Not just because it's Adam Savage from Mythbusters.
Not just because it's Adam doing the Robot.
Not just because it's Adam doing the Robot while in a Faraday Cage.
Not just because it's Adam doing the Robot while in a Faraday Cage being struck by discharges from two Tesla coils.
No. It's because they are musical Tesla coils, playing the "Doctor Who" theme.
THAT is what pushes Arc Attack into Astronomically Epic Win!
The only other time I have seen such an astronomically epic win (probably NSFW).
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Sweet Tomatoes Fundraiser on Monday, May 23
After our graduation ceremony Monday, May 23, support our SECME group with a meal at Sweet Tomatoes on Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard. The all-you-can-eat restaurant is only two miles from the convention center, and no reservations are required. For under $10, Sweet Tomatoes lets you build your own delicious meal from a 55-foot salad bar. Choose from among fresh vegetables, tossed salads, deli salads, made-from-scratch soups, pasta, muffins, focaccia, and soft-serve ice cream. Guests are invited to arrive throughout the afternoon and evening, especially from 5:00 to 8:00.
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Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
SECME Spotlight UPDATE: Kayla Permenter
The Seminole SECME spotlight shone on Kayla Permenter one year ago. This morning an update came on her.
Kayla passed her FE exam and is now nationally certified engineer. And she can place E.I. behind her name, as this summer she has an engineering internship with Archer Western in Tampa. She did her first pour this pass Sunday and everything went great. She is really loving her job. On Monday she was 217 feet up in the air on the bridge and on Tuesday she was down in the column checking the rebar getting prepared for the pour on a bridge on I-4.
The $389.5- million Interstate 4/Crosstown Connector in Tampa is a joint venture of PCL Civil Constructors of Tampa and Archer Western Contractors of Atlanta. PBS&J of Tampa is the project’s engineer. The project involves constructing multiple, elevated, one and two-lane ramps that will connect I-4 and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. The ramps will merge at one section into a 12-lane, tolled roadway that will also add designated truck ramps for improved access to the Port of Tampa. The project consists of 23 bridges, 12 of which are segmental and will entail both “span-by span” and balanced cantilever construction methods. Other work includes rehabilitation of existing I-4 bridges and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and roadway and approach tie-ins. Construction is expected to proceed over a 36-month timeline.
Kayla passed her FE exam and is now nationally certified engineer. And she can place E.I. behind her name, as this summer she has an engineering internship with Archer Western in Tampa. She did her first pour this pass Sunday and everything went great. She is really loving her job. On Monday she was 217 feet up in the air on the bridge and on Tuesday she was down in the column checking the rebar getting prepared for the pour on a bridge on I-4.The $389.5- million Interstate 4/Crosstown Connector in Tampa is a joint venture of PCL Civil Constructors of Tampa and Archer Western Contractors of Atlanta. PBS&J of Tampa is the project’s engineer. The project involves constructing multiple, elevated, one and two-lane ramps that will connect I-4 and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. The ramps will merge at one section into a 12-lane, tolled roadway that will also add designated truck ramps for improved access to the Port of Tampa. The project consists of 23 bridges, 12 of which are segmental and will entail both “span-by span” and balanced cantilever construction methods. Other work includes rehabilitation of existing I-4 bridges and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and roadway and approach tie-ins. Construction is expected to proceed over a 36-month timeline.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Graduation Exam v1895
Yesterday, at the Palm Beach Atlantic University High School Mathematics Competition, I had a chance to scroll through the questions on the HP tablet. The first problem seemed vaguely familiar to me:
A wagon box is 2 feet deep, 10 feet long, and 3 feet wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold? One busehel = 2150.42 cubic inches.
So I copied it down to Google it later, and sure enough, I had seen it, but not where you might expect:
Well, I can imagine, because our students did. Our Hawks from SECME and Mu Alpha Theta got up early on a Saturday morning and drove an hour, to competed in a mathematics tournament. These math-elites rock at a level of Mount Rushmore level of awesomeness. Take a second to recognize:
And students from MAθ:
Here some other questions they tackled:
(8 pts) Solve:
+x -4y - 4z - 3u = -4
-3x + 0y +4z + 2u = -13
+2x - 2y + 2z + 0u = 10
-5x + 2y + 1z + 0u = 16
(4 pts) Suppose a 250-lb parent climbs a muddy 45 degree hill. Calculate the force tending to make the parent slide down the muddy hill.
[A SOLUTION IS HERE, but my students converted into kilograms and answered in Newtons, because that's how we roll in Physics).
A wagon box is 2 feet deep, 10 feet long, and 3 feet wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold? One busehel = 2150.42 cubic inches.
