Seminole Ridge SECME

WBR Big Bang Theory's Mission Patch

2012-01-28T19:50:00.000-05:00

Kyle's on crutches while he sat like that!
Thank you to junior Kyle Maglietta, artist and contortionist, who created this year's mission patch for the water rocket competition.

Each team will develop a patch design, used to symbolically commemorate the objectives of the mission. The team’s complete success will not solely be judged on rocket performance, but the combined effort of the team. Entries are judged on
Originality - Innovativeness of the design (30 points), Creativity - Uniqueness of the information depicted (30 points), Appearance - Attractiveness/neatness of the presentation (20 points), and Content - Representation of the team's name and SECME theme (20 points).

Water Bottle Rocket: In the middle of the patch is a rocket, split in half. On the right, it is a water rocket launched by compressed air and water, seen trailing a blue and white cloud. On the left, it is a conventional chemical launch vehicle, seen trailing red and orange flames, and grey clouds. The rocket is split to symbolize the present day and our future. The plan is we build rockets today, and tomorrow those STEM skills we gain in SECME help with what we want to be doing in the future. On the body of the water rocket side is written “HAWKS” for Seminole Ridge Community High School and our school’s mascot, the hawk.

The Big and Little Dipper: In the background are the star groups of the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper. The asterism of the Big Dipper represents our SECME coordinators Mr. Landstrom and Mr. Batchelor. The Little Dipper represents the Seminole SECME students of 2011-2012 team.

SECME cyclone: In the lower right corner is the symbol of SECME, Inc., resembling a hurricane off the coast of Florida. A second SECME cyclone appears on the Moon to represent the first permanent lunar colony. The mission of SECME is to increase the pool of historically under-represented, under-served, and differently-abled students prepared to enter and complete post-secondary studies in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. SECME does this with project-based learning and hands-on competitions with model rockets, mousetrap racecars, and robots.

Earth and Moon: Earth is shown with the Florida peninsula prominent and a star to mark the location of Seminole Ridge High School in Loxahatchee. The rocket is seen en route to the Moon, targeted for the lunar outpost. Above the horizon of the Earth, along the body of the rocket, and along the rim of the Moon’s limb is written the 2011-2012 Olympiad theme “SECME: Plan It – Build It – Live It!” This symbolically represents in order: planet (“plan it”), manmade object (“build it), moonbase (“live it”).

Murphy's Law: Technical Drawing for Mousetrap Vehicle

2012-01-27T19:38:00.001-05:00

EDITOR'S NOTE: For a change, the comments are being left ON. I welcome and would appreciate your thoughts -- this technical drawing has not been scored yet, so it will be interesting for your feedback to compare & contrast with the judges. Just keep it constructive, if you'll pardon the pun! :D

Murphy's Law mousetrap powered vehicle
Murphy's Law MTV, top and front views
Murphy's Law MTV, side view

Compare this year's to last year's MTV technical drawing at http://seminolesecme.blogspot.com/2011/01/technical-drawing-for-mousetrap-vehicle.html

Technical Drawing for Balsawood Bridge

2012-01-26T12:27:00.006-05:00

Technical Report for Balsawood Bridge

2012-01-26T12:15:00.003-05:00

EDITOR'S NOTE: For a change, the comments are being left ON. I welcome and would appreciate your thoughts -- this technical report has not been scored yet, so it will be interesting for your feedback to compare & contrast with the judges. Just keep it constructive, if you'll pardon the pun! :D

Design Philosophy and Construction Procedure
As stated in the introduction, we used the Warren Truss, with slight alterations, for our design. Even before we began our research, our design was based on common sense, intuition and prior experience. With force being applied to the truss we knew that we had to build a design where it was distributed and transferred to the supports with as little stress as possible to the bridge. The top of the bridge is where the compression is located when force is applied, and if not handled appropriately the bridge will snap inwards; while if there’s too much tension, on the bottom of the bridge, it will slide apart and buckle. Knowing this, we decided to use equilateral and isosceles triangles, with 60-60-60 and 90-45-45 degrees to dissipate the force being placed on the bridge by both gravity and the machine.
The force of gravity (weight) is equal to the product of the mass of the bridge times the acceleration due to gravity, in accord with Newton’s 2nd law of motion (Fnet=ma). According to the 3rd law of motion, the bridge tester will exert a normal force back on the bridge that is equal in force to weight but opposite in direction. The bridge testing machine will apply force equal to the product of pressure times area (P = F/A or F = PA). The pressure will also be equal to the work done by the tester over the volume of the bridge, where work is the product of force times distance time cosine of the angle relative to the direction of motion (W=Fd cos θ), and volume is area times depth (V=Ad). So (P = W/V = Fd cos θ/Ad). As the crusher does it’s work, the force of the load is transmitted along our beams. That stress will cause deformation from shearing and strain of extension and compression as previously stated once we pass the point of elasticity (Young’s modulus).
Our first design used the triangular method, with two sides at an angle connected by a roadway, but on our bottom beam we had vertical pieces of would which we soon realized would snap under the stress of compression and used too much wood. Our second design consisted of three major triangles with one smaller one inside of the middle triangle all at 60 degrees. The change leading to our third and last design was adding another beam for more support and changing our corresponding triangles to equal angles with our major ones being isosceles or equilateral.
Although it may’ve been better to stand the whole bridge at an angle, we have it at 90 degrees, with space between, hopefully to displace the force with greater efficacy. The goal of our BBB bridge is to attain the highest amount of efficiency possible with the given materials. Efficiency is measured by taking the ratio of the mass of the bridge itself compared to the mass that the bridge can hold. That number is then multiplied by 100 to discover the percent of efficiency. A highly efficient bridge would have its own weight at minimum and the amount of weight it could hold, at maximum.

Bridge Construction
After the team agreed to on final design, we gathered the needed materials necessary to construct the bridge: one-quarter by one-quarter inch (¼” x ¼”) balsa wood thirty-six inches long (36”) provided for us by our SECME coordinator, and we began to cut the pieces. Beam lengths were as determined by competition rules (EX: no member shorter than two inches (2”)). Angles were joined at 60-60-60 and 90-45-45 degrees. Pieces were adhered together with cyanoacrylate glue. We allowed the glue time to dry with each piece so it would not compromise the structure of the bridge.

Top view: roadway span: 45 cm in length by 4.5 cm in width
End view: roadway span: 4.5 cm in width by 1.3 cm in depth, attached to truss 18 cm in height by 4.5 cm in width
Side view: total bridge height of 18 cm, with central truss height clearance of 2 cm and width clearance of 45 cm

Conclusion
As foreboding as this task was in the beginning, we predict that our bridge will do pretty well. With an understanding of how the force of gravity and the testing machine cause tension and compression on the bridge, we presume to have designed and built a bridge to withstand the stress, strain and sheering being placed on it. However, if we were to voice concern over possible failure areas it would be at the intersection of our 45/60 degree angles. Seeing as how the force is being directed towards the center of the bridge there’s a fear that tension will occur resulting in movement of supporting beams.

Selected Bibliography
- NOVA Online | Super Bridge. (n.d.). PBS. Retrieved February 22, 2010, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/
- "BrainPOP | Technology | Learn about Bridges." BrainPOP - Animated Educational Site for Kids - Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts. Web. 18 Jan. 2012. http://www.brainpop.com/technology/scienceandindustry/bridges/.

Olympian Tasks!

2012-01-25T12:40:00.001-05:00

(Click on the first picture to flip through the Seminole SECME team working hard to do their best for tomorrow's Olympiad submission deadline)

Hundreds Of Students To Compete In Upcoming SECME Olympiads

2012-01-24T07:45:00.000-05:00

The competition will be intense when students from 55 elementary schools, 20 middle schools, and 15 high schools participate in one of two Palm Beach County SECME District Olympiads scheduled for February.

SECME (Science, Engineering, Communication, and Mathematics Enrichment) is a national organization with the goal of increasing the pool of students who will be prepared to enter and complete post-secondary studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, thus creating a diverse and globally competitive workforce.

The Elementary SECME District Olympiad will be held Saturday, February 11, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Santaluces High School.

The Secondary SECME District Olympiad will be held Saturday, February 25, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Santaluces High School.

During each of the Olympiads, students will participate in a variety of competitions which will include bridges, mousetrap cars, water rockets, Brain Bowl, essays, poems, banners, and posters. The theme for this year’s SECME program is “Plan It٠Build It٠Live It!”. The winning entries in the essay and mousetrap car competitions will advance to the SECME National Student Competition which will be held in late June, at The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa.

Olympiad supporters include: Florida Atlantic University College of Engineering and Computer Science, Hazen and Sawyer, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, CH2M Hill, and FPL. Florida Atlantic University awards up to 25 four-year scholarships each year to qualified SECME students. SECME participation has been credited for encouraging career and occupational selections, stimulating college and university visitations, as well as establishing mentoring and internship programs for students with area businesses.

Bruce Wear, SECME district coordinator, says the competitions develop high-level thinking and problem-solving skills. “SECME is an excellent program that provides students with opportunities to apply “hands on” problem solving techniques to real engineering challenges. They get to design, test, re-design, and re-test until they produce a working model – pretty much the same way engineers do their jobs.”

For further information please contact Bruce Wear, 561- 357-1125 or email bruce.wear@palmbeachschools.org.

Scripps Florida to Bring New Interactive Exhibits and Activities to 3rd Annual Public Science “CELLebration” Day at The Gardens Mall

2012-01-17T10:32:00.003-05:00

Scripps Florida invites Palm Beach County students and their families to celebrate the 3rd Anniversary of the opening of their state-of-the-art biomedical research institute. The “CELLebrate” Science community science festival will take place at The Gardens Mall on Saturday, February 04, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The festival is exclusively for Palm Beach county students and families. It will include interactive science exhibits, exciting new demonstrations, opportunities to interact with scientists, and lots of family fun!

Scientists and engineers from Scripps Florida invite members of the community to explore the wonder of scientific discovery and experience new hands-on activities for all ages at the third annual “CELLebrate Science with Scripps Florida” public science festival, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2012 inside The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Featuring exciting new demonstrations and fun, interactive exhibits designed to spark the curiosity of children and adults, “CELLebrate Science with Scripps Florida” will take visitors along the path to discovery with a series of activity stations located throughout the lower level of the Mall. Hosted by more than 100 Scripps scientists and engineers, activity stations will let visitors get up close and personal with the people behind the research while learning about the latest biomedical breakthroughs.

“We were thrilled when The Gardens Mall asked us to return for a third year,” said Deborah Leach-Scampavia, director of education outreach for Scripps Florida, the East Coast campus of The Scripps Research Institute. “More than 4,000 people joined us for the 2011 event, so this year we wanted to raise the bar and offer several fantastic new experiences, along with a few surprises and updates to favorites from previous years.”

Aspiring chemists can try their hand at creating virtual molecules from elements on the periodic table with a new exhibit on loan from the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. “Create a Chemical Reaction” lets visitors take a drag-and-drop approach to the elements, mixing and matching them in a virtual chemical lab. Visitors use pucks to choose elements from a projected periodic table, and pull them into a reaction lab to see what happens. Bring in more molecules of the same element, throw new ones into the mix or just start over. It's a fun way to learn how a single molecule can be the difference between fire and fizzle.

From exploding hydrogen bubbles to super-cold liquid nitrogen, chemistry demonstrations are a favorite of visitors, and will return this year to showcase the many different types of chemistry research taking place at Scripps Florida. Visitors will enjoy even more exciting chemical reactions along with new hands-on activities for kids.

Remarkable devices that speed up the process of scientific discovery will be on display in a booth devoted to technology development. Learn how Scripps Florida is using--and developing--new technologies that automate and accelerate research, from giant robots that conduct up to one million experiments in 24 hours to miniature laboratories embedded on microchips.

Learn how scientists study sea slugs, fruit flies, roundworms and zebrafish to understand basic human biology. Take a look at these amazing model organisms through a microscope and discover why they are so important to biomedical research. Nearby, a giant inflatable planetarium-style dome will show a series of amazing short videos to create the illusion that visitors have just stepped inside a living cell.

Meet the scientists searching for clues that may one day lead to treatments and even cures for devastating diseases such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, hepatitis C and Alzheimer’s—just a few of the diseases being studied at Scripps Florida. From bacteria to viruses to genetically induced illnesses, learn about the types of disease that impact human health.

Educating and inspiring the next generation of scientists is an important part of the Scripps Research Institute’s mission. In addition to a top-10 ranked graduate school, Scripps offers many programs for undergraduates, high school teachers and K-12 students. Scripps Florida graduate students and high school summer interns from Palm Beach County schools will host a booth highlighting Scripps Florida’s education programs. Many of the winning projects from Palm Beach County 2011 Science and Engineering Fair will also be on display nearby.

Safety and research go hand in hand and it takes a crew of experts to ensure the health and well-being of scientists and our community. Meet the Scripps Florida Environmental Health and Safety specialists who will illustrate some of the extraordinary safety measures Scripps employs in the laboratories, as well as the institute’s “green initiatives” designed to reduce our environmental footprint.

In addition to the interactive science booths, visitors to “CELLebrate Science with Scripps Florida” can participate in a Scripps science scavenger hunt by answering questions and solving simple puzzles based on information and activities at the various booths. Every visitor who completes the scavenger hunt while visiting the activity booths will receive a commemorative gift and also be entered into a raffle to win a special prize.

For additional details about this event, please visit: www.scripps.edu/CELLebrate.

# # #

Careers in Nuclear Science Open House on Jan. 23

2012-01-11T10:37:00.002-05:00

FIND OUT ABOUT CAREERS IN NUCLEAR SCIENCE

The field of nuclear science encompasses a variety of career options, including power plant technology, nuclear medicine and radiation detection conducted by public safety and homeland security professionals. Information on these careers, how to get the training you need to get started in this growing field and exciting new developments in nuclear energy will be presented in a Nuclear Science Career Awareness Open House on Monday, January 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by Indian River State College (IRSC) with Florida Power & Light (FPL) and the FPL Energy Encounter and will be held in the Kight Center for Emerging Technologies at the IRSC Main Campus, off 35th Street in Fort Pierce. The Open House is held in conjunction with National Nuclear Science Week.

The event will feature nationally recognized experts and employers in nuclear science, including representatives from the US Department of Energy; United States Navy; AREVA, a multi-national industrial and nuclear power company; Westinghouse, The Shaw Group, provider of piping systems and construction services for the power industry; the Center for Energy Workforce Development, Florida Banner Center for Energy, North American Young Generation Nuclear, the Regional Center for Nuclear Education and Training based at IRSC, and others.

FPL and IRSC representatives will provide information on the highly-successful Power Plant Technology Institute, providing a comprehensive education in power plant operations and technologies. Students completing the program earn an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Electrical Engineering Technology and specialize in one of four areas: instrumentation and controls, electrical maintenance, mechanical maintenance and radiological protection. In August, 20 graduates of the program were hired by FPL for full-time positions at the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant. The apprentice-level wage scale averages $55,000 - $57,000 per year, in addition to an attractive benefits package. Graduates of the IRSC Nuclear Medicine Technology program work with physicians to perform nuclear medicine procedures used to diagnose and treat diseases. In diagnosis, NMT’s prepare, measure and give radiopharmaceuticals, known as tracers, to patients. Then, by using a radiation-sensitive camera, images of the internal organs and the tracer routing through the body can be viewed on a monitor. Information on this career option will also be presented at the Open House, as well as discussion of the technology and applications related to radiation detection in law enforcement.

The Open House will feature panel discussions, information booths, and opportunities to speak one-on-one with representatives in the various nuclear science fields. For more information, call the IRSC Call Center toll-free at 1-866-792-4772.

Scholarship Information from the Society of Women Engineers

2012-01-09T13:46:00.002-05:00

Good Afternoon,

The Southeast Florida Section of the Society of Women Engineers has a scholarship program to honor high school females who have shown commendable ability in areas such as leadership, academics, and community activities.

SWE Southeast Florida will annually award $500 and SWE Collegiate Membership to one outstanding high school senior female student who intends to pursue a college degree in engineering.

The scholarship application must be filled out by the student (and signed by a counselor) and postmarked April 30th, 2012. SWE, at a national level, also has scholarships for outstanding high school female students.

This application form can be found on the National SWE website: www.swe.org.

Please help us in recognizing outstanding young women by distributing scholarship forms and filling out the award nominations. Please take the time to learn about our SWE Southeast Section and our outreach activities by visiting our website at:
http://www.swe.org/swe/regiond/sections/sefl/Templates/home.htm

Sincerely, Marisa Lopez
SWE Southeast Florida Scholarship Chair FY12
Marisa[dot]lopez[at]kimley-horn[dot]com
561-840-0863

Egg Drop Awesomeness during Design Squad challenges

2012-01-07T22:14:00.003-05:00

(Click on the first picture to flip through the SECME Saturday at the Museum of Discovery and Science photostream)

20120107 SECME Saturday at MODS

SECME Saturday at the MODS

2012-01-05T08:03:00.001-05:00

WHAT: SECME Saturday & SECME Sunday at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Ft. Lauderdale - A Build It Challenge Weekend

WHEN: January 7 & 8, 2012, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

WHY: Calling all Engineers! Test your skills with hands-on, friendly competitions and interactive activities in our Design Nation: Build It Challenge. Use teamwork to create a paper table sturdy enough to hold stacks of books and more engineering feats.

