Math
Gampel Pavilion, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
On Saturday, May 3rd, 2008, we attended the 25th year of Connecticut Invention Convention in Gampel Pavilion - University of Connecticut, in Storrs, CT.
The Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC) is a non profit organization dedicated to the goals of promoting critical and creative thinking. The CIC has also helps prepare our children for future productivity and success.
A total of almost 500 student finalists from different schools (including homeschools) in Connecticut gathered to compete for Recognition Awards and celebrate their achievement in problem solving and critical thinking.
The students were asked to identify a problem or need and then to invent something to solve the problem. They also had to make sure that their invention had not already been created and then, with a budget of no more than $25, build their invention.
They had also to make a display boards explaining the problem and the steps taken to solve it, how they made their inventions and what they did.
Many students who had participated in the CIC credited their later interest in science, math and engineering to their early experience with "inventing."
Many young CT inventors had appeared on the Martha Stewart, Jay Leno and Ellen DeGeneres and Cyberchase shows, and even been recognized by a US Secretary of Energy for their inventiveness and creativity.
Homeschooling Kids in CIC 2008
You can see the list of winners in the 25th year of Connecticut Invention Convention website.
This competition was very good for kids. The kids learned and invented something that didn't exist before. All young inventors will become brain of tomorrow. Their problem solving ability will help drive a more robust economy and develop new products. The kids will always discover new ways to solve any problem they might encounter.
Insha Allah, next year more Muslim kids will join in the CIC.
A Short Story About Going To Convention of The Invention
That Saturday morning, we were ready to go to I-95 highway, but we forgot to bring the invented stuff in our car. We had to go back home again to take the invented stuff for the display in University of Connecticut. It was almost 9am. It took about an hour to go the University of Connecticut.
At 9:50am, we arrived in there. The opening ceremony already started.
We had to do the admission first to find out the number of table for displaying the invention. Alhamdulillah, we were right on time.
My daughter was so distressed about going down the stairs to put her display in table 48. Alhamdulillah, a staff helped her to go to the table and to put her invention's board.
After the opening ceremony, the judge started to go down to see the display and to interview the students about their inventions.
The parents and the teachers were busy, such as having the science teachers forum, looking around on the booths, taking care the siblings, tour on campus, etc....
When the judge finished interviewing her. She heard that one of the judges said "sockingly true" about her inventions. She thought that he looked socking about the inventions.
At 12:30pm, we were having lunch and went to Islamic Center of the University of Connecticut to pray Zuhur at 1pm.
My husband did sholat ba'da Zuhur such a long time.
We were waiting in the car.....waiting, waiting, and waiting. The time was 1:50pm.
We had to be back to the Gampel Pavilion at 1:30pm for annoucement of the winners.
At 2pm, we were back again in the Gampel Pavilion. It was right on time, my daughter was announced that she won for special award. What a relieve that we were on time again in there. Alhamdulillah, we didn't miss anything.
Alhamdulillah, alhamdulillah, and alhamdulillah.
This is only the beginning of our journey in homeschooling.
May Allah always increase our knowledge. Ameen.
Sources:
Insha Allah, on Wednesday night, Feb. 20, 2008, for the Americas, and on the morning of the 21st for Europe and West Africa, the moon will become completely immersed in the Earth's shadow, resulting in a total lunar eclipse.
Astronomers have said that a total lunar eclipse would be visible in many parts of the world.
The total phase will last 51-minutes and would begin at 10:01 p.m. EST.
The next total lunar eclipse will be December 20–21, 2010, Insha Allah.
============
What should Muslim do during an Eclipse?
We, as Muslim, should
What does an eclipse mean to Muslim?
There are several meanings to Muslim. An eclipse is:
1. A sign of the majesty and power of Allah.
Narrated Abu Masud: The Prophet said, "The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death of someone from the people but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. When you see them, stand up and pray."
2. A sign of darkness and fear. Muslim should do dzikir and make alot of doa/supplication to Allah for patience and seeking forgiveness.
Narrated Abu Bakra:Allah's Apostle said: "The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah and they do not eclipse because of the death of someone but Allah frightens His devotees with them."
"The Sun and the Moon are two of the Signs (Ayat) of Allah: they do not darken for the death or birth of any person, but Allah strikes fear into His servants by means of them. So when you see them darken, remember and mention Allah, declare His Greatness, offer prayer, give in charity, and supplicate to Him and seek His forgiveness."
3. A reminder of the Day of Judgment.
Narrated Abu Musa: The sun eclipsed and the Prophet got up, being afraid that it might be the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment). He went to the Mosque and offered a prayer with the longest Qiyam, bowing and prostration that I had ever seen him doing. Then he said, "These signs which Allah sends do not occur because of the life or death of somebody, but Allah makes His worshipers afraid by them. So when you see anything thereof, proceed to remember Allah, invoke Him and ask for His forgiveness."
