ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

    With all of the news about large numbers in the millions, billions 
and trillions I thought it was time to develop an exhibit for children 
to visualize and play with very large numbers all the way up to 99 
quadrillions. I am using a dual 3 inch led counting module that came 
from a TAKE A NUMBER product. A push button input controls the counting 
from 1 to 99. By stacking 10 of these units side by side any number can 
easily be displayed from 1 to 99,999,999,999,999,999,999. The ten push 
buttons are placed below each 2 digit display allowing the operator 
quick access to any number combination. Most children might just push 
the buttons to see the numbers change, but if parents had a list of 
questions to ask there children the child might experience the immense 
scale of the numbering system.
    So what are some interesting questions for the parents to ask? Here 
are a few I am considering:

1. Who named these large numbers?
2. What are large numbers used for?
3. What is the largest number you have ever used?
4. Is there better method to express these larger numbers?
5. Can you construct the national debt?
6. What is the largest number you can think of?
7. How many people are there in the USA?
8. How many people are there in the world?
9. How old is the universe in years?
10. How many stars are in the universe?
11. Do YOU have any questions about very large numbers?
12. How many minutes are there in a school year?
13. How many minutes in a average life span?
14. How many gallons of blood does your heart pump in a year
15. How many times does it beat in a life time?

    I hope to compile a small book of questions with different 
categories that will be attracted to the exhibit.   Roger Sonntag  GS&E

***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]