SECME annual themes

2013-2014 SECME: Going Out On A S.T.E.M.

2012-2013 THINK it’s imPOSSIBLE? THINK sySTEMatically. THINK SECME! 

2011-2012 SECME: Plan It - Build It - Live It

2010-2011 SECME: STEMulating Minds

2009-2010 SECME: Igniting Minds Through STEM Education

2008-2009 SECME: Thinking Out of the Box

2007-2008 SECME: Lighting the Torch To Empower Future Leaders

2006-2007 SECME: A Launch Pad for the Next Generation of Explorers

2005-2006 SECME: Changing the World, One Student At A Time

2004-2005 SECME: 2lst Century Pioneers—Dreaming Today To Discover Tomorrow

2003-2004 SECME: The Global Road Map to Success

2002-2003 SECME: Vehicle of the Future – Engineered for Success

2001-2002 SECME: Equation for a Better World

2000-2001 SECME: Bridging the Technical Divide

1999-2000 SECME: Leveraging Partnership to Ensure Technical Talent for the New Millennium

1996–1997 SECME: Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology – Using the Past and Present to Building a Better Future

1995–1996 SECME: Entering the New Millennium Through Science and Engineering

Correlation Implies Causation

Published on May 2, 2013: Fox News hosts wonder why Americans know so little. Really.



You should Take our 13-question quiz to test your knowledge of scientific concepts!

The Feynman Series (part 1) - Beauty

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.

Roy Shears Suggests: SECME Themes

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!"

Education is the economic issue of our time

Remarks by the President on Higher Education and the Economy at the University of Texas at Austin on August 9, 2010.

In a single generation, we’ve fallen from first place to 12th place in college graduation rates for young adults. Think about that. In one generation we went from number one to number 12.

Now, that’s unacceptable, but it’s not irreversible. We can retake the lead. If we’re serious about making sure America’s workers -- and America itself -- succeeds in the 21st century, the single most important step we can take is make -- is to make sure that every one of our young people -- here in Austin, here in Texas, here in the United States of America -- has the best education that the world has to offer. That’s the number one thing we can do. (Applause.)

Now, when I talk about education, people say, well, you know what, right now we’re going through this tough time. We’ve emerged from the worst recession since the Great Depression. So, Mr. President, you should only focus on jobs, on economic issues. And what I’ve tried to explain to people -- I said this at the National Urban League the other week -- education is an economic issue. Education is the economic issue of our time. (Applause.)

It’s an economic issue when the unemployment rate for folks who’ve never gone to college is almost double what it is for those who have gone to college. Education is an economic issue when nearly eight in 10 new jobs will require workforce training or a higher education by the end of this decade. Education is an economic issue when we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that countries that out-educate us today, they will out-compete us tomorrow.

The single most important thing we can do is to make sure we’ve got a world-class education system for everybody. That is a prerequisite for prosperity. It is an obligation that we have for the next generation.

"Education isn’t an either/or proposition. It’s a both/and proposition."

Remarks by the President on Education Reform at the National Urban League Centennial Conference on July 29, 2010

Now, since we’re on the topic of speaking honestly with one another, I want to devote the balance of my time, the balance of my remarks, to an issue that I believe will largely determine not only African American success, but the success of our nation in the 21st century -- and that is whether we are offering our children the very best education possible. (Applause.)

I know some argue that as we emerge from a recession, my administration should focus solely on economic issues. They said that during health care as if health care had nothing to do with economics; said it during financial reform as if financial reform had nothing to do with economics; and now they're saying it as we work on education issues. But education is an economic issue -- if not “the” economic issue of our time. (Applause.)

It’s an economic issue when the unemployment rate for folks who’ve never gone to college is almost double what it is for those who have gone to college. (Applause.) It’s an economic issue when eight in 10 new jobs will require workforce training or a higher education by the end of this decade. It’s an economic issue when countries that out-educate us today are going to out-compete us tomorrow.

Now, for years, we’ve recognized that education is a prerequisite for prosperity. And yet, we’ve tolerated a status quo where America lags behind other nations. Just last week, we learned that in a single generation, America went from number one to 12th in college completion rates for young adults. Used to be number one, now we’re number 12.

At the same time, our 8th graders trail about eight -- 10 other nations -- 10 other nations in science and math. Meanwhile, when it comes to black students, African American students trail not only almost every other developed nation abroad, but they badly trail their white classmates here at home -- an achievement gap that is widening the income gap between black and white, between rich and poor.