What is the sunnah regarding an eclipse?
At a time of a solar or lunar eclipse, the sunnah is to pray Nafl a salatul-kusuf that is performed by the Muslim community in congregation.
Narrated 'Aisha :
In the life-time of Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) the sun eclipsed, so he led the people in prayer, and stood up and performed a long Qiyam, then bowed for a long while. He stood up again and performed a long Qiyam but this time the period of standing was shorter than the first. He bowed again for a long time but shorter than the first one, then he prostrated and prolonged the prostration. He did the same in the second Raka as he did in the first and then finished the prayer; by then the sun (eclipse) had cleared. He delivered the Khutba (sermon) and after praising and glorifying Allah he said, "The sun and the moon are two signs against the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse on the death or life of anyone. So when you see the eclipse, remember Allah and say Takbir, pray and give Sadaqa." The Prophet then said, "O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! There is none who has more ghaira (self-respect) than Allah as He has forbidden that His slaves, male or female commit adultery (illegal sexual intercourse). O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! If you knew that which I know you would laugh little and weep much.
Narrated 'Aisha:
In the lifetime of the Prophet the sun eclipsed and the Prophet (p.b.u.h) stood up to offer the prayer with the people and recited a long recitation, then he performed a prolonged bowing, and then lifted his head and recited a prolonged recitation which was shorter than the first. Then he performed a prolonged bowing which was shorter than the first and then lifted his head and performed two prostrations. He then stood up for the second Raka and offered it like the first. Then he stood up and said, "The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of someone's life or death but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah which He shows to His worshipers. So whenever you see them, make haste for the prayer."
How to perform A Salaatul-Kusoof
The Solar Eclipse Prayer is an emphatic Sunnah for both male and female believers. It is better to offer it congregationally in the masjid. Its time is from the beginning of the eclipse till it clears away. There is no Adhaan for the prayer, but it should be announced, as stated earlier, with Assalaatu Jaami'ah.
According to the Hadeeth, narrated by 'Aaishah (r.'a.), the Solar Eclipse Prayer is two raka'aats; however, there are two rukuu'uus (bowing down) in each raka'ah instead of one.
In the first raka'ah, one recites after Al-Faatihah, a long or short suurah. One then says Allahu Akbar and bows down in a long rukuu'u. As one raises up, one says:
Sami'allahu liman hamidah
Rabbana lakal hamd
One then says Allahu Akbar and bows down for a second, not so long, Rukuu'u. As one raises up one says:
Sami'allaahu liman hamidah
Rabbanaa lakal hamd.
As one resumes Qiyaam, one says Allahu Akbar and falls down in prostration. One begins the second raka'ah by saying Allaahu Akbar. The second raka'ah should be observed like the first one.
It is Sunnah to recite lengthy surahs in such prayers and stay longer in Ruku and Sajdah. It is optional to recite aloud or quietly.
After the prayer, the Imaam may give a guiding Khutbah.
The Lunar Eclipse Prayer is the same as the Solar Eclipse Prayer.
Note: If for some reason, the Imaam is not available, then people should perform Salaah individually.
Activity for Kids: Try making your own solar system
Use a large camping flashlight to act as the Sun in an otherwise unlit room.
A table lamp will do if you're not the outdoorsy type. Place an apple on the table to represent Earth.
I recommend a golf ball as the model Moon -- it's highly reflective and has crater-like pits for added realism.
Move the golf ball counterclockwise around the apple and watch how sunlight shines on it. One circle represents a full lunar cycle -- not quite a month on the calendar. Inspect what part of the golf ball is lit from the perspective of a worm on the apple, and note whether it is daytime or nighttime wherever you'd like to imagine the worm to be.
Your model solar system should help illuminate celestial rhythms, revealing where the Moon really goes.
Please don't forget sholat and making alot of doa, Nasheed: My Ummah by Sami Yusuf .
May Allah always help and guide us in the right path. Ameen.
Sources:
1. Animated: Total Lunar Eclipse Feb 20-21, 2008
2. Salaatul Kusuuf (The Solar Eclipse Prayer)
3. Lunar Eclipse
4. Hadiths: Islam and Eclipse
5. Solar/Lunar Eclipse in Islam
6. Solar and Lunar Eclipse
7.Islam and the Solar Eclipse
8. Total Lunar Eclipse
9. Space.com: Total Lunar Eclipse
10. Total Lunar Eclipse
11. February 20th's Eclipse of the Moon
12. The Moon
13. How a Lunar Eclipse Saved Columbus
