For the Love of Lists

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Best Math Resources for Any Age

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Best Math Resources for Any Age

Happy Pi Day everyone!

To celebrate this year’s Pi Day I’ve decided to put together a list of some of my favorite math resources. Math is one of those subjects most people either love or hate, but as it is every present in our world it is still one we should all understand. Even if you haven’t been interested in it before, check out these sites to see a different side of the STEM world!

Adult Education

  • Wolfram MathWorld – a mathematics encyclopedia and resouce
  • Khan Academy – free opencourseware on a wide range of math subjects
  • MIT OpenCourseWare – free opencourseware from the MIT Mathematics Department
  • Coursera – a compilation of free math courses from the world’s leading universities
  • TED Talks – intriguing TED Talks about some of math’s most interesting questions

K-12 Education

  • TED-Ed Math Videos – fun, educational TED videos to get kids interested in math applications
  • The Math Dude – podcasts covering mathematics lessons and fun math facts
  • PBS Learning Media – a variety of resources, including articles, videos, and interactive media, focused on explaining mathematics
  • Mathsframe – includes over 200 math games for ages K-12
  • Yummy Math – a site dedicated to demonstrations of how math applies to our everyday lives

Note: I’ve separated these sites in order to identify which are at an elementary level and which are more advanced, but high school students may be better served by those listed under “Adult Education”.

For more math fun, check out my post on the Top 10 Ways to Celebrate the Ultimate Pi Day!

Lessons Learned from My Elementary School Library

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Lessons Learned from My Elementary School Library

I have been an avid reader as long as I can remember.  Some of my favorite childhood memories are of running around libraries pulling enough books off the shelves that they spilled out of my arms.  So it should come as no surprise that my first “job” was assisting in my elementary school library.  At 11 years old, I volunteered for an hour twice a week.  Here are some lessons I learned:

Organizing gives everything a place to go.
I used to love getting a fresh stack of books to put away (yep, not ashamed).  I learned the Dewey Decimal System and I realized that it’s so much easier to find things when you know exactly where to look.

Libraries are quiet, safe havens.
I have always been on the shy, quiet side, and often I can’t handle the hustle and bustle of socializing.  Libraries are inherently peaceful.  They are my retreats when things get too crazy.  I can just find a secluded corner, pull out my book, and escape to whatever world I choose.

You can learn about anything and everything.
I would walk down the aisles and pull books from nearly every subject.  One day it would be astronomy and the next it would be medieval costumes.  While now we have Wikipedia, back then I thought libraries alone were the gateway to endless knowledge.

You can experience the world by turning a page.
Although I never traveled much when I was younger (outside of Florida), I was able to explore foreign countries, ancient civilizations, and various cultures.  Our librarian would even tell us interactive stories about the Civil War, forest animals, and the Tudors.

Not all material is age-appropriate.
Once at a book fair, I picked out a book titled “Emergency Room” that had accidentally fallen in the wrong pile.  Our librarian explained to me that it wasn’t a subject for someone my age, but that in a few years she would have it saved for me (and she let me pick out a second free book instead).

Teachers care.  A lot.
Our librarian dealt with all the classes in the school, and spent all her time getting us interested in stories about historical events and finding books we’d love.  She staged reenactments, brought in games, and read to us constantly.  I always knew I could go to her if I wanted to learn something new.

Some jobs are worth getting paid in gummy bears.
At the end of every volunteer session we’d get to pick our reward: gummy bears or Jolly Ranchers (watermelon, of course).  At 11, this was the equivalent of a full paycheck.  In my case I enjoyed it so much, I would have done it for nothing.  My goal in life is to feel that way with a job again.

Free books = best day ever.
Enough said.

 

How to Make Life Feel More Like College

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Sometimes I wish I could go back to college.  Yes, adult life is fine and dandy most of the time, but I miss the freedom and fun of college.  You get this feeling that you can learn anything, do anything, take on the world.  I think after settling into full-time jobs we start to let routine convince us that it’s not about the excitement anymore.  So if you’re missing your alma mater, check out some of these ideas on how you can make life more like college.