We’ve talked about it, we know about it, but we haven’t done enough about it. And this status quo is morally inexcusable, it's economically indefensible, and all of us are going to have to roll up our sleeves to change it. (Applause.)

The SECME Solution

SECME Summer Institute DAY FOUR


"The SECME Solution"
Remarks by Erich Landstrom on receiving the annual National Teacher of the Year award during the SECME "Evening of Elegance" Sunday, June 27, 2010.

STEM Ed: Are We Beginning To See the Light?

A new snapshot of parent perceptions of STEM education was released June 2nd following a survey conducted earlier in 2010 by Public Agenda.

Americans are convinced that math and science skills are crucial for the future, with strong majorities who say there will be more jobs and college opportunities for students with those skills, according to a new Public Agenda survey. But while there's broad support from parents and the general public for K-12 national standards, more than half of parents (52%) say the math and science their child is getting in school is "fine as it is."

These are just some of many surprising realities facing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in public schools, according to “Are We Beginning to See the Light?” a new Public Agenda survey exploring the views of more than 1,400 individuals nationwide, including 646 parents of children grades K-12. The national survey was underwritten by the GE Foundation.

USA Science & Engineering Festival Kavli Science Video Contest

K-12 Students: Tell us why Science is Cool! Enter now for the USA Science & Engineering Festival Kavli Science Video Contest! Have your video screened on the National Mall, win prize money and possibly even a trip to the Expo in Washington D.C.!

Do you think Science is cool? Do you want to share your passion for science with others? Here is your chance to inspire thousands of people to be more curious, and to care about science & engineering the way you do: create a short video that explores the question “Why is Science Cool?”

We are seeking videos that are creative, surprising, and “contagious” in terms of spreading your enthusiasm about science to others. Videos might explore a scientific concept, show us the wonders of nature, give us a glimpse into the future, show us what scientific discovery has done for us in the past or will do for us in the future, introduce us to a great scientist or engineer, tell us why you think science is so cool or simply show us why we should care about science and/or engineering.

Sponsored by The Kavli Foundation and conducted in partnership with SciVee, the contest opens on April 1, 2010 and closes on July 15, 2010.

Prizes
1st prize: $1,000*;plus $500 electronics gift certificate OR HD Camcorder (valued up to $500); plus a travel stipend to travel to Washington DC for the Expo!**

2nd prize: $500*, plus $250 electronics gift certificate

3rd prize: $250*, plus $125 electronics gift certificate

People’s Choice Award: $250

*In addition, the winning videos will be screened during the USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo on the National Mall and at other key Festival events.

*All prize money to go towards science education at the students’ school, home school network, after-school program, science club or any other organization the student is representing for the purpose of this contest. HD Camcorder and gift certificate(s) go directly to the student, or student team.

**Amount of travel stipend will vary based on location of the winner(s). The Kavli Foundation will present the winner(s) with their award check during a ceremony as part of the USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo on the National Mall on October 23 and 24, 2010)

Judging/People's Choice Award
A panel of distinguished judges will select the most outstanding videos to receive 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize. In addition, the People’s Choice Award will be voted on by the public. Voting for the People’s Choice award is easy. Go to the USA Science & Engineering Festival Student Video Contest site at http://www.scivee.tv/node/16370. Make sure you are registered and logged into the SciVee site and then view the videos. Click the star rating you prefer under each video that you review. A “Thank You for Voting” notice will appear and your vote will be recorded toward the total for the People’s choice award. You may only vote once for each video.

The requirements are that the video:
• be made for educational purposes
• be in .mov or .wmv digital video format
• be more than 30 seconds and less than 90 seconds long
• be suitable for public display
• does not violate copyright law (all material must be your original work)
• is all done by you, the student, or by a team of students – yes, we are encouraging team videos!

How to enter for the Kavli Science Video Contest:
Go to http://www.scivee.tv/uploadvideoand login to Scivee. You will need to register if you're not already a SciVee user.
Follow the video upload process:Mark your entry as a "video only."Give your video’s title, a short description, and list its authors/producersChoose the appropriate audience and subject areas.
When asked to enter “tags”, make sure you put USASEF. You may also enter other tags.
Click “finish” to upload your video.
Then come back to this page to submit your registration form (at the bottom of this page). On the registration form, you will be asked to enter the link to your video on SciVee, and the name of your file. You MUST submit a registration form through the USA Science & Engineering Festival website http://www.usasciencefestival.org/2010festival/contests/kavli-science-video-contest to enter for the contest.

