Local elementary, college students team up for 'Bubble Day' Posted On: Sunday, Nov. 1 2009 05:02 AM From staff reports

Mienie De Kock's Mathematics Education class at A&M–Central Texas used bubbles to teach geometric shapes to students and children Tuesday. The event stirred up tons of curiosity.

De Kock said the humidity was predicted to be just right Tuesday, "not quite raining but just enough humidity in the air to make the bubbles last longer."

The trick to making geometric shaped bubbles is in the wands, De Kock said. These wands aren't shaped like the typical circle, which is notably the bubble form. They are shaped to create hexagons, octagons, etc. Students were taught about each shape the luminous figures floated through the air.

The event began at A&M–Central Texas' North Campus. The first demonstration was open for any students, staff, faculty, and community to attend.

The event consisted of informative bubble blowing coupled with refreshments provided by Student Affairs.

At 1 p.m., De Kock's students traveled to West Ward Elementary School to give their bubble presentation to 56 fifth graders. De Kock and her students are very excited about the event and anticipated it being a huge success – by the looks of the students' faces at West Ward, it certainly was both an educational and fun experience.

De Kock said she feels that Geometric Bubble Day is a valuable tool in preparing her students to be creative and successful mathematics teachers.

TAMUCT student Brooke Medina enjoyed her time at West Ward, blowing bubbles right along side curious fifth graders at West Ward.

Both college and elementary school students took part in using straws to blow bubbles in unique geometric shapes.

TAMUCT Interim President Garry Ross and Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs Tracy Teaff were both in attendance at the bubble event as well.