Rotary Bulletin 2-20 and 2-27 “By the Numbers” Gary Wilson, Bulletin Editor The Meeting

There was a sadness in the room as we all had learned during the week of the passing of Julia. We loved Julia and her ceaseless energy; fun loving spirit; and the ability to laugh. She took jokes so very well, better than anyone. She enjoyed life and we miss her so. In the next few weeks I will write more about her as we gather our thoughts and gather around Bill in his time of need. Life is so tough some times.

Speaking of tough. How about Jim McLeese and the fact that he and most member of his family have some form of Muscular Dystrophy. Was he sad, not that I could see. He and Joanna and their daughter came proudly to tell our group about their unique situation and cause. When I see these types of things by fellow Rotarians it makes what problems I have seem so small. Thanks for being you and being a role model for us.

Michelle made it a trifecta with her joke telling. She has a knack, a gift. Her delivery makes the joke. Nice run there Michelle.

We had another Eagle Scout visit us and his project was to work with the Girl Scouts. If I had known that was an option when I was a scout, I too would have been an Eagle. My projects were picking up trash along the polluted Des Plaines River in Illinois. No Girl Scouts for me.

The Program:

I am not sure I can capture this. Let me start by saying that this was very, very good. A game changer. Ms. Cobb arranged to have a Math Teacher come talk to us. His name was Luc.

Luc: A Simple Math Teacher, but oh so impressive. I don’t remember his last name, but I remember him. The name Luc works. It works for me. Simple name, complex guy. Complex subject that he made simple.

He walked the part, talked the part, looked the part and acted the part. The “new” type of math teacher. Not like mine when I was growing up. Mr. Robertson was his name. I don’t think he had a first name. If he did, it was not necessary for me to know it.

There is no question in my mind that his students will go far. He made you think. He made Tom think. At least I think so. It’s hard to tell some times.

He put some new words into a math class. Those words are “WHY”, or “HOW”. I don’t remember those words being used in my math class. I don’t remember any words being used in my math class...only numbers. Math was a very rote class for me. I memorized formula’s and numbers. I memorized Pi, but still not sure what it does. Not sure that was taught. It must have been, but I don’t remember. All I remember is 3.1416. It has something to do with a circle, I think. I bet Luc could tell me.

Once I memorized it, I thought I “knew it”. But, that’s not so. I passed the tests. 2 plus 2 is 4...right. It always was. I bet it still is, unless Einstein was involved and he would have said that that would be relative.

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He showed pictures of his class, and it was not a bunch of kids sitting in a row listening to a lecturer at the front of the room. These were kids working together and solving problems. They were “interacting” with each other....and the teacher. Again, asking “How” or “Why”.

I believe he was using parabolic equations to solve an actual problem like firing a missile at another missile and determining the impact point so that the debris from the explosion falls in the proper place. He tied this puzzle in with International Relations. We did not want the debris to fall on our European Allies. He wanted it to fall into the ocean. The equation was manipulated to make that happen. That’s cool.

He talked about kids figuring out what to tip in a restaurant, but went further. In our Country it is “customary”, which means you better do it. In some countries it is an insult. They teach that...in math?? Why not?

I loved the way he consistently used the word “Rigor”. I need to study that word some. He also said he has an idol in the Math teaching field. Just like Jack’s Idol is Justin Beiber. Luc’s idol Dan Meyer and he has a number of Ted Talks. I just grabbed one to take a look. Click here: Dan Meyer Ted Talk

He was excellent Ms Cobb, thank you for arranging it. Thank you for cobbling together 4 great programs inarow. YougetanA.

PS: Jack’s favorite web site: Justin