Teach real math through computer programing

In this TED Talk, Conrad Wolfram says:

... the part of math we teach -- calculation by hand -- isn't just tedious, it's mostly irrelevant to real mathematics and the real world. He presents his radical idea: teaching kids math through computer programming.

This is a full TED Talk, it will last 17 minutes but it is well worth it.



I remember struggling with word problems for a time in my early schools days. Some additional help was required and then one day, it clicked. I realized that the words could indeed be changed to an equation, that the equation could indeed be solved. Since then, problem solving has been one of my strengths. Not even the world's worst word problem stops me any more:

If a hen and a half laid an egg and a half in a day and a half, how long would it take a monkey 

with a wooden leg to kick all the seeds out of a dill pickle?

Once I found this problem in Tom Robbins novel "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues", it went to memory and hasn't left yet.

Do you have a memorable word problem?



Franklin, MA

Funding Storm Water Management - Dec 6th, 3:00 PM

Stormwater management is a growing challenge for local governments. As a resource that is increasingly regulated, municipalities must develop approaches that protect and enhance how stormwater is handled.

Please join us for a presentation and discussion of potential funding options to support stormwater management in your community and the surrounding region.

The flyer and details can be viewed here:

FundingStormwaterMgt_101122

The towns of Bellingham, Franklin and Milford have been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as pilot communities for draft enhanced stormwater regulations. To assist the towns with potential challenges associated with these regulations, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is developing background materials on Stormwater Utilities, which operate similarly to other public services like water supply and wastewater. MAPC is preparing information on state laws supporting use of a Stormwater Utility, the structure and administration of a utility, and case studies of other communities in Massachusetts and the US where stormwater utilities are in existence or are under consideration.

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.

If you miss the Franklin time slot, there is also one later in Bellingham:

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council will give a presentation on the effects of the Environmental Protection Agency’s newly enacted stormwater management regulations at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday, Dec. 6.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and will be held in Arcand Meeting Room at the Municipal Center, 10 Mechanic St.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x999955476/Stormwater-management-regulation-presentation-next-Monday-in-Bellingham



Franklin, MA

In the News - Commuter rail, Storm water regulations, new restaurant, Circle of Friends

Commuter Rail updates schedule on Franklin Line

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Stormwater regulations will be discussed in Franklin

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

New restaurant coming to Franklin

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Circle of Friends presents Winterbloom Dec. 4

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin, MA

Eric Berlow: How complexity leads to simplicity

A wonderful lesson in about 3 minutes. Yes, the commercial at the end is 2 minutes so the total is 5, 5 minutes! Watch, listen, and enjoy.





Franklin, MA

In the News - apartment proposal, split tax

Franklin residents say apartment proposal is too big

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson, Daily News staff

Bellingham shifts tax burden from businesses to homeowners

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Joe O'Connell, Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Hungry together

The Boston Sunday Globe, Globe West section, had an article covering the rising need for food in MA communities. Franklin is no exception to this. The economic conditions and persistent unemployment have created needs not seen in years. 


In my role on the Board of Directors for the Franklin Food Pantry, you will see more frequent postings here on food and food security. What is food security? The wikipedia entry says:

Food security refers to the availability of food and one's access to it. A household is considered food-secure when its occupants do not live in hunger or fear of starvation.

When the household is not food secure, then it can be referred to as food insecure. There is a whole set of new terms to become aware of in this area and over time, I'll be sharing them here and eventually on the revamped Food Pantry website. 


Other worthy links for information on this are:
MA Dept of transitional Assistance 
SNAP (previously known as food stamps)
Project Bread

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Hungry together

via Boston Globe -- Globe West by Calvin Hennick, Globe Correspondent on 11/20/10

Lisa Richards, a Framingham resident, works two jobs, one as a personal care attendant and another driving a van for senior citizens. Acton resident Julie Neubauer works part time in retail. Virginia Loftus, also of Acton, receives a disability pension.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Boston Globe -- Globe West using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

TEDxPhilly - High School Stinks

A quick set of slides from Chris Lehman, who presented this at TEDxPhilly,  asks some good questions about making education more relevant and worthwhile.

TEDxPhilly - High School Stinks

View more presentations from Chris Lehmann.

If you have the opportunity to participate in the visioning exercise for FHS, it would be a good thing to do. Time intense, yes - but a good thing. Details available here

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/in-new-vision-for-high-school.html

and here:

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/live-reporting-superintendent-report.html

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the slide deck.


Franklin, MA