State Board Looking for Student Members

Since July 1998, two Grade 12 public school students have been seated on the Connecticut State
Board of Education. The students, who are appointed by the Governor, serve a one-year term,
beginning July 1. This year’s student members, Christine Larson of Trumbull and Brandt Smallwood of Simsbury, have brought unique and valuable perspectives to the Board’s deliberations.

We are now beginning the selection process for the 2009-10 student Board members. The
application package is enclosed. Please post the “Notice to Grade 11 Students” on a centrally
located bulletin board and on your website. The application materials can be downloaded by
accessing the Department’s website: www.state.ct.us/sde. Applications must be postmarked on
or before March 20, 2009. Please distribute this notice to your PTA presidents, student council
members and post throughout your school building.

The State Student Advisory Council on Education (SSACE) will review all applications and will select several students for an interview. A SSACE panel will conduct interviews in April or May and will refer five of those individuals to the Governor for her consideration. The Governor, in turn, will interview the five students and will appoint two students to serve on the Board from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010.

Please encourage qualified students in your school to submit their applications. I look forward to
your school’s participation in this unique opportunity for students. If you have any questions
concerning the application process, please call Pamela Bergin, Assistant to the Commissioner, at 860-713-6510.

“Teen Safe Driving Video Contest”

On Feb. 26, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles announced the winners in the “Teen Safe Driving Video Contest” and West Hartford's Hall High School entry took second place. Branford High was named first place with Coginchaug High School coming in third.

Allstate Insurance provided the $1500 prize awarded to Hall HS that will be used for safe teen driving programs. More than 200 students from around the state participated in this video competition.

Hall’s Graphic Communication students John Faenza and Ben Silverstein’s video came in second from among the over 60 submitted. Hall Technology teacher Dan DeCourcy said that “These two young men are extremely talented and to see them express their ideas so well through video is a teacher's dream.”

The WFSB Channel 3 news segment on the project can been seen at: http://www.wfsb.com/video/18807018/

The full teen safe driving videos can be found at the following site:

http://www.ct.gov/teendriving/videos

FREE MODEL SOLAR CAR WORKSHOP FOR GRADES 5 to 8 EDUCATORS

FREE MODEL SOLAR CAR WORKSHOP FOR GRADES 5 to 8 EDUCATORS
Come learn about the Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) Model Solar Electric Car Program. Give kids a hands-on opportunity to learn about environmental issues, photovoltaics, engineering design process, physical science, craftsmanship and more through this highly engaging activity. Junior Solar Sprint is great for a technology education, science or upper elementary (grades 5 & 6) classroom; after school; home school, or youth group.

THERE ARE 2 MODEL SOLAR ELECTRIC CAR WORKSHOPS FOR EDUCATORS IN CONNECTICUT:
1. New Britain: Thursday 3.19.09 at Slade Middle School 4:00 to 7:00pm
2. Norwalk: Wednesday 3.25.09 at Norwalk Town Hall 4:00 to 7:00pm

At the workshop, you receive:
· An introduction, tips and strategies for teaching and leading a Junior Solar Sprint program for kids.
· A Junior Solar Sprint curriculum and resource packet with a chance to try lessons, plus additional renewable energy curricula and certificate and patch programs for kids addressing topics such as climate change, solar energy and wind energy.
· A free battery-operated car kit from Pitsco and an opportunity to try building a car with support.
· A letter of attendance for your professional development requirements.
· A chance to network with other educators involved in JSS, and to meet your area event coordinator and Championship coordinator.
· A chance at door prizes including a JSS official solar panel from Pitsco.
· A pizza dinner
To register (required), visit the NESEA website www.NESEA.org, click on K-12 Education and download a form, OR just email or FAX us your name, address, email, phone, school/organization and grade. Be sure to note the date & location of the workshop. FAX: (413) 774-6053 or EMAIL: sreyes@nesea.org

House Affirms Support for Engineers

House Affirms Support for Engineers

(Washington, DC) – Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.Res. 117, which supports the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week, by a vote of 422 to 0. The resolution was introduced by the Research and Science Education Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), who holds engineering degrees from Northwestern University and Stanford University.

National Engineers Week is February 15-21 2009. Today, the House affirmed that it: supports the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week, to increase understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers and to promote literacy in math and science; and will work with the engineering community to make sure that the creativity and contribution of that community can be expressed through research, development, standardization, and innovation.

“Engineers play an important role in our society in helping to meet many of technological challenges we face, and it is important that we recognize and celebrate that role,” said House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). “Engineers have played a crucial role in our economic growth, especially their role helping to span the gap between scientific discovery and commercial products. Economic estimate that half of our growth in GDP over the past 50 years is related to the development and adoption of new technologies. Having a strong national community of engineers will be a key factor in our nation’s ability to reverse the economic downturn and create the jobs and products of the future.”

“Engineers have built bridges and ships to carry people and goods across water, railways to carry products and passengers across continents, and the internet to carry information around the world,” said Lipinski. “We need the innovative power of engineers more than ever to confront the new challenges before us. They will help us build the bridge to the new energy economy and American energy independence.”

National Engineers Week has grown into a formal coalition of more than 70 engineering, education, and cultural societies, and more than 50 major corporations and government agencies. Its goal is to raise public awareness of the significant, positive contributions to society by engineers, and to encourage young students to see themselves as possible future engineers.

The 2005 National Academy of Science report Rising Above the Gathering Storm highlighted that fewer students are focusing on engineering in college at a time when increasing numbers of today’s engineers are nearing retirement. Celebrations such as National Engineers Week are an important part of highlighting the importance of engineers, and inspiring more students to think about pursing a career in engineering.

STEM EXAMPLES FROM DC

Welcome to the home of the STEM Transitions initiative. This one-year project is being led by the Center for Occupational Research and Development (CORD). Funded by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education under cooperative agreement with the League for Innovation in the Community College, the project is building on the work of the College and Career Transitions Initiative. At the heart of the project are the six Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) career clusters that have provided the context for instructional materials that demonstrate the convergence of academic and technical content at the community college level.

LINK TO SITE

Where Does Technology Education & Engineering Fit?

This is from an Ag Summit I attended in Indiana, but just look at the opportunities for Technology Education and Engineering.

Gkane


Late Friday afternoon at the Ag Ed Summit, materials were shared with those wanting to discuss the prospects for agricultural education and the economic recovery plan. The attached documents represent the House version of the bill and will be subject to modification by the Senate as early as Friday night and then must complete a conference process between the two bodies.

The initial summary of the House bill suggests the following opportunities for CTE and agricultural education to consider:

$100 million is also included to improve instruction in science, math and engineering.
$4 billion for job training … with priority consideration to “green” jobs.
$1 billion for 21st century classrooms, including computer and science labs and teacher technology training.
$250 million for competitive grants to states to design and develop data systems that analyze individual student data to find ways to improve student achievement, providing teachers and administrators with effective tools.
$100 million for competitive grants to states to address teacher shortages and modernize the teaching workforce.
$6 billion to expand broadband internet access so businesses in rural and other underserved areas can link up to the global economy.
· $1.2 billion to create up to one million summer jobs for youth
$2 billion for expanding employment opportunities in fundamental science and engineering to meet environmental challenges and to improve global economic competitiveness.

Another Reason to Join the CTELC

The following link lets you see what the members saw at the last meeting of the Connecticut Technology Education Leadership Council visit to Cheney Technical High School.

CTELC is one of the best deals in town, contact Sue Coco scoco@cheshire.k12.ct.us


http://gaspvideoproductions.com/CTELCChenyTech.html

March meeting which is tentatively set for the 19th at Consolidated Industries, Cheshire, CT.