Math + Chewing Gum = Better Grades?

You might want to think about picking up some gum before heading off to math class next time.

Chewing gum helps raise students' math scores
By Shari Roan
Los Angeles Times

Studies have suggested that something about chewing gum reduces stress, improves alertness and relieves anxiety. But most of this research has been found in a laboratory setting. Now, the first study in people also supports the idea that chewing gum boosts academic performance.

The study was conducted by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and was sponsored by the Wrigley Science Institute. The study included 108 students, ages 13 to 16, who were assigned either to chew sugar-free gum during math class, while doing math homework and during math tests, or to refrain from gum-chewing. After 14 weeks, the students took a math test and their grades were assessed.

Those who chewed gum had a 3% increase in standardized math test scores and had final math grades that were significantly better than the other students. Teachers observed that those who chewed gum seemed to require fewer breaks, sustain attention longer and remain quieter.

Hey, maybe that 3% increase in performance will be just the 3% you need to get you through the upcoming finals.

Fun With Electrical Engineering...

and Sheepdogs.



Who knew what fun could be had?

Bravo !!!

New DVD

Skeen Library is happy to announce, by way of a patron donation, the addition to our DVD collection of 2008's Oscar movie of the year, Slumdog Millionaire.

In addition to winning "Movie of the Year" the film also won Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song.

Some reviews of Slumdog Millionaire:

• Cinematic riches in 'Millionaire'
  By Ty Burr, Globe Staff
  
  
• Slumdog Millionaire
  by Roger Ebert
  
  
• Epic 'Slumdog Millionaire' is pricelessly original
  By Claudia Puig, USA TODAY

Personally, I've seen Slumdog and I highly reccomend it. It's many accolades are richly deserved.

Enjoy.

Click >>> here <<< to see the availability of Slumdog Millionaire for checkout from Skeen Library.

A Memorable Anniversary

...in the history of Skeen Library occurs this week.

April 22, 2007

The Day Pirates Attacked!!!



(Did you catch my Alfred Hitchcock moment in that clip?)
The infamous placing of the neon lime green toilet and pirate flag atop the Skeen Library clock tower remains "officially" unsolved... but stories, tales and legends abound.

Happy Pirates of the Neon Lime Green Toilet Day everyone!

Tech Scientists Hit The Jackpot

NMT Scientists are getting worldwide attention researching volcano-created lightning in Alaska
By John Larson
For The Mountain Mail

A team of three professors and two graduate students from New Mexico Tech, in collaboration with the National Science Foundation, have installed electronic equipment in the vicinity of the Redoubt Volcano near Kenai, and have been monitoring the eruptions since March 23.

Semi-retired physics professor Paul Krehbiel told the Mountain Mail the team, lead by electrical engineering professor Ronald Thomas, installed monitoring equipment at four separate locations – comprising the Lightning Mapping Array – on the eastern side of Cook Inlet. [...]

Thomas said the Tech research is unique in the scientific world.

“This leading-edge research. We’re the only ones doing it,” he said. “After doing lightning research for the last 16 years, we have the right knowledge and the right equipment.”

“This is really exciting for us,” Thomas said. “You plan and hope you can do something like this once in a lifetime. It’s hard to judge a volcano before it happens and get the sensors set up before it erupts.”

The project is being supported by the National Science Foundation, with cooperation from the University of Alaska’s Volcano Observatory, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Meet Skeen Library's New Chief of Security

Please welcome our very own...



April fools, just kidding.

...or are we?



* Any library patron with security concerns, or wishing to be escorted to their cars after dark are encouraged to contact Campus Officer Clint Martinez, who's stationed at our main desk here at Skeen Library Sunday - Thrusday from 6-12pm and can be reached at ext. 5891.

Wii Game Night a Success

Skeen Library featured a second game night recently, this time the event was music themed and called... Wii Will Rock You.

Music games such as Donkey Konga, Samba de Amigo and Rock Band had students, staff and believe it or not faculty rockin out and eating pizza all evening long.

A good time was had by all.

Look for more game nights here at Skeen Library in the future.

Skeen DVD Inspires Local Artist

A DVD of blues guitarist Roy Buchanan, available at Skeen Library, inspired local artist Fernando Mercado's latest series of paintings.



Artist's work inspired by guitarist
T.S. Last EDC General Manager
El Defensor Chieftain

Mercado says he had heard of Roy Buchanan before, but wasn't really familiar with his music until recently when he picked up a video of a 1976 performance of Buchanan's on "Austin City Limits" at the New Mexico Tech library. He was awestruck by what he heard.

"The way he played that guitar was incredible to me," says Mercado, who doe not play an instrument. "He was doing all this different stuff, but he was able to keep it in check. I tried to get the idea of how I could translate that to an image."

Like Buchanan's music, Mercado's drawings are made up of simple elements that are put together in a way that they become expressive and unbounded.

Here's some of Fernando's paintings from his Roy Buchanan series.

This series by Fernando Mercado is curently on display at the Socorro Chamber of Commerece, located on the Socorro Plaza.

Recommended Link:

• Roy Buchanan Live at Carnegie Hall