Innovation Legislation Clears the House With Bipartisan Support
(Washington, DC) – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5116, America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 by a vote of 262 to 150. The bill, which has over 100 cosponsors and more than 750 endorsers, makes investments in science, innovation, and education to support employers today while strengthening the U.S. scientific and economic leadership to grow new industries of tomorrow, and the jobs that come with them.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
SECME Spotlight: Kayla Permenter
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Kayla Permenter, a graduate from the Seminole Ridge High Class of 2007, is in her third year studying Civil Engineering at the University of Florida. But her story begins with her first view of the Brooklyn Bridge when she was seven years old and awestruck promptly decided that she wanted to build one, too. She is on summer break, and stopped by her alma mater to speak with the Hawks.
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I would like to extend again to Kayla my appreciation for being a guest speaker at the May 26th Seminole SECME meeting. Her presentation was everything I could have hoped for, and more! Her advice was spot on and sensible, not just for someone studying the sciences, but common sense for any collegian -- such as choosing the ACT over the SAT if a student feels stronger in the mathematics than in the vocabulary, to not getting lost around campus by finding your classrooms BEFORE your first day of class, to what to expect in those first few years.
I truly enjoyed her presentation, as she wonderfully captured how to chase a dream. And I want to strongly encourage her as a professional who will completes her professional engineering degree in two years to continue to find an expression for being an educator -- Kayla is exceptional! to pacing yourself for the first few years. We truly enjoyed Kayla’s presentation, as she wonderfully captured how to chase a dream. But as her dean, Dr. Kirk Hatfield pointed out, “It is always good to hear when our students are doing well and serving as an excellent example to others. I guess we expected it from Kayla.” =D
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
VEX Round Up
The 2010/2011 game VEX Round Up game is played on a 12’x12’ square field and two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams. Each alliance competes in matches consisting of a twenty-second autonomous period followed by two minutes of driver controlled play. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent alliance by placing tubes upon goalposts, owning goalposts, and by low hanging or high hanging from the ladder.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
ScienceBits: Water Propelled Rocket
Professor Nir Shaviv is a member of the Racah Institute of Physics in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has also launched water bottle rockets with his son, and in 2006 posted about it on his personal blog ScienceBits.
Prof. Shaviv begins with a derivation of the basic rocket equation, using conservation of impulse-momentum. Then he adds the external forces, and later continue with calculating the velocity of the ejected water. This is achieved by considering the adiabatic expansion of the gas trapped in the bottle, and the work it does to accelerate the 'exhaust'.
It's all solid physics for a liquid and gas propulsion of water and compressed air. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to follow the derivations, although you should have passed the first semester of Physics for them. And if you have, and you are also in Seminole SECME, your technical report just became significantly easier!
Prof. Shaviv begins with a derivation of the basic rocket equation, using conservation of impulse-momentum. Then he adds the external forces, and later continue with calculating the velocity of the ejected water. This is achieved by considering the adiabatic expansion of the gas trapped in the bottle, and the work it does to accelerate the 'exhaust'.
It's all solid physics for a liquid and gas propulsion of water and compressed air. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to follow the derivations, although you should have passed the first semester of Physics for them. And if you have, and you are also in Seminole SECME, your technical report just became significantly easier!
Monday, May 24, 2010
USA Science & Engineering Festival Kavli Science Video Contest
K-12 Students: Tell us why Science is Cool! Enter now for the USA Science & Engineering Festival Kavli Science Video Contest! Have your video screened on the National Mall, win prize money and possibly even a trip to the Expo in Washington D.C.!
Do you think Science is cool? Do you want to share your passion for science with others? Here is your chance to inspire thousands of people to be more curious, and to care about science & engineering the way you do: create a short video that explores the question “Why is Science Cool?”
We are seeking videos that are creative, surprising, and “contagious” in terms of spreading your enthusiasm about science to others. Videos might explore a scientific concept, show us the wonders of nature, give us a glimpse into the future, show us what scientific discovery has done for us in the past or will do for us in the future, introduce us to a great scientist or engineer, tell us why you think science is so cool or simply show us why we should care about science and/or engineering.
