Demo Day 8/31

Seminole SECME is having a demonstration day to recruit. Students interested in science, engineering, and math are asked to attend the 1st meeting Wed., Aug. 31, 2011 from 3- 4:30 PM in room 5-107. Or see Mr. Landstrom for more information.Seminole SECME is an after-school engineering club with hands-on projects. Get creative with contests to race robots, rockets, and mousetrap powered rovers!

Amazing Podcast from Planet Money on Bridge Building

You know we do bridge building in SECME and at "Drop It, Build It, Fly It, Launch It, Thrill It." So I listened to this "Planet Money" podcast today, and if you have a few minutes I think you'll enjoy listening to it as well. Especially since the bridge is crumbling and will need to be replaced in the two decades, at a potential cost of $6 BILLION dollars.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/08/09/139276566/the-tuesday-podcast-a-big-bridge-in-the-wrong-place

You would never look at a map of the Hudson River, point to the spot where the Tappan Zee Bridge is, and say, "Put the bridge here!"

The Tappan-Zee crosses one of the widest points on the Hudson — the bridge is more than three miles long. And if you go just a few miles south, the river gets much narrower.

Our question for today's show: Why did they build a three-mile-long bridge when they could have built a much shorter, cheaper bridge nearby?

Our search for an answer leads us to a forensic engineer, the Statue of Liberty, and a governor who wanted to be an opera singer.

SECME: Plan it, Build it, Live it!

Sen. Rubio asks: what's next for NASA?

SpaceX Marks the Spot! Less than three weeks after the senator asked his probing question, SpaceX posted a status update that suggested the gap is closing more rapidly than Rubio or I were aware. Click the link for the full article.

NASA Finds Evidence of Humans of Moon

Happy 42nd Anniversary, Apollo 11!

Vesta Fiesta: Dawn Spacecraft Snaps Close-up Image of Asteroid Vesta

NASA's Dawn spacecraft, which over the weekend became the first spacecraft to orbit a main-belt asteroid, has just returned a close-up image of Vesta.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/18jul_dawn4/

Vesta Fiesta: Dawn Set to Orbit Giant Asteroid on July 15th

On July 15, NASA's ion-propelled Dawn spacecraft will become the first mission to enter orbit around a main-belt asteroid.
FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/15jul_dawn2/

Eyes to Skies Friday, August 12th at 7:00 pm.
Celebrate the beginning of Dawn's year-long exploration of new worlds. After close to four years cruising at stunning speeds, the robotic spacecraft is catching up to the object of its first destination in the main asteroid belt: Vesta. Don't Dawn and Vesta deserve a fiesta?
- Come hear talks from local Solar System Educator
- Enjoy kids’ activities like the Dawn Relay Race, Is the Asteroid like a Grape or a Raisin? and Vegetable Light Curves.

The Children's Science Explorium at Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton, FL, 300 South Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33486 (Recommended for Ages 8+)

- All children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
- No registration required - just show up! The telescope will be out for at least one hour after the scheduled start time.
http://www.scienceexplorium.org/family-programs
phone: (561) 347-3912
email: Explorium@myboca.us

Explorium engineerin​g challenges this fall

The Children's Science Explorium at Sugar Sand Park in Boca has family programs this fall which I think will be interesting for SECME coordinators. The October bridge and the December glider are on Sunday mornings.

Monthly Family Challenges
http://www.scienceexplorium.org/family-programs
Are you tired of the same old weekend routine? Is your family ready for a challenge? Each month the CSE will be hosting a friendly competition where families can put their skills to the test and work as a team to build, create, test and change up your weekend fun!
* Pre-registration is required and will begin four (4) weeks prior to challenge dates.
* Register in person at the front desk of the Sugar Sand Park Community Center or online through Webtrac. *NOTE: You will have to register in person the first time in order to set up a Webtrac account.
* All program materials will be provided.

September: Egg Drop Challenge
Use a variety of recyclable materials to design and build a raw egg protector. We will test the designs by dropping them from heights of 6,12, and 20 feet.
Date & Time: Saturday, Sept. 17, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 5+ with parent/guardian
Cost: $15.00 adult/child pair, $5.00 each additional person

October: Bridge Building Competition
Test your engineering skills by building a model bridge out of simple materials. Test your structure by adding weight.
Date & Time: Sunday, Oct. 16, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 5+ with parent/guardian
Cost: $15.00 adult/child pair, $5.00 each additional person

November: Crash Test Challenge
Can your team build a car using K'nex that will survive the crash wall?
Date & Time: Saturday, Nov. 19, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 5+ with parent/guardian
Cost: $15.00 adult/child pair, $5.00 each additional person

December: Glider Competition
How high can you fly? Construct a glider and test its ability to fly through a set of obstacles.
Date & Time: Sunday, Dec. 11, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 5+ with parent/guardian
Cost: $15.00 adult/child pair, $5.00 each additional person

Brain Teasers at the Explorium

BRAIN TEASERS 2

Gain new appreciation for your brain and what it can do with Brain Teasers 2. This exhibit offers 20 challenges for puzzle enthusiasts of all ages. The exhibit is designed to sharpen problem-solving skills and provide plenty of fun.

Visitors must use creative thinking and problem solving strategies such as looking for patterns, thinking ahead, setting aside preconceived ideas, and looking at problems from different perspectives.

Can you separate two linked metal hearts and then reassemble them? Arrange standard geometric shapes to create startling new ones? Solve a maze that is apparently unsolvable? Those who can't the first time have been known to come back and try again!

Solutions after the jump!

SOLUTIONS
Brain Teasers 2: disorder (challenge 2 solution)



Brain Teasers 2: Color Match (solution)




Brain Teasers 2: ten pegs in each row (24 peg solution)

Brain Teasers 2: ten pegs in each row (26 peg solution)





Brain Teasers 2: Color Match (solution)

Roy Shears Suggests: SECME Themes

SECME: Engineering the key that turns the future of STEM
SECME: The key to unlocking the future of STEM
SECME: Unlocking doors to the miracles of STEM

Judy Wall-Townsend suggests
SECME: The root to STEM
SECME: The seed to our STEM future

Tanisha Wesby suggests
"SECME: The root that will help anchor STEM education and the seed to cultivate minds!"