Build a Tower Challenge

Tom Wujec presents some surprisingly deep research into the "marshmallow problem" -- a simple team-building exercise that involves dry spaghetti, one yard of tape and a marshmallow. Who can build the tallest tower with these ingredients? And why does a surprising group always beat the average?

Watch the video.

MLA Format Hint

MLA Cover Page is not numbered. Here are directions for removing the number from the first page so that the second page will be number 1.

On the Insert tab, in the Headers & Footers group, click Page Number, and then click Format Page Numbers.
2. In the Start at box, type 0.

Embed YouTube in PowerPoint 2007

To embed a YouTube video in PowerPoint 2007 follow these simmple steps:

1. First turn on the Developer Tab on the Ribbon by clicking on the Microsoft logo at the top left of the window and selecting PowerPoint Options all the way at the bottom of the menu. Next put a check next to the unchecked item to show the developer Tab.
2. Go to YouTube and select a video to embed
3. Copy the URL
4. On the Developer menu choose "More Controls"
5. Select Shockwave Flash Object
6. Click and drag on the PowerPoint slide to add the Flash object
7. Right Click the object placeholder and select properties
8. Set the Movie property to the URL you copied
9. In the URL delete "watch?" and change the "=" sign to a ⁄
10. Adjust the options for Looping or AutoPlay if desired
Make sure to test the presentation and keep in mind that the video is streaming from YouTube, so an Internet connection is required at the time of presentation.

Good luck!

Solstice, Full Moon, and Lunar Eclipse

How great is this? The Winter Solstice, December 21st, the longest night of the year, coincides with a full moon and full lunar eclipse.

According to NASA, the total eclipse of the moon will occur on this schedule, EST
• Moonrise Monday, Dec 20 3:55 pm
• Moon enters penumbra Tuesday, Dec 21, 12:28 am
• Partial Eclipse Begins(moon enters umbra) 1:32am
• Total Eclipse Begins (moon fully within umbra) 02:40 am
• Middle of Total Eclipse 3:16 am
• Moon Leaves Totality (begins re-entry into penumbra) 3:53 am
• Partial Eclipse Ends (moon leaves umbra) 5:01 am
• Partial Eclipse Ends (moon leaves penumbra) 6:04 am
• Moonset 7:29 am

EXTENDED LIBRARY HOURS

EXTENDED HOURS WEEK BEFORE AND DURING FINAL EXAMS

Weekend Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18-9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Weekdays Dec. 6-17-7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

NOTE: You must be out of the building by 5 p.m. on weekends and 10 p.m. during the week.

Free Music Download

Every two weeks, from Alexander Street and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, the Goodwin Library is offering a free music download from Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries.

Currently available for download is:
"Tetigo" from Discover Indonesia, performed by M. Sarif and Kondang


Indonesia is a huge country, spread over hundreds of islands, encompassing peoples of many different languages, religions, and musical cultures. Fifteen tracks from the widely acclaimed 20-CD series Music of Indonesia have been selected to provide an exciting and varied introduction to musical styles from different parts of the country. This is a xylophone duet performed by Petalangan musicians of mainland Riau, Sumatra.

All tracks are owned by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings and are available, free of charge, for a limited time only.

Download the mp3.