And see the traveling exhibit "K’NEX: Building Thrill Rides". Explore the science, math and technology behind hair-raising amusement park thrill rides. The display models will range from a 10-foot-tall roller coaster, to a 6-foot Ferris wheel all made from K'NEX regular and micro parts. The realistic actions of the models will bring scientific and engineering concepts to life for visitors, who will be able to conduct simple experiments to explore physical forces such as potential and kinetic energy, and linear and rotational motion.

Happily, children won’t have to leave their on-site creations behind – instead, they can purchase their designs, with pricing based on a Weigh & Pay model. The Explore Store will also have K’NEX sets on sale for aspiring young engineers and architects.

HOW MUCH: Special Admission price: show you are with SECME for a reduced rate. Wear your SECME tshirt or show your SECME membership card are received a discounted group rate which is $10 for exhibits or $14 for exhibits and one classic 45-minute IMAX film. Teachers/Coaches/Coordinators: FREE admission with membership to museum. See attached form!

WHERE: Museum of Discovery and Science &
AutoNation IMAX® Theater
401 S.W. Second Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
954.713.0915
www.mods.org

Rest, Relax and Recharge

2011-12-22T13:30:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year of the Dragon 2012!

Captains Cindy Dosch (2010-2011), Caitlin Miller (2011-2012), and Brian Bartels (2010-2011)

Adopt-A-Classroom and Wells Fargo Get Into The Holiday Spirit Helping Classrooms

2011-12-19T11:15:00.004-05:00

At this Holiday Season, a generous partnership is putting much needed dollars into the classroom. The School District has partnered with Adopt-A-Classroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, in efforts to increase community support and donations for local classrooms. Wells Fargo is sponsoring the campaign in challenge and matching grant dollars. Thanks to the generous donation, Wells Fargo has helped raise over $125,000 for Palm Beach County schools, providing for much needed materials and supplies in the classroom.

Adopt-A-Classroom is the nation’s only nonprofit organization that enables donors to identify and make a donation to a specific classroom. Donations are tax deductible and teachers receive 100% of funds donated. Teachers have full discretion to budget the expenditure and purchase classroom materials that meet their students’ specific needs. The best part is that donors get to see exactly what the teacher purchased.

Grassy Waters Elementary School in West Palm Beach was recently awarded one of the Wells Fargo $5,000 Challenge grants. According to Grassy Waters Principal Amy Wilkinson, “Adopt-A-Classroom and Wells Fargo have been extremely beneficial to all our teachers and students. It’s enabled the teachers to get many of the materials and supplies that they need to become better teachers and our students love the new supplies.” Lisa Park, Senior Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo At Work believes, “The Adopt-A-Classroom program has been tremendous. What a gift to see how we have been able to help the classrooms, and most importantly get the extra school supplies and all the things students need to be more successful in their day-to-day endeavors in school.”

Since 1998, Adopt-A-Classroom has raised more than $16 million on behalf of classrooms, impacting more than one million students in the United States. “Anyone can easily make a difference for a teacher and a classroom of children by using our program to make a donation,” said James Rosenberg, Founder and Executive Director of Adopt-A-Classroom. “There is no easier way to donate to a classroom in such a transparent and accountable way. We are thrilled to partner with the School District of Palm Beach County in order to bring much-needed funds into classrooms.”

“Wells Fargo invests in building strong communities, and our matching grant to Adopt-A-Classroom goes right to the source: the classrooms where our teachers teach and where our children learn,” said Frank Newman, Wells Fargo’s regional president for South Florida. “At a time when county funds are being scaled back, we need to contribute to public education and inspire others to do the same.”

To make a donation to Seminole Ridge SECME, go to http://www.tinyurl.com/AdoptSeminoleSECME and click on Donate $ button to give $2, $20, or $200. Donations can be made by credit card or check.

About The School District of Palm Beach County
The School District of Palm Beach County, Florida, is the eleventh largest in the nation and the fifth largest in the state of Florida with 187 schools, serving 174,000 students who speak 141 languages/dialects. The School District has 21,361 employees including 12,480 teachers. Over 37,000 community volunteers provide academic assistance to students through the Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) Program. Additionally, approximately 1,000 business partners offer resources to support increased student achievement. For more information please visit www.palmbeachschools.org .

About Adopt-A-Classroom
Adopt-A-Classroom is a national, award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting classroom teachers and ensuring all children have equal access to a quality education. Since 1998, the organization has raised over $16 million on behalf of classrooms across America. Donations are tax-deductible and 100% is passed through to the teacher. Teachers have the ability to purchase resources that create a more engaging learning environment and also provide valuable new ways to inspire children about the wonders of learning. To support a classroom, visit www.adoptaclassroom.org .
About Wells Fargo Foundation
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.3 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com and wachovia.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. We want to help all of our customers succeed financially and create long-term economic growth and quality of life for everyone in our communities. In 2010, the Company invested a record $219 million in grants in 19,000 nonprofits, and team members contributed more than 1.3 million volunteer hours around the country. For more information, please visit: www.wellsfargo.com/about/csr.

Never met a scientific illustrator? Meet Carol.

2011-12-07T14:04:00.002-05:00

Image of the Week #20, December 5th, 2011:

Original source: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 1992 cover illustration of the reconstruction of the skull of Stegosaurus stenops in left lateral view. Ink on paper, by Carol Abraczinskas.

Never met a scientific illustrator? Meet Carol.
by Kalliopi Monoyios at Symbiartic.

Stipple is a pen and ink technique used in scientific illustration that utilizes millions of tiny dots to create areas of shadow and light. This stipple drawing of the skull of Stegosaurus stenops by Carol Abraczinskas appeared on the cover of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology in 1992. It’s a favorite teaching tool of Abraczinskas’s because it tests students’ observational skills. One missing dot prevents this illustration from being complete. Can you find it? To check if you got it right, see the original post for an enlarged view of that detail.

Hawks Compete in Gulliver Gateway VEX South Florida Championship

2011-12-05T12:09:00.005-05:00

(Click on the first picture to flip through the Gulliver VRC Gateway photostream)

20111204 VRC Gulliver Gateway

Seminole Ridge SECME students competed in the South Florida Championship of the VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) at Gulliver Preparatory School in Miami on Sunday. VRC Team 1614 consisted of robot drivers sophomore Connor Piegaro and freshman Bert Sivongsay, field scouts junior Kadeem Spencer and sophomore Jesse Mendheim, and programmer Brandon Gearty. To prepare for the competition, the group worked together to design and build a robot (affectionately nicknamed “Iron Dragon”) that could quickly and efficiently solve the specific obstacles and challenges that come with playing the game VEX Gateway.

The goal of Gateway is to attain a higher score than your opponent alliance by scoring barrels and balls in goals, earning bonus points and doubling or negating goals. Two alliances—‘red’ and ‘blue’— are composed of randomly paired teams to partner that compete during a twenty-second autonomous period followed by two minutes of driver-controlled play. The allies work both independently in the isolation zones behind the Gateway, and together in the interaction zone.

The students competed with and against 47 teams from across the state, Melbourne to Miami, from Bradenton to Boca, at the tournament. The Hawks qualified for the quarterfinal’s but were one-and-done during the playoffs. (Their record in the qualifying rounds was 2-4, and just made the playoffs cutoff as team 32). Still, the team’s coach, physics teacher Erich Landstrom, is impressed with the team: “We are building more than robots here - we are shaping our future innovators to positively impact the world around them.”

Each week, Seminole SECME students apply what they’ve learned about science, technology, engineering, and math in order to build these semiautonomous VEX machines. And through the competition students learn an equally important skill set: communication, project management, site management, and composure, because students have to learn to ‘fail faster’: not just how to win. but how to recover from losing. They work together on a variety of challenges and obstacles requiring new problem-solving skills.

Seminole SECME VRC team #1614 raises funds to cover the cost of the robot parts, competition entry fees and transportation expenses by asking the local community for support. Please support Seminole SECME this holiday season and make a matching gift at http://tinyurl.com/AdoptSeminoleSECME . Give $3, $30, or $300 -- all gifts are welcome.

Hey, coach! How's your SECME? EOY 2011

2011-11-29T14:57:00.003-05:00

Seasons Greetings, PLC Members!

I need to hear from you in the next ten days, by December 10th. But it will take less then 10 minutes to answer 10 questions and complete the mid-year survey. The information is vital to the SECME National Office.

As you know, most school districts are data-driven and the more data the National Office can share the better. This is your time to have a sounding board to share your thoughts and feelings. So please share what's working and what's not working! I promise it will drive and guide future professional development and funding!

Please know you are valued and your hard work is appreciated. Thanks for your time and assistance!

Click here to take survey

20 years, and less than 20 points...

2011-11-28T21:39:00.004-05:00

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1863 (j) (1) requires the biennial Science and Engineering Indicators (SEI) report to the President and to the Congress by January 15 of every even-numbered year. Since the next report is due out in six weeks, let's review the indicators in the last report (2010).

U.S. data show that the public's level of factual knowledge about science has not changed much over time. Figure 7-8 shows average numbers of correct answers to a series of mostly true-false science questions in different years for which fully comparable data were collected (appendix table 7-8 ).^[10] Although performance on individual questions varies somewhat over time (appendix table 7-9 ), overall scores are relatively similar.

CITATION
National Science Board. 2010. Science and Engineering Indicators 2010. Arlington, VA: National Science Foundation (NSB 10-01).

Ah, geez. Over twenty years from 1988 to 2008, we haven't risen twenty percent above the gathering storm. Look at the learning gains - they are mostly small, between 5-10%.

Remember, SEI is factual and policy-neutral; it neither offers policy options nor makes policy recommendations. The indicators included in the report are intended to contribute to the understanding of the current science and engineering environment. The SEI digest draws attention to disturbing trends....

http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind10/c7/c7s.htm#sb4

Mars Rover Curiosity Takes Off

2011-11-27T22:58:00.002-05:00

NASA's biggest and most capable Mars rover ever left Earth on Saturday morning in a picture perfect launch from Cape Canaveral. The new rover, named "Curiosity", is due to reach the Red Planet in August 2012.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/26nov_msllaunch/

For women and minorities, STEM is the best equal opportunity employer

2011-11-23T13:33:00.001-05:00

NEW REPORT FINDS THAT 63 PERCENT OF ASSOCIATE’S DEGREES IN STEM EARN MORE THAN BACHELOR’S DEGREES IN NON-STEM OCCUPATIONS

Study also finds that STEM jobs are among the nation’s most highly-paid and fastest-growing

(Washington, D.C., Oct. 20, 2011) – A new report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce shows that 65 percent of Bachelor’s degrees in STEM (science, engineering, technology and mathematics) occupations earn more than Master’s degrees in non-STEM occupations. Similarly, 47 percent of Bachelor’s degrees in STEM occupations earn more than PhDs in non-STEM occupations. Furthermore, even people with only STEM certificates can earn more than people with non-STEM degrees; for instance certificate holders in engineering earn more than Associate’s degree-holders in business and more than Bachelor’s degree-holders in education.

STEM will grow to only 5 percent of all jobs by 2018 and demand for STEM talent is growing even faster outside of traditional STEM occupations. This increasing demand for STEM knowledge, skills and abilities allows many individuals with STEM talent to leave STEM occupations. Students and workers divert from STEM jobs because, while STEM is high-paying, STEM students have access to higher-paying career options.

The report finds that of out of every 100 students with a Bachelor’s degree, 19 graduate with a STEM degree but only eight are working in STEM occupations ten years after graduation.

But it’s not only about money—a major conclusion of the report is that STEM talent winds up outside of STEM occupations because STEM jobs often do not fully satisfy individual social and entrepreneurial interests.

“STEM provides choice for people both immediately after school and at mid-career, allowing people to transition to different and oftentimes more lucrative career pathways, including management and healthcare that provide long-term stability and excellent wages.” says Anthony P. Carnevale, the Center’s director and the report’s lead author.

The report details STEM earnings by occupation, race, sex, and education level, and finds:

For women and minorities, STEM is the best equal opportunity employer.
• For women and minorities, STEM is a good news/bad news story. Women and minorities are underrepresented in STEM.
• But for those who do persist, the pay gap in STEM between women and minorities and white men is smaller in STEM than in any other occupation.

STEM pays more than most jobs at each level of education, and at the graduate level is exceeded only by a small sliver of managerial and healthcare occupations.
• Over 70 percent of STEM workers at the high school or some college level make more than the average for workers in all other occupations at the same education level.

More than two-thirds of Associate’s degree-holders in STEM make more than the average for all Associate’s degree-holders.
• STEM training pays more even if you don’t work in a STEM occupation.
• Workers majoring in STEM in college earn more than all other majors over their lifetimes, even if they work in non-STEM occupations.

Apart from the full national report, STEM contains a state-level analysis of STEM jobs. STEM is available online at http://cew.georgetown.edu/STEM.

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce is an independent, nonprofit research and policy institute that studies the link between individual goals, education and training curricula, and career pathways.

Seminole Ridge 2011 Pathfinder Nominees

2011-11-22T10:37:00.002-05:00

Seminole Ridge High School is pleased to announce the 2012 Palm Beach Post Pathfinder Scholarship nominees. Students are nominated in 18 academic, vocational, and athletic categories and ddemonstrate outstanding achievement. The following Pathfinder nominees have also participated in Seminole SECME (or if not in SECME, have been science students of Seminole Ridge SECME school coordinator Mr. Landstrom and have been in a SECME-tized classroom)

Again, congratulations to our Seminole Ridge Seniors who have been nominated for this prestigious award. Please wish them luck and encouragement as they continue through the nomination process.

Art Ronit Liberman

Business Robert Botkin

Forensics/Speech Cash Galko

History/Political Science Julia Frate

Literature Taylor Godfrey

Mathematics Michael Canlas

Reach for Excellence Patrick Eden

Figure This! On the 12th+11th+10th Day of Christmas

2011-11-20T13:25:00.005-05:00

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sends to me a partridge in a pear tree. On the 2nd day, my love sends two turtle doves and a partridge in pear tree. On the 3rd day, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in pear tree. This pattern continues for nine more days. The remaining gifts, in order of appearance, include colly birds, gold rings, geese, swans, maids, ladies, lords, pipers, and drummers. Figure this! After 12 days, which gift did my true love send the most?

Hint: How many of each gift did I receive on each day?
Get Started: Make a table to organize this information.

Answer in the comments!

Seminole SECME Spotlight: Caitlin Nicole Miller

2011-11-19T13:19:00.000-05:00

Senior Caitlin Nicole Miller is the captain of this year’s Seminole SECME team. She is setting a standard for the theme “Plan It—Build It—Live It!” Last year she was a part of the Seminole SECME Brain Bowl team. Her decision to enrich her education was immediately noticed. Her classmates talked about how committed she was, displaying her dedication and great intelligence at every meeting. She felt like she could make a difference in the club and be a great leader when offered the position as captain. Her priorities were organization and focusing in a more systematic way of doing things. Caitlin has a hands-on approach: she checks in with everybody and makes sure she knows her stuff so her teammates get the best advice she can give. That’s no surprise given how she spends her time off from school and SECME. She said, “I’ve always been good at math. And the hands-on science stuff — I’ve always liked knowing why things happen and how things work.” Caitlin enjoys watching “CSI” and “Lie to Me” because “I like how they go about solving crimes and I like guessing how the show is going to end. I do that all the time.” Caitlin’s plans for the future look for fall admission to the College of Engineering at Florida Atlantic University. Watch this Hawk become an Owl!

Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter Fall 2011

2011-11-16T21:29:00.001-05:00

In the Fall 2011 issue of the Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter
- "Hawk"-tober at the Ridge: brainstorming bridges, bots, and bottle rockets
- Discover "E" and Create Something Cool with Jim Kunard, professional engineer.
- Engineering Family Fun Day recap by Kim Seager, PE and EF2D event chair
- Figure This! On the 12th + 11th + 10th day of Christmas
- Save the Dates: February 25th and April 29th
- SECME Spotlight on our captain, Caitlin Nicole Miller
- Robot Carnival at the Children's Science Explorium in Boca Raton
- Hawks guard the Miami VEX Gateway with "The Iron Dragon"
- Adopt Seminole SECME online: thank you to our sponsors

PAGE 1

Click here to download the attached PDF copy of our Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter Fall 2011 issue

Engineering Family Fun Day 2011 Recap

2011-11-13T13:22:00.001-05:00

“On behalf of the Southeast Florida Section of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), we would like to thank Seminole Ridge SECME for your support of the 4th Annual Engineering Family Fun Day (EF2D). We are grateful for you donating your time and resources to participate in this great event. EF2D is a free annual event that the SWE hosts for Palm Beach County students. The objective of the program is to educate the community on engineering and spark an interest in math, science and engineering for students. EF2D informs students and their parents of the qualifications and achievements of engineers and the opportunities available though engineering.

