February 2015 Tween/Teen STEM Challenge

Each month one of the homeschool groups we belong to does a STEM Challenge.  This month the challenge was to construct a zip line that would drop a marble onto a target.

The materials included:

• kite string
• index cards
• marbles
• tape
• paper clips
• paper cup
• scissors
• a bulls-eye target

Sometimes the kids work in groups but my munchkin decided to work on her own.  We have this event at a local library and only have a short time - 2 hours to be exact - so the kids have to work quickly,  My child does not.  For part of her daily school work I had her draft and test her design at home.  She was not able to bring her design with her, but constructed it on location.  

Although most of the kids had the same design some worked better than others due to the construction.  This was a great way to teach the kids about motion and forces, transfer of energy and technological design.  

She placed first in the girls category AND overall.  Let's just say she had bragging rights for a month and left with a smile on her face.

Want to do this on your own?  Visit Starfish Education:  The Brown Bag STEM Challenge.

Knock, Knock...

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Ben.
Ben who?
Ben away for a while but I'm back now!

I can't believe how long ago my last post was!  We went on vacation and things just got crazy!  We joined a couple of homeschool groups and they are hoppin'.  There is always something going on.  My child has more of a social life than I do!  

With homeschooling, homeschool co-ops, holiday parties, choir, church functions, civic meetings, CERT meetings and training, the list could go on and on, but I am tired just typing it.  I am finding it hard to keep up with chores, specifically organization.  Oh, and I might add, I was offered a part time job (that pays) and I took it!

So what am I going to do?  I am going to restructure my life.  I need to get back into exercising, specifically walking.  I signed up to do my first 5k - "A Walk for Epilepsy."  Being that I have epilepsy, I thought this would be a perfect thing for my first walk.  I'm a little excited and a lot nervous.  Excited that I am finally biting the bullet to do this but nervous in that I will fail or not follow through.  Yesterday I worked a marathon water station which I love doing, but somehow I sprained my knee.  I have no idea how, all I know is that it hurts.  Bad.  

I have a number of things I need to do to organize my life to prepare for this new chapter.  Guess I need to start...yesterday!