Sponsored by The Kavli Foundation and conducted in partnership with SciVee, the contest opens on April 1, 2010 and closes on July 15, 2010.
Prizes
1st prize: $1,000*;plus $500 electronics gift certificate OR HD Camcorder (valued up to $500); plus a travel stipend to travel to Washington DC for the Expo!**
2nd prize: $500*, plus $250 electronics gift certificate
3rd prize: $250*, plus $125 electronics gift certificate
People’s Choice Award: $250
*In addition, the winning videos will be screened during the USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo on the National Mall and at other key Festival events.
*All prize money to go towards science education at the students’ school, home school network, after-school program, science club or any other organization the student is representing for the purpose of this contest. HD Camcorder and gift certificate(s) go directly to the student, or student team.
**Amount of travel stipend will vary based on location of the winner(s). The Kavli Foundation will present the winner(s) with their award check during a ceremony as part of the USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo on the National Mall on October 23 and 24, 2010)
Judging/People's Choice Award
A panel of distinguished judges will select the most outstanding videos to receive 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize. In addition, the People’s Choice Award will be voted on by the public. Voting for the People’s Choice award is easy. Go to the USA Science & Engineering Festival Student Video Contest site at http://www.scivee.tv/node/16370. Make sure you are registered and logged into the SciVee site and then view the videos. Click the star rating you prefer under each video that you review. A “Thank You for Voting” notice will appear and your vote will be recorded toward the total for the People’s choice award. You may only vote once for each video.
The requirements are that the video:
• be made for educational purposes
• be in .mov or .wmv digital video format
• be more than 30 seconds and less than 90 seconds long
• be suitable for public display
• does not violate copyright law (all material must be your original work)
• is all done by you, the student, or by a team of students – yes, we are encouraging team videos!
How to enter for the Kavli Science Video Contest:
Go to http://www.scivee.tv/uploadvideoand login to Scivee. You will need to register if you're not already a SciVee user.
Follow the video upload process:Mark your entry as a "video only."Give your video’s title, a short description, and list its authors/producersChoose the appropriate audience and subject areas.
When asked to enter “tags”, make sure you put USASEF. You may also enter other tags.
Click “finish” to upload your video.
Then come back to this page to submit your registration form (at the bottom of this page). On the registration form, you will be asked to enter the link to your video on SciVee, and the name of your file. You MUST submit a registration form through the USA Science & Engineering Festival website http://www.usasciencefestival.org/2010festival/contests/kavli-science-video-contest to enter for the contest.
Your registration form and video file must be submitted no later than 11:59pm EST on July 15, 2010.
For questions regarding the contest, please contact Stacy Jannis at jannisprods[at]earthlink[dot]net
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Women in Aviation History: May 20-21, 1932 - Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Women in Aviation History: May 20-21, 1932 - Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
The first for a woman, Amelia Earhart piloted a bright red Lockheed Vega 5B (located in the Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight gallery) across the Atlantic. She thought a transatlantic flight would bring her respect, something other women sought too -- Ruth Nichols had made an attempt in 1931, crashing in Canada, and was planning another attempt when Earhart succeeded. During Earhart's 2,026-mile nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic, Earhart fought fatigue, a leaky fuel tank, and a cracked manifold that spewed flames out the side of the engine cowling. Ice formed on the Vega's wings and caused an unstoppable 3,000-foot descent to just above the waves.