Your registration form and video file must be submitted no later than 11:59pm EST on July 15, 2010.

For questions regarding the contest, please contact Stacy Jannis at jannisprods[at]earthlink[dot]net

Gov. Crist Applauds Teachers

GOVERNOR CRIST APPLAUDS TEACHERS DURING SCHOOL VISIT CELEBRATING TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

Highlights academic accomplishments of students inspired by Florida teachers

May 6, 2010

Contact: GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE (850) 488-5394

PALM BEACH – In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, Governor Charlie Crist today applauded the commitment of Florida teachers to educating the state’s future leaders. During a visit to Palm Beach Public Elementary School, the Governor emphasized his gratitude to all teachers for their role in the academic achievements of Florida students.

“Florida’s teachers are entrusted with developing the talent and knowledge of our children,” said Governor Crist. “I am grateful for their commitment and proud of the success they inspire, which is clearly evident in the accomplishments made each day by our students.”

Governor Crist has made educating Florida’s children a top priority for his administration. Earlier this week, the Governor signed a proclamation observing May 3-7, 2010, as Teacher Appreciation Week. Governor Crist also recently vetoed legislation, related to education personal, which did not appropriately accommodate special education students and their teachers. Following an outpouring of opposition by teachers, parents, students, superintendents, school boards and legislators, the Governor vetoed Senate Bill 6 because the legislation encroached on local decision-making, put teachers in jeopardy of losing their jobs, and passed without sufficient input from teachers, parents, and students.

Florida continues a decade of educational progress with an eighth-place national ranking by the 2010 Quality Counts: Fresh Course, Swift Current report. Florida’s ranking is due to improved student performance in elementary, middle and high schools; incentives for top-performing teachers and Florida’s ability to attract and retain a strong teacher workforce; high academic standards and rigorous testing programs; and the percentage of state funds spent on public schools and equitable distribution of those funds to school districts.

The Quality Counts report issued annually by Education Week tracks state education policies and performance and assigns each state an overall point total to signify their education standing in the nation. This year’s ranking improves the Sunshine State’s ranking of 10th last year and 14th in 2008, up from 31st in 2007.

In addition, Florida’s eighth-graders made significant increases in their overall reading scores this year, tripling the increase seen by the nation since 2007, according to the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading results. The state’s fourth-graders also continue to outpace their national counterparts in reading by a large margin.

Overall, the number of high-performing Florida schools (receiving an “A” or “B” grade from the state) reached an all-time high at 2,317 in 2009, up from 2,127 in 2008. Meanwhile, Florida’s graduation rate rose more than three percentage points compared to 2008, the highest increase in the last five years.

On Monday, Governor Crist announced that the Florida Department of Education sent Florida’s Race to the Top Phase 2 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to school districts. Florida is competing with other states for up to $700 million in federal dollars. Through the federal Race to the Top competition, the U.S. Department of Education has challenged all 50 states to propose bold education reforms focused on helping struggling schools, elevating the effectiveness of teaching professionals and education leaders, building internationally recognized education standards and assessments, and improving state education data systems.

Earlier this year, Florida earned a fourth-place ranking among 41 states competing in Phase 1. To improve the Phase 2 MOU, Governor Crist appointed a working group that included a wide variety of education stakeholders, including superintendents, school board members, teachers and teacher associations, parents and the business community. School districts have until May 25, 2010, to submit signed MOUs to the Florida Department of Education.

For more information on Florida’s Race to the Top Working Group, please visit www.FLGov.com/racetothetop. For more information about the Race to the Top competition, visit www.fldoe.org/ARRA/RacetotheTop.asp.

Why So Few? New NSF-Funded Study Points to Barriers Facing Girls and Women in STEM

In an era in which women are increasingly represented in medicine, law, and business, why do they continue to lag behind men in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)? AAUW sheds new light on the so-called STEM controversy with the release this spring of its comprehensive report, Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, which was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Governor Crist Declares Teacher Appreciation Week 2010

Governor Crist Declares Teacher Appreciation Week 2010

WHEREAS, teachers should be accorded high public esteem, reflecting the value the community places on public education; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate teachers be recognized for their dedication and commitment to educating students;

WHEREAS, teachers are entrusted with the educational development of our children; and

WHEREAS, teachers offer our children a thirst for knowledge, a solid education, and the inspiration to achieve and excel throughout life; and

WHEREAS, teachers are inseparable from learning at any age, benefiting individuals, communities and countries; and

WHEREAS, Florida’s teachers often make many sacrifices as they fulfill their countless responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, teachers have earned, and truly deserve, the gratitude and esteem of students, parents, and community members;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Charlie Crist, Governor of the state of Florida, do hereby extend greetings and best wishes to all observing May 3-7, 2010, as Teacher Appreciation Week.