So I copied it down to Google it later, and sure enough, I had seen it, but not where you might expect:
This is the 8th grade final exam from 1895 from Salina, Kansas. It was taken from the original document on file at the Smoky Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina, Kansas, and reprinted by the Salina Journal.It makes the rounds on teh internets, with the sender or poster or blogger usually commenting something along the lines of "Imagine a college student who went to public school trying to pass this test today, even if the few outdated questions were modernized." (but not always; thanks, snopes.com for having faith).
Well, I can imagine, because our students did. Our Hawks from SECME and Mu Alpha Theta got up early on a Saturday morning and drove an hour, to competed in a mathematics tournament. These math-elites rock at a level of Mount Rushmore level of awesomeness. Take a second to recognize:
- Captain Caitlin Miller,
- Duncan Miller,
- Yiro Shimabukoro,
- Joe Pavicic,
- Arnold Juan Banner,
- and alternates Ronit Liberman and Edwin Keo
And students from MAθ:
- Raquel Redondo,
- Robyn Exclusa,
- Summer Roque,
- Mitch Vasquez
- Joe Swierzko-Vickers
- along with Dr. Mary Jo Murray, of the Seminole Ridge High Math Department
Here some other questions they tackled:
(8 pts) Solve:
+x -4y - 4z - 3u = -4
-3x + 0y +4z + 2u = -13
+2x - 2y + 2z + 0u = 10
-5x + 2y + 1z + 0u = 16
(4 pts) Suppose a 250-lb parent climbs a muddy 45 degree hill. Calculate the force tending to make the parent slide down the muddy hill.
[A SOLUTION IS HERE, but my students converted into kilograms and answered in Newtons, because that's how we roll in Physics).
Friday, May 13, 2011
Math Days 2011
This is a reminder that the 3rd annual Palm Beach Atlantic University High School Mathematics Competition will be held on Saturday May 15, 2011 at PBAU from 8am – 1pm. Our Seminole SECME of 5 students from each school will compete using HP tablet computers and solve problems involving: Algebra, Trigonometry, Statistics and Pre-Calculus.
Click maps for directions.
Click maps for directions.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
An Evening of Poetry at the White House
May 11, 2011
7:14 P.M. EDT
Remarks by the President at Evening of Poetry at the White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/11/remarks-president-evening-poetry-white-house
The power of poetry is that everybody experiences it differently. There are no rules for what makes a great poem. Understanding it isn’t just about metaphor or meter. Instead, a great poem is one that resonates with us, that challenges us and that teaches us something about ourselves and the world that we live in. As Rita Dove says, “If [poetry] doesn’t affect you on some level that cannot be explained in words, then the poem hasn’t done its job.” Also known as, it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing...
But as a nation built on freedom of expression, poets have always played an important role in telling our American story.
It was after the bombing of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 that a young lawyer named Francis Scott Key penned the poem that would become our National Anthem. The Statue of Liberty has always welcomed the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Soldiers going off to fight in World War II were giving -- given books of poetry for comfort and inspiration. And whenever our nation has faced a great tragedy -– whether it was the loss of a civil rights leader, the crew of a space shuttle, or the thousands of Americans that were lost on a clear September day -– we have turned to poetry when we can’t find quite the right words to express what we’re feeling.
So tonight we continue that tradition by hearing from some of our greatest -– as well as some of our newest -– poets. Billy Collins, who is here with us, calls poetry “the oldest form of travel writing,” because it takes us to places we can only imagine. So in that spirit, I’d like everyone to sit back, or sit on the edge of your seats, and enjoy the journey.
7:14 P.M. EDT
Remarks by the President at Evening of Poetry at the White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/11/remarks-president-evening-poetry-white-house
The power of poetry is that everybody experiences it differently. There are no rules for what makes a great poem. Understanding it isn’t just about metaphor or meter. Instead, a great poem is one that resonates with us, that challenges us and that teaches us something about ourselves and the world that we live in. As Rita Dove says, “If [poetry] doesn’t affect you on some level that cannot be explained in words, then the poem hasn’t done its job.” Also known as, it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing...
But as a nation built on freedom of expression, poets have always played an important role in telling our American story.
It was after the bombing of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 that a young lawyer named Francis Scott Key penned the poem that would become our National Anthem. The Statue of Liberty has always welcomed the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Soldiers going off to fight in World War II were giving -- given books of poetry for comfort and inspiration. And whenever our nation has faced a great tragedy -– whether it was the loss of a civil rights leader, the crew of a space shuttle, or the thousands of Americans that were lost on a clear September day -– we have turned to poetry when we can’t find quite the right words to express what we’re feeling.
