Learn to Use the Same Calculation Tools
Used by STEM Innovators for Over 350 Years
A STEMpunk Odyssey Program
How on Earth can bones help you do math? How could someone have made a calculator with a graphical user interface almost a century before the first computer monitor? How is it possible that sliding sticks across one another can do the math necessary to take us to the Moon and back?
Join the fun as we remember and relive almost half a millennium of STEM’s forgotten math by using vintage tools to solve equations and by building three of our own paper and cardboard versions of history’s greatest calculating inventions. You’ll be surprised how learning about math with yesteryear’s tech will improve your proficiency with math today!
PRESENTATION MATERIALS
Fascinated by the concept of math’s forgotten manual and mechanical calculation methods?
Ponder the Forgotten Math from STEM’s Past Presentations
See what our Partners have to say about this program and others in our Testimonials.
DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS, Logistics & Fees
➤ IN-PERSON Delivery Only
| Age Range: 9/10-Adult/Senior |
| Participants: 10-20 |
| Requirements: Projector, Screen, and Speakers ; 6 large tables with 4 chairs each |
| Setup/Breakdown: 1.0 hours each |
| Contact for details |
IN-PERSON DELIVERY ONLY
8.0 hour Option: Presentations + 3 Program Parts
\\\ $150 per student (minimum of 10 students) \\\
11.0 hour Option: Presentations + 3 Program Parts
\\\ $165 per student (minimum of 10 students) \\\
FUNDING OPTIONS
Look into the Funding Options to help bring STEMpunk programming to your school or organization.
Calculator COLLECTION FOR HANDS-ON EXPLORATION
Below you’ll find just a portion of my vintage tech collection that you can expect to have hands-on time with during this program. Click on any artifact to learn more about it.
Program Schedule
Below is a rough breakdown of what students can expect to learn and do over the course of the program.
Part 01
Introduction – Difference Engines: Mechanical Brains, Analog Computers. Revel in a panoramic view of the most significant analog and mechanical calculators (called Difference Engines) from the last 20,000 years and learn about the versions of calculation tools we will use in this program.
Explore Napier’s Bones – Explore and build a set of Napier's Bones, a tool invented by mathematician John Napier in 1617.
Apply Napier’s Bones – Use Napier’s Bones to solve a series of challenge equations.
Explore and Apply Napier’s Local Arithmetic - Explore and build a binary math board.
Part 02
Explore Genaille–Lucas Rulers – Explore and build a set of Genaille-Lucas Rulers; the first ‘graphical interface’ calculation tool invented by railway engineer Henri Genaille in 1891.
Apply Genaille-Lucas Rulers – Use Genaille-Lucas Rulers to solve a series of challenge equations.
Explore Slide Rules – Explore and practice basic mathematical operations with the Slide Rule; THE personal computer that powered STEM for 350 years. Created by mathematician William Oughtred in 1621.
Build and Practice Slide Rules – Build a Slide Rule and practice using it.
Part 03
Apply Slide Rules – Use the Slide Rule to solve a series of challenge equations.
Explore Addometers – Explore the Addometer, a ‘modern’ (1917) implementation of the Pascaline, a gear-driven calculator invented by mathematician Blaise Pascal circa 1640s.
Apply Addometers - Use Addometers to solve a series of challenge equations.
Capstone – Apply experience with previous program calculation tools to figure out how to use in-classroom examples of more ‘modern’ tool variations such as the Odhner Arithmometer (1873), Monroe Calculator (1912), Otis King Calculator (1922), and KL-1 Clacuwatch (circa 1950s).
HOW DO I GET FUNDING?
WHAT STEM PROGRAMS DO WE OFFER?
WHAT DO OUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US?
HOW DO YOU CONTACT & BOOK US?