"The 4th Annual EF2D event offered ten activities that provided hands on learning about engineering and science. The activities included Popfly Launcher, Wind Energy, Lemon Battery, Bottle Rocket Launch, Gumdrop Dome, Survey, Lego Tower, Eat Your Science, Egg Bungee and Meet an Engineer. At every location, students had the opportunity to meet and talk to engineers about where they work, what they do, and how to become an engineer. By the end of the day, both students and volunteers learned some of the basic concepts that are used by engineers and scientists every day.

“Seminole Ridge SECME played a huge role in helping to make the 4th Annual EF2D event a success. Without your participation, our event would not have been so successful. We were able to provide a day of fun and learning to over 100 students in Palm Beach County. I hope you will continue to support our event in years to come. Through the loyal support of members and friends we are making great strides towards our goal of supporting women of all ages in their quest for successful careers in engineering.

- Kim Seager
(SEFL SWE President/EF2D Event Chair)

LBST Gotta Regatta

2011-11-08T16:52:00.001-05:00

Let's Build Something Together challenge
PROTOTYPE
Raingutter Regatta challenge

---

A boat is a watercraft design to float. Types of boats range from canoes to catamarans to cargo carriers. We challenge your team to make a boat that can ferry a Ping-Pong passenger!

MATERIALS PER TEAM
• Masking tape
• 3–5 paint stirrers
• 3 playing cards
• 1 plastic sandwich bags
• 2 rubber bands
• 2 drinking straws
• 1 Ping—Pong ball
• 3 oz paper cup

BRAINSTORM AND DESIGN
Look at your Materials and think about the questions below. Then sketch your ideas on a piece of paper or in your design notebook.

1.How will you make a boat that floats well enough to support a heavy load without sinking?
2.Should your boat be a platform (e.g., a raft or barge) or an open boat (e.g., a rowboat or canoe)?
3.What's the best way to make your boat waterproof?
4.How big do you need to make your boat?

Build, Test, Evaluate & Redesign
Use the Materials to build your boat. Then test it by floating it in a container of water and adding washers, one at a time. When you test, your design may not work as planned. When engineers solve a problem, they try different ideas, learn from mistakes, and try again. The steps they use to arrive at a solution is called the design process. Study the problems and then redesign. For example, if the boat:
•sinks easily—Increase its ability to float. When you set your boat in water, notice how it sinks down a bit, pushing aside some water. The water pushes right back, pressing on the boat's bottom and sides. The force from these pushes is called buoyancy. To change your boat's buoyancy, experiment with the boat's width and the height of its sides.
•leaks a lot—See if the straws are filling with water or if the plastic wrap is separating.
•tips easily—Check how near the weights are to each other. A boat can get tippy when one part is heavier than another.

EngineerGirl! Essay Contest 2012 - Food Engineering

2011-11-07T14:06:00.002-05:00

Dear EngineerGirl! Visitor:

We are pleased to announce the National Academy of Engineering’s EngineerGirl! website’s 12th annual Essay Contest. Students are asked to write about the role of engineering in providing safe and nutritious food.

Shopping at your local supermarket is a different experience today than it was even 50 years ago. Today the food we eat comes from around the world and is often already prepared in a wonderful variety of ways. Engineers are actively involved in every step of the process—they design the specialized machines used to plant and harvest crops and develop unique manufacturing processes to prepare, package, and transport foods in safe and secure ways.

Consider these popular foods:
- Applesauce
- Ice cream
- Peanut butter
- Potato chips
- Sandwich bread
- Spaghetti sauce

Grades 3-5: (No more than 500 words)
Choose one of the foods from the list and explain how it is produced, from the planting and harvesting of raw material to being ready to eat. Describe how engineers are involved in different steps of the process.

Grades 6-8: (No more than 750 words)
Choose one of the foods from the list and explain how it is produced, from the planting and harvesting of raw material to being ready to eat. Choose a technology critical to one or more steps in the process and explain how it works. Describe how different types of engineers (e.g. civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.) might have contributed to the design of the technology as well as key elements of that design.

Grades 9-12: (No more than 1500 words)
Choose one of the foods from the list and explain how it is produced, from the planting and harvesting of raw material to being ready to eat. Choose a technology critical to one or more steps in that process and explain how it works. Describe how different types of engineers (e.g. civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.) might have contributed to the design of the technology as well as key elements of that design. Talk about what engineers are currently doing to improve this technology. Be sure to include your references.

Details and rules can be found on the EngineerGirl! website: http://www.engineergirl.org/CMS/Contest/food2012.aspx. Participation is open to both girls and boys in grades 3-12 and submissions must be entered by 6:00 pm (EST) on March 1, 2012. All winning entries will be published on the EngineerGirl! website and winners will receive cash prizes: first place winners $500, second place winners $250, third place winners $100. The 2012 EngineerGirl! Essay Contest was made possible by the generous support of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

The EngineerGirl! website is designed to spark the curiosity of young people, girls in particular, and encourage them to consider careers in engineering. EngineerGirl! provides career descriptions, profiles of successful women engineers, information about exciting engineering projects, and interactive tools for girls, parents, teachers, and guidance counselors, all designed to encourage girls to pursue an engineering education and career. Launched in 2001, the site is visited by more than 18,000 unique visitors a month and has been featured by the Girl Scouts of America, the Society of Women Engineers, and local and national media in the United States and around the world. The #1 website on Google for “girls + engineering,” Engineer Girl! is a trusted and entertaining resource for young girls, parents, educators, and volunteer engineers involved in student outreach. In a 2011 poll, girls’ reported that viewing the EngineerGirl! website or participating in its annual essay contest caused 63% of them to consider a career in engineering and 81% to consider studying engineering in college. Please visit www.engineergirl.org to learn more.

We look forward to reading some exciting and creative essays and we hope you will help us to spread contest announcement. If you have questions, or seek clarification, please contact the EngineerGirl! team at engineergirl[at]nae[dot]edu.
Best,
Vickie
Victoria Gunderson, Ph.D.
Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Fellow
National Academy of Engineering
vgunderson[at]nae[dot]edu

Engineering Family Fun Day 2011

2011-11-05T20:06:00.008-04:00

(Click on the first picture to flip through the photostream)

Seminole Ridge SECME inspired an interest in the areas of math and science in young students in Palm Beach County during the 4th annual “Engineering Family Fun Day” November 5 from 10AM – 2PM at Dreher Park in West Palm Beach.

Sponsored by the non-profit educational and service organization The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) - Southeast Florida Section, the intent is to increase the students’ as well as their parents’, teachers’, and counselors’ knowledge of engineering and other technical fields. SECME senior Caitlin Miller, and sophomores Sam Smith and Jarret Rimel assisted boys and girls during EF2D as they challenged children like cub scouts from Pack 147 to build a popfly launcher with paint stirrers, a PVC pipe coupler and a ping pong ball. The minicatapults were sponsored in part by Lowe's Home Improvement of Royal Palm Beach, store #0654.

The event involved sponsored booths which presented a hands on activity by which the students, parents, and engineers can interact with each other. For example, the Seminole Ridge High booth focused on the physics of forces, and introduced students to the nationwide SECME engineering club (Science, Engineering, Communicationm, and Mathematics). By collaborating with SWE and NSBE, the event also emphasizes SECME's commitment to promote diversity and promote an inclusive global community within our organization and the engineering community.

Engineering Family Fun Day (EF2D) is a free annual event that the Society of Women Engineers hosts for Palm Beach County students. The objective of the program is to educate the community on engineering and spark an interest in math, science and engineering for students from 4th to 12th grade. EF2D informs students, their parents, counselors, teachers and the general public of the qualifications and achievements of engineers and the opportunities available though engineering.

EF2D offers ten activities that provide hands on learning about engineering and science. Some of the past activities have included robo hands, paper helicopter, lemon battery, bottle rocket design and launch, gum drop dome, water filtration & testing, making polymers and balanced force. An EF2D Passport is provided to each participant. Participants have the opportunity to go on a journey though engineering and receive a stamp at every destination. The Passport states the activity, the type of engineering associated with the activity and the difficulty level. This helps the students and parents decide if the activity is appropriate for the child’s age. It also serves as an educational tool by informing the participant on the type of engineering involved in certain activities. For example, the Bottle Rocket involves aerospace engineering and Popfly Launcher involves mechanical engineering. At every location, students also have the opportunity to meet and talk to engineers about where they work, what they do, and how to become an engineer. By the end of the day, both students and volunteers learn some of the basic concepts that are used by engineers and scientists every day.

Registration now open for Moody’s Mega Math Challenge 2012

2011-11-04T17:12:00.001-04:00

Moody’s Mega Math Challenge is an Internet-based, applied math competition for high school students. The contest is free and open to high school juniors and seniors in 29 states in the Eastern United States.

Working in teams of three to five, participants must solve an open-ended, applied math-modeling problem focused on a realistic issue—in 14 hours. Scholarships totaling $115,000 toward the pursuit of higher education are awarded to the top teams. The real-world focus of the competition introduces students to applied math as a powerful problem-solving tool and, potentially, as a viable and exciting profession.

Challenge weekend is set for March 3 and 4, 2012. Register at the website below.

Complete details, sample problems, and archives of previous Challenges are available at: http://M3Challenge.siam.org

[Please feel free to include the above blurb in your e-newsletters, listserv messages, and/or websites] Karthika Muthukumaraswamy, Project Public Awareness
Moody's Mega Math Challenge http://M3Challenge.siam.org m3challenge[at]siam[dot]org

Coming Soon to a T-shirt Near You!

2011-11-03T22:18:00.003-04:00

SECME Design Seminars: Plan It, Build It, Live It!

2011-10-30T13:10:00.000-04:00

Design Seminars to “Plan It, Build It, Live It!”

In the SECME program, students are required to design, build, and test a variety of engineering research projects throughout the year. SECME student teams will construct balsawood bridges for structural strength, cars powered solely by the spring from a mousetrap to race across gymnasiums, and water bottle rockets to launch for maximum hang time. Essays, artwork, and banners communicating student interpretations of this year’s theme, “SECME: Plan It Build It, Live It” will be displayed and judged. The engineering Olympiad competition in February is the culmination of projects completed as a result of classroom activities, and of students, parents, and teachers participating in Saturday engineering design seminars. Design seminars familiarize students with the events in the annual Olympiad completion. They provide the people, the place, and the parts to work on SECME submissions. Students also interact with practicing engineers who help them understand the importance of education in the global economy with the ultimate goal of encouraging students to pursue postsecondary degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Please plan on attending!

The School District of Palm Beach County and the SECME South Florida Industry Partners are hosting the following design seminars this autumn. All seminars are from 9 AM to 1 PM.

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the seminars, and their own meals:

• Thur. Nov 3 @ 4:30 PM—Technical reports and drawings drafting at Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center. Coordinators only.
Directions: I-95 to Forest Hill Blvd. Go west on Forest Hill past Congress Ave. Turn left at Davis Road. Building is on left.

• Sat., Nov. 19—Mousetrap Vehicles and Bridges at H.L. Johnson Elementary, 1000 Crestwood Blvd. N., Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
Directions: I-95 to Okeechobee Blvd. West to Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Turn north on Royal Palm Bch. Blvd. School on west side of street.

• Thur. Dec 8 @ 4:30 PM—Banner/Poster/Brain Bowl at Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center. Coordinators only.
Directions: I-95 to Forest Hill Blvd. Go west on Forest Hill past Congress Ave. Turn left at Davis Road. Building is on left.

• Sat., Dec. 10—Bottle Rockets Design at Don Estridge Middle, 1798 NW Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton, FL
Directions: I-95 to Yamato Road. West to Military Trail. South to next light--Spanish River Blvd. Go east on Spanish River Blvd. School is on south side.

• Thur., Dec 15 @ 4:30 PM— Mousetrap Care at Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center. Coordinators only.
Directions: I-95 to Forest Hill Blvd. Go west on Forest Hill past Congress Ave. Turn left at Davis Road. Building is on left.

• Thur. Jan 12 @ 4:30 PM—DEADLINE: Registration, Rocket Patch, Essay, Technical reports and drawings due at Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center. Coordinators only.
Directions: I-95 to Forest Hill Blvd. Go west on Forest Hill past Congress Ave. Turn left at Davis Road. Building is on left.

• Sat., Feb 11 @ 8 AM—SECME Elementary Olympiad at Santaluces High, 6880 Lawrence Rd., Lantana, FL 33462
Directions: I-95 to Hypoluxo Rd. West to Lawrence Rd. School is on NE intersection of Hypoluxo and Lawrence Rd.

• February TBA—Florida Atlantic University Engineers Week Event
Directions: I-95 to Hypoluxo Rd. West to Lawrence Rd. School is on NE intersection of Hypoluxo and Lawrence Rd.

• Sat., Feb 25 @ 8 AM—SECME Secondary Olympiad at Santaluces High, 6880 Lawrence Rd., Lantana, FL 33462
Directions: I-95 to Hypoluxo Rd. West to Lawrence Rd. School is on NE intersection of Hypoluxo and Lawrence Rd.

• April TBA—SECME Annual “Celebration of Achievements” Awards Banquet

12 oz H2O + 60 psi air = 1 good time

2011-10-29T12:53:00.004-04:00

Seminole Ridge SECME attended a water rocket design seminar, hosted by Discovery Key Elementary in Lake Worth on Saturday, October 29, 2011. The seminar was lead by Chris Garrett, PE and recently retired rocket engineer from Pratt Whitney.
(Click on the first picture to flip through the photostream)

20111026 WSRH News coverage of "Give Blood - It's Not Rocket Science"

2011-10-28T22:03:00.003-04:00

Thank you everyone for supporting the October blood drive. We broke our own school records! We registered 243 people, collected 191 units, and we were short a mobile! It broke down on the way to our school.

We do realize that students were in the lobby/on the mobiles longer. We even had to turn some of our afternoon appointments away as a result. Otherwise, we would have reached our goal of 200 units!

Thanks to the SECME/Mr. Landstrom's students for launching rockets in donors names! The theme was Give Blood: It's Not Rocket Science!

Dates of next drives: January 30 Odd, April 30 Even, May 30 Odd (new donors only)

We want to thank you for your support with the interruptions in class. Mrs. Smith/Mrs. Muckle were calling down the students who had not shown up at their designated time to donate. This is done to ensure students are not skipping or abusing the opportunity. Students should be coming back to class with their appt. card signed/time stamped.

Hope everyone had a great weekend.
Shawna and Stacey
NHS

Lady Liberty

2011-10-27T14:08:00.002-04:00

Happy 125th Anniversary to the The Statue of Liberty! Liberty Enlightening the World is a colossal neoclassical sculpture in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886.

CLICK HERE to revisit November's math challenge to figure this:
The right arm of the Statue of Liberty is 42 feet long. How long is her nose?

Brains and Heart! Seminole SECME's annual "Give Blood = It's Not Rocket Science" blood drive

2011-10-26T21:19:00.005-04:00

Seminole Ridge High National Honor Society and SECME students hosted a blood drive at school on Wednesday, October 26 from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Our theme is “GIVE BLOOD—IT’S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.” It’s a fun and unique way to teach people how easy it is to save 3 lives; much simpler than the science, engineering, and math (STEM) that it takes to blast off a water rocket.
(Click on the first picture to flip through the photostream)

20111026 Give Blood It's Not Rocket Science

For each pint of blood donated, SECME students celebrate with a rocket launch. The 2 liter bottle rockets are fired off with 60 PSI compressed air and a pint of water symbolical dyed red with food coloring.

To successfully launch, it takes the physics of projectile motion, the polynomial equations for parabolic paths, and the practice of precision engineering. But to donate blood, all a student needs is to be in good health, at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, have turned in a signed parental consent form, and present a photo ID.

And Florida’s Blood Centers will donate approximately $20 per unit of blood collected to the Scholarship Assistance Foundation to support students with tuition assistance for attending colleges, universities, institutions, and technical centers by furthering their education in STEM subjects!

Hit Us Up

2011-10-25T06:26:00.006-04:00

Show us some love and give us some clicks.

Find Seminole Ridge SECME on the Web

Friend us on Facebook

Watch us on YouTube

Water Bottle Rocket Seminar on Saturday, 10/29

2011-10-24T13:38:00.002-04:00

WATER BOTTLE ROCKET SEMINAR
Conducted by Chris Garrett, retired rocket scientist from Pratt & Whitney

WHERE: Discovery Key Elementary, 3350 Lyons Rd. Lake Worth, Fl. 33467

Directions: I-95 to 10th Ave. N. Go west to Jog Rd. South on Jog to Lake Worth Rd. West on Lake Worth Rd. to Lyons Rd. North on Lyons. School is on the right--past entrance to Cypress Woods development

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29th 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

WHAT TO BRING: (2) 2 LITER BOTTLES (PER STUDENT REQUIRED), PACKAGING TAPE, EASTER EGGS, PARTY HATS, DISPOSABLE PLATES (NOT CARDBOARD), PERMANENT MARKER, MEASURING TAPE OR RULER, SCISSORS, EXACTO KNIFE, AND EMPTY PAPER TOWEL ROLLS, NEWSPAPERS.

