eurekamom’s blog

I found a great site for free (freeware and shareware) sound effects and music for enhancing home-made videos.  It's at http://www.flashkit.com/soundfx/ and http://www.flashkit.com/loops/
You can easily search by categories and even hear a sample before downloading.

http://www.ted.com/talks/clay_shirky_how_cellphones_twitter_facebook_can_make_history.html

This summer, I have a full slate of activities planned for my kids.  I was so inspired by reading Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future  that I structured my summer enrichment afternoon workshops for kids with the theme of "Imagine, Design, Create!".  Through project-based learning, my students will be gaining the high concept, high touch skills essential to survive and prosper in the “Conceptual Age”.  Team projects include creating:

• a local interest video segment (like the style of Huell Howser's "California Gold")
• a comic book illustrating the Hero's Journey
• a documentary on future modes of transportation (like an episode of "Nova Science")
• a skit of a call-in radio interview segment (like Larry Mantle's "AirTalk" on FM89.3 KPCC)
• an action-oriented cooperative board game
• a 3D scrapbook with interactive elements

After reading Amanda Ripley's book, the Unthinkable, I just want to encourage everyone to take a disaster preparedness course like the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.  It's a free program and takes about 4 Saturday mornings in my city.  You'll learn how to conduct triage, establish medical treatment areas, provide basic first aid, do damage assessment, use the fire extinguisher, move things that are trapped under heavy objects etc. 

I was in the first batch of CERT graduates from my city's program.  Even so, I feel the need to go back for the disaster simulation so that I can practise and remember how to do the right things.

One thing that stuck in my mind from the course is the trainer saying the he always checks out where the building entrances and exits are so that he knows how to get out should something happen in the building.

To find out more about the CERT program, visit:
www.fema.gov/emi/cert

Our third robot round at the Georgia Dome. Best score for the team = 210.  Thank you to the Frostbyte Penguins team across the table for successfully completing the "Finding Agreement" mission.

My friend Farhana is involved with promoting education among the under-privileged young women of Pakistan through the Pakistani American Forum.  Her program, Merit Grants for Young Women (MGYW), is holding its annual fundraiser in June.  Check out www.mgyw.org to find out more about this wonderful program.

What? 
"Empowerment through Education" fundraiser featuring

• singer/composer Hanif Noor Mohamed,
  
• enchanting Pakistani music and
  
• youth dance performances and
  
• an elegant and stylish boutique.

When?
6:30 p.m., June 13, 2009 (Sat)

Where?
Dandana Cafe and Banquet, 765 West Route 66, Glendora, CA 91740
(626) 335-8100

Tickets
General $35, Students $30 and VIP $70
All proceeds go towards MGYW.  Donations are tax deductible.

For more information or to RSVP, call
(626) 792-1270, (714) 746-8169, (323) 258-1268, (909) 581-9434