpublikamag.com/post/the-calculated-madness-of-salvador-dali-s-mathematical-life-an-analysis

The Calculated Madness of Salvador Dali's Mathematical Life: An analysis The deeply intellectual relationship between mathematician and artist is unsurprising, but one may not instinctively associate it with Dalí.

Finally doing our thang again! Looking forward to more of this in 2022!

Interstellar!

Meet an Astronaut

Here is a tried and true engineering project that’s fun (and yummy) to do with kids! Enjoy!

Make a Solar-Powered Oven Explore Kids Workshops online.​

Looking for some engineering activities to do at home? Check this out! http://www.discovere.org/at-home-engineering

Thank you DiscoverE for the great resource!

At Home Engineering As we all figure out new learning at home strategies, DiscoverE has collected a series of articles which offer suggestions, activities with just a few materials, and videos you can use to engage your students or child in engineering.

Primary Types of Friction Explained using iRacing with the NASCAR Hall of Fame!

Primary Types of Friction Explained | SPARK! Online Education Learn more about our online education: www.nascarhall.com/spark

Looking for a fun and educational activity for the summer? How about making your own bouncy ball?!?

STEM Experiment: Make Your Own Bouncy Balls - ImagineThat If your kids think that the idea of a STEM experiment, learning about polymers, sounds like life before Snapchat (aka, boring!), then we’ve got a word for you: Boing!

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/918314/1/data-allows-young-drivers-reach-top-level-faster-de-ferran

Advancements in learning and technology is making a strong influence in the professional landscape, and poses a new set of opportunities for youth in the future!

Data allows young drivers to reach top level faster - de Ferran McLaren sporting director Gil de Ferran believes the depth of data available to young drivers in Formula 1 enables them to reach a higher level far quicker than ever before.F1 rookies Lando Norris and Toro Rosso’s Alexander Albon have made an impressive start to the 2019 season despite a lack of e...

https://www.bedfordnow.com/news/20190424/distracted-driving-simulator-touring-monroe-county-schools

This type of simulation helps teenagers and young adults see the importance of decision making during driving without putting them at risk. STEM education is working to push forward simulation so youth can learn in a safer environment!

Distracted driving simulator touring Monroe County schools Students at area high schools will learn about the hazards of distracted driving via a simulator system.

Exciting announcement coming soon!



https://www.iracing.com/iracing-partners-donate-to-pinellas-county-science-center-students-win/?fb_action_ids=4691372487684&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B144266152418853%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.likes%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

Yes!!!

All-girl engineer team invents solar-powered tent for the homeless A group of teen girls learned to code, solder, sew, and 3D-print to invent a solar-powered tent for the homeless.