FOOD: Snacks and drinks available at $1.00, pizza $2.00/slice (Complete lunch $5.00: 2 slices of pizza, chips & soda)

Click on following link to register:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RKCGKKQ

REAL "Real Steel": Seminole SECME in Miami VEX Robotics Competition

2011-10-23T13:50:00.005-04:00

(Click on the first picture to flip through the VRC Belen Jesuit Prep photostream)

20111022 VEX Belen Jesuit

(Click play to watch videos from VRC Belen Jesuit Prep)

Seminole Ridge students from VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) team “Underdogs” soared through the semifinals, but fell during the finals, at the Miami Official VEX Gateway qualifier hosted at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami this past weekend.

VRC team 1614 was comprised of 3 members: freshmen Bert Sivongsay, sophomore Jesse Mendheim, and junior Kadeem Spencer. To prepare for the competition, the group worked together to design and build a robot (with the assistance of sophomore Connor Piegaro) using the VEX Robotics Design System that could quickly and efficiently solve specific obstacles and challenges that come with playing the game VEX Gateway.

The action-packed day required middle and high school students to execute VRC Gateway, a game played on a 12’x12’ square field. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete 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 scoring barrels and balls in goals, earning bonus points and doubling or negating goals. As tournament finalists, the team has qualified for the chance to compete during the VEX Robotics Competition World Championship in California against top teams from over 20 countries worldwide.

While the Red Alliance of Team 4411A “WARwolf ROBOTICS” from the TERRA Environmental Research Institute and Team 5959 “RAMTECH” from Miami Coral Park Senior High School won the event overall, many other teams received esteemed awards. Award-winners included Seminole SECME’s Blue Alliance partners, Team 4330N “Invention” from Ransom Everglades Middle School in Miami.

Seminole Ridge SECME Team 1614 will be competing in the upcoming South Florida Championship VRC on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at Gulliver Preparatory School in Miami. The event is open and free for media, families, and other community members to attend.

The Underdogs team raises funds to cover the cost of the robot parts, competition entry fees and transportation expenses by outreaching to the local community for support. Please support STEM education. You can help us by making your direct donation to Seminole SECME. Learn more about Adopt-A-Classroom at http://tinyurl.com/AdoptSeminoleSECME . Give $3, $30, or $300 -- all financial gifts are welcome.

Erich Landstrom, the team’s advisor said, “I am proud of these students for their ability. The students competed with and against 32 teams from south Florida, rising to become one of the final four teams at the end. We are building more than robots here - we are shaping our future innovators to positively impact the world around them.”

Each week, SECME students apply what they’ve learned about science, technology, engineering and math in order to build the semiautonomous machines. An equally important set of skills is learned through the competition -- communication, project management, site management and the importance of composure, because students have to learn to fail faster: not just how to win but also how to recover from losing. They work together on a variety of challenges and obstacles - requiring them to develop new problem-solving skills both individually and as a collective whole - as they think, create, build and amaze, to design a robot that they will use to compete in one of many tournaments throughout the year.

Joining a VEX Robotics Competition team enables students to experience a variety of roles on the team, and share responsibility for all aspects of the building, programming, designing and management process. No prior experience is required, just one’s imagination, desire to build, and willingness to be a team player.

Give Blood (But You May Find That Blood Is Not Enough).

2011-10-21T06:37:00.005-04:00

Discover "E"

2011-10-20T06:42:00.008-04:00

Our SECME engineering club recently hosted Mr. Jim Kunard, a professional civil engineer with 30 years’ experience ranging from power plant structures, high energy pipe stress analysis, and water management to parks, parking garages, fire stations, and libraries. Kunard is a past president of the Palm Beach chapter of the Florida Engineering Society and state chair of the society’s education outreach initiatives.

Kunard began his talk to our students by relating the practical applications of science, technology, engineering, and math to the world around us. He continued with a hands-on activity, making engineering fun by creating something cool: students built sections of a model suspension bridge, then connected their segments to see its full span. Kunard concluded his talk with examples and explanations of technical drawings.

20111019 FES Jim Kunard K'NEX
20111019 FES Jim Kunard and Seminole SECME KNEX
20111019 FES Jim Kunard vs Coach Batchelor

Seminole SECME engineering club hosted speaker Jim Kunard on Wednesday, October 19. Mr. Kunard is a professional engineer with over 30 years experience in the field of civil with experience ranging from power plant structures, high energy pipe stress analysis, and water management to parks, parking garages, fire stations, and libraries. Jim is a past-president of the Palm Beach Chapter of the Florida Engineering Society and state chair of the Society’s education outreach initiatives.

Mr. Kunard began his talk with a PowerPoint presentation that helped high school students to “Discover E”. The goal is to relate practical applications of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to the world around them. Engineering is remaking the Acreage: from pipes below a widened Seminole Pratt, to the power plants west of the road.

Mr. Kunard continued with a hands-on activity to make engineering fun by creating something cool. Students were separated into six groups to build sections of a suspension bridge with K’Nex. Once they completed their project they pieced the components of their structure together to see its full span. This introduced SECME students to engineering elements they'll need to know for the bridge competition during the district’s engineering Olympiad competition this spring. Jim concluded his talk with examples of technical drawings.

20111019 FES Jim Kunard KNEX

A recent national survey sponsored by Microsoft Corp and conducted by Harris Interactive, of college students currently pursuing STEM degrees found nearly four in five STEM college students said they decided to study STEM in high school or earlier (78 %). More than half (57 %) of STEM college students said that before going to college, a teacher or class got them interested in STEM (20 %). This is especially true of female students (68 % versus 51 % of males) who chose “a teacher or class” as the top factor that sparked their interest. But male students (51 % ) were more likely to pursue STEM because they have always enjoyed playing with games and toys, and participating in clubs focused on their chosen subject areas (like SECME). Seminole SECME provides many such opportunities for students to participate in hands-on activities that involve engineering problem solving techniques: from model rockets to race cars to robots.

Mousetrap 201

2011-10-15T18:30:00.001-04:00

Coach Ed Batchelor and sophmore Sam Smith

PE from Hazen Sawyer help Coral Reef Elementary student Lily Landstrom at SECME Mousetrap Vehicle design seminar

When Backsliding Becomes Radically Re-engineered Rocketry

2011-10-12T18:48:00.002-04:00

Congrats to David, James & Joey. The backsliding rocket had 11 & 8 sec - new records for the Ridge! Congrats to David, James & Joey. The backsliding rocket had 11 & 8 sec - new records for the Ridge!

20111012 WBR Backslider

Backsliding is defined as “reverting to a worse condition.” But Seminole SECME is backsliding to move forward with rocketry. At the very least, backsliding should increase our stability.

What does it mean to be stable?
Stability: the tendency of the rocket to return to equilibrium, or balance.
This means if the rocket begins to wobble in flight, it will straighten back up on its own.

For a stable flight, the center of pressure must be below the center of gravity.
http://microgravity.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/rktstabc.html

Center of Gravity (or center of mass) is the point at which the entire weight of a body may be considered as concentrated so that if supported at this point the body would remain in equilibrium in any position. Center of Pressure is the point on a body where the sum of the total pressure acts. Pressure acting on a surface area causes a force.

One purpose of fins is to guarantee that the center of pressure stays below the center of mass of the rocket. See G. Harry Stine's “The Handbook of Model Rocketry”: It is generally agreed among advanced model rocketeers and has been generally confirmed by flight tests that the CP should be no less than one body diameter between the CG. This is known as 1-caliber stability (from the days when rockets were a part of the artillery corps of armies). If your model has more than 2 to 3 calibers stability, it may be overstable and suffer from excessive weathercocking (tendency to turn into the wind). For a two liter bottle, the diameter is 11 cm (4 ¼ inches).

Recovery Systems
- A recovery system is something that slows the rocket's decent.
- It can be active (like a balloon, a parachute or helicopter blades), or passive (like a backslider)

Backslider
A backslider is made by making the rocket’s CG close to the CP.
This prevents the rocket from turning over at apogee and instead floating down on its side.
The backslider encounters more air resistance because by design it encounters drag. It is not landing in an aerodynamically efficient fashion, with its nose first.
Fins on this type of rocket should be larger to help slow it down. This will also increase the stability of your rocket.

“Swing Testing” is a relatively simple test that you can use on a model rocket to determine the stability. Tie a string around the body tube at the location of the center of gravity. Then swing the rocket in a circle around you while holding the other end of the string. After a few revolutions, if the nose points in the direction of the rotation, the rocket is stable and the center of pressure is below the center of gravity. If the rocket wobbles, or the tail points in the direction of rotation, the rocket is unstable. You can increase the stability by lowering the center of pressure, increasing the fin area, for example, or by raising the center of gravity, adding weight to the nose. If the swing test fails, it doesn't necessarily mean the rocket is unstable. It may be proved stable using other methods: like the Barrowman Equations, or the RockSim software calculations. These other methods should be used when the swing test fails.

Support SECME with Direct Donations

2011-10-11T07:53:00.000-04:00

Thank you Publix Super Market Charities! The success of our educational efforts can depend on the generous contributions from our corporate sponsors. We offer our appreciation and gratitude to Publix Super Market Charities for their $250 donation.

Teachers nationwide spend approximately $1,000 out of their own pockets each year to offset school budget shortfalls and ensure that their students have the necessary classroom resources for learning. Adopt-A-Classroom, a nonprofit organization, increases the opportunity for student success by providing teachers with community partners and funds for classroom resources and materials.

Seminole SECME has “early adopters” in Florida Power & Light. Funds from FP&L and PSMC will purchase parts the engineering club needs to build what will be the winning entries in the county’s annual engineering Olympiad.

Please support STEM education. You can help us by making your direct donation to Seminole SECME. Learn more about Adopt-A-Classroom at http://tinyurl.com/AdoptSeminoleSECME. Give $3, $30, or $300 -- all financial gifts are welcome.

Power of 10 Day

2011-10-10T20:29:00.002-04:00

In 1977, Charles and Ray Eames made a nine-minute film for IBM called Powers of Ten that still has the capacity to expand the way we think and view our world. Starting with a sleeping man at a picnic, the film takes the viewer on a journey out to the edge of space and then back into a carbon atom in the hand of the man at the picnic, all in a single shot. It is an unforgettable experience.

Each October 10th, the Eames Office celebrates Powers of Ten Day to promote and share this method of viewing ideas from an infinitesimal to a cosmic perspective.

MATH GIRLS

2011-10-09T10:50:00.001-04:00

MATH GIRLS is a YA novel, both teen romance & intro to higher mathematics; "like Glee for math nerds" said one reviewer. It's been translated from the Japanese by Bento Books.

It starts with a lonely female freshman on her first day of high school. Her escape is advanced mathematics. She tunes out the principal and starts think about her age as factorals (15 = 3x5, 16=2^4, 17 is a prime number). And then, she meets Miruka. And Tetra.

The math is good and the book covers a wide variety of topics in mathematics, from basics like how letters are assigned as variable names to quite challenging problems like finding a general term for the sequence of integer partition numbers.

Judge for yourself. The first two chapters available as a sample. Download the sample PDF here: Math Girls Chapters 1 & 2

The Feynman Series (part 1) - Beauty

2011-10-08T10:43:00.002-04:00

The Feynman Series is a companion project of The Sagan Series working in the hopes of promoting scientific education and scientific literacy in the general population.

LCBC: The Next Generation

2011-10-07T16:11:00.005-04:00

VEX team 1614 (go Underdogs!) at Seminole Ridge SECME. During this lesson in robotics they investigate the concepts underlying energy transfer; and through experiments they build an understanding of the relationships between forces and motion. It include demonstrations and hands-on experience examining electrical and kinetic energy, power, DC motors, torque, traction, fritction, simple machines, levers and gears, chains and sprockets , etc. In mathematics, students apply an understanding of ratio and proportion as they explore the relationship between gear ratios and the radius of a wheel.

20111005 VEX - SAE AWIM Gearbox

The SAE A World In Motion program brings science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to life right in the classroom. In the Motorized Toy Car challenge students develop new designs for electric gear driven toys.

Proportions, Pioneers, Phineas

2011-10-02T21:02:00.009-04:00

SECME: Plan It, Build It, Live It
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SECME: Plan It, Built It, Live It

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2011-10-01T20:45:00.002-04:00

President Obama on Back-to-School: "Set Your Sights High"

2011-09-29T19:44:00.002-04:00

This afternoon, students from across the country tuned in as President Obama addressed them directly in his third annual Back-to-School speech . The President encouraged America's students to use their time in school to try new things, discover new passions and hone their skills to prepare themselves for the kind of profession they want in the future:

It starts, obviously, with being the best student that you can be. Now, that doesn’t always mean that you have to have a perfect score on every assignment. It doesn’t mean that you’ve got to get straight As all the time -- although that’s not a bad goal to have. It means that you have to stay at it. You have to be determined and you have to persevere. It means you’ve got to work as hard as you know how to work. And it means that you’ve got to take some risks once in a while. You can’t avoid the class that you think might be hard because you’re worried about getting the best grade if that’s a subject that you think you need to prepare you for your future. You’ve got to wonder. You’ve got to question. You’ve got to explore. And every once in a while, you need to color outside of the lines.

It starts, obviously, with being the best student that you can be. Now, that doesn’t always mean that you have to have a perfect score on every assignment. It doesn’t mean that you’ve got to get straight As all the time -- although that’s not a bad goal to have. It means that you have to stay at it. You have to be determined and you have to persevere. It means you’ve got to work as hard as you know how to work. And it means that you’ve got to take some risks once in a while. You can’t avoid the class that you think might be hard because you’re worried about getting the best grade if that’s a subject that you think you need to prepare you for your future. You’ve got to wonder. You’ve got to question. You’ve got to explore. And every once in a while, you need to color outside of the lines.

That’s what school is for: discovering new passions, acquiring new skills, making use of this incredible time that you have to prepare yourself and give yourself the skills that you’re going to need to pursue the kind of careers that you want. And that’s why when you’re still a student you can explore a wide range of possibilities. One hour you can be an artist; the next, an author; the next, a scientist, or a historian, or a carpenter. This is the time where you can try out new interests and test new ideas. And the more you do, the sooner you’ll figure out what makes you come alive, what stirs you, what makes you excited -- the career that you want to pursue.

The President explained that being engaged in school is not just for the students themselves, but for the country as a whole. He acknowledged that young people today are growing up fast and students have a lot of responsibility to take on, "because you’re not just kids. You’re this country’s future. You’re young leaders. And whether we fall behind or race ahead as a nation is going to depend in large part on you."

Watch the video of the President's Back-to-School address:

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release September 28, 2011
Remarks by the President in Back-to-School Speech

Benjamin Banneker High School
Washington, D.C.

1:48 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you very much. Everybody, please have a seat. Well, Madam President, that was an outstanding introduction. (Laughter.) We are so proud of Donae for representing this school so well.

And in addition, I also want to acknowledge your outstanding principal, who has been here for 20 years -- first as a teacher, now as an outstanding principal -- Anita Berger. Please give her a big round of applause. (Applause.) I want to acknowledge, as well, Mayor Gray is here -- the mayor of Washington, D.C. is here. Please give him a big round of applause. (Applause.) And I also want to thank somebody who is going to go down in history as one of the finest Secretaries of Education that we’ve ever had -- Arne Duncan is here. (Applause.)

Now, it is great to be here at Benjamin Banneker High School, one of the best high schools not only in Washington, D.C., but one of the best high schools in the country. (Applause.) But we’ve also got students tuning in from all across America. And so I want to welcome you all to the new school year, although I know that many of you already have been in school for a while. I know that here at Banneker, you’ve been back at school for a few weeks now. So everything is starting to settle in, just like for all your peers all across the country. The fall sports season is underway. Musicals and marching band routines are starting to shape up, I believe. And your first big tests and projects are probably just around the corner.

I know that you’ve also got a great deal going on outside of school. Your circle of friends might be changing a little bit. Issues that used to stay confined to hallways or locker rooms are now finding their way onto Facebook and Twitter. (Laughter.) Some of your families might also be feeling the strain of the economy. As many of you know, we’re going through one of the toughest economic times that we’ve gone through in our lifetime -- in my lifetime. Your lifetime hasn’t been that long. And so, as a consequence, you might have to pick up an after-school job to help out your family, or maybe you’re babysitting for a younger sibling because mom or dad is working an extra shift.

So all of you have a lot on your plates. You guys are growing up faster and interacting with a wider world in a way that old folks like me, frankly, just didn’t have to. So today, I don’t want to be just another adult who stands up and lectures you like you’re just kids -- because you’re not just kids. You’re this country’s future. You’re young leaders. And whether we fall behind or race ahead as a nation is going to depend in large part on you. So I want to talk to you a little bit about meeting that responsibility.