Realizing she was on a course far north of France, she landed in a farmer's field in Culmore, near Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Acclaimed in London, Paris, and Rome, she returned home to a ticker tape parade in New York City and honors in Washington, D.C. By July and August she was back in the Vega for her transcontinental flight
The first for a woman, Amelia Earhart piloted a bright red Lockheed Vega 5B (located in the Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight gallery) across the Atlantic. She thought a transatlantic flight would bring her respect, something other women sought too -- Ruth Nichols had made an attempt in 1931, crashing in Canada, and was planning another attempt when Earhart succeeded. During Earhart's 2,026-mile nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic, Earhart fought fatigue, a leaky fuel tank, and a cracked manifold that spewed flames out the side of the engine cowling. Ice formed on the Vega's wings and caused an unstoppable 3,000-foot descent to just above the waves.Realizing she was on a course far north of France, she landed in a farmer's field in Culmore, near Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Acclaimed in London, Paris, and Rome, she returned home to a ticker tape parade in New York City and honors in Washington, D.C. By July and August she was back in the Vega for her transcontinental flight
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
SECME Successes honored at May School Board meeting
School Board Meeting of the School District of Palm Beach County - May 19, 2010
Title
2010 SECME Champions
Description
SECME (Science, Engineering, Communication and Mathematics Enrichment) is an alliance that works to increase the pool of students who are prepared to enter and complete post secondary studies in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines and to create a more diverse work force in the STEM fields. The School Board recognizes the schools that were the overall champions at the 2010 SECME District Olympiads. In addition, several students, who will represent the School District at the 34th annual SECME Summer Institute and National Competition, are also being honored. The National Competition will take place on June 26, 2010 at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina.
SECME National Teacher of the Year
Erich Landstrom - Seminole Ridge High School
Title
2010 SECME Champions
Description
SECME (Science, Engineering, Communication and Mathematics Enrichment) is an alliance that works to increase the pool of students who are prepared to enter and complete post secondary studies in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines and to create a more diverse work force in the STEM fields. The School Board recognizes the schools that were the overall champions at the 2010 SECME District Olympiads. In addition, several students, who will represent the School District at the 34th annual SECME Summer Institute and National Competition, are also being honored. The National Competition will take place on June 26, 2010 at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina.
SECME National Teacher of the Year
Erich Landstrom - Seminole Ridge High School
In the picture, to Erich's right is his daughter Lily Landstrom, his principal Dr. Lynne McGee and board member Dr. Monroe Benaim, and to his left board member Mrs. Paulette Burdick. The School District of Palm Beach County is the eleventh largest public school district in the United States, and the fifth largest school district in Florida.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
‘Science In Toyland’ Opens May 29 At South Florida Science Museum
Science In ToylandLearn about the center of gravity through a tournament of tops or trigger a chain reaction in a domino challenge at “Science in Toyland,” coming May 29 through Sept. 12 to the South Florida Science Museum. Entertaining the idea that learning about science is fun, “Science in Toyland” will utilize toys such as cars and Tinkertoys to demonstrate scientific principles and encourage children to experiment."
Bank of America is proud to partner with the South Florida Science Museum to bring such an exciting exhibition for kids of all ages to enjoy,” Bank of America Palm Beach County Market President Fabiola Brumley said. “This exhibit combines the fun of playing games with problem solving to allow children to discover science for themselves.”
The 3,000-square-foot interactive exhibition features different areas such as a “Kids Construction Company” where children can finish building a wood and foam house, a roller coaster where children can experiment with acceleration and momentum by adjusting the incline of a racetrack, a “Catch the Wind” area where children can discover the Bernoulli principle as they position the sails of a sail boat at different angles and watch how the wind causes the boat to move, and much more.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Technical Drawing paper at Easel Art
To compete in the SECME Olympiad bridge design, mousetrap car design and the water rocket design competitions, a team must enter all parts of the design competition. A team must enter in all of the following categories for each competition a bridge technical drawing, a mousetrap car technical drawing, and a water rocket technical drawing.
Clearprint 24"x36" 16lb 1000H Title Block/Border Vellum
The bridge and the rocket drawings may be on either 22” x 34” or 24” x 36” size drawing paper. No margin is required around the outside of the drawing. No mounting of the drawing or frames are allowed.
For the mousetrap car, the size of the engineering paper is required to be the standard 18” x 24” (allowing for the drawn one inch margin, the actual drawing is to cover an exposed area of 16” x 22” of the paper), otherwise it will not be evaluated. No mounting of the drawing or frames are allowed.
