YOU are an engineer

en-gi-neer  [en-juh-neer]

noun;  A person trained and skilled in the design, construction and use of complicated products, systems or structures.

Engineering is a difficult field and requires a strong understanding of math and science, but in the real world, there are everyday engineers that do not have formal training, yet "engineer" complex systems on a daily basis.  I call those engineers Moms (or Dads).

Don't get me wrong.  I do not mean to denigrate the intense technical training and experience that I have as an engineer.  The work I and other formally trained Mechanical engineers do may be on a bigger scale, but parents use similar skills and tools to improve their household. 

Just because you do not have a degree in Mechanical engineering or studied a bunch of Physics classes, does not mean you are not Engineering solutions using science and systems every day.  

Think about it...

Have you ever helped your children build a better fort by supporting the walls with extra pillows?

Then you have used physics to spread out the force to balance a structure.

Even creating and managing a meal that your family will eat is a complex process that I have yet to master, let alone replicate on a daily basis.

Have you ever combined ground beef with a liquid to make a burger stick together better?

Then you have used chemistry to break down the collagen to gelatins.

Have you ever made an awesome treat like jello or popsicles?

Then you have used chemistry to change the phase of a liquid to a solid.

Call them Mom Hacks; call them survival tactics;  call them whatever you want, but you are solving problems every day.  Take a moment to be proud of yourself and recognize the engineer in you.

Now how do you get your kids to recognize the engineer in themselves?  Challenge them to ask questions and look for their own solutions to problems.  One of the best ways to do that is for them to follow the Scientific Method:

1.  Observe (Recognize the situation and define the problem)

2.  Make a hypothesis (Identify an idea of how to solve the problem)

3.  Test (Create an experiment or method to try the solution)

4.  Review results (Whether the results are what you expected or not, you can learn from them)

5.  Start again with a refined observation and problem statement (do not give up, this is a continuous cycle.  A failed experiment is not the end; it means it's time for another experiment.)

Remember, you are an engineer too, so share your experiences of how you have tested and learned from your trial and error.  You may not know the official science behind everything, but you know what works and does not in the world around you.  It is practical experience.

I am proud to be an Engineer by training, but I am even prouder of my "engineering" feats in the house.  My goal is someday we will all state with pride, Mom is an Engineer!

Rainy Day Science

With some rainy days here recently, we have had to resort to indoor fun.  What better activity when you are stuck inside than to learn about science!

Here are some of our favorites using common household items. 

Make it rain (in a jar)

http://www.greenkidcrafts.com/make-it-rain/

Water tension with pepper and dish soap (had to do this multiple times to show dad)

http://carrotsareorange.com/preschool-science-surface-tension/

Other water fun

http://learning.innerchildfun.com/2013/04/5-simple-experiments-with-water.html

Density demo with eggs (did not work the first time for us. You need to use a lot of salt.)

http://we-made-that.com/how-are-mountains-made/

Sink or float?  Or better yet, a Lego boat. 

http://handmadekidsart.com/lego-boat-engineering-project-for-kids/

Fun with magnets (magnets are really like magic!)

http://www.racheous.com/montessori-home/exploring-magnetism/#_a5y_p=1858730

Plate tectonics with graham crackers and whipped cream. (Yummy!)

http://we-made-that.com/how-are-mountains-made/

Other edible experiments (because you need to eat)

http://www.buzzfeed.com/morganshanahan/19-kitchen-science-experiments-you-can-eat

What is your favorite rainy day experiment?

5 Book Suggestions for Women's History Month

It's Women's History Month and time to find some good reading material for the kids.  I have only read the first two below, but the others are on my list.

Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought)  (Author) Kathleen Krull

http://www.amazon.com/Lives-Extraordinary-Women-Neighbors-Hardcover/dp/B00EDZ15FM/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457225469&sr=1-2&keywords=lives+of+extraordinary+women+rulers+rebels+and+what+the+neighbors+thought

Lives of Extraordinary Women has short intervals describing the accomplishments and vices of top women throughout history.  From Cleopatra to Aung San Sun Kyi, there is a lot to learn from strong women leaders of the past.  Their stories are not perfect, but do highlight the power that some of these women were able to wield and maintain.  Although some of the details are inappropriate for young kids, I am adapting for bedtime stories for this month.

A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women 

by Lynne Cheney 

http://www.amazon.com/Abigail-Almanac-Amazing-American-Women/dp/0689858191/ref=pd_sim_14_13?ie=UTF8&dpID=61feSfoEcmL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR156%2C160_&refRID=0HKPFQ4Q34GC7GY48SP4

This book is an entertaining who's who of American women, organized by categories, including women in science and math. 

Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women

http://www.amazon.com/Girls-Think-Everything-Ingenious-Inventions/dp/0618195637/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457225201&sr=1-3&keywords=women%27s+history+for+kids

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World 

by Cynthia Chin-Lee 

http://www.amazon.com/Amelia-Zora-Twenty-Six-Women-Changed/dp/1570915237/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=61FSLDPl%2BrL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1A7BQ4G33F0Z1C9BSXQ5

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World

by Rachel Ignotofsky 

http://www.amazon.com/Women-Science-Fearless-Pioneers-Changed/dp/1607749769/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457225671&sr=1-5&keywords=women+scientists+childrens+books

What are your pics for Women's History Month?

STEM events in Bay Area (2/27/16)

Looks like it is STEM season!  Time for some weekend Science, Technology, Engineering and Math events around the Bay Area. 

Mother/Daughter Science Workshop
Have a blast exploring electricity! Mothers and daughters will work together to design and take home a magical motorized fluttering fairy. After a potluck lunch, while the daughters make a second exciting hands-on science project, the mothers will break off to share ideas and resources on ways to encourage daughters in science. Sat., 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Lake Merritt. $115/for two (mother/child). 5-12 (and their moms!). 

http://www.sarahscience.com/pages/mother.html

Bay Area Discovery Museum STEM Superhero Series

Get ready for some serious fun! The STEM Superhero Series invites young visitors to use their STEM superpowers to solve real world challenges. All STEM Superheroes will receive capes to adorn with badges earned at each event; attend all four to complete the mission! Events include special facilitated programs for all ages and performances, all free with admission.

Jan 30: Extreme Water: Super Solving for Drought, Storms & Floods
Feb. 27: Building Big: Super Solving for a Booming California
Apr. 23: Power Up! Super Solving for Food, Waste & Energy
May 14: Code Our Future: Super Solving with Robots

Marin City Library

Kick off the library’s month long STEAM events with a Super Space Party. Build an edible rover and other space fun, included games and snack

http://marinlibrary.org/events-and-programs#/?i=2

Other resources for STE(A)M classes or events:

http://societyofwomenengineers.swe.org/swenext (New service to get updates on STEM outreach events for girls in your area)

http://youstem.org/main/discover/ (local K-12 opportunities in STEM)

http://www.techbridgegirls.org (Organized STEM events for girls;  often partner with schools and Girl Scouts)

http://engineeringforkids.com/location/sfbayarea

https://tinkergarten.com

Maui with Small kids

I have to admit that a Hawaii vacation is different with small kids. It was a little harder than I expected, but we all survived, had fun and soaked up too much sun. 

Here are my top 5 suggestions 

1.  Snacks

Take advantage of the local snacks to break up the day. They are usually on the sweet side, so we usually limited it to one treat a day. Explore all the shave ice and fruit stands. There are usually banana bread and dried fruit options at any bakery or fruit stand. 

2.  Alternatives to snorkeling

We took turns doing basic snorkeling along some of the beaches we visited, but we could not stray too far from the beach. We found some other ways to give the kids a chance to see the amazing sea life in Hawaii. 

Glass bottom boat - this operation was well run and caters to kids. They have divers that find specimens on the sea floor and bring them up to your window to see in detail. 

Maui Ocean Center - small, but very thorough aquarium. Especially good for a rainy day or when you need a break from the beach. 

3.  Beaches with shade and parking

I quickly learned that shade is a premium on the beach.  It feels like you are constantly slathering your kids with sunblock, so it is nice to be able to retreat to a shaded area rather than baking in the sun.  

By the time you pile up the towels, sand toys and any chairs or umbrellas, there is a lot to carry to the beach. Plus, it doubles in weight after it gets wet. So the closer you can park the better.  We usually left the house right after breakfast. the earlier you get there, the more parking will be available. 

4.  Haleakala Junior Ranger Program

My kids loved this program. The booklets are free at either Haleakala visitor center and there are activities for all ages. My 4 year old was very proud to have a purpose to our hike and get the official jr ranger pin at the end. I believe they have similar programs at most National Patks so I highly recommend asking about this program. 

5. Relax

It was hard for me to let go of my typical schedule watching, but once I let go of trying to do too much, I finally relaxed a little. We would plan most of our activities in the mornings and left the afternoon for nap times and playing in the pool.  I still stressed about meals, but the kids always found something they liked when we went out. 