It starts, obviously, with being the best student that you can be. Now, that doesn’t always mean that you have to have a perfect score on every assignment. It doesn’t mean that you’ve got to get straight As all the time -- although that’s not a bad goal to have. It means that you have to stay at it. You have to be determined and you have to persevere. It means you’ve got to work as hard as you know how to work. And it means that you’ve got to take some risks once in a while. You can’t avoid the class that you think might be hard because you’re worried about getting the best grade if that’s a subject that you think you need to prepare you for your future. You’ve got to wonder. You’ve got to question. You’ve got to explore. And every once in a while, you need to color outside of the lines.

That’s what school is for: discovering new passions, acquiring new skills, making use of this incredible time that you have to prepare yourself and give yourself the skills that you’re going to need to pursue the kind of careers that you want. And that’s why when you’re still a student you can explore a wide range of possibilities. One hour you can be an artist; the next, an author; the next, a scientist, or a historian, or a carpenter. This is the time where you can try out new interests and test new ideas. And the more you do, the sooner you’ll figure out what makes you come alive, what stirs you, what makes you excited -- the career that you want to pursue.

Now, if you promise not to tell anybody, I will let you in on a little secret: I was not always the very best student that I could be when I was in high school, and certainly not when I was in middle school. I did not love every class I took. I wasn’t always paying attention the way I should have. I remember when I was in 8th grade I had to take a class called ethics. Now, ethics is about right and wrong, but if you’d ask me what my favorite subject was back in 8th grade, it was basketball. I don’t think ethics would have made it on the list.

But here’s the interesting thing. I still remember that ethics class, all these years later. I remember the way it made me think. I remember being asked questions like: What matters in life? Or, what does it mean to treat other people with dignity and respect? What does it mean to live in a diverse nation, where not everybody looks like you do, or thinks like you do, or comes from the same neighborhood as you do? How do we figure out how to get along?

Each of these questions led to new questions. And I didn’t always know the right answers, but those discussions and that process of discovery -- those things have lasted. Those things are still with me today. Every day, I’m thinking about those same issues as I try to lead this nation. I’m asking the same kinds of questions about, how do we as a diverse nation come together to achieve what we need to achieve? How do we make sure that every single person is treated with dignity and respect? What responsibilities do we have to people who are less fortunate than we are? How do we make sure that everybody is included in this family of Americans?

Those are all questions that date back to this class that I took back in 8th grade. And here’s the thing: I still don’t always know the answers to all these questions. But if I’d have just tuned out because the class sounded boring, I might have missed out on something that not only did I turn out enjoying, but has ended up serving me in good stead for the rest of my life.

So that’s a big part of your responsibility, is to test things out. Take risks. Try new things. Work hard. Don’t be embarrassed if you’re not good at something right away. You’re not supposed to be good at everything right away. That’s why you’re in school. The idea, though, is, is that you keep on expanding your horizons and your sense of possibility. Now is the time for you to do that. And those are also, by the way, the things that will make school more fun.

Down the road, those will be the traits that will help you succeed, as well -- the traits that will lead you to invent a device that makes an iPad look like a stone tablet. Or what will help you figure out a way to use the sun and the wind to power a city and give us new energy sources that are less polluting. Or maybe you’ll write the next great American novel.

Now, to do almost any of those things, you have to not only graduate from high school, -- and I know I’m just -- I’m in the "amen" corner with Principal Berger here -- not only do you have to graduate from high school, but you’re going to have to continue education after you leave. You have to not only graduate, but you’ve got to keep going after you graduate.

That might mean, for many of you, a four-year university. I was just talking to Donae, and she wants to be an architect, and she’s interning with a architectural firm, and she’s already got her sights set on what school she wants to go to. But it might, for some other folks, be a community college, or professional credentialing or training. But the fact of the matter is, is that more than 60 percent of the jobs in the next decade will require more than a high school diploma -- more than 60 percent. That’s the world you’re walking into.

So I want all of you to set a goal to continue your education after you graduate. And if that means college for you, just getting into college is not enough. You also have to graduate. One of the biggest challenges we have right now is that too many of our young people enroll in college but don’t actually end up getting their degree, and as a consequence -- our country used to have the world’s highest proportion of young people with a college degree; we now rank 16th. I don't like being 16th. I like being number one. That’s not good enough. So we’ve got to use -- we’ve got to make sure your generation gets us back to the top of having the most college graduates relative to the population of any country on Earth.

If we do that, you guys will have a brighter future. And so will America. We’ll be able to make sure the newest inventions and the latest breakthroughs happen right here in the United States of America. It will mean better jobs, and more fulfilling lives, and greater opportunities not only for you, but also for your kids.

So I don’t want anybody who’s listening here today to think that you’re done once you finish high school. You are not done learning. In fact, what’s happening in today’s economy is -- it’s all about lifelong learning. You have to constantly upgrade your skills and find new ways of doing things. Even if college isn't for you, even if a four-year college isn't for you, you’re still going to have to get more education after you get out of high school. You’ve got to start expecting big things from yourself right now.

I know that may sound a little intimidating. And some of you may be wondering how you can pay for college, or you might not know what you want to do with your life yet. And that’s okay. Nobody expects you to have your entire future mapped out at this point. And we don't expect you to have to make it on your own. First of all, you’ve got wonderful parents who love you to death and want you to have a lot more opportunity than they ever had -- which, by the way, means don’t give them a hard time when they ask you to turn off the video games, turn off the TV and do some homework. You need to be listening to them. I speak from experience because that’s what I’ve been telling Malia and Sasha. Don’t be mad about it, because we’re thinking about your future.

You’ve also got people all across this country -- including myself and Arne and people at every level of government -- who are working on your behalf. We’re taking every step we can to ensure that you’re getting an educational system that is worthy of your potential. We’re working to make sure that you have the most up-to-date schools with the latest tools of learning. We’re making sure that this country’s colleges and universities are affordable and accessible to you. We’re working to get the best class -- teachers into the classroom as well, so they can help you prepare for college and a future career.

Let me say something about teachers, by the way. Teachers are the men and women who might be working harder than just about anybody these days. (Applause.) Whether you go to a big school or a small one, whether you attend a public or a private or charter school –- your teachers are giving up their weekends; they’re waking up at dawn; they’re cramming their days full of classes and extra-curricular activities. And then they’re going home, eating some dinner, and then they’ve got to stay up sometimes past midnight, grading your papers and correcting your grammar, and making sure you got that algebra formula properly.

And they don’t do it for a fancy office. They don’t -- they sure don’t do it for the big salary. They do it for you. They do it because nothing gives them more satisfaction than seeing you learn. They live for those moments when something clicks; when you amaze them with your intellect or your vocabulary, or they see what kind of person you’re becoming. And they’re proud of you. And they say, I had something to do with that, that wonderful young person who is going to succeed. They have confidence in you that you will be citizens and leaders who take us into tomorrow. They know you’re our future. So your teachers are pouring everything they got into you, and they’re not alone.

But I also want to emphasize this: With all the challenges that our country is facing right now, we don’t just need you for the future; we actually need you now. America needs young people’s passion and their ideas. We need your energy right now. I know you’re up to it because I’ve seen it. Nothing inspires me more than knowing that young people all across the country are already making their marks. They’re not waiting. They’re making a difference now.

There are students like Will Kim from Fremont, California, who launched a nonprofit that gives loans to students from low-income schools who want to start their own business. Think about that. So he’s giving loans to other students. He set up a non-for-profit. He’s raising the money doing what he loves -- through dodgeball tournaments and capture-the-flag games. But he’s creative. He took initiative. And now he’s helping other young people be able to afford the schooling that they need.

There is a young man, Jake Bernstein, 17 years old, from a military family in St. Louis, worked with his sister to launch a website devoted to community service for young people. And they’ve held volunteer fairs and put up an online database, and helped thousands of families to find volunteer opportunities ranging from maintaining nature trails to serving at local hospitals.

And then last year, I met a young woman named Amy Chyao from Richardson, Texas. She’s 16 years old, so she’s the age of some of you here. During the summer, I think because somebody in her family had an illness, she decided that she was interested in cancer research. She hadn’t taken chemistry yet, so she taught herself chemistry during the summer. And then she applied what she had learned and discovered a breakthrough process that uses light to kill cancer cells. Sixteen years old. It’s incredible. And she's been approached by some doctors and researchers who want to work with her to help her with her discovery.

The point is you don’t have to wait to make a difference. You’re first obligation is to do well in school. You’re first obligation is to make sure that you’re preparing yourself for college and career. But you can also start making your mark right now. A lot of times young people may have better ideas than us old people do anyway. We just need those ideas out in the open, in and out of the classroom.

When I meet young people like yourselves, when I sat and talk to Donae, I have no doubt that America’s best days are still ahead of us, because I know the potential that lies in each of you. Soon enough, you will be the ones leading our businesses and leading our government. You will be the one who are making sure that the next generation gets what they need to succeed. You will be the ones that are charting the course of our unwritten history. And all that starts right now -- starts this year.

So I want all of you who are listening, as well as everybody here at Banneker, I want you to make the most of the year that’s ahead of you. I want you to think of this time as one in which you are just loading up with information and skills, and you’re trying new things and you’re practicing, and you’re honing -- all those things that you’re going to need to do great things when you get out of school.

Your country is depending on you. So set your sights high. Have a great school year. Let’s get to work.

Thank you very much, everybody. God bless you. God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)

END
2:06 P.M. EDT

Robotics exhibit at South Florida Science Museum

2011-09-27T15:33:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow's Leaders STEM from Today's Learners

2011-09-26T12:19:00.000-04:00

The SECME Solution: How do we get more students interested in STEM?

Microsoft Corp. announced the findings of two national surveys in September, conducted online by Harris Interactive, of college students currently pursuing STEM degrees and of parents of K–12 students. The goal of the surveys was to gain insight about what can better prepare and inspire students to pursue post-secondary education in STEM subjects.

Nearly four in five STEM college students said they decided to study STEM in high school or earlier (78 %). But only one in five felt that their K–12 education prepared them extremely well for their college courses in STEM.

Parents of K–12 students (93 %) believe that STEM education should be a priority in the U.S. But only 24 percent are extremely willing to spend extra money helping their children be successful in their math and science classes.

More than half (57 %) of STEM college students said that before going to college, a teacher or class got them interested in STEM (20 %). This is especially true of female students (68 % versus 51 % of males) who chose “a teacher or class” as the top factor that sparked their interest. But male students (51 % ) were more likely to pursue STEM because they have always enjoyed playing with games and toys, and participating in clubs focused on their chosen subject areas (like SECME).

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2011/sep11/09-07MSSTEMSurveyPR.mspx and here’s an eye-catching infographic that summarizes it
http://mashable.com/2011/09/07/stem-microsoft-infographic/

$37 million West Palm Beach water plant doomed by costly chemicals, city failures

2011-09-25T10:13:00.004-04:00

WEST PALM BEACH — Twenty years ago, the city conceived a visionary approach to drought relief that would turn the runoff from sewage treatment into drinkable water.

Now, after spending $37 million on a plant that has been shut down half the time since 2009, administrators are ready to give up. Plagued by design flaws and operator error, the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant breaks down too often and is too costly to run when it's working, they say.

A Palm Beach Post analysis of plant records shows it has produced no water at all on 49 percent of the days since 2009.

Other findings:

Replacing just one bulb on the plant's balky and dated ultraviolet disinfection system costs $250. And the plant's 256 ultraviolet bulbs go out so often that it cost $130,000 to keep the system running last year.

Five years after the plant opened, lengthy shutdowns are blamed on poor design. For instance, a methanol tank can't be replaced because it is right under a roof that would cost $500,000 to remove. Instead, purging the tank for repairs takes days, during which time the entire plant must be shut down.

Four giant pumps costing hundreds of thousands of dollars failed years ago because city workers with no expertise on pumps tried to cool them with swamp water, which gummed up the works, causing them to burn out.

Ferric, a chemical needed to meet the plant's stringent treatment requirements, cost $250,000 last year. Typical sewage reuse plants don't need ferric.

Plant production averaged 14 percent of promised levels, an important factor because the city is permitted to draw only as much water from its well field, its drought backup, as the plant sends to the well field.

For Utilities Director David Hanks, who came to the city in 2008 excited to work with the cutting-edge plant, the costs outweigh the benefits. "You've got to look at return on investment," Hanks said. "It's certainly not there at this point.

" Every day I was like, 'What now?' " Hanks said. "It makes you want to knock your head against the wall."

"Why an engineer would recommend something like that is beyond me," Hanks said. "All we can do now is try to fix it and we're doing that."

Read the full article at $37 million West Palm Beach water plant doomed by costly chemicals, city failures

Symphony of Science - The Quantum World

2011-09-24T14:36:00.000-04:00

President Obama to Address Students Sept. 28, 2011

2011-09-23T14:03:00.004-04:00

As SECME students start another year of engineering excellence, President Barack Obama will deliver his third annual Back-to-School Speech at 1:30PM EDT on Wednesday, September 28, 2011.

The President’s Back-to-School Speech is an opportunity to speak directly to students across the country. In past years, President Obama has encouraged students to study hard and take responsibility for their education, urging students to set goals, to believe in themselves, and to be the authors of their own destinies.

The speech will be live streamed so that classrooms across the country may listen to or watch the remarks. For more information about watching the speech, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/back-to-school/

Related Post:
President Obama 1st Address to Students 2009

President Obama 2nd Address to Students 2010

Heard Any Good STEM lately?

2011-09-22T14:00:00.002-04:00

Heard Any Good STEM lately?

I’ve recently discovered the “Engineering Works” podcast from Texas A&M University. The weekly look at the whimsical, unusually or just little- known sides to engineering, is now a favorite on my iPod. It’s smart, it’s short (around 2 minutes), and it’s silly enough that its seriousness isn’t lost. For example, the first podcast I listened to was “Golfing with Lobsters.” It is about how when dumping plastic in the ocean was banned, cruise ships turned to engineers. Turns out golfers can hit biodegradable balls made of crustaceans’ shells from the mid-deck driving range. And the next episode was “Easing your Aching Back,” so you know I was all ears. You can sample the podcast at http://engineeringworks.tamu.edu/ and “Engineering Works” is available for subscription through iTunes

Truss us - we know what we're doing!

2011-09-21T22:00:00.002-04:00

20110921 Bridge Breaking

(Click on the first picture to flip through the photostream)

We tested by placing the dowel halfway along the bridge so it runs across the center span. We used chain to hang the bucket off the dowel, and slowly add more and more sand to the bucket until the bridge breaks. The bucket is then weighed, and structural efficiency determined. Divide the load the bridge held by the weight of the bridge. The higher the load/weight ratio, the stronger the bridge! A good design spreads the force over a greater area, or moves the force from an area of weakness to an area of strength. Triangles are a strong shape that transfer the load from just one point to a much wider area. A bridge will buckle when the force of compression is greater than its ability to handle being shortened. A bridge will snap when the force of tension overcomes its ability to handle stretching.

Adopt A Classroom

2011-09-12T15:59:00.003-04:00

Dear Seminole SECME supporter,

Did you know that teachers’ access to and use of hands-on learning resources in the classroom is the single most important teacher input factor toward student success?

Did you know that teachers spend an average of $1,200 of their own money each year purchasing resources and materials for the classroom?

Attached please find information about Adopt-A-Classroom. The program enables individuals and businesses like you to help teachers like me succeed in the classroom.

- 100% of the donation is provided to the teacher in an online account.
- Adopt-A-Classroom takes $0 for administration.
- All donations are tax-deductible.
- No donation is too small. Any amount helps.
- You receive Impact Reports that show exactly how the teacher spends the money, so it’s fully accountable and transparent.
- You receive direct feedback from the teacher so you can experience first hand the impact you have made.

You can learn more about our Adopt-A-Classroom program by visiting its website at www.adoptaclassroom.org.

This is a great opportunity to get involved. As we all know, children learn best when the community works together toward helping students reach their highest potential.

Sincerely,
Erich Landstrom
2010 SECME National Teacher of the Year

Spirit Night To Support The Very Special Science Fair

2011-09-10T17:02:00.001-04:00

A Spirit Night to support the Very Special Science Fair for students in grades K-12 with significant disabilities will be held Thursday, October 6th. Chick-fil-A is sponsoring the Spirit Night to raise funds to transport students, many of whom are in wheelchairs, to the Very Special Science Fair at the Palm Beach Zoo in April.

Over 500 students with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder participate in the Fair and the cost to transport these students is over $10,000.

On October 6th go to the Chick-fil-A restaurants below and order anything on the menu. Mention the Very Special Science Fair and a portion of the sale will be donated to the Fair.

Locations and Times:
Wellington Mall 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Okeechobee & Turnpike 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Palm Beach Lakes 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Northlake 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Boynton Beach Blvd. 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Boca Towne Center 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The purpose of the Very Special Science Fair is to enable students with significant disabilities the opportunity to participate in scientific inquiry and discovery. Each classroom develops a science project which is displayed at the Palm Beach Zoo’s facility.

Since its inception four years ago, the Very Special Science Fair has tripled in the number of classrooms participating in this event. Students are proud of the hard work they’ve generated in developing their science projects and thrilled at seeing them displayed at the Zoo’s Pavilion.