Where can I get technical drawing paper?
Seminole SECME purchases technical drawing paper at Easel Art Center, 810 Park Ave, Lake Park, FL (south of Northlake Blvd). Easel is on the south side of the street and the east end of the plaza, located after the post office and oriental market. Their phone #561-844-3111
As of May 2010, their price for 24x26" plain paper (used for practice) was $1.75 and for 24x26" title boxed paper (used for the final submission) was $2.75. While no teacher discount was available, they were kind enough to give me a 10% student discount.
Clearprint 24"x36" 16lb 1000H Title Block/Border VellumThe bridge and the rocket drawings may be on either 22” x 34” or 24” x 36” size drawing paper. No margin is required around the outside of the drawing. No mounting of the drawing or frames are allowed.
For the mousetrap car, the size of the engineering paper is required to be the standard 18” x 24” (allowing for the drawn one inch margin, the actual drawing is to cover an exposed area of 16” x 22” of the paper), otherwise it will not be evaluated. No mounting of the drawing or frames are allowed.
Where can I get technical drawing paper?
Seminole SECME purchases technical drawing paper at Easel Art Center, 810 Park Ave, Lake Park, FL (south of Northlake Blvd). Easel is on the south side of the street and the east end of the plaza, located after the post office and oriental market. Their phone #561-844-3111
As of May 2010, their price for 24x26" plain paper (used for practice) was $1.75 and for 24x26" title boxed paper (used for the final submission) was $2.75. While no teacher discount was available, they were kind enough to give me a 10% student discount.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Living By the Launch Pad: STS-132
Launch Time: Fri., May 14, 2010, 2:20 PM EDT
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Atlantis
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A
Description: STS-132 will deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and a Russian-built Mini Research Module to the International Space Station.
You’ll remember that in November, the Seminole Ridge seniors had a poster with their signatures flown aboard space shuttle Atlantis. I think there’s a beautiful symmetry in that it flies again on the day they graduate.
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Atlantis
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A
Description: STS-132 will deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and a Russian-built Mini Research Module to the International Space Station.
You’ll remember that in November, the Seminole Ridge seniors had a poster with their signatures flown aboard space shuttle Atlantis. I think there’s a beautiful symmetry in that it flies again on the day they graduate.
Monday, May 10, 2010
FAU gets grant to fund enginnering student projects
FAU Receives Grant from the Florida Engineering Foundation
BOCA RATON, FL (May 10, 2010) – Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science has received a $2,000 grant from the Florida Engineering Foundation (FEF) to support students competing in professional, society-sponsored design competitions.
“One of the most valuable learning and team-building experiences our students can have comes from competition with their peers at the national level,” said Karl Stevens, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at FAU. “This generous gift from the Florida Engineering Foundation helps make this possible and is very much appreciated.”
The FAU Owls Racing Team is one of three FAU teams to receive funds from the FEF grant. The team will be competing in the 2010 Formula SAE Competition in Brooklyn, Michigan from Tuesday, May 12 through Saturday, May 15. The FAU team will join more than 100 university teams from around the world at the Michigan International Speedway.
The FEF grant also will help fund the FAU Autonomous Surface Vehicle Club (ASVC), who will be participating in the 2010 Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) competition. The annual contest is sponsored by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). The goal of the competition is to advance the state of the art in ASV design by challenging a new generation of scientists and engineers to create a system capable of performing various missions in a marine environment.
FAU’s Human Powered Submarine (HPS) Race Team also will benefit from FEF. With the competition taking place underwater, these races are a challenge of human “peddling” strength and endurance, as well as a test of putting academic theory into practice. In 2009, the team won the “Absolute Speed” award for having the fastest sub at the race. The 11th annual International Submarine Races will be the next competition for the HPS Race Team, which will take place in summer 2011.
The FEF was established in 1986 to encourage and assist students in pursuing engineering careers and to educate the public about engineering.