  • Continuous Learning
    • Open Courseware – Search online and you’ll find tons of (mostly) free courses you can take on your own time to learn nearly any subject.
    • Learning Apps – Duolingo, Memrise, and TED are just a few examples of apps that can teach you in minutes a day.
    • Library – Nothing beats walking into a room full of books knowing you can learn just about anything.
    • Night Courses – Check out your local colleges for certification or degree courses you can take part-time.
    • Summer Sessions – Colleges and professional associations offer summer and/or short courses that can advance your skills.
  • Clubs & Extracurricular Activities
    • Community Recreation – Check out local sports teams or classes you can join in your town/city.
    • Professional/Technical Associations – Many careers are represented by professional associations with local chapters that put on events.
    • Groupon/Living Social/Amazon Local (Discount Classes) – If you’re interested in trying out a new hobby, search out a good discount.
    • Local Fitness/Dance/Activity Centers – These classes aren’t just for kids; rally some friends and try something new.
    • Start a Club – Always wanted a book club?  What about a cooking club?  Send out word and see if other people share your interests.
    • Pursue a Hobby – Is there a hobby you’ve always wanted to try?  Set aside an hour or two a week and dedicate it to mastering a skill.
  • Dining Hall Buffet
    • Host an International Potluck – Invite friends to bring dishes representing different cultures for a fun party theme.
    • Search for Highly-Rated Local Buffets – Try to look past the age-old Chinese buffets and use Yelp to find a fun, casual dinner.
    • Search Out New Recipes – Recreate some old college favorites or try your hand at a dish you’ve always wanted to sample.
    • Go to a Brunch Buffet – The adult version of the dining hall, complete with food you’ll actually enjoy waking up for.
  • Social Groups
    • Start a Weekly/Monthly Social Gathering – Whether it’s a club or just for fun, schedule routine time with friends on a regular basis.
    • Keep a Running Group FB Conversation – If you’re far from your friends, set up a group chat where you can stay connected.
    • Start a Social Text for Weekend Planning – Found a festival to visit?  Spread the word quickly to your favorite friends group.
    • Attend Networking Events – Many professional associations host community networking events where you can meet those who share your career goals.

College Life

  • Advisors
    • Find a Mentor – Whether they’re from your company or elsewhere, make contact with someone and ask them to share expertise.
    • Professional/Technical Associations – These groups can help match you up with an experienced professional to offer advise.
    • Research SME Blogs – Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) are often found on popular blogs and can provide guidance and tips.
  • Campus Resources
    • Spend the Afternoon at a Park – If you’re missing lazy days hanging out on the Quad, try taking a book or frisbee to your local park.
    • Visit the Library – Yes, so important it’s on here twice.  Spend a quiet afternoon at the library to focus on your projects.
    • Set Up a Study Center – If you’re taking classes, create a study haven in your home by sectioning off a desk area and organizing it to your study habits.
    • Watch School Sporting Events – Do you wear your school colors every season?  Look for your team online or live and root for your alma mater.
  • Purpose & Goals
    • Look for Opportunities – In college, we see opportunities to do fun or advancing activities all the time.  Do your homework and brainstorm all of the opportunities you could take.  Leave nothing out – you never know when the timing will be right.
    • Write Down Your Life Plan – Maybe you had big goals in college.  Remind yourself of them by writing down your life plan from this point forward.  Be as broad or specific as you like, but be sure to start planning for your goals and taking action.
    • Allow Yourself to Dream – One of the things I miss most about college is the feeling that I could go on to do anything.  Recover that feeling by allowing yourself to picture your “dream life”: the “perfect” day, the dream job, the dream house, etc.  Use these visions to set goals to work towards.

There’s no reason we have to give up that freedom and spontaneity we felt when we were 20.  It’s just a matter of working the features that you enjoyed into your everyday life.

Quick 10: The Top 10 Educational Disney Attractions

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“I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained.” – Walt Disney

Top 10 Educational Disney Attractions
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at Disneyland

Who says you can’t learn something on vacation?  And, better yet, who says that learning can’t be just as fun?  Here is my list of the top Disney attractions that will both educate and entertain your entire family.