Linda Laverty with the Department of Exceptional Student Education says, “Bring your family and friends and join us in a random act of kindness by going to Chick-fil-A on October 6th and support the Very Special Science Fair.”

For more information contact Linda Laverty at (561) 434-8181 or via e-mail at linda.laverty@palmbeachschools.org .

Edventure Alert: Egg Drop Challenge

2011-09-09T21:41:00.003-04:00

September: Egg Drop Challenge

Use a variety of recyclable materials to design and build a raw egg protector. We will test the designs by dropping them from heights of 6,12, and 20 feet.

Date & Time: Saturday, Sept. 17, 10:30am - 12:00pm

Ages: 5+ with parent/guardian

Cost: $15.00 adult/child pair, $5.00 each additional person

See more family programs here:

http://www.scienceexplorium.org/family-programs

SAE AWIM JetToy Challenge

2011-09-07T19:06:00.002-04:00

View the photos and videos of the Seminole SECME student solutions to the SAE AWIM JetToy Challenge on September 7th. Students make balloon-powered toy cars that meet specific performance criteria (like travels far). Propulsion, friction, air resistance and design are the core scientific concepts students explore in this challenge.

20110907 SAE AWIM JetToy Challenge

(Click on the first picture to flip through the photostream)

The Holy Grail? Exploring the space ‘essential’ to world leadership

2011-09-06T13:31:00.010-04:00

This article was reprinted from BizPac Review. The original article can be found here.

As a science teacher and coach of my school’s engineering club, I have helped students launch plenty of model rockets. And I’ve gotten to see a few real rocket launches live from the Kennedy Space Center. Now NASA has invited me to be its guest for the liftoff of two moon-bound spacecraft aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The twin Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory, or GRAIL, spacecraft will fly in tandem orbits around the moon for several months to provide in-depth data for scientists to analyze in order to better understand the moon's gravitational characteristics, structure, thermal evolution and history of collisions with asteroids. There are two instantaneous (one-second) launch windows open at 8:37 a.m. and 9:16 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, Sept. 8. The launch period extends through Oct. 19.

I’m excited that GRAIL can provide a better understanding of how Earth and other rocky worlds in our solar system formed. A moonquake isn’t an earthquake. The structure of the lunar interior, from crust to core, is different. And the thermal evolution of the moon, like how molten its mantle is, has long been a mystery. In Earth science, we can study the world’s layers by how seismic waves travel. What makes GRAIL a great mission is that it can study layers without ever landing. As one satellite passes through an area of greater gravity due to moon mass concentration, the distance between the two will shrink slightly, and these measurements will be beamed to Earth.

Also aboard the spacecraft will be a camera assembly for the benefit of students that will be used to capture images and video of the moon's surface. “MoonKAM” stands for Moon Knowledge Acquired by Middle school students. Students can request that special cameras on the satellites take photos of specific areas of the lunar surface.

2011 is one of the busiest ever in planetary exploration: GRAIL's liftoff is the third of four space missions launching this year under the management of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. Aquarius launched June 10 to study ocean salinity, Juno launched Aug. 5 to study the origins and interior of Jupiter, and the Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity rover heads to the red planet no earlier than Nov. 25.

Studies show the American public supports such ambitions. In a June 2011 survey reported by the Pew Research Center, nearly six in 10 Americans, or 58 percent, said it is essential that the United States continue to be a world leader in space exploration. Two-thirds of Republicans (67 percent) said the nation must continue to play an international leadership role in space exploration, while smaller majorities of Democrats (54 percent) and independents (57 percent) said this. Large majorities (39 percent) of the 1,500 people polled said space exploration has contributed greatly in encouraging interest in science, and 35 percent said it has contributed some. Nearly as many (38 percent) said the space program has contributed significantly to scientific advances that all Americans can use, while 34 percent think it has had a major impact on feelings of pride and patriotism. A vibrant space exploration program engages the public, encourages students and helps develop the high-tech workforce that will be required to address the challenges of tomorrow. GRAIL promises to play a significant role in those efforts.

GRAIL's mapping, along with high-resolution pictures of the moon's surface sent back by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, represents an important step in planning the next push outwards of human space exploration. Of particular importance will be GRAIL's discoveries about potential sites for lunar colonies at the polar regions. The aim is to map the moon's gravity field so completely that future moon vehicles can safely navigate anywhere on the moon’s surface. For more information about GRAIL, visit: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/grail and http://moon.mit.edu/.

NASA Science News for Sept. 7, 2011
Did our planet once have two moons? Some researchers say so. Moreover, the missing satellite might still be up there--splattered against the far side of the Moon. NASA's GRAIL mission, due to launch in September, could help confirm or refute the "two moon" hypothesis.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/07sep_twomoons/

Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter Autumn 2011

2011-09-01T22:04:00.002-04:00

In the Autumn 2011 issue of the Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter

- Live at the Liftoff: Landstrom guest of GRAIL launch team

- Science is Rock and Roll: The Black Eyed PEas recruit for robotics during "i.am.FIRST"

- Figure This! A melting math challenge to keep ice cool

- SECME Spotlight on Principal James Campbell

- NEW formula for the Mousetrap Vehicle competition

Click here to download the attached PDF copy of our Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter Autumn 2011 issue

From 2011Autumn Hawk Talk

SECME Design Seminars: Plan It, Build It, Live It!

2011-08-29T21:10:00.005-04:00

Directions: I-95 exit to Southern Blvd. west. Turn (left) south on Jog Road. Turn (left) east on Summit Blvd. The school is on the northeast corner of Summit Blvd. and Jog Road.

• Sat., Oct 29—Bottle Rocket Design Seminar at Discovery Key Elementary, 3550 Lyons Rd., Lake Worth, FL
Directions: I-95 to 10th Ave. N. Go west to Jog Rd. South on Jog to Lake Worth Rd. West on Lake Worth Rd. to Lyons Rd. North on Lyons. School is on the right--past entrance to Cypress Woods development.

• Thur. Nov 3 @ 4:30 PM—Technical reports and drawings drafting at Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center. Coordinators only.
Directions: I-95 to Forest Hill Blvd. Go west on Forest Hill past Congress Ave. Turn left at Davis Road. Building is on left.

• Sat., Nov. 19—Mousetrap Vehicles and Bridges at H.L. Johnson Elementary, 1000 Crestwood Blvd. N., Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
Directions: I-95 to Okeechobee Blvd. West to Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Turn north on Royal Palm Bch. Blvd. School on west side of street.

• Thur. Dec 8 @ 4:30 PM—Banner/Poster/Brain Bowl at Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center. Coordinators only.
Directions: I-95 to Forest Hill Blvd. Go west on Forest Hill past Congress Ave. Turn left at Davis Road. Building is on left.

• Sat., Dec. 10—Bottle Rockets Design at Don Estridge Middle, 1798 NW Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton, FL
Directions: I-95 to Yamato Road. West to Military Trail. South to next light--Spanish River Blvd. Go east on Spanish River Blvd. School is on south side.

• Thur., Dec 15 @ 4:30 PM— Mousetrap Care at Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center. Coordinators only.
Directions: I-95 to Forest Hill Blvd. Go west on Forest Hill past Congress Ave. Turn left at Davis Road. Building is on left.

• Thur. Jan 12 @ 4:30 PM—DEADLINE: Registration, Rocket Patch, Essay, Technical reports and drawings due at Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center. Coordinators only.
Directions: I-95 to Forest Hill Blvd. Go west on Forest Hill past Congress Ave. Turn left at Davis Road. Building is on left.

• Sat., Feb 11 @ 8 AM—SECME Elementary Olympiad at Santaluces High, 6880 Lawrence Rd., Lantana, FL 33462
Directions: I-95 to Hypoluxo Rd. West to Lawrence Rd. School is on NE intersection of Hypoluxo and Lawrence Rd.

• February TBA—Florida Atlantic University Engineers Week Event
Directions: I-95 to Hypoluxo Rd. West to Lawrence Rd. School is on NE intersection of Hypoluxo and Lawrence Rd.

• Sat., Feb 25 @ 8 AM—SECME Secondary Olympiad at Santaluces High, 6880 Lawrence Rd., Lantana, FL 33462
Directions: I-95 to Hypoluxo Rd. West to Lawrence Rd. School is on NE intersection of Hypoluxo and Lawrence Rd.

• April TBA—SECME Annual “Celebration of Achievements” Awards Banquet

Demo Day 8/31

2011-08-26T19:56:00.000-04:00

Seminole SECME is having a demonstration day to recruit. Students interested in science, engineering, and math are asked to attend the 1st meeting Wed., Aug. 31, 2011 from 3- 4:30 PM in room 5-107. Or see Mr. Landstrom for more information.Seminole SECME is an after-school engineering club with hands-on projects. Get creative with contests to race robots, rockets, and mousetrap powered rovers!

Amazing Podcast from Planet Money on Bridge Building

2011-08-18T00:55:00.002-04:00

You know we do bridge building in SECME and at "Drop It, Build It, Fly It, Launch It, Thrill It." So I listened to this "Planet Money" podcast today, and if you have a few minutes I think you'll enjoy listening to it as well. Especially since the bridge is crumbling and will need to be replaced in the two decades, at a potential cost of $6 BILLION dollars.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/08/09/139276566/the-tuesday-podcast-a-big-bridge-in-the-wrong-place

You would never look at a map of the Hudson River, point to the spot where the Tappan Zee Bridge is, and say, "Put the bridge here!"

The Tappan-Zee crosses one of the widest points on the Hudson — the bridge is more than three miles long. And if you go just a few miles south, the river gets much narrower.

Our question for today's show: Why did they build a three-mile-long bridge when they could have built a much shorter, cheaper bridge nearby?

Our search for an answer leads us to a forensic engineer, the Statue of Liberty, and a governor who wanted to be an opera singer.

SECME: Plan it, Build it, Live it!

2011-08-17T14:11:00.001-04:00

Sen. Rubio asks: what's next for NASA?

2011-08-11T22:24:00.002-04:00

SpaceX Marks the Spot! Less than three weeks after the senator asked his probing question, SpaceX posted a status update that suggested the gap is closing more rapidly than Rubio or I were aware. Click the link for the full article.

NASA Finds Evidence of Humans of Moon

2011-07-20T13:28:00.000-04:00

Happy 42nd Anniversary, Apollo 11!

Vesta Fiesta: Dawn Spacecraft Snaps Close-up Image of Asteroid Vesta

2011-07-19T08:04:00.003-04:00

NASA's Dawn spacecraft, which over the weekend became the first spacecraft to orbit a main-belt asteroid, has just returned a close-up image of Vesta.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/18jul_dawn4/

Vesta Fiesta: Dawn Set to Orbit Giant Asteroid on July 15th

2011-07-15T19:41:00.004-04:00

On July 15, NASA's ion-propelled Dawn spacecraft will become the first mission to enter orbit around a main-belt asteroid.
FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/15jul_dawn2/

Eyes to Skies Friday, August 12th at 7:00 pm.
Celebrate the beginning of Dawn's year-long exploration of new worlds. After close to four years cruising at stunning speeds, the robotic spacecraft is catching up to the object of its first destination in the main asteroid belt: Vesta. Don't Dawn and Vesta deserve a fiesta?
- Come hear talks from local Solar System Educator
- Enjoy kids’ activities like the Dawn Relay Race, Is the Asteroid like a Grape or a Raisin? and Vegetable Light Curves.

The Children's Science Explorium at Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton, FL, 300 South Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33486 (Recommended for Ages 8+)

- All children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
- No registration required - just show up! The telescope will be out for at least one hour after the scheduled start time.
http://www.scienceexplorium.org/family-programs
phone: (561) 347-3912
email: Explorium@myboca.us

Explorium engineering challenges this fall

2011-07-14T11:39:00.000-04:00

The Children's Science Explorium at Sugar Sand Park in Boca has family programs this fall which I think will be interesting for SECME coordinators. The October bridge and the December glider are on Sunday mornings.

Monthly Family Challenges
http://www.scienceexplorium.org/family-programs
Are you tired of the same old weekend routine? Is your family ready for a challenge? Each month the CSE will be hosting a friendly competition where families can put their skills to the test and work as a team to build, create, test and change up your weekend fun!
* Pre-registration is required and will begin four (4) weeks prior to challenge dates.
* Register in person at the front desk of the Sugar Sand Park Community Center or online through Webtrac. *NOTE: You will have to register in person the first time in order to set up a Webtrac account.
* All program materials will be provided.

September: Egg Drop Challenge
Use a variety of recyclable materials to design and build a raw egg protector. We will test the designs by dropping them from heights of 6,12, and 20 feet.
Date & Time: Saturday, Sept. 17, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 5+ with parent/guardian
Cost: $15.00 adult/child pair, $5.00 each additional person

October: Bridge Building Competition
Test your engineering skills by building a model bridge out of simple materials. Test your structure by adding weight.
Date & Time: Sunday, Oct. 16, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 5+ with parent/guardian
Cost: $15.00 adult/child pair, $5.00 each additional person

November: Crash Test Challenge
Can your team build a car using K'nex that will survive the crash wall?
Date & Time: Saturday, Nov. 19, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 5+ with parent/guardian
Cost: $15.00 adult/child pair, $5.00 each additional person

December: Glider Competition
How high can you fly? Construct a glider and test its ability to fly through a set of obstacles.
Date & Time: Sunday, Dec. 11, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 5+ with parent/guardian
Cost: $15.00 adult/child pair, $5.00 each additional person

Brain Teasers at the Explorium

2011-07-01T12:48:00.009-04:00

BRAIN TEASERS 2

Gain new appreciation for your brain and what it can do with Brain Teasers 2. This exhibit offers 20 challenges for puzzle enthusiasts of all ages. The exhibit is designed to sharpen problem-solving skills and provide plenty of fun.

Visitors must use creative thinking and problem solving strategies such as looking for patterns, thinking ahead, setting aside preconceived ideas, and looking at problems from different perspectives.

Can you separate two linked metal hearts and then reassemble them? Arrange standard geometric shapes to create startling new ones? Solve a maze that is apparently unsolvable? Those who can't the first time have been known to come back and try again!

Solutions after the jump!

SOLUTIONS
Brain Teasers 2: disorder (challenge 2 solution)

Brain Teasers 2: Color Match (solution)

Brain Teasers 2: ten pegs in each row (24 peg solution)

Brain Teasers 2: ten pegs in each row (26 peg solution)

Brain Teasers 2: Color Match (solution)

Roy Shears Suggests: SECME Themes

2011-06-22T16:04:00.003-04:00

SECME: Engineering the key that turns the future of STEM
SECME: The key to unlocking the future of STEM
SECME: Unlocking doors to the miracles of STEM

Judy Wall-Townsend suggests
SECME: The root to STEM
SECME: The seed to our STEM future

Tanisha Wesby suggests
"SECME: The root that will help anchor STEM education and the seed to cultivate minds!"

T-1 day until SECME Summer Institute

2011-06-18T17:58:00.004-04:00

NASA News: A Salute to Spirit

2011-06-03T22:34:00.001-04:00

NASA Science News for June 3, 2011
It's been more than a year since NASA has heard from Mars rover Spirit. The agency says it may be time to say "thanks and farewell."

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/03jun_spirit/

Arc Attack = Astronomically Epic Win!

2011-05-24T08:25:00.003-04:00

Not just because it's Adam Savage from Mythbusters.

Not just because it's Adam doing the Robot.

Not just because it's Adam doing the Robot while in a Faraday Cage.

Not just because it's Adam doing the Robot while in a Faraday Cage being struck by discharges from two Tesla coils.

No. It's because they are musical Tesla coils, playing the "Doctor Who" theme.

THAT is what pushes Arc Attack into Astronomically Epic Win!

The only other time I have seen such an astronomically epic win (probably NSFW).

Sweet Tomatoes Fundraiser on Monday, May 23

2011-05-22T17:17:00.000-04:00

After our graduation ceremony Monday, May 23, support our SECME group with a meal at Sweet Tomatoes on Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard. The all-you-can-eat restaurant is only two miles from the convention center, and no reservations are required. For under $10, Sweet Tomatoes lets you build your own delicious meal from a 55-foot salad bar. Choose from among fresh vegetables, tossed salads, deli salads, made-from-scratch soups, pasta, muffins, focaccia, and soft-serve ice cream. Guests are invited to arrive throughout the afternoon and evening, especially from 5:00 to 8:00.

View Larger Map

What's Osama Bin Watchin'?

2011-05-19T08:14:00.003-04:00

Be a mastermind: visit the SeminoleSECME Youtube channel

SECME Spotlight UPDATE: Kayla Permenter

2011-05-17T13:54:00.008-04:00

The Seminole SECME spotlight shone on Kayla Permenter one year ago. This morning an update came on her.

Kayla passed her FE exam and is now nationally certified engineer. And she can place E.I. behind her name, as this summer she has an engineering internship with Archer Western in Tampa. She did her first pour this pass Sunday and everything went great. She is really loving her job. On Monday she was 217 feet up in the air on the bridge and on Tuesday she was down in the column checking the rebar getting prepared for the pour on a bridge on I-4.

