July 27, 2026

Category: Engineering

A Mind Wide Open, Abstract Comprehension, CDE Standards Reference, Confidence, Engineering, Geometry, Lils, Math Discoveries, Pattern Recognition, Self Awareness

Plotting and Planes, in Prep for Camera Obscura

This is the video we watched, followed by the session for applying shown below.  Lily also worked on the concept in our notebook (see image) without hesitation.  We will revisit this concept via exercises over the next day or two, as we incorporate them into the creation of our camera obscura project. Skip to the […]

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A Mind Wide Open, Algebra, Beautiful Curiosity, CDE Standards Reference, Confidence, Creative Solution Generation, Developing Self, Economics, Engineering, Geometry, How We Learn Best, Invention, Lils, Math Discoveries, Numeracy, Pattern Recognition, Physics, Questions from Lily's Brain

Math

When I look at the expectations of arithmetic and numeracy development for a child between 5 and 10, first to sixth grade, and even beyond, with few exceptions of specifics, Lily demonstrates regularly her comprehension and functional use of the concepts that are expected of these years in conventional schooling. Then, I look beyond these […]

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A Mind Wide Open, Algebra, Beautiful Curiosity, CDE Standards Reference, Confidence, Creative Solution Generation, Developing Self, Economics, Engineering, Geometry, How We Learn Best, Invention, Lils, Math Discoveries, Numeracy, Pattern Recognition, Physics, Questions from Lily's Brain

Math

When I look at the expectations of arithmetic and numeracy development for a child between 5 and 10, first to sixth grade, and even beyond, with few exceptions of specifics, Lily demonstrates regularly her comprehension and functional use of the concepts that are expected of these years in conventional schooling. Then, I look beyond these […]

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A Mind Wide Open, Beautiful Curiosity, Botany, Chemistry, Construction, Creative Solution Generation, Earth Science, Economics: Global, Engineering, Geography, Global History, Government, History, Knowledge Base Expansion, Lils, Questions from Lily's Brain, Resources, Responsibility

She Asked… Oil

She asked about oil, where it comes from and how it gets processed so we can use it in cars, etc.. We have spent most of today exploring how crude oil has formed, how it is extracted, refined, and finally delivered for our consumption. We’ve also talked about fracking for natural gas, the uses of […]

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A Mind Wide Open, CDE Standards Reference, Creative Solution Generation, Economics, Electricity & Circuitry, Engineering, History, How We Learn Best, Imagination, Lils

Because it Will Make Things Easier

  We’re learning about historical inventions.  I asked her why inventions and inventing stuff mattered… “Because it makes things easier.” Over the next few months, we’ll explore in depth, the various inventions in this book, as well as others she happens to find intriguing/asks about.  

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LED Robots
A Mind Wide Open, Beautiful Curiosity, CDE Standards Reference, Chemistry, Confidence, Construction, Creative Solution Generation, Developing Self, Earth Science, Electricity & Circuitry, Engineering, Fine Motor Skills, Imagination, Knowledge Base Expansion, Lils, Physics, Science Discoveries

LED Robots

Today we built two robots and gave them sight!  Lily worked on this project as her first project selection from her Tinkercrate and we had a great experience. She and I read through the directions, she assembled the components, and we set to work placing resistors, LED’s, and copper taping in a pattern on a printed […]

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A Mind Wide Open, Beautiful Curiosity, CDE Standards Reference, Chemistry, Construction, Creative Solution Generation, Earth Science, Ecology, Economics, Engineering, Global History, History, Knowledge Base Expansion, Lils, Playing, Thought Process & Development

Titanic, Hindenburg, H2O, and Plasma

We began our day talking about H2O, then discussed the Titanic, then the Hindenburg, then Mark Twain, then helium, then steam and how the Titanic was powered, which led to evaporation and the water cycle, and how snow is formed. We then studied snow under the microscope, and then onto the Plasma ball and conductivity. […]

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