  1. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln & The Hall of Presidents (Disneyland & Magic Kingdom) – Listen to Abraham Lincoln recite some of his most famous speeches amidst a history of the Civil War and celebrate the United States with 43 animatronic presidents detailing the entire history of how America came to be what it is today
  2. World Showcase (EPCOT) – Tour themed areas of 11 countries, including food, architecture, music, and exhibits
  3. Kilimanjaro Safaris & Maharajah Jungle Trek (Animal Kingdom) – Explore the lands of Africa and Asia filled with real-life animals for you to encounter
  4. Mission: Space & Advanced Training Lab (EPCOT) – Train as an astronaut for a mission to Mars and compete in your own space race
  5. Test Track (EPCOT) – Learn about vehicle design and testing as you strap in for a ride around a high-speed track.
  6. Ellen’s Energy Adventure (EPCOT) – Join Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye the Science guy as they explore the Big Bang and the history of energy in this 45-minute show
  7. SeaBase (EPCOT) – An aquatic wonderland filled with aquariums, dive experiences, marine exhibits, and Nemo.
  8. Spaceship Earth (EPCOT) – Ride through history as you explore the origins of communication, and don’t forget to get a peek at your future at the end.
  9. Rafiki’s Planet Watch: Conservation Station & Habitat Habit! (Animal Kingdom) – An area of activities focused on the preservation and care of animals
  10. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (Magic Kingdom) – One of the infamous rides Walt Disney presented at the 1964 World’s Fair, this animatronics show presents the progression of technology throughout the years.

Honorable Mentions:

  • It’s Tough to be a Bug! (Disney’s California Adventure & Animal Kingdom) – Learn about the world from a bug’s point of view and get some new perspective on our tiniest neighbors
  • Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable (EPCOT) – A 20-minute film about environmental conservation starring the cast of Lion King
  • Living with the Land (EPCOT) – Get a tour of Mickey’s greenhouses and learn where your food comes from.

Do you have a favorite that’s not on this list?  Add it in the comments below!

Learn Something New in Only 5 Minutes

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Most of us want to learn new skills, but feel we have “no time” to add anything to our busy schedules.  Between work, family, friends, homes, and all our other activities it’s intimidating to try to set aside time to study a new subject or try a new hobby.  But could you spare just five minutes?  What about time spent in transit?  Lunch and coffee breaks?  Prepping/waiting for dinner? Before you get out of bed?  When you’re settling down for the night (you know you’re on your phone anyway)?

Instead of browsing social media or playing Angry Birds, try some of these free apps (also web-based).  Five minutes a day is all you need to start picking up some new knowledge.

  • TED – TED Talks offers free videos on a huge array of interesting topics. Use the app to find specific subjects or simply select a video length (5-60min) and let it surprise you. There’s even an “audio-only” function if you’d like to listen to the talk in the car.
  • Memrise – While some suggest Duolingo, I prefer Memrise to pick up a new language (Duolingo doesn’t offer Russian). Five minutes lets you test your vocabulary.
  • Lumosity – Fun games (yes, games!) that help you exercise your brain, testing your memory, speed, and attention. While there is a paid subscription available, you can get a lot out of their free offerings.
  • Business Insider – I love this app for its combination of news, business/tech info, and career advice. The latter offers tips and strategies that apply to almost all professions.
  • GRE Vocabulary Flashcards – While you may not be taking the Graduate Record Exam any time soon, this app offers flashcards for a large set of words and lets you mark whether or not you’ve learned them.
  • Tenuto – If you’re interested in learning to sight read or enhancing your musical abilities, get some practice with this noteworthy app (pun intended).
  • The Bible App – Whether you’re religious or you’re just curious to learn what it’s about, this app offers plans that suggest different readings each day from both the Old and New Testaments.

If you’re looking for more ideas, try the following:

  • Flashcard app – There are a bunch available where you can make your own flashcards or download a question pack.
  • News aggregators – Get quick headlines all in one place to stay informed about the world.
  • Books – I’ve heard they’re great (:-P). In all seriousness, they’re your best bet before bed and you can set a timer to keep to your five minute rule.

Are there any apps you’d like to add to this list?  Share below!