The $389.5- million Interstate 4/Crosstown Connector in Tampa is a joint venture of PCL Civil Constructors of Tampa and Archer Western Contractors of Atlanta. PBS&J of Tampa is the project’s engineer. The project involves constructing multiple, elevated, one and two-lane ramps that will connect I-4 and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. The ramps will merge at one section into a 12-lane, tolled roadway that will also add designated truck ramps for improved access to the Port of Tampa. The project consists of 23 bridges, 12 of which are segmental and will entail both “span-by span” and balanced cantilever construction methods. Other work includes rehabilitation of existing I-4 bridges and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and roadway and approach tie-ins. Construction is expected to proceed over a 36-month timeline.

Graduation Exam v1895

2011-05-15T11:09:00.008-04:00

Yesterday, at the Palm Beach Atlantic University High School Mathematics Competition, I had a chance to scroll through the questions on the HP tablet. The first problem seemed vaguely familiar to me:

A wagon box is 2 feet deep, 10 feet long, and 3 feet wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold? One busehel = 2150.42 cubic inches.

So I copied it down to Google it later, and sure enough, I had seen it, but not where you might expect:

This is the 8th grade final exam from 1895 from Salina, Kansas. It was taken from the original document on file at the Smoky Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina, Kansas, and reprinted by the Salina Journal.

It makes the rounds on teh internets, with the sender or poster or blogger usually commenting something along the lines of "Imagine a college student who went to public school trying to pass this test today, even if the few outdated questions were modernized." (but not always; thanks, snopes.com for having faith).

Well, I can imagine, because our students did. Our Hawks from SECME and Mu Alpha Theta got up early on a Saturday morning and drove an hour, to competed in a mathematics tournament. These math-elites rock at a level of Mount Rushmore level of awesomeness. Take a second to recognize:

Captain Caitlin Miller,

Duncan Miller,

Yiro Shimabukoro,

Joe Pavicic,

Arnold Juan Banner,

and alternates Ronit Liberman and Edwin Keo

And students from MAθ:

Raquel Redondo,
Robyn Exclusa,
Summer Roque,
Mitch Vasquez
Joe Swierzko-Vickers
along with Dr. Mary Jo Murray, of the Seminole Ridge High Math Department

Here some other questions they tackled:

(8 pts) Solve:
+x -4y - 4z - 3u = -4
-3x + 0y +4z + 2u = -13
+2x - 2y + 2z + 0u = 10
-5x + 2y + 1z + 0u = 16

(4 pts) Suppose a 250-lb parent climbs a muddy 45 degree hill. Calculate the force tending to make the parent slide down the muddy hill.
[A SOLUTION IS HERE, but my students converted into kilograms and answered in Newtons, because that's how we roll in Physics).

Math Days 2011

2011-05-13T20:28:00.002-04:00

This is a reminder that the 3rd annual Palm Beach Atlantic University High School Mathematics Competition will be held on Saturday May 15, 2011 at PBAU from 8am – 1pm. Our Seminole SECME of 5 students from each school will compete using HP tablet computers and solve problems involving: Algebra, Trigonometry, Statistics and Pre-Calculus.

Click maps for directions.

An Evening of Poetry at the White House

2011-05-11T06:55:00.003-04:00

May 11, 2011
7:14 P.M. EDT
Remarks by the President at Evening of Poetry at the White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/11/remarks-president-evening-poetry-white-house

The power of poetry is that everybody experiences it differently. There are no rules for what makes a great poem. Understanding it isn’t just about metaphor or meter. Instead, a great poem is one that resonates with us, that challenges us and that teaches us something about ourselves and the world that we live in. As Rita Dove says, “If [poetry] doesn’t affect you on some level that cannot be explained in words, then the poem hasn’t done its job.” Also known as, it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing...

But as a nation built on freedom of expression, poets have always played an important role in telling our American story.

It was after the bombing of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 that a young lawyer named Francis Scott Key penned the poem that would become our National Anthem. The Statue of Liberty has always welcomed the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Soldiers going off to fight in World War II were giving -- given books of poetry for comfort and inspiration. And whenever our nation has faced a great tragedy -– whether it was the loss of a civil rights leader, the crew of a space shuttle, or the thousands of Americans that were lost on a clear September day -– we have turned to poetry when we can’t find quite the right words to express what we’re feeling.

So tonight we continue that tradition by hearing from some of our greatest -– as well as some of our newest -– poets. Billy Collins, who is here with us, calls poetry “the oldest form of travel writing,” because it takes us to places we can only imagine. So in that spirit, I’d like everyone to sit back, or sit on the edge of your seats, and enjoy the journey.

2010-2011 SECME Outstanding Student of the Year for Palm Beach County, FL (High School division): Miss Cindy Dosch

2011-05-10T08:08:00.002-04:00

The South Florida SECME Industry Partners for Education has recognized Seminole Ridge biotechnology academy senior Cindy Dosch as the Palm Beach County 2010-2011 SECME Outstanding High School Student of the Year. Dosch will attend University of Florida in the fall to earn her degree in Mathematics. Cindy is in top five percent of this year’s senior class, is a member of the National Science Honor Society, and was the Seminole Ridge nominee for the Pathfinder High School Scholarship award for outstanding achievement in Science. Dosch was honored on Sunday, May 8, 2011 at the 17th annual Celebration of Achievement banquet in Boca Raton. This will be the third consecutive year Seminole Ridge High has the Outstanding SECME student of the year (prior winners: 2009: Kaitlin Kilpatrick, 2010: Shelby Weininger).

Says Dosch of SECME: “The theme, “Igniting Minds Through STEM Education,” is so much more than a simple phrase to me; it’s really a description of what happened to my mind this year because of SECME. I honestly like this club because it has so much to offer. Not only does one get to see the science in action and have the opportunity to truly comprehend it, it provides opportunity in other fields such as art.” Cindy was captain of the 2010-2011 Seminole SECME team, overseeing our overall Olympiad submissions. She first joined Seminole SECME in SY2009-2010, as a part of our banner team whose submission won 2nd place. This year, Cindy contributed to many teams.
AJ Fandrey (right) and Cindy (left) put the finishing touches on the balsawood bridge
Fandrey was selected as the Outstanding SECME student of Seminole Ridge. AJ has been a club member for the past two years. Last year, he joined our mousetrap vehicle (MTV) team. His hard work, attention to details, and persistence helped Seminole Ridge SECME win 3rd place in the MTV competition at the Olympiad, which in turned helped the team win 2nd place overall for the district. This year, he took responsibility for leading a team of freshmen for their MTV submission. His supervision style was a firm hand with a light touch. He helped provide continuity among changing attendance, and as a multiyear participant gave the insight only a veteran can provide.

Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter Summer 2011

2011-05-08T17:19:00.001-04:00

SEMINOLE RIDGE SECME NEWSLETTER 'HAWK TALK'

In the Summer 2011 issue of the Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter
- Building the Best with SECME Students at South Florida Science Museum
- President Obama tells town hall at Facebook to "lift up our game" when it comes to STEM
- Liftoff! Launch Schedule for Summer 2011 at Kennedy Space Center
- SECME Spotlight on Amanda Zinski
- South Florida SECME Industry Partners Honor Hawks
- XKCD.COMic "864 - Flying Cars"
- Flyer for Fundraiser on Monday, May 23rd.

Click here to download a PDF copy of our
Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter Summer 2011 issue

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VEX Gateway

2011-04-21T22:11:00.003-04:00

The 2011/2012 VEX Robotics Competition game Gateway. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent by picking up colored balls and barrels and placing them in circular goalposts of varying heights. But the gate bars the way from the isolation zone to the interaction zone!

Hawks Claw Their Way to VEX Robotics World Championship

2011-04-19T14:35:00.004-04:00

Hawks Claw Their Way to VEX Robotics World Championship at Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on April 14-16, 2011
2011 VEX Robotics World Championship
Seminole Ridge High freshman Connor Piegaro joined nearly 10,000 middle school, high school and university participants from 16 countries around the world to compete in the action-packed 2011 VEX Robotics World Championship at the Walt Disney World® Resort near Orlando, Florida on April 14-16, 2011. Kari Byron, host of the Discovery Channel’s hit show MYTHBUSTERS and the Science Channel’s HEAD RUSH, emceed as teams from the United States, Canada, China and New Zealand triumphed or got toasted during the intense three-day tournament. This year, almost 600 out of the nearly 4,000 VEX Robotics Competition teams earned the right to bring their robots to the roundup.
Team 1614 Connor Piegaro and Coach Erich Landstrom from Seminole Ridge High
Round Up, the 2010-2011 VEX Robotics Competition Game, is played on a 12’x12’ square field where two alliances composed of two teams each compete against one another. Each match consists of a twenty-second autonomous period where robots are controlled by onboard software, followed by two minutes of human-operated play. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent alliance by having your robot place round tubes upon goalposts, owning goalposts, and by your robot climbing the ladder in the center of the field and hanging high off the ground.

Erich Landstrom, Seminole SECME school coordinator, points out that Seminole SECME had great success in their inaugural year of VEX Robotics Competitions. Team 1614 from Seminole Ridge won the Miami VEX Round Up Qualifier in October, and finished as finalists at the South Florida Championship in December and the “Mayhem in Miami” in January. Our robots are clearly to be reckoned with, a masterpiece of machined metal, a Cinderella story of circuits and steel at ‘bot ball. All attending teams qualified for the championship after dedicating countless hours to honing their building, programming and strategy skill sets to outperform and outmaneuver others in order to reach the international stage. After a series of intense back-to-back scrimmages, Connor controlled the BBot from Seminole Ridge High to record of four wins, four losses, and one tie during the qualifying rounds, and a ranking of 52nd place.

Landstrom applauds Piegaro’s perseverance and the Hawks hard work: “Giving SECME students the opportunity to work with the VEX robots promotes education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and teaches critical life skills such as teamwork, project management and problem solving. But celebrating National Robotics Week at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex gives the event mainstream recognition similar to that of an international sporting event.”
Team 1614 Connor Piegaro and Coach Erich Landstrom from Seminole Ridge High
Upon arrival, students were showered with confetti from bursting canons, welcomed by stilt walkers, a resident DJ, and entertained by a graffiti artist that painting the town robo-red in honor of the intense competition. The games kicked off on Thursday and continued Friday when teams from around the world poured into the stadium for the opening ceremonies, waving colorful flags from their respective countries and hailed by Mickey and friends. MYTHBUSTERS & HEAD RUSH host Kari Byron joined on Friday night to unveil the 2011/2012 VEX Robotics Competition game Gateway. The object of next year’s game is to attain a higher score than your opponent by picking up colored balls and barrels and placing them in circular goalposts of varying heights. Bryon then served as master of ceremonies to guide teams and spectators through the final award ceremony on the last day of competition.

The VEX Robotics program is in support of The White House's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) initiative to get kids engaged in higher learning, and recently received attention from President Obama who visited a Miami Central High School classroom where he interacted with students excelling in STEM education through VEX Robotics.

BEST Robotics, a middle and high school national robotics program established in 1993, also hosted its second annual national championship alongside the VEX Robotics World Championship. The Boy Scouts of America were on hand to award some of the first Robotics Merit Badges to more than 25 deserving scouts. Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy AROW hosted its water robotics competition.

Presenting co-sponsors of the 2011 VEX Robotics Competition World Championship include Autodesk Inc., NASA, EMC Corporation, and the FUTURE Foundation. Additional supporting partners include Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation, Microchip, Intelitek, Robotics Academy at Carnegie Mellon University, the CREATE Foundation and Northrop Grumman.

DiBiFiLiTi@25

2011-04-16T23:15:00.012-04:00

The South Florida Science Museum and the Florida Engineering Society held the 25th annual engineering competition ‘Drop It, Build It, Fly It, Launch It, Thrill It’ on Saturday, April 16, 2011.

Di-Bi-Fi-Li-Ti is a design competition for cash prizes that challenges kids. Middle and high school students are invited to participate in the competition that enables them to learn about and use engineering principles through five design contests: build an unbreakable bridge, create a container protecting an egg in a three-story drop, fly the furthest flung paper airplane, launch a model rocket with longest time aloft, and construct a model roller coaster with a thrilling theme.

SRHS students showcased their skills, and congratulations are in order! SRHS SECME (Science, Engineering, Communication and Math Excellence) coaches Erich Landstrom and Ed Batchelor applaud the award winning performance of:

Thrill It, First Place and $200: seniors Mark Blanar and Joe Pavicic for their “Collision Course” coaster, with a time of 28 sec

Thrill It, Second Place and $100: freshmen Sam Smith and Cody Summerlin for their “Flight of the Bumblebee” coaster, with a time of 29.7 sec

Drop it, Third Place and $50: senior Arnold Banner, with a 21.5 gram chicken egg container.

Seminole Ridge SECME at the South Florida Science Museum

From 20110416 DiBiFiLiTi at SFSM

Sam Smith showcases “Flight of the Bumblebee”

From 20110416 DiBiFiLiTi at SFSM

senior Joe Pavicic prepares his airplane during 'Fly It'

From 20110416 DiBiFiLiTi at SFSM

Thrill It, Second Place and $100: freshmen Sam Smith and Cody Summerlin for their “Flight of the Bumblebee” coaster, with a time of 29.7 sec

From 20110416 DiBiFiLiTi at SFSM

Thrill It, First Place and $200: seniors Mark Blanar and Joe Pavicic for their “Collision Course” coaster, with a time of 28 sec

From 20110416 DiBiFiLiTi at SFSM

Towards the Perfect Paper Plane

2011-04-12T15:27:00.000-04:00

Iterative Design: Towards the Perfect Paper Plane

Aza Raskin: I’ve been on a quest for the last 16 years. It hasn’t been a constant quest, nor a particularly important one. Just one close to my heart: to design a paper airplane perfectly suited for duration flights.

What’s the moral of the story? As you design, you aren’t just moving towards a solution, you are learning about what problem your solution is trying to solve. So, don’t stop iterating your design. And more importantly, don’t stop iterating your problem.

Hawks Power Up for VEX Robotics World Championship

2011-04-12T09:37:00.002-04:00

Hawks Power Up for VEX Robotics World Championship at Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on April 14-16, 2011

Seminole Ridge High freshman Connor Piegaro will join nearly 10,000 middle school, high school and university participants from 16 countries around the world to compete in the action-packed 2011 VEX Robotics World Championship at the Walt Disney World® Resort near Orlando, Florida on April 14-16, 2011.

Round Up, the 2010-2011 VEX Robotics Competition Game, is played on a 12’x12’ square field where two alliances composed of two teams each compete against one another. Each match consists of a twenty-second autonomous period where robots are controlled by onboard software, followed by two minutes of human-operated play. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent alliance by having your robot place round tubes upon goalposts, owning goalposts, and by your robot climbing the ladder in the center of the field and hanging high off the ground.

Erich Landstrom, Seminole SECME school coordinator, points out that Seminole SECME had great success in their inaugural year of VEX Robotics Competitions. The Hawks won the Miami VEX Round Up Qualifier in October, and finished second at the South Florida Championship in December and the “Mayhem in Miami” in January. This tournament’s trip to the playoffs shows that our robots are clearly to be reckoned with, a Cinderella story of circuits and steel at bot ball. Landstrom is very proud of the Hawks hard work. “Giving SECME students the opportunity to work with the VEX robots promotes education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and teaches critical life skills such as teamwork, project management and problem solving. But celebrating National Robotics Week at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex gives the event mainstream recognition similar to that of an international sporting event.”

This year, almost 600 out of the nearly 4,000 VEX Robotics Competition teams have earned the right to bring their robotic masterpieces to the “Happiest Place on Earth” where they will form strategic alliances with other teams and challenge their toughest competitors playing the game Round Up. All attending teams qualified for the tournament after dedicating countless hours to honing their building, programming and strategy skill sets to outperform others in order to reach the international stage.

The VEX Robotics program is in support of The White House's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) initiative to get kids engaged in higher learning, and recently received attention from President Obama who visited a Miami Central High School classroom where he interacted with students excelling in STEM education through VEX Robotics. To show his support at the World Championship, Congressman Ralph Hall, senior member of the US House of Representatives and chair of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology – which funds NASA and the National Science Foundation – will cheer teams on, alongside other keynote attendees including Mele Williams, staff director of the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education; executives from Boy Scouts of America; and, of course, Mickey Mouse and friends. Geek goddess Kari Byron, from The Discovery Channel’s MYTHBUSTERS series and host of The Science Channel’s hit show HEAD RUSH, will serve as master of ceremonies to guide teams and spectators through the final award ceremony on the last day of competition. Fans can follow the competition and sign up for real-time competition news and results via live streamcasts, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube updates. For more information visit RobotEvents.com/championship.

As the fastest growing robotics program in the world, the VEX Robotics Competition is organized by the REC Foundation, and the 2011 VEX Robotics World Championship serves as the final event of the 2010-2011 competition season.

