Break on Through to the Other Side

EUREKA!  As referenced in yesterday's blog post, we here at MPA had managed to find our way through the first challenging six weeks of our Einsteinian physics class passing all the tests and problem sets. After trying to derive equations in my sleep all night, I got up refreshed and ready to go this morning and tried to work out the three problems we were having trouble with and guess what?!?!? I still couldn't do it. Doh! So much for sleeping on it. :/

Good thing there's a math major in the family (hi Grandpa R!). Lateish last night in semi desperation, I sent him an SOS email explaining our speed bump. Ironically, what was vexing us was not even Einsteinian, really. It was 'simple' (LOL) math. Actually, it wasn't simple, but it was *only* math, no mystery involved, unless, say, you're an 8- or 10-year old who is typically a decade or so away from this kind of math, or you're a 47-year old who is 30 years removed from this math - and didn't grasp it too well even back in the '80s. ...

As I explained to our lifeline, our course honor code allows us to work in groups on problem sets, sharing ideas and information, so asking for some guidance was AOK. As expected, Mr. Lifeline QUICKLY had us headed in the right direction. So this afternoon, while the kids were in a math class, I went ot the library, filled in the blanks and, with a shaking hand, I hit 'submit' on my problem set answers. And guess what? I could hardly believe my eyes when the score was 24/24. The kids have managed a perfect score before, but that was my first 100 percent. :) Hip hip hooray!

The score happily surprised me a bit, because the kids and I had worked long and hard (probably 5 hours plus) solving the other problems. There were a few that we could not find a 'firm' (100 percent sure correct) answer for, but we had talked and talked about them, and had chosen one of the four possibilities that made the most sense to us for good reason. And we were right on all counts! SUPER gratifying.

In other Einstein news, the class we're taking includes an optional creative project. Since our 'maths' (as the Brits would say) were bringing us down as of late, this seemed like a good time to have some fun with Einstein.

CJ decided to write an acrostic poem - one that uses the first letter of the topic word to begin each line. Naturally, that topic word was EINSTEIN. First, he wrote the poem. Then, I suggested the poem would have more resonance if it involved an image of Einstein, so he looked online for a photo he wanted to use. He chose the classic Albert in front of chalkboard image. From there, he erased the drawings on the chalkboard and then had to fit his poem on the board. He was very particular about finding the right font (one that looked like chalk writing) and the right color, so that the words would match the sepia tones of the photo.

I thought his end product was really great.

Annabelle has something in the works, too. Stay tuned.

LEMON HEADS: Last night the last show I watched was on the Food Network, so when I fired up the TV this morning for the kids, that's what flickered on. The program airing was a lemon-themed episode of "Unwrapped," and it instantly captured their attention, as it was showing how Lemonhead candies are made. I don't think the kids have ever even had Lemonheads, but they were very interested in how they were made.

It's a highly automated process, using a collection of specialized machines. We watched the insides of the candy being made, with the material being rolled out into a sheet and cut by machines, then it solidified and broke into little balls, which were coated with sugar, citric acid, and yellow coloring, among other things.

Some 15- to 20-thousand pounds of Lemonheads are produced per shift at the Ferrara plant where they're made.

The next segment of the show featured a Sunkist lemon operation. We learned that lemons are actually a hybrid of lime and a citron. When the harvested lemons are being processed, each fruit has an amazing 20 photos taken of it. Computers analyze the photos and the lemons are then sorted based on size, color, blemishes and such. We also learned that the lemons are coated in a wax before being shipped to market. Supposedly it's to replace their natural waxy covering that disappears when they're washed at the factory.

Speaking of lemons, we just had our first and only harvest of a real live lemon here on 'campus.'  While we were away this past weekend, the lone lemon on our tree (more of a plant, really), fell off.

Years in the making (it's our first lemon from the several year old plant), it's big, bright yellow. Check out the ugly little plant it came from.

ALOFT: Throughout the day, we checked in with the progress of Solar Impulse. It took off, per plan, in the wee small hours of the morning (just before 5 a.m. their locaal time) from Phoenix, headed to Dallas-Fort Worth.

© Solar Impulse | Merz | Rezo.ch
Tonight, as the kids went to bed, Solar Impulse was descending to below 5,000 feet, with Dallas-Fort Worth in its sites. Another cross country leg successfully completed.

FUNKY FOLLICLES: Today was 'crazy hair day' where the kids take their science class in Shoreline. We used chalk on Bee's locks to give her some color. CJ got to experience the joys of being a girl, with a few little pony tails. He squealed big time as I ponied him up. I suppose he has a whole new appreciation for girls now. ;)