STEM in the Real World is a unique Foundation series designed to bring home the concept that math matters in everyday life. The Foundation continues to bring speakers annually to either Highcrest or Wilmette Junior High School.
The program launched at HMS where 5th graders heard first-hand from an architect, airline pilot, and Northwestern’s basketball statistician – all emphasizing how math really does factor into how they get their work done successfully. Students learned how geometry, weight and fuel estimates, percentages – as well as general math calculations – factor into all of these careers, and were able to appreciate the role of math beyond the classroom.
Dr. Michelle Larson, President & CEO of The Adler Planetarium, Shares Love of Space With WJHS Students
Space is freaking awesome! This year’s Math in the Real World speaker was Dr. Michelle Larson, President and CEO of The Adler Planetarium. (more…)
Math and Media Ratings
TV, social media, music & more! Dan Malmed, D39 parent and Nielsen SVP/Sales Director US Media, showed Wilmette Junior High School students how math relates to TV ratings and other media.
Mind boggling math!
Greg Mayer, D39 father and patent attorney, was the 2017 Math in the Real World speaker. He engaged WJHS students with accounts of how math helped him contest a medical device patent lawsuit, calculate the stress concentration in the vicinity of rivets in F-15 aircraft, and write a patent for to the rescue of a geosynchronous satellite from a useless orbit using the moon’s gravity.
Music & Math Rock!
In 2016, Chris Karabas, D39 father, singer/songwriter/producer and co-owner of The Rock House demonstrated to 7th and 8th graders how he uses math every day, both as a business-owner and a musician.
WJHS Students Hear from an FBI Agent
Who Done It? On March 12th students from WJHS attended a fascinating presentation by a Wilmette resident, who also happens to be a Special Agent in the FBI. (more…)
Math in the Real World 2013
Go Bears! Karen Murphy, CFO for the Chicago Bears came to WJHS on Thursday, December 5th to present to the 7th and 8th grade students. (more…)
Firefighters and EMTs
On May 31, 2013 the 7th and 8th graders at WJHS heard from Wilmette Fire Chief Jim Dominik and Lieutenant Ben Wozney (both alumni of D39). Jim and Ben spoke about the various ways firemen and EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) professionals use math.
Public Safety Requires Math
Wilmette Police Chief Brian King told students he simply could not do his job and protect the Wilmette community without using math. Numbers and statistics show up everywhere from crime reports to budget projections to police vehicle service records to understanding the fitness test results for potential police recruits.
Math Can Be Delicious
Highcrest students were in for a real treat in spring 2011, when all eyes turned to Rob and Ann Garrison, D39 parents and owners of The Noodle Cafe and Depot Nuevo.