In addition to the middle and high school VEX Robotics Competitions, the 2011 VEX Robotics World Championship will put 35 university teams in the spotlight as they strive for the VEX Robotics College Challenge World Champion title. The BEST Robotics Competition National Championship will take place in the Jostens Center, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy AROW water robotics competition will be held at Champion Stadium. Boy Scouts of America will host a booth on Saturday, April 16, to showcase the new Robotics Merit Badge, and more than 20 scouts will be in attendance, aiming to be some of the first to complete the robotics merit badge requirements and receive the newly debuted badge from scout executives during the final award ceremony Saturday afternoon.

Partners and sponsors of the 2011 VEX Robotics Competition World Championship include Autodesk, NASA, EMC Corporation, Intelitek, Innovation First International, iD Tech Camps, the REC Foundation, Automation Direct, Northrop Grumman, Microchip, the United States Coast Guard Academy, and the Robotics Academy at Carnegie Mellon University.

Apollo 13 Anniversary

2011-04-11T17:21:00.000-04:00

Drop It, Build It, Fly It, Launch It, Thrill It April 16th event

2011-04-07T09:35:00.002-04:00

Who: elementary, middle, and high school students

What: 25th anniversary of the annual Drop It, Build It, Fly It, Launch It, Thrill It competition

When: Saturday April 16th

Where: South Florida Science Museum

Why: Students have the opportunity to compete for over $3,500 in cash and prizes

Fee: free to enter the contest & museum admission will be ½ price that day

Local vendors, Colleges & Universities will be in attendance.

It’s not too late to register and we look forward to you taking part in the event.

Details are located: http://www.sfsm.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.details&content_id=19

How Safe Is Safe Enough? To Engineers, It Depends

2011-04-06T15:35:00.004-04:00

How Safe Is Safe Enough? To Engineers, It Depends
by Joe Palca

Apr 5, 2011 (All Things Considered) — "Safe" isn't a defined engineering term. Planners must decide, based on risks and probabilities, how safe they want to make something -- whether it's an airplane, bridge, or nuclear power plant. But sometimes it's hard to estimate exactly what the likelihood of a particular calamity might be.

LISTEN NOW

No one likes things to break. We don't like holes to appear in airplane cabins unexpectedly; we don't like bridges to collapse; we don't like radioactivity to leak from nuclear power plants. But engineers have to design things to certain specifications, and they have to grapple with the question of how safe is safe enough.

When humans first started building things, determining whether they would work as planned was mostly a matter of trial and error. Build a bridge, drive a chariot across it, and see if it collapsed.

"And it really wasn't until the Renaissance, until Galileo, that there was what we could today call a rational approach to design through calculation," says Henry Petroski, a professor of engineering at Duke University.

He says computers and mathematical models now can predict how a bridge will behave under different conditions. But he says if you ask engineers to build a safe bridge or a safe nuclear plant, they ask you what you mean by that.

"The definition of safe is not strictly an engineering term; it's a societal term," he says. "Does it mean absolutely no loss of life? Does it mean absolutely no contamination with radiation? What exactly does safe mean?"

Once you settle that question, engineers still face the problem of deciding how to achieve whatever level of safety they are aiming for.

Michael Corradini, a professor of nuclear engineering at the University of Wisconsin, says first, engineers design for normal operating conditions. "Then with any engineering design, anything at all, you say, 'That's fine, that's what it operates on. But what if something happens that it experiences some unusual conditions?' "

So for example, let's says you're designing a bridge for a place where gale force winds and heavy snows are virtually unheard of.

"You still design for it so that the bridge safely performs its function," Corradini says. "Or if it fails, it fails gently, so there are no catastrophic effects." In other words, the bridge doesn't collapse.

Engineering For All Conditions

But what about other kinds of safety threats? How well will a bridge do if terrorists try to blow it up? What happens if operators in a nuclear power plant control room suddenly get sick? What if a meteorite falls on the plant?

Corradini says nuclear power plant designers try to think of everything.

"They have a listing of all the things they think can go wrong and how they can go wrong, and some sort of ordered list of which is more likely than others," he says.

And the possibility of a meteorite isn't a joke: "It's there somewhere — it's just a very low probability," Corradini says.

But sometimes, when you set out to build a nuclear power plant, you don't know exactly what the likelihood of a particular calamity might be.

"When we plan something, we always make assumptions," says Yotaro Hatamura, an emeritus professor of engineering at the University of Tokyo. He says engineers sometimes don't pay enough attention to history in making their assumptions.

Hatamura favors what he calls "backward thinking" — looking at a previous step in the process to see if it worked properly. For example: The reactor core might survive an earthquake, but what about the pumps that provide cooling water to the reactor? Or what about the backup generators that provide emergency power to the pumps? Or what about the fuel supply for the emergency generators?

He says accidents happen when engineers don't constantly test and revise the assumptions they've made about all the things that a nuclear plant needs to operate. Hatamura says it's not always easy to look back and admit to problems that you should have thought of in the first place.

"We don't see what we don't want to see. We don't want to think about scary things," he says. "That's just human nature."

Source: NPR
Copyright(c) 2011, NPR

Smart Bridges

2011-04-05T16:26:00.001-04:00

Can we engineer bridges that tell us what's wrong with them before it's too late?

Program Description
After the Minneapolis Interstate 35 bridge collapsed in 2007, millions became nervous about crossing long highway spans. What can be done to avert the next catastrophe? One technique probes bridge supports with ultrasonic sound waves, searching for "sour notes" that signal damaged metal, while another uses nanotechnology to create a coating that detects structural damage beneath its surface.

Watch the full episode. See more NOVA scienceNOW.

Getting Vexed: a robot kit that's fun as well as functional

2011-03-24T21:41:00.002-04:00

IEEE SPECTRUM
By Stephen Cass / May 2006

Vex Robotics Starter Kit
US $300
http://www.vexrobotics.com

Either you think building robots is cool, or you don't. But if you do, then you'll love the Vex Robotics Design System, a line of robot construction kits and accessories from RadioShack Corp., headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

RadioShack developed the Vex system in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute, in Pittsburgh, and the organizers of an international high school robotics competition sponsored by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology), a nonprofit organization based in Manchester, N.H. While the kit's target audience is high school kids in classroom and lab settings, it is versatile enough to appeal to a much wider audience.

I tried out the Vex Robotics Starter Kit, which has more than 500 pieces. What appealed to me right off the bat was that while Vex robots do use plastic for wheels and gears, they are constructed mostly from metal struts, axles, and plates, making them much more sturdy than many other robot kits. Motive force is provided by three motors that can rotate continuously clockwise or counterclockwise and one servo motor that moves forward and back through a 120-degree arc. These motors will be familiar to anyone who's ever built a remote-controlled plane or car--in fact, the Vex kit is compatible with most remote-controlled hobbyist motors--and they are versatile enough to enable a wide range of robot designs.

The motors are driven by a controller module, which in turn is powered by a battery pack. (A word of caution here: the Vex system eats batteries, so take the manufacturer's advice and invest in rechargeable batteries.) The controller module contains two PIC18F8520 microprocessors and bristles with input/output ports. Sixteen ports are shared among analog and digital input/output functions, and eight more are dedicated to driving motors. Each processor can perform 10 million instructions per second, and one of the processors can be programmed by users to control the robot while the other processor takes care of housekeeping tasks, such as looking after the controller's communications systems and sending the precisely timed electrical signals required to drive the motors. The communications role is particularly important, because the controller is normally hooked up to an FM radio receiver that takes commands from a human-operated six-channel remote control. The maximum operating range is about 35 to 40 meters.

It took me a couple of hours to build my first robot--a rectangular, four-wheeled creation dubbed SquareBot by RadioShack [see photo]--using the instructions that come with the Starter Kit. With the remote control, I could steer SquareBot forward and backward and make it spin on the spot (for a video of SquareBot in action, check out http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/squarebot.mov). But SquareBot is more than just a glorified remote-controlled car, as it is capable of some onboard autonomous behavior--if either the front or rear bumper switch detects a collision, the controller module will override instructions from the remote control and cut power to the motors for a few seconds, giving the operator a chance to rethink.

The controller module can also be configured to use a basic, but fully autonomous, preinstalled program that enables a robot to feel its way around a room on its own. Although I stuck to what came with the Starter Kit, advanced users will want to buy the US $100 Programming Kit, which will allow them to write their own software and take full control of the hardware, where 32 kilobytes of program space are available. Six extra ports are provided on the controller module to service real-time hardware interrupts (which suspend normal program activities and invoke specified subroutines to handle various events); this makes the Vex system a candidate for use in serious robotics research.

Only four sensors come with the Starter Kit: two rugged bumper switches and two more sensitive--but more delicate--microswitches intended for detecting such things as whether a gripper has grasped an object. The paucity of sensors is understandable, given that inexperienced or young users will likely be controlling the robot visually with the remote control, but advanced users will soon find themselves looking for such Vex accessories as the $20 light sensor and the $30 ultrasonic range finder. While there is an official Web site at http://www.vexrobotics.comthat features the various add-ons, including items like tank-track sets, real gearheads will want to check out http://www.vexlabs.com, where the Greenville, Texas-based Innovation First Inc.--which engineered the Vex system for RadioShack--offers prototype accessory sets that have not yet been adopted as part of the official Vex line.

In fact, it's pretty easy to incorporate all sorts of additional equipment into a Vex robot, including components not specifically designed for the Vex system, such as the remote-control hobbyist motors mentioned above; electrically interfacing many non-Vex components to the controller can be done relatively easily through the many input/output ports provided. This flexibility makes Vex markedly different from that other popular general-purpose robot construction system, Lego Mindstorms. The Lego system can be used only with parts and sensors specifically built for or modified to work with the Mindstorms equivalent of the Vex controller module. Also, because Vex robots are built using screws and metal plates, mechanically attaching various off-the-shelf sensors or other devices is pretty straightforward--again in contrast to Lego, whose plastic bricks and spars make it difficult to secure non-Lego components.

I did have two nits. First, the included documentation provides a guide to building a SquareBot robot, and its careful, step-by-step instructions and explanations will make the job of instructors helping students using the kit much easier. However, while general building principles are often outlined, the documentation doesn't give any specific instructions for building other robots. More example designs would help beginners--and even experienced robot builders unfamiliar with the system--get a better grasp of how the wide range of pieces that come in the Starter Kit can be employed, before they tackle their own creations.

My other nit was with the packaging. Many of the Vex parts come packed on top of other parts in a single large piece of Styrofoam--and some parts are packed into the underside of the Styrofoam container. This makes it impracticable to have the packaging double as a storage box (as can be done with Lego Mindstorms), and Vex users will have to invest in something like a fishing tackle box if they don't want to lose parts or spend forever trying to distinguish one type of screw from another.

But the bottom line is that the Vex system is fun to use, and it adroitly fills a gap between the simple, but somewhat constrained, world of robotics kits such as Lego's on the one hand, and the powerful, but often bewilderingly complex, world of scratch-built robots on the other. I expect it to become a familiar sight in high school and university labs, as well as in the garages of home-brew robot builders.

First Eyes Inside Nuclear Plant May Be A Robot's

2011-03-23T21:29:00.002-04:00

First Eyes Inside Nuclear Plant May Be A Robot'sWorkers in Japan want to look inside three troubled reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. But intense radiation inside the buildings means that it is too dangerous for them to enter. One solution? Robots. They're good at going places where people just don't want to go. And they could be at the site in a matter of days.

Full story at NPR

Can Japan Send In Robots To Fix Troubled Nuclear Reactors?
It's too dangerous for humans to enter the Fukushima Dai-1 nuclear plant. Why not send in robots?

When it comes to robots, Japan is a superpower, with some of the world's most advanced robotic systems and the highest levels of industrial automation. So it makes sense to ask: Why can't Japan use robots to fix the damaged reactors at the Fukushima Dai-1 nuclear power plant?

Many people have wondered about this possibility, and there's been a lot of speculation and confusion. One news report even slammed Japan for lacking nuclear-disaster robots.

I'd be the first to shout, "Send in the robots!" if it were clear that robots could help in this case. But things aren't that simple. To understand what robots can and cannot do at Fukushima, I spoke to several experts. Here's what they say:

Read more at IEEE Spectrum's robotics blog Automaton

Explorium Edventure Day

2011-03-19T09:50:00.003-04:00

EXPLORIUM EDVENTURE DAY
Saturday, March 19th, 12 noon - 4 PM
Are you curious about how and why things work the way they do? The Children’s Science Explorium invites you to investigate, dares you to dig, and promises to peer into the excitement of science as we celebrate the wonders of our world! Join us as we celebrate a day of hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, and activities meant to stir our natural curiosities.

Saturday's Super Full Moon

2011-03-18T09:47:00.000-04:00

On March 19th, a full Moon of rare size and beauty will rise in the east at sunset. It's a super "perigee moon"--the biggest in almost 20 years!

Historic First: A Spacecraft Orbits Mercury

2011-03-17T09:48:00.000-04:00

NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft successfully achieved orbit around Mercury at approximately 9 p.m. EDT on March 17th. This marks the first time a spacecraft has orbited the solar system's innermost planet.

FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/18mar_orbitmercury/

Planets, Proportions & Pottery: How many sheets to Uranus?

2011-03-11T04:53:00.000-05:00

Students model a scale solar system model with toilet paper, and calculate distance and period of time for revolution.

Using a scale of 1 standard sheet of toilet tissue as 10,000,000 miles, we can use the unwound length of the roll of tissue as a ruler for a scale model of our solar system.
Calculate the distance of the planets using a scale of one tissue = 10,000,000 miles. One AU of 93,000,000 miles would be 9 1/3 sheets, 1.52 AU of 141,360,00 miles would be 14.1 sheets, etc.

Using a roll of school-grade toilet tissue, mark off the distances to the planets. Indicate planet placement at each of the appropriate distances.

Scholarship Bulletin for March 2011

2011-03-10T11:39:00.001-05:00

Teachers & Staff—

Thank you for sharing this valuable information with our students! A special kudos to Mr. Grinder for putting it on the Guidance Edline page!

Heather Woeber

Seminole Ridge SECME

WBR Big Bang Theory's Mission Patch

Murphy's Law: Technical Drawing for Mousetrap Vehicle

Technical Drawing for Balsawood Bridge

Technical Report for Balsawood Bridge

Olympian Tasks!

Hundreds Of Students To Compete In Upcoming SECME Olympiads

Scripps Florida to Bring New Interactive Exhibits and Activities to 3rd Annual Public Science “CELLebration” Day at The Gardens Mall

Careers in Nuclear Science Open House on Jan. 23

Scholarship Information from the Society of Women Engineers

Egg Drop Awesomeness during Design Squad challenges

SECME Saturday at the MODS

Rest, Relax and Recharge

Adopt-A-Classroom and Wells Fargo Get Into The Holiday Spirit Helping Classrooms

Never met a scientific illustrator? Meet Carol.

Hawks Compete in Gulliver Gateway VEX South Florida Championship

Hey, coach! How's your SECME? EOY 2011

20 years, and less than 20 points...

Mars Rover Curiosity Takes Off

For women and minorities, STEM is the best equal opportunity employer

Seminole Ridge 2011 Pathfinder Nominees

Figure This! On the 12th+11th+10th Day of Christmas

Seminole SECME Spotlight: Caitlin Nicole Miller

Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter Fall 2011

Engineering Family Fun Day 2011 Recap

LBST Gotta Regatta

EngineerGirl! Essay Contest 2012 - Food Engineering

Engineering Family Fun Day 2011

Registration now open for Moody’s Mega Math Challenge 2012

Coming Soon to a T-shirt Near You!

SECME Design Seminars: Plan It, Build It, Live It!

12 oz H2O + 60 psi air = 1 good time

20111026 WSRH News coverage of "Give Blood - It's Not Rocket Science"

Lady Liberty

Brains and Heart! Seminole SECME's annual "Give Blood = It's Not Rocket Science" blood drive

Hit Us Up

Water Bottle Rocket Seminar on Saturday, 10/29

REAL "Real Steel": Seminole SECME in Miami VEX Robotics Competition

Give Blood (But You May Find That Blood Is Not Enough).

Discover "E"

Mousetrap 201

When Backsliding Becomes Radically Re-engineered Rocketry

Support SECME with Direct Donations

Power of 10 Day

MATH GIRLS

The Feynman Series (part 1) - Beauty

LCBC: The Next Generation

Proportions, Pioneers, Phineas

QR Code for the SeminoleSECME blog

President Obama on Back-to-School: "Set Your Sights High"

Robotics exhibit at South Florida Science Museum

Tomorrow's Leaders STEM from Today's Learners

$37 million West Palm Beach water plant doomed by costly chemicals, city failures

Symphony of Science - The Quantum World

President Obama to Address Students Sept. 28, 2011

Heard Any Good STEM lately?

Truss us - we know what we're doing!

Adopt A Classroom

Spirit Night To Support The Very Special Science Fair

Edventure Alert: Egg Drop Challenge

SAE AWIM JetToy Challenge

The Holy Grail? Exploring the space ‘essential’ to world leadership

Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter Autumn 2011

SECME Design Seminars: Plan It, Build It, Live It!

Demo Day 8/31

Amazing Podcast from Planet Money on Bridge Building

SECME: Plan it, Build it, Live it!

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Sweet Tomatoes Fundraiser on Monday, May 23

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