Remarks by President Obama on Space Exploration in the 21st Century

Prickly City by Scott Stantis for 03 April 2010

"Why spend money on NASA at all? Why spend money solving problems in space when we don’t lack for problems to solve here on the ground? And obviously our country is still reeling from the worst economic turmoil we’ve known in generations. We have massive structural deficits that have to be closed in the coming years.

But you and I know this is a false choice. We have to fix our economy. We need to close our deficits. But for pennies on the dollar, the space program has fueled jobs and entire industries. For pennies on the dollar, the space program has improved our lives, advanced our society, strengthened our economy, and inspired generations of Americans. And I have no doubt that NASA can continue to fulfill this role."

Success for Students at 2010 Seconday SECME Olympiad

On Saturday April 10, 2010, over 275 students from Palm Beach County Secondary schools participated in the Secondary SECME (Science, Engineering, Communication, Mathematics, Enrichment) Olympiad hosted by Santaluces High School. Students participated in a variety of competitions which included banners, brain bowl, bridges, essays, mousetrap cars, posters, and water rockets.

The 2010 overall district champions for both High School and Middle School are:

High School:
• 1st Place Overall – Suncoast High School
• 2nd Place Overall – Seminole Ridge Community High School
• 3rd Place Overall – Boca Raton High School
• Honorable Mention Overall – Royal Palm Beach High School

Seminole SECME wins silver!

Seminole SECME won five trophies in the 2010 Palm Beach SECME regional Olympiad! We were awarded the 3rd place trophy, mousetrap car competition + 2nd place trophy, banner competition + 2nd place trophy, poster competition + 2nd place trophy, brain bowl competition =
2nd place overall Olympiads in the district!

Dr. Lynee McGee, principal of Seminole Ridge High School, and Erich Landstrom and Ed Batchelor, school SECME coordiators, are soaring on the Hawks awesome achievements!

Seminole Ridge SECME at the 2010 engineering Olympiad for the School District of Palm Beach County

Football practice
The object of VEX Clean Sweep is to attain a higher score than your opponent's alliance by moving as many balls as possible onto their side of the field and by "locking up" small balls in the triangular goals.
VEX Robotics
Students, with guidance from their teachers and mentors aim to build the most innovative robots possible and work together to obtain the most points possible. In addition to just having a great time and building amazing robots, through their participation in the VEX Robotics Competition and their work within their team, students learn many academic and life skills.

POSTER: Students create posters based on the Olympiad's theme.
• Third Place: Forest Hill
• Second Place: Seminole Ridge
• First Place: Suncoast
Senior Shelby Weininger with poster

Poster, 2nd place: Cindy Dosch (left) and Shelby Weininger (right)

MOUSETRAP CAR: Students build cars that are propelled by the spring of a mousetrap. All teams must have a mousetrap car (constructed and running), design drawing blueprint of mousetrap vehicle (MTV), technical report on MTV construction and operations. A combination of the scores from the race, the report, and the drawing is used to determine the winner.
• Third Place: Seminole Ridge - Silver
• Second Place: Boca Raton – Roaring Cats
• First Place: Suncoast – Exponential Engineers

Juniors AJ Fandrey (left) and Ryan Hamilton (right) in MTV competition

Junior Ryan Hamilton

Junior AJ Fandrey in MTV competition

WATER ROCKET: Students build a model rocket around a standard 2 liter soda bottle. All teams must have: rocket (constructed and launch-ready); design drawing blueprint of rocket; technical report on rocket; and mission patch design. At the Olympiad, rockets will be "fueled" with 355 milliliters of water and 60 PSI of air pressure. The rocket with the greatest combined "hang time" airborne and score will be declared the winner.
Seniors Carlos Monesar and Kate Woodbury with Mr. Chris Garrett from Pratt Whitney Rocketdyne

Juniors Brian Bartles and Cindy Dosch with Mr. Chris Garrett from Pratt Whitney Rocketdyne

BRAIN BOWL: Students compete against the clock and each other in a quiz show style contest filled with science and math questions.
• Third Place: Suncoast
• Second Place: Seminole Ridge
• First Place: Royal Palm Beach

SECME Olympiad - brain bowl Ralph Regis, Zack Wiggin, Daniel Lowenthal, Robert Botkin


Brain bowl 2nd place: Ralph Regis, Zack Wiggin, Daniel Lowenthal

Seminole SECME's five trophies from the 2010 Olympiad

Seminole SECME - 2nd place Olypiad overall in the county!

