World Cup Can Boost Math Skills

Author: Darci Ramirez; Published: Jun 29, 2010; Category: Classroom materials, Math; Tags: Children, Classroom Instruction, Education, Engineering, Lesson Plans, Math, Parent, Student, Teacher; Comments: Be the first

Using math during summer activities can keep skills sharp. And, let’s face it; math isn’t usually the first thing on a kid’s mind during summer vacation.

Sporting events, like the World Cup, make it easy to apply math while having fun. Any game that keeps score uses math. Which team is most likely to win?  Determine the probability by dividing the number of times that the team has won by the total number of events.

Ever noticed how a soccer ball (football) is made from several flat shapes? Kids can learn basic geometry by cutting and sewing pieces of cloth together and filling it with a soft material to make an indoor ball. By the way, did you know the shape of a soccer ball is called a “truncated icosahedron?”  You’re kids probably didn’t know either! Look it up with them and find out what it means.

Any geometry whizzes out there? Think from a goalkeeper’s perspective: if an attacking player approaches, where does the goalkeeper stand to prevent a score? How far in front of the goal? What would the position be to maximize reach while diving forward towards the ball rather than sideways? When positioned far from the goal, a goalkeeper can get a single player’s ball more easily, but the attacking player can more easily kick the ball over the goalkeeper. If a second opponent approaches at the same time, that player has a free path to the goal. Whew – that’s a lot of math!

If calculus is your thing, soccer matches are filled with complex aerodynamics. Analyze the way balls curve and swerve through the air. The shape and surface of a soccer ball, and its initial orientation, play a fundamental role in its trajectory. For example, the seams of a soccer ball cause more turbulence than would a perfectly smooth sphere with no seams.

Find more ideas from the NY Times for teaching and learning with the World Cup.

Sizzling summer science activities held at Houston Children’s Museum

Author: Darci Ramirez; Published: Jun 24, 2010; Category: Education outreach, Energy, Energy Education, Engineering Careers, SPE members, Volunteering; Tags: Children, Education, Engineering, science, Volunteer; Comments: Be the first

Houston’s summer heat didn’t stop young professionals from teaching students engineering concepts. A group of ten volunteers from the Society of Petroleum Engineers Gulf Coast Section (SPE-GCS) participated in family night at the Houston Children’s Museum on June 10th. Admission to the museum was free for both parents and kids for this event, resulting in a great turnout for a weeknight during summer vacation.  

Teams of the SPE-GCS volunteers worked in one hour shifts in three parts of the museum.  Kids and parents learned about molecules and physical properties in the “Matter Factory”. Various kinds of forces and engineering machines were explored in the “Building Zone” and the “How Does it Work” exhibits.  Surface tension and a pressure versus density exercises were demonstrated at the “Experiment Bench”. 

This was not a one-time outreach for these energetic volunteers. Throughout the year, they have educated youth on math, science, engineering and energy during the Houston Children’s Museum Invention Convention, a Girl Scout science and engineering badge day at Rice University, Houston’s Elves and More Bike Build, volunteer day at the Houston Arboretum, and a Boy Scout merit badge day. They also participated in six high school career fairs. All this in the last year!

Last February, the young professionals visited with Girl Scouts at GEMS (Girls Exploring Math and Science) held at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The museum’s Grand Hall and permanent exhibit halls were filled with hands-on science and math activities. The SPE volunteers demonstrated the Energy4me Kit and talked with girls about engineering careers in the energy industry.

Educational outreach wouldn’t be possible without dedicated volunteers like these. Here’s a big thank you, Gulf Coast Section young professionals, for sharing your time and expertise with kids in the Houston area!

 See additional photos from the SPE-GCS young professional education outreach events.

FREE Teacher Workshop in Houston!

Author: Darci Ramirez; Published: Jun 21, 2010; Category: Classroom materials, Education outreach, Energy, Energy Education, SPE members, Volunteering; Tags: Earth science, Education, Energy, science, SPE, Teacher, Volunteer; Comments: Be the first

For the fourth year, The Environmental Institute of Houston (EIH) / University of Houston Clear Lake (UHCL) will offer Earth Science and Energy Education: A Summer Institute for Teachers July 12-16. The workshop is free for K-8 teachers thanks to a generous sponsorship from the Society of Petroleum Engineers – Gulf Coast Section.

The week-long workshop focuses on geology and earth science. Teacher will learn hands-on activities relating to volcano/earthquake locations, plate movements and boundaries, mountain ranges, continental drift through time w/coordinating data to support it, fault types, convection currents, and internet sites w/ earthquake and volcano. Teacher will also have the opportunity to meet energy professionals, learn about careers related to the energy profession, and discover the geological formations in the greater Houston area. Teacher will also receive supporting materials focusing on geology, earth science and related topics, such as Energy4me’s Oil and Natural Gas book, and will take a field trip to the Ocean Star, located in Galveston or the Museum of Natural Science, Wiess Energy Hall.

Teachers can find additional details and register to attend at: http://prtl.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/EIH/calendar/

Attention SPE Gulf Coast Section Volunteers!

See how you can support this exciting event by participating in informal discussions about your discipline with teachers the morning of July 15, 2010. Read more in the SPE volunteer section of the Energy4me.org website.

Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? Not these kids.

Author: Darci Ramirez; Published: Jun 15, 2010; Category: Classroom materials, Engineering Careers; Tags: Careers, Children, Education, Engineering, School, science, STEM, Technology; Comments: Comments Off

This week, the New York Times published an article about programs used introduce kindergarteners to engineering. Kids go through the A-B-C’s of the engineering process to structure a house for the Three Little Pigs that the big bad wolf just can’t blow down, amongst other activities.

The fact is, most kids don’t understand what engineers do. Not to mention engineering’s big bad image problem. We know the untrue stereotypes — sitting alone at at computer with wild hair, a pocket protector and thick glasses.

These kids are getting a taste of what engineering involves and how it can be a fun, rewarding career for all kinds of grown-ups. Solving problems. Creating. Working in teams. Referring to these types of class projects as “engineering” teaches kids that this is what engineering is all about.

Remember this: engineers change the world. They develop creative, practical solutions that make a difference in our everyday lives. Engineers work with other smart, inspiring people to invent, design and create things that matter. Together, we can huff and puff and blow those old stereotypes down.