-FAU-
About Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students on seven campuses and sites. Building on its rich tradition as a teaching university, with a world-class faculty, FAU hosts 10 colleges: College of Architecture, Urban & Public Affairs, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Biomedical Science, the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Engineering & Computer Science, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, the Graduate College, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. For more information, visit www.fau.edu.
BOCA RATON, FL (May 10, 2010) – Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science has received a $2,000 grant from the Florida Engineering Foundation (FEF) to support students competing in professional, society-sponsored design competitions.
“One of the most valuable learning and team-building experiences our students can have comes from competition with their peers at the national level,” said Karl Stevens, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at FAU. “This generous gift from the Florida Engineering Foundation helps make this possible and is very much appreciated.”
The FAU Owls Racing Team is one of three FAU teams to receive funds from the FEF grant. The team will be competing in the 2010 Formula SAE Competition in Brooklyn, Michigan from Tuesday, May 12 through Saturday, May 15. The FAU team will join more than 100 university teams from around the world at the Michigan International Speedway.
The FEF grant also will help fund the FAU Autonomous Surface Vehicle Club (ASVC), who will be participating in the 2010 Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) competition. The annual contest is sponsored by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). The goal of the competition is to advance the state of the art in ASV design by challenging a new generation of scientists and engineers to create a system capable of performing various missions in a marine environment.
FAU’s Human Powered Submarine (HPS) Race Team also will benefit from FEF. With the competition taking place underwater, these races are a challenge of human “peddling” strength and endurance, as well as a test of putting academic theory into practice. In 2009, the team won the “Absolute Speed” award for having the fastest sub at the race. The 11th annual International Submarine Races will be the next competition for the HPS Race Team, which will take place in summer 2011.
The FEF was established in 1986 to encourage and assist students in pursuing engineering careers and to educate the public about engineering.
-FAU-
About Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students on seven campuses and sites. Building on its rich tradition as a teaching university, with a world-class faculty, FAU hosts 10 colleges: College of Architecture, Urban & Public Affairs, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Biomedical Science, the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Engineering & Computer Science, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, the Graduate College, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. For more information, visit www.fau.edu.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Gov. Crist Applauds Teachers
GOVERNOR CRIST APPLAUDS TEACHERS DURING SCHOOL VISIT CELEBRATING TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
Highlights academic accomplishments of students inspired by Florida teachers
May 6, 2010
Contact: GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE (850) 488-5394
PALM BEACH – In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, Governor Charlie Crist today applauded the commitment of Florida teachers to educating the state’s future leaders. During a visit to Palm Beach Public Elementary School, the Governor emphasized his gratitude to all teachers for their role in the academic achievements of Florida students.
“Florida’s teachers are entrusted with developing the talent and knowledge of our children,” said Governor Crist. “I am grateful for their commitment and proud of the success they inspire, which is clearly evident in the accomplishments made each day by our students.”
Governor Crist has made educating Florida’s children a top priority for his administration. Earlier this week, the Governor signed a proclamation observing May 3-7, 2010, as Teacher Appreciation Week. Governor Crist also recently vetoed legislation, related to education personal, which did not appropriately accommodate special education students and their teachers. Following an outpouring of opposition by teachers, parents, students, superintendents, school boards and legislators, the Governor vetoed Senate Bill 6 because the legislation encroached on local decision-making, put teachers in jeopardy of losing their jobs, and passed without sufficient input from teachers, parents, and students.
Florida continues a decade of educational progress with an eighth-place national ranking by the 2010 Quality Counts: Fresh Course, Swift Current report. Florida’s ranking is due to improved student performance in elementary, middle and high schools; incentives for top-performing teachers and Florida’s ability to attract and retain a strong teacher workforce; high academic standards and rigorous testing programs; and the percentage of state funds spent on public schools and equitable distribution of those funds to school districts.
The Quality Counts report issued annually by Education Week tracks state education policies and performance and assigns each state an overall point total to signify their education standing in the nation. This year’s ranking improves the Sunshine State’s ranking of 10th last year and 14th in 2008, up from 31st in 2007.
