Celebrating Pi Day!

"Celebrated each year on March 14th (3.14), Pi Day is dedicated to the mathematical constant, Pi. First recognized 30 years ago in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw, Pi Day observers often celebrate with a slice of their favorite pie in honor of the number’s delicious sounding name.

Notated by the Greek letter “𝛑”, pi represents the ratio between a circle’s circumference (perimeter) to its diameter (distance from side to side passing through the center), and is a fundamental element of many mathematical fields, most significantly Geometry. Though modern mathematicians have calculated more than one TRILLION decimal places beyond the standard “3.14,” pi is an irrational number that continues on to infinity! It’s an important ingredient in the formula for the area of a circle, A=𝛑r²." (Google)

Don't forget to work out some math:

Pi Day Word Problems!

Now listen to some music made with Pi:

Go to Steve Splangler Science to check out how the tubing and spiket looks like.
Not just Cute website had an idea to  use a funnel at the end of the hose to create a bigger bubble. They did not use a spiket but did use sticky tac to seal around the tube.





For more fun experiments visit Sick Science

Math, Science, and Engineering

The kids really enjoyed the activities offered by Edheads.  A couple enjoyed pretending to be surgeons. You have to have a strong stomach still even though is done through a virtual animation. They have other activities related to math and engineering enthusiasts.

What happens to a balloon released into the air?

The kids and their uncle released a balloon into the air last night after celebrating my nephew's birthday. So today the little ones wondered what could have happened to the balloon. We talked about different posssibilities. Then one of them help me find this youtube video. It is really cool!




 Here is more fun about space:

Science off the Sphere: Yo-Yos in Space

Chris Hadfield on how eyesight is affected in space

Drinking in space station

Calculus CSI Parody

A funny way of reviewing Calculus terms and subject!

Nature by Numbers/Numeros en la Naturaleza

Mathematical Sketching

Mathematical sketching is an educational concept that uses  modern computer technological tools like digital pen, software, and touch screens to sketch mathematical problems  in a way that will show the real life application for such problems. A math pad is the result of this creative idea. 

"Mathematical sketching lets users create dynamic illustrations through the association of hand written mathematics and free-form drawings. These dynamic illustrations have the potential to provide useful insights into a variety of abstract concepts in Physics. Thus, mathematical sketching lends itself, with its pencil-and-paper-based interaction approach, to be a natural interface to intelligent tutoring applications."*

"Dr. Joe LaViola, a professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science,
...and several colleagues are working to commercialize the program and started a software company based in Boston, Massachusetts. He sees the application being commercially available in as little as one to two years.  Currently, testing of the application is being conducted with Calculus I students at UCF and he will extend the tests to Calculus II...Teachers have been overwhelmingly positive (of the program),” said LaViola. “Not only is it a tool for teachers to explain math concepts, students also benefit by being able to visualize them, which adds to their understanding. Although the program is currently only being tested at the high school and freshman college level, its reach could easily extend to middle and elementary school students as well,” added La Viola."**


*Towards Intelligent Tutoring with Mathematical Sketching
**Mathematical Sketching Comes to Life