Give the gift of a mathematical family day trip for Christmas. Mr. Siegenthaler or Mrs. Forbes may even be willing to go along as a tour guide. Here are two outstanding possibilities:
National Museum of Mathematics - New York City
Ride a bicycle with square wheels, design and build polyhedra, and explore tessellations. This museum is small but packed full of fun mathematical content. Bring someone who loves mathematics along with you on the trip.
National Cryptologic Museum - Between Baltimore and Washington DC
Outstanding museum exploring the history of codes and ciphers. Play with German enigma machines. Most of the docents at the museum are former NSA employees who worked with the museum artifacts when some of them used to be top secret! The museum and guided tours are free!
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Fun "smart games" for every age.
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Great inspiring books that make the history of mathematics come alive. Great for students who have completed Algebra 2. These would also be great reads for parents:
The Mathematical Universe: The Mathematical Universe: An Alphabetical Journey Through the Great Proofs, Problems, and Personalities
Journey Through Genius: The Great Theorems of Mathematics
Geometry students just finished a study of Euclid's Elements. This is the cleanest and nicest edition available of the greatest geometry textbook of all time.
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Building polyhedra models is currently a very popular activity among Veritas students. I know quite a few students who are asking for or receiving cardstock for Christmas.
THE definitive book on building paper polyhedra models by Father Magnus Wenninger himself! I would really like a copy of this book myself. This book is very expensive new, but used copies are available.
http://www.amazon.com/Polyhedron-Models-Magnus-J-Wenninger/dp/0521098599
Zometool kits are extremely versatile and creative construction materials. Several different size kits are available.
Expensive but fun magnetic polyhedra pieces. "Intelligent Magnetic Construction Set For Brain Development"
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ShengShou brand Rubik's Cubes (all different shapes and sizes) are the best AND CHEAPEST cube puzzles available.