In addition, Florida’s eighth-graders made significant increases in their overall reading scores this year, tripling the increase seen by the nation since 2007, according to the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading results. The state’s fourth-graders also continue to outpace their national counterparts in reading by a large margin.
Overall, the number of high-performing Florida schools (receiving an “A” or “B” grade from the state) reached an all-time high at 2,317 in 2009, up from 2,127 in 2008. Meanwhile, Florida’s graduation rate rose more than three percentage points compared to 2008, the highest increase in the last five years.
On Monday, Governor Crist announced that the Florida Department of Education sent Florida’s Race to the Top Phase 2 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to school districts. Florida is competing with other states for up to $700 million in federal dollars. Through the federal Race to the Top competition, the U.S. Department of Education has challenged all 50 states to propose bold education reforms focused on helping struggling schools, elevating the effectiveness of teaching professionals and education leaders, building internationally recognized education standards and assessments, and improving state education data systems.
Earlier this year, Florida earned a fourth-place ranking among 41 states competing in Phase 1. To improve the Phase 2 MOU, Governor Crist appointed a working group that included a wide variety of education stakeholders, including superintendents, school board members, teachers and teacher associations, parents and the business community. School districts have until May 25, 2010, to submit signed MOUs to the Florida Department of Education.
For more information on Florida’s Race to the Top Working Group, please visit www.FLGov.com/racetothetop. For more information about the Race to the Top competition, visit www.fldoe.org/ARRA/RacetotheTop.asp.
Highlights academic accomplishments of students inspired by Florida teachers
May 6, 2010
Contact: GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE (850) 488-5394
PALM BEACH – In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, Governor Charlie Crist today applauded the commitment of Florida teachers to educating the state’s future leaders. During a visit to Palm Beach Public Elementary School, the Governor emphasized his gratitude to all teachers for their role in the academic achievements of Florida students.
“Florida’s teachers are entrusted with developing the talent and knowledge of our children,” said Governor Crist. “I am grateful for their commitment and proud of the success they inspire, which is clearly evident in the accomplishments made each day by our students.”
Governor Crist has made educating Florida’s children a top priority for his administration. Earlier this week, the Governor signed a proclamation observing May 3-7, 2010, as Teacher Appreciation Week. Governor Crist also recently vetoed legislation, related to education personal, which did not appropriately accommodate special education students and their teachers. Following an outpouring of opposition by teachers, parents, students, superintendents, school boards and legislators, the Governor vetoed Senate Bill 6 because the legislation encroached on local decision-making, put teachers in jeopardy of losing their jobs, and passed without sufficient input from teachers, parents, and students.
Florida continues a decade of educational progress with an eighth-place national ranking by the 2010 Quality Counts: Fresh Course, Swift Current report. Florida’s ranking is due to improved student performance in elementary, middle and high schools; incentives for top-performing teachers and Florida’s ability to attract and retain a strong teacher workforce; high academic standards and rigorous testing programs; and the percentage of state funds spent on public schools and equitable distribution of those funds to school districts.
The Quality Counts report issued annually by Education Week tracks state education policies and performance and assigns each state an overall point total to signify their education standing in the nation. This year’s ranking improves the Sunshine State’s ranking of 10th last year and 14th in 2008, up from 31st in 2007.
In addition, Florida’s eighth-graders made significant increases in their overall reading scores this year, tripling the increase seen by the nation since 2007, according to the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading results. The state’s fourth-graders also continue to outpace their national counterparts in reading by a large margin.
Overall, the number of high-performing Florida schools (receiving an “A” or “B” grade from the state) reached an all-time high at 2,317 in 2009, up from 2,127 in 2008. Meanwhile, Florida’s graduation rate rose more than three percentage points compared to 2008, the highest increase in the last five years.
On Monday, Governor Crist announced that the Florida Department of Education sent Florida’s Race to the Top Phase 2 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to school districts. Florida is competing with other states for up to $700 million in federal dollars. Through the federal Race to the Top competition, the U.S. Department of Education has challenged all 50 states to propose bold education reforms focused on helping struggling schools, elevating the effectiveness of teaching professionals and education leaders, building internationally recognized education standards and assessments, and improving state education data systems.
