FUN USA EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES WITH HERKIMER AND THE STAT PACK
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While previously working with the Stat Pack in statistical educational activities, Herkimer presented many exercises that enhanced the group's knowledge about the geography and history of the great country known as the United States. Upon reflection on their statistical studies, Pack members realized how little they knew about the U.S. before Herkimer appeared to them, and then how much they knew when they had completed the activities and exercises he had created for them. It was after the Pack completed working with Herkimer on financial literacy that they came up with the idea to create a series of fun activities that would help people of all ages increase their knowledge of each of the 50 states that make up the United States of America. Herkimer agreed to help them out with thoughts and ideas but he told the students they were smart enough to create educational activities with very little guidance from him. This was fine with the Pack. They met as a group and started to make plans to create a collection of challenges and activities that they hoped would be fun for all who encountered them. Herkimer knew the Pack was an enthusiastic group of young people. He knew they would come up with some very interesting projects.
After a few days of deliberations the Pack came up with a collection of 17 activity ideas. They divided themselves into groups of teams to create these activities. They had gained considerable experience working with spreadsheets from their statistical and financial adventures with Herkimer and they put these skills to good use while constructing the activities. Putting together the activities took a considerable amount of time. Among other things, a team would take time to test their activity on other Pack members and Herkimer. The Separator State Activity (#16) was very time consuming but the Pack enjoyed the work involved and think it may be unique; that is, they could find no activity like this in the research they did. This book contains their finished products. The Stat Pack hopes you have as much fun working on the activities as they did putting them together. Now, enjoy your journey across America in the pages to follow!
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About the Book
This is the third book in a series of adventures involving Herkimer and a group of ten students who call themselves the Stat Pack. The first two books related to two very practical and useful mathematical subjects, statistics and finance. They were not written to be textbooks; each consisted of a series of easy-to-read vignettes involving conversations and interactions between the fantasy character Herkimer and the Stat Pack students who had a genuine desire to learn mathematical concepts that would be important and valuable as they progressed into adulthood. The statistical adventures of this group can be found in
THE STATISTICAL ODYSSEY OF HERKIMER AND THE STAT PACK
and the financial explorations in
HERKIMER AND THE STAT PACK VENTURE INTO MONEY MATHEMATICS.
Both books represent AuthorHouse publications. A reader of these books would learn much about statistics and finance as they shared the experiences and activities Herkimer created for the Stat Pack. In this book the students actually join Herkimer in creating a series of fun activities designed to help readers gain a better understanding of the wonderful country known as the United States of America. It is designed to be of interest to all age groups. Adults can enjoy the book as well as children. In this period where geography is infrequently taught in schools the activities herein represent a potential source of educational family fun and enjoyment. The book should serve as a reminder that useful and meaningful educational adventures can take place outside of the school classroom.
About the Author
SANDERSON SMITH taught mathematics at the Cate School in Carpinteria for forty years. He is the recipient of numerous state and national education awards including the California Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching. The author of numerous mathematically related books and articles, he remains active in mathematics education as a part time instructor at Santa Barbara City College. He is a frequent speaker at mathematics conferences and makes a very popular humorous mathematics history presentation multiple times each year. He and his wife of 49 years, Barbara, reside in Carpinteria where they are actively involved in community service activities.
STEVEN SOLANO worked in radio broadcasting for 22 years and served as Advertising Production Director for most of those years. His pleasant narrative baritone voice has been heard on many industrial videos and commercials. An avid singer, he sings in his church choir. He has a great affinity for technology in all related forms, including audio production, sound recording and editing. He is an IT computer support specialist in the Carpinteria School District and freelances as a computer tech. He also works with elementary school children in after-school programs. He is married with two children and very active in the local Carpinteria community.