Simple Generosity for Small Kids

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. And the holiday that is sometimes referred to as a Day of Service, I have been thinking a lot about how to teach my kids about service and why it is important.

First, I want them to understand that the world is bigger than our house and neighborhood.

Second, I want them to be able to connect with people and help with solutions to social problems.

For the first goal, we try to read books about different cultures and places.  As they get older I plan to travel with them farther away from home to experience different areas of the country and the world.

The second goal starts with simple acts of kindness and giving.  I have given a few examples here.  The important thing is to make acts of service part of your everyday life.  Talk about them and how they make you feel and how they make someone else feel.  I also like to frame things as problems to solve.  For instance, if worms that are stranded on the sidewalk are dying, how can we fix that and help them?  Kids are very creative, so you may be surprised at their ingenuity.

10 simple acts of service:

1.  Make it a habit of saying positive things about each person in the family (maybe during a family dinner).

2.  Designate a piggy bank for Donations.  Have your children choose where to donate it.

3.  Bring towels to the park to help dry the equipment after rain or a dewy morning.

4.  Save the worms - help worms stranded on the pavement get to grass after a rainy day.

5.  Bake cookies for a friend (or Firefighter or Mail Carrier).

6.  Write a letter to a friend or family member.

7.  Start a book or toy donation drive with your playgroup.

8.  Pick up trash (at the park or on a walk)

9.  Return your cart to the front of the store or offer it to someone on their way in.

10.  Practice saying Please, Thank You, Your Welcome and I'm Sorry.  

Here are some other resources I have found along the way:

Book recommendations:

Martin's Big Words, The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  By Doreen Rappaport

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh

Children Just Like Me published by UNICEF.  (This is an excellent book that highlights a local child from countries all around the world, including their favorite sports and food and pictures of the family and house.  My son loves finding things in common with the boy from Tijuana, Mexico as well as a young girl in a remote village in Thailand.)

Websites:

Www.iMom.com. Lots of articles about raising kids and family relationships.

Volunteer websites

http://www.allforgood.org/

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Does your house "Spark Joy?"

I was recently introduced to Marie Kondo and her magic "tidying up" method through some organization articles.  After watching a couple videos, I ordered her book "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" and now I am hooked.

One of the statements that intrigued me, was that after following her "marathon" method, her clients never go back to untidy lifestyles.  Keep in mind, Marie Kondo mainly works with clients in Japan, where living spaces are small and keeping neat and tidy is a valued part of the culture.  So can her method work in America, land of the consumer?

There are several principles that the Kon-Mari method of decluttering is based on.

1.  You must do all the sorting at once (as nearly as possible).  Her marathon method recommends taking all of your items (by category) out at once, partly so you can see how much you have and recognize duplicates.

2.  You should follow the order of sorting she suggests (Clothes, Books, Paper, Misc., then Mementos).

3.  Rather than focusing on what you will discard, you should touch every item and decide if you want to keep it.  The criteria is whether it "sparks joy" when you hold it.

Being analytical, the "sparking joy" criteria seemed a little too variable for a disciplined criteria, but I was curious to try it.

After starting the book, I tried out the technique with my clothes.  I have been paring my closet down for a couple years now and actually have less clothes than my husband.  When I considered the "Does this spark joy?" question as I picked up shirts and pants, I started to understand the benefit.  It forces you to choose only the things that you are proud of and feel good wearing.  Why would you keep clothes that do not look good on you, just because it was a gift or you enjoyed it once?  Marie Kondo suggests you thank the discarded items for their service.  Even if it was something you never wore, it helped you know what did not look good on you.  Honestly, I was starting to feel more self confident because I truly liked the clothes that remained and had some ideas of what I needed the next time I went shopping.

There are a couple ways I would translate "spark joy" when you are considering whether to keep clothes.  

Do you like wearing it?

Do you feel good wearing it?

Does it look good on you?

I found some clothes that had got tucked away that I started wearing again.  I also found clothes that I do not feel good wearing, but got on sale.  They did not get returned to the closet, but went into the donation pile.  Now when I go in the closet, I feel good about every outfit.

I was afraid I would not have any clothes left after this round, but I have enough and it did highlight some deficiencies in my closet.  Now that I know what I need (ex. black pants), I can find some higher quality pants that I love.

Overall, I am still a little skeptical about how long before I start to notice clutter in my closets again, but I have a newly inspired respect for quality over quick and cheap.  I will continue to use the Kon-Mari method in the rest of my house and see how it goes.

For more info, Marie Kondo has a website:  http://tidyingup.com