Lessons in Design: Optimization

Today, VMNH educator, Robin Jensen, coordinated an activity to teach the students about optimization in design and repurposing waste for useful products. The VMNH MHC-After 3 students were required to construct stand-alone structures with all of the waste items they chose from a large trash bag. One group of students chose to build a “monster truck” while the other group made a “sorority house” (see pictures below). The students showed great creativity and resolve to complete structures under the given constraints and attested to the scientific skills that were used.

Math Session: Blokus Game

Mrs. Bredamus and the students played a competitive game of Blokus. The game forced the students to carefully scrutinize the placement of each geometric shape, known as a polyomino (polygon created from less simple geometric shapes, squares for Blokus), on the game board in order to be successful. All of the VMNH student participants seemed to thoroughly enjoy the game and in the process, enhance their geometric and critical thinking skills.

PHCC: School of Craft & Design Activity

Led by art instructors from the Patrick Henry Community College School of Craft & Design, the students made custom jewelry pieces. Each student was allowed freedom in the artistic direction of their personal pieces as well as whether the adorned glass would become a necklace or pin.

MHC After-3 Fall Carnival!

All of the students from each MHC After-3 site convened at Piedmont Arts Association for a classic fall carnival. The students participated in games created by each site, including a corn toss game, a football toss, sticky darts, and several other unique games. In addition to games, there was also traditional carnival fare like hot hot dogs, cotton candy, caramel apples, and popcorn. All of the student and parent participants genuinely enjoyed the event and the excursion from normal programming.

Music Workshop

Doug Williams, musician extraordinaire, presided over a very entertaining two-day songwriting workshop. On the first day he noted the fundamentals of songwriting, taking the students step-by-step through the process of constructing a well organized, yet organic sounding song. On the second day, the instruction culminated into a creative song produced by the students with Doug’s assistance. Please see the video below, to see the students’ work.

Math Tutoring

Students took part in a mathematics workshop, led by instructor Mrs. Bredamus. Students first completed a timed math quiz as a warm-up exercise. Afterwards, the students were split into two teams and competed in a quiz bowl style math competition, answering questions from a math influenced narrative.

Oobleck

Today, VMNH MHC After-3 participants investigated the dilatant (increased viscosity with mixing) property of non-newtonian fluids under the guidance of Youth Education Coordinator, Robin Jensen, by making "oobleck" (a mixture of cornstarch and water). Students excitedly observed that the mixture has properties of a solid and a liquid.