Earlier this year, Florida earned a fourth-place ranking among 41 states competing in Phase 1. To improve the Phase 2 MOU, Governor Crist appointed a working group that included a wide variety of education stakeholders, including superintendents, school board members, teachers and teacher associations, parents and the business community. School districts have until May 25, 2010, to submit signed MOUs to the Florida Department of Education.
For more information on Florida’s Race to the Top Working Group, please visit www.FLGov.com/racetothetop. For more information about the Race to the Top competition, visit www.fldoe.org/ARRA/RacetotheTop.asp.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Top-Paid Majors Among College Class of 2010
CONTACT Andrea Koncz, ext.121, or Mimi Collins, ext. 119, 800.544.5272
E-MAIL akoncz[at]naceweb[dot]org
E-MAIL mcollins[at]naceweb[dot]org
DATE March 11, 2010
SUBJECT Top-Paid Majors Among College Class of 2010
BETHLEHEM, PA—Which college majors command the highest starting salaries?
Engineering majors dominate the list of top-paid bachelor’s degrees, according to a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
NACE’s Winter 2010 Salary Survey shows that engineering disciplines account for eight of the 10 most highly paid degrees.
The only non-engineering related degrees in the top 10 were computer science and information sciences and systems. (See Figure 1.)
Petroleum engineering earned the highest starting salary reported at the bachelor’s degree level—$86,220—more than one-and-one-half times the average starting salary reported for bachelor’s degree graduates as a whole ($48,351).
“While a variety of factors play a role in determining salaries, new graduates with degrees in the technical fields tend to benefit from their relatively low supply. There is more competition for their skills, driving up their salary offers,” says Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director.
For example, petroleum engineering degrees account for less than 1 percent of all bachelor’s degrees conferred.
“Not every case is that extreme, but, in general, candidates with technical degrees have an advantage in the job market,” says Mackes.
About Salary Survey: Salary Survey is a quarterly report of starting salary offers to new college graduates in 70 disciplines at the bachelor's degree level. The survey compiles data from college and university career services offices nationwide. Salary Survey is issued in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall, with the Fall issue serving as the year-end report.
About NACE: Since 1956, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has been the leading source of information about the employment of college graduates. For more information, visit www.naceweb.org.
E-MAIL akoncz[at]naceweb[dot]org
E-MAIL mcollins[at]naceweb[dot]org
DATE March 11, 2010
SUBJECT Top-Paid Majors Among College Class of 2010
BETHLEHEM, PA—Which college majors command the highest starting salaries?
Engineering majors dominate the list of top-paid bachelor’s degrees, according to a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
NACE’s Winter 2010 Salary Survey shows that engineering disciplines account for eight of the 10 most highly paid degrees.
The only non-engineering related degrees in the top 10 were computer science and information sciences and systems. (See Figure 1.)
Petroleum engineering earned the highest starting salary reported at the bachelor’s degree level—$86,220—more than one-and-one-half times the average starting salary reported for bachelor’s degree graduates as a whole ($48,351).
“While a variety of factors play a role in determining salaries, new graduates with degrees in the technical fields tend to benefit from their relatively low supply. There is more competition for their skills, driving up their salary offers,” says Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director.
For example, petroleum engineering degrees account for less than 1 percent of all bachelor’s degrees conferred.
“Not every case is that extreme, but, in general, candidates with technical degrees have an advantage in the job market,” says Mackes.
Major | Average Salary Offer |
| Petroleum Engineering | $86,220 |
| Chemical Engineering | $65,142 |
| Mining & Mineral Engineering (incl. geological) | $64,552 |
| Computer Science | $61,205 |
| Computer Engineering | $60,879 |
| Electrical/Electronics & Communications Engineering | $59,074 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $58,392 |
| Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering | $57,734 |
| Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering | $57,231 |
| Information Sciences & Systems | $54,038 |
Source: Winter 2010 Salary Survey, National Association of Colleges and Employers. Data represent offers to bachelor’s degree candidates where 10 or more offers were reported. | |
About Salary Survey: Salary Survey is a quarterly report of starting salary offers to new college graduates in 70 disciplines at the bachelor's degree level. The survey compiles data from college and university career services offices nationwide. Salary Survey is issued in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall, with the Fall issue serving as the year-end report.
