Math and science. Yikes!
Ok, how many parents and kids just froze? Teachers? If the test results over the past decade regarding American students’ decline in math and science skills are accurate, then I bet a lot of people dread those two words. But math and science are more vital than ever for students as the 21st century gets underway.
3 Real-World Reasons That Math & Science Education Is Important
From an economic standpoint, the United States will not remain an economic powerhouse without lots of people in the workforce with math and science background – period.
From a humanitarian standpoint, without scientists, engineers and mathematicians many of the comforts, tools, machines and techniques that we take for granted would not exist. And, if there are less people with a background in math and science, there will be less people to work on cures for diseases, less people to work on the next generation of transportation solutions (think Star Trek’s transporter) and even less people to work on the next generation iPhone or Xbox!
Thirdly, the reality is that jobs/careers in science and technology pay higher than most others. And as most soon to be college grads can attest to, students receiving a degree in a science or math field are in far more demand than those students pursuing a B.A. in Liberal Arts or a B.S. in Business. Right, wrong or indifferent, that's just the way it is.
Early Exposure To Science Is Vital For Young Minds
Educators agree that introducing reading and math concepts an early age can help increase the odds of a child’s academic success in those areas. All childhood development experts will tell you that instilling a sense of exploration, wonder and fun is key when teaching to young minds. And when it comes to teaching math and science those elements are even more important. That is where Fractiles comes in.
Fractiles is gem of a company that I discovered, when visiting The Ark in Berkeley, CA. (For those of you in the Bay area, I highly recommend visiting The Ark if you are looking for a wide selection of great toys.) Founded in 1998 by Beverly Johnson and Marc Pelletier, Fractiles’ mission is to “help bring the beauty of geometry into the mainstream”.
Just What Are Fractiles?
Fractiles -7 is award winning geometrical magnetic tiling toy that can make an endless variety of designs.
Fractiles-7 A Great Toy and So Much More.
Fractiles-7 is great for building fine motor skills, initiating creativity, promoting open-ended play and advancing spatial concepts, perception, geometry and math. These are all very important activities for a developing mind to be exposed to. Best of all, children are exposed to these activities from just playing, tinkering and noodling around with Fractiles’ pieces.
Working, or I should say playing, with Fractiles is fun and enthralling without feeling like you are working on the Pythagorean theorem or a Mandelbrot set. But in fact, by playing with Fractiles, children are become familiar and comfortable with very important scientific and mathematical concepts that they can reference as a foundation to build upon.
Great Brain Exercise For Any Age
With the advances in neuroscience and the recent discovery of the brain’s neuroplasticity, it is no wonder that Fractiles is beneficial not only for children but also for adults and even those adults with Alzheimer’s, according to Fractiles’ founder Beverly Johnson.
Fractiles is also useful for adults that want to keep their grey matter in shape and slow down the effects of aging. Studies have shown that in addition to reading; puzzles, brain teasers, logic puzzles and creative thinking increases your memory and reasoning power. You could say that Fractiles is to the brain what weight training is to muscles. Like they say, use it or lose it. Don’t let atrophy set in.
Submit Your Creation And Resources for Teachers Using Fratciles
Hands On Testing
From my non-scientific “study” of Fractals I can say that it is engrossing and fun. You can create starbursts, spirals, butterflies, mandalas, flowers, and just about anything that you can think of or visualize. One of the most intriguing aspects of Fractiles is that some of the designs take on an almost 3D effect - somewhat like a stereogram. It’s very cool to see the design jump off the board. Both my 4 year old and 6 year old gave Fractiles an enthusiastic thumbs up. My 4 year old likes making her own creations and my 6 year old would sit and focus in on replicating the sample patterns that are provided in the Fractiles' kit. And a few of my relatives that are engineers enjoyed it as well. Getting very positive reviews from such a wide range of people is an achievement for any product, let alone a toy or educational tool.
Commitment to Children
Since its inception over 11 years ago, Fractiles has been committed to producing high-quality toys in the USA with safe and ethical production. In fact, all Fractiles’ toys are tested by a certified laboratory to assure that Fractiles meets or exceeds all U.S. regulations and standards for toy safety (CPSIA 2008).
So as you shop for the children both young and old (Fractileswebsite where you can either purchase their products or you can search for a retailer near you that carries Fractiles.
Bottom line
Fractiles is fun, educational, environmentally friendly, rigorously tested, timeless and therapeutic. One more thing, as Fractiles comes in a “travel size” edition, it is a great “toy” to bring along on long road trips to Grandma’s house, Jet Propulsion Labs or wherever your kids travel to.
