March 26, 2020: Week 3 Eureka

This week we will seek to

Open minds

Make connections

Be inspired

through the lens of Eureka!
as we study the principle of "Good families teach us how to have good societies"

OPEN YOUR MIND 
Setting the stage...

1. "Mathematicians are People Too," read about Thales in "Pyramids, Olives and Donkeys."  He is considered one of the first people to "discover" electricity.

2. Study Electricity!  Electricity works when everything connects correctly...just ask your dad about shorts in a circuit!  Or think of a time when the breaker has been tripped.  Here are a few videos to introduce you to the basics of electricity:

Electricity

The history of electricity definitions

3. Edison was instrumental in making advances in electricity, but it certainly wasn't easy!  Consider this short article that covers a tragedy that happened to him...as well as his reaction.  How might his attitude been a strength to his family?

At around 5:30 in the evening on Dec. 10, 1914, a massive explosion erupted in West Orange, New Jersey. Ten buildings in legendary inventor Thomas Edison's plant, which made up more than half of the site, were engulfed in flames. Between six and eight fire departments rushed to the scene, but the chemical-fueled inferno was too powerful to put out quickly.

According to a 1961 Reader's Digest article by Edison's son Charles, Edison calmly walked over to him as he watched the fire destroy his dad's work. In a childlike voice, Edison told his 24-year-old son, "Go get your mother and all her friends. They'll never see a fire like this again." When Charles objected, Edison said, "It's all right. We've just got rid of a lot of rubbish."

MAKE CONNECTIONS!

1. A family and society are made up of connections!  What truths did you learn about electricity and electric connections that can be applied to families and society?

2. Watch this 3 minute video about Elder Cook and Pres. Nelson's introduction of the new curriculum.  Now that you are more familiar with electricity terms, pay attention to how many "electric" words they use and think about how this analogy adds depth and power to the promises God has for us in our lives and families.  Think about how increasing our connectivity to God through these inspired programs will bring greater illumination into our lives through the light of Christ.

3. What strengths and weaknesses did Thales and Edison have that might have strengthened or weakened the connections in their own family?

BE INSPIRED!

1. If you have the supplies, you can make your own potato battery!

https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_energy2_lesson04_activity2

2.  Here is a video that has 10 easy science electricity experiments, which you may or may not have the materials for.  Some are pretty simple, but you ALWAYS need to show your parents what the experiment involves to make sure you are being safe :D.

3. Try to measure an object using Thales method.  Or try to use this similar method below.

4. Consider how just like we can use a smaller ratio--of a man's shadow and height--to help realize the height of a taller object, similarly we can consider the health of a family and measure the health of a society by similar parameters. How do we measure a healthy family?

--communication

--forgiveness

--appreciation of diversity

--moral standards adhered to

--standard of truth

--healthy expectations

--encouraging of self-government

Could these be realistic standards to measure society?

___________________________

___________________________

LOOKING AHEAD

We are reading "Eight Cousins" for our main book this month, to be discussed next week.

 You might want to start reading it soon. 

Please consider getting it on audio if that is easier for you :D.

Also, I want to have an "elocution" moment on week 4 (that same week).

Please pick a scripture, poem, speech or lines from a play that you want to memorize and 

give in front of the group to practice public speaking.  Think about clarity of speech, volume, speed, etc as you practice reciting it. If it supports our principle for the month, how cool would that be! This can be done as a family, of course, or can be something that you memorized a long time ago.  We look forward to hearing from you!