About NACE: Since 1956, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has been the leading source of information about the employment of college graduates. For more information, visit www.naceweb.org.
Monday, May 3, 2010
3rd Annual Comcast Leaders & Achievers: Erica Escalada
Seminole SECME senior Erica EscaladaTwelve students who attend high schools from around Palm Beach County will receive $2,000 college scholarships each thanks to this year’s Comcast Leaders and Achievers Awards. To honor the 2009 Leaders and Achievers recipients throughout Florida, Comcast arranged a special celebration at the State Capitol in Tallahassee earlier this month. The celebration took place on the Capitol steps and was attended by Comcast senior leadership and statewide elected officials who honored the achievement of the scholarship winners.
“Comcast is proud to acknowledge the success and potential of such outstanding student leaders, all of whom are preparing for the next step in their educational careers,” said Marta Casas-Celaya, director of Government and Community Affairs for Comcast. “A commitment to community service is an essential component in the selection of winners of Comcast Leaders and Achievers® Scholarships,” she added.
A listing of scholarship winners and their schools follows:
Erica Escalada - Seminole Ridge Community High
Shane Greene - West Boca Raton Community High
Marina Azevedo - Boynton Beach Community High
Jasmine Lacoursiere - American Heritage of Boca/Delray
Danielle Trubow - Atlantic Community High
Aimee Allen - John I. Leonard High
Elizabeth Merrigan - Santaluces Community High
Ryan Barows - William T. Dwyer High
Lori Perry - G Star School of the Arts
Nathalia Kosidlo - Suncoast High
Evan Baumel - Wellington Community High
Kaschelea Holland - Palm Beach Lakes Community High
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Math-elites compete
Physics students from Seminole Ridge High competed in the 2nd annual Palm Beach Atlantic University High School Mathematics Competition. The competition was held on Saturday May 1, 2010 in Gregory Hall at Palm Beach Atlantic University from 8am – 1pm. Teams of up to 5 students from schools in Palm Beach and Martin counties competed using HP tablet computers and solve problems involving Algebra, Trigonometry, Statistics and Pre-Calculus.
Physics teacher Erich Landstrom is proud of his math-elites! They tackled some complex equations and formidable formulas. The SRHS team – made up of seniors Sean Joyce, Michael Martin, Shannon Patelsky, Katelyn Woodbury, Ralph Regis and Andy Bernardo – did not place, but still received $10 Best Buy gift cards and a free upgrade on the operating system of their TI-83 and TI-84 graphing calculators in advance of their Advanced Placement tests.
left: Ralph Regis, right: Andres Bernardo
Photo credit: Robert Wenst, Historian, PBCCTM (Palm Beach County Council of Teachers of Mathematics)
Physics teacher Erich Landstrom is proud of his math-elites! They tackled some complex equations and formidable formulas. The SRHS team – made up of seniors Sean Joyce, Michael Martin, Shannon Patelsky, Katelyn Woodbury, Ralph Regis and Andy Bernardo – did not place, but still received $10 Best Buy gift cards and a free upgrade on the operating system of their TI-83 and TI-84 graphing calculators in advance of their Advanced Placement tests.
left: Ralph Regis, right: Andres BernardoPhoto credit: Robert Wenst, Historian, PBCCTM (Palm Beach County Council of Teachers of Mathematics)
NASA Outlines Big Plans for Humanoid Robot
NASA is making a to-do list for the space station's new humanoid robot. Nicknamed R2, the mechanical crew member's chores could range from the most delicate science experiments to old-fashioned house cleaning.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/29apr10_r2/
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/29apr10_r2/
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