GO HAWKS!

Name of the Game - Calling All Freaks (and Geeks)

Clash of the Titans: The 2010 SECME OLYMPIAD

2010 SECME SECONDARY SCHOOLS OLYMPIAD
8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Santaluces Community High School
6880 Lawrence Road, Lantana 33462

Directions from I-95:
· Exit Hypoluxo Blvd. Go West approx. 2 miles to Lawrence Road (you will see the school on the north side of the road),
· turn north on Lawrence Road (light), go to the access road on the north side of the road, turn right,
· go to the second parking lot (student parking lot), park in front of the auditorium.

For more detailed directions, click on http://tinyurl.com/SeminoleRidgeHigh to Mapquest from Seminole Ridge High to Santaluces High School, 6880 Lawrence Road, Lantana, Fl.
• Park in the Student Parking lot (the second parking lot), located on the north side of the school. Entrance to the school is off of Lawrence Rd.

Santaluces High map

• Registration will begin at 8:00 AM just inside the entrance to the Auditorium. Upon arrival at the Olympiad, please sign in at the registration table.
• After you register, drop off your posters and banners for judging at the assigned location (Media Center). Then, proceed to the Opening Ceremony in the Auditorium.
• It is imperative that your team arrives on time to each event. If you arrive early, wait patiently. Bring a Book-It novel to pass the time.

2010 Palm Beach County SECME Secondary Olympad schedule

• Food items will be available: Pizza tickets: Cheese = $1.50, Pepperoni = $2.00. For planning purposes, pizza tickets will be on sale in the morning during registration and need to be purchased by 10:00 am. Other food: chips, candy, donuts =$1.00. Soda machines are on and filled $1.50 - $2.00.

GO HAWKS!

Megan Fox is hot for teachers

Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green speak out about the budget cuts affecting teachers and kids in California. Via Funny Or Die

Finishing Touches for the Olympiad

Poster
Banner
VEX
MTV

2010 SECME SECONDARY OLYMPIAD
8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Santaluces Community High School
6880 Lawrence Road, Lantana 33462


• Registration will begin at 8:00 AM just inside the entrance to the Auditorium. Upon arrival at the Olympiad, please sign in at the registration table and take your school’s envelope which will include: a map, schedule and your Brain Bowl line-up.

• After you register, drop off your posters and banners for judging at the assigned location (Media Center). Please remember that a 4” x 6” index title card must be affixed to the back of the poster in the lower-left corner. The contents of the title card are listed on page 37 of the Survival Guide. Next, rockets, bridges, and mousetrap cars should be taken to their designated locations for judging. They must go through preliminary judging for size and weight in order to qualify for competition. Then, proceed to the Opening Ceremony in the Auditorium.

• SECME Coordinators and accompanying chaperones are responsible for students being in place and on time for each of the competitions. It is imperative that your team arrives on time to each event. If you arrive early, wait patiently. To ensure the safety of all students and the integrity of the event, please make sure that your students are supervised at all times.

• Park in the Student Parking lot (the second parking lot), located on the north side of the school. Entrance to the school is off of Lawrence Rd.

• Food items will be available: Pizza tickets: Cheese = $1.50, Pepperoni = $2.00. For planning purposes, pizza tickets will be on sale in the morning during registration and need to be purchased by 10:00 am. Other food: chips, candy, donuts =$1.00. Soda machines are on and filled $1.50 - $2.00.

• It is highly recommended that your students wear hats and sunscreen for the outdoor activity: Water Rocket Competition.

• Please ask your students to bring something to keep themselves occupied (e.g., a book to read, a game to play, video games) during “down times.”

• Please check with your principal regarding TDE and/or field trip forms that must be completed prior to attending the Olympiad.

Santaluces Community High School
6880 Lawrence Road
Lantana, Florida 33462

Directions: Take I- 95 to Hypoluxo Rd. West to Lawrence Rd. School is on the NE corner of Hypoluxo and Lawrence Rd.

SECME seeds - grow diversity in STEM education!

(based on an idea from Shelby Weininger, Class of 2010. Thanks, S.)

Photorealistic Patrick

(based on an idea from CC Lindo, Class of 2010. Thanks, Patrick for posing. And thank you CC, Blaine, and Kevin)