So tonight we continue that tradition by hearing from some of our greatest -– as well as some of our newest -– poets. Billy Collins, who is here with us, calls poetry “the oldest form of travel writing,” because it takes us to places we can only imagine. So in that spirit, I’d like everyone to sit back, or sit on the edge of your seats, and enjoy the journey.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
2010-2011 SECME Outstanding Student of the Year for Palm Beach County, FL (High School division): Miss Cindy Dosch
The South Florida SECME Industry Partners for Education has recognized Seminole Ridge biotechnology academy senior Cindy Dosch as the Palm Beach County 2010-2011 SECME Outstanding High School Student of the Year. Dosch will attend University of Florida in the fall to earn her degree in Mathematics. Cindy is in top five percent of this year’s senior class, is a member of the National Science Honor Society, and was the Seminole Ridge nominee for the Pathfinder High School Scholarship award for outstanding achievement in Science. Dosch was honored on Sunday, May 8, 2011 at the 17th annual Celebration of Achievement banquet in Boca Raton. This will be the third consecutive year Seminole Ridge High has the Outstanding SECME student of the year (prior winners: 2009: Kaitlin Kilpatrick, 2010: Shelby Weininger).
Says Dosch of SECME: “The theme, “Igniting Minds Through STEM Education,” is so much more than a simple phrase to me; it’s really a description of what happened to my mind this year because of SECME. I honestly like this club because it has so much to offer. Not only does one get to see the science in action and have the opportunity to truly comprehend it, it provides opportunity in other fields such as art.” Cindy was captain of the 2010-2011 Seminole SECME team, overseeing our overall Olympiad submissions. She first joined Seminole SECME in SY2009-2010, as a part of our banner team whose submission won 2nd place. This year, Cindy contributed to many teams.
AJ Fandrey (right) and Cindy (left) put the finishing touches on the balsawood bridge
Fandrey was selected as the Outstanding SECME student of Seminole Ridge. AJ has been a club member for the past two years. Last year, he joined our mousetrap vehicle (MTV) team. His hard work, attention to details, and persistence helped Seminole Ridge SECME win 3rd place in the MTV competition at the Olympiad, which in turned helped the team win 2nd place overall for the district. This year, he took responsibility for leading a team of freshmen for their MTV submission. His supervision style was a firm hand with a light touch. He helped provide continuity among changing attendance, and as a multiyear participant gave the insight only a veteran can provide.
Says Dosch of SECME: “The theme, “Igniting Minds Through STEM Education,” is so much more than a simple phrase to me; it’s really a description of what happened to my mind this year because of SECME. I honestly like this club because it has so much to offer. Not only does one get to see the science in action and have the opportunity to truly comprehend it, it provides opportunity in other fields such as art.” Cindy was captain of the 2010-2011 Seminole SECME team, overseeing our overall Olympiad submissions. She first joined Seminole SECME in SY2009-2010, as a part of our banner team whose submission won 2nd place. This year, Cindy contributed to many teams.
AJ Fandrey (right) and Cindy (left) put the finishing touches on the balsawood bridgeFandrey was selected as the Outstanding SECME student of Seminole Ridge. AJ has been a club member for the past two years. Last year, he joined our mousetrap vehicle (MTV) team. His hard work, attention to details, and persistence helped Seminole Ridge SECME win 3rd place in the MTV competition at the Olympiad, which in turned helped the team win 2nd place overall for the district. This year, he took responsibility for leading a team of freshmen for their MTV submission. His supervision style was a firm hand with a light touch. He helped provide continuity among changing attendance, and as a multiyear participant gave the insight only a veteran can provide.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter Summer 2011
SEMINOLE RIDGE SECME NEWSLETTER 'HAWK TALK'
In the Summer 2011 issue of the Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter
- Building the Best with SECME Students at South Florida Science Museum
- President Obama tells town hall at Facebook to "lift up our game" when it comes to STEM
- Liftoff! Launch Schedule for Summer 2011 at Kennedy Space Center
- SECME Spotlight on Amanda Zinski
- South Florida SECME Industry Partners Honor Hawks
- XKCD.COMic "864 - Flying Cars"
- Flyer for Fundraiser on Monday, May 23rd.
Click here to download a PDF copy of our
Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter Summer 2011 issue
PAGE 1
PAGE 2
In the Summer 2011 issue of the Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter
- Building the Best with SECME Students at South Florida Science Museum
- President Obama tells town hall at Facebook to "lift up our game" when it comes to STEM
- Liftoff! Launch Schedule for Summer 2011 at Kennedy Space Center
- SECME Spotlight on Amanda Zinski
- South Florida SECME Industry Partners Honor Hawks
- XKCD.COMic "864 - Flying Cars"
- Flyer for Fundraiser on Monday, May 23rd.
Click here to download a PDF copy of our
Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter Summer 2011 issue
PAGE 1
PAGE 2
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