'Brainteasers' on exhibit at NMSU-G

Rania Dewahe and her cousin, Nathan Dewahe, both from Acoma, try their problem-solving skills Friday while working on one of the Braineaser puzzles at the University of New Mexico-Grants library. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — They are called "Brainteasers" and are a group of puzzles that are designed to make the puzzle player think logically.

Cecelia Stafford, director of library services at New Mexico State University-Grants, said the 20 puzzles are a traveling exhibit from the Explora Science Museum in Albuquerque.

The puzzles are grouped on five separate tables and will be on exhibit, and open to the public at the library through April 16, she said.

The puzzles are designed for children as well as adults and promote problem-solving skills including geometry and specifically designed to challenge math skills, she said.

Children are allowed to participate in puzzle solving, but are asked to be supervised by an adult, Stafford said.

The exhibit will travel around the state when it leaves NMSU-Grants.

School groups are welcome. Stafford asked teachers to contact her at the library to make appointments so that several groups do not occupy the library at one time. Call Stafford at (505) 287-6639 to schedule a visit.

The exhibit is available to the public Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The library is open to the public for general use during those times as well, she said. An age restriction of 18 and above is in place however and those wishing to use the library may take out a library card for use.

Explora Science Museum has more than 250 "hands-on" exhibits and more than 207 educational programs, Stafford said.

The traveling exhibit at NMSU-G is co-sponsored by Explora, the State of New Mexico and Lockheed-Martin.

The exhibit is designed to promote interest in science and technology.

Stafford said one of the puzzles is blocks with a math equation and when solved, the equation will be identical in three different directions.

Another puzzle requires the participant to draw a house without going over lines a second time.

The library has different hours during spring break, March 19-23, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and closed during the spring holiday, April 6-8, for Easter.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com