Math in Space at the Alvin Sherman Library
Every summer, the Alvin Sherman Library hosts a weekly Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) for Tweens program for children between the ages of 8 and 12. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, several of the STEM programs this year was centered around space theme.
On Wednesday, July 3, attendees applied mathematical concepts in the simulation activity Mako’s Mission to Mars, developed by Halmos College Mathematics Chair Jason Gershman, Ph.D. and Director of Academic Support and Administration Melissa Dore, Ed.D.. During the activity, 40 children worked in small groups of 3-4 as space engineers to calculate the maximum weight of a rover that can land safely on the surface of Mars.
The space engineers test dropped differently weighted spacecraft (represented by plastic containers containing marbles) onto a Martian landscape. If the rover went too deep into the soil, it was a failure. If it landed on too much of an angle, it was also a failure. The groups needed to conduct the scientific experiment and be successful four out of five times.
The event was supported by Science Alive! volunteers led by Halmos College’s Department of Biological Sciences Chair Emily Schmitt Lavin, Ph.D. and coordinated by Youth Services Librarian Kristen Rodriguez.
For more information about the library’s STEM programming, please visit the campus guide at https://nsufl.libguides.com/STEM.
