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

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!"

Seminole SECME wins silver

2nd place overall Olympiads in the district!
Seminole Ridge SECME won four trophies at the 2011 SECME regional Olympiad, including second place overall for the county! Teams from twenty high schools in Palm Beach County participated in the engineering contests at Santaluces Community High School in Lantana on Saturday, February 26, 2011. Students squared off in racing mousetrap powered model cars, launch model rockets, build and break balsa wood bridges; in general knowledge games during the "Brain Bowl"; and in literary and artistic competitions with essays, banners, and posters.

The competition of cogitators was fierce, but the Hawks, those gladiators of grey matter, came in third in the poster competition, second in the water bottle rocket competition, and first in the banner competition. This put overall Olympiad performance second in the entire district! Principal Lynne McGee, and Erich Landstrom and Ed Batchelor, the school SECME coordinators, congratulate the Hawks on their awesome achievements! Team captain Cindy Dosch commented “Proud of you guys! We did awesome against all odds.” Freshman Sam Smith posted “Today, those months of work on that mousetrap car came into fruition, and the hard work showed. It destroyed the competition without a problem, and couldn’t have done better on the test run. Even though it didn’t place, and we have our suspicions as to why it didn’t, I’m proud of Murphy’s Law, because it has overcome every one of the obstacles it was presented with.”

2011 Seminole SECME Olympiad

POSTER: Students create posters based on the Olympiad's theme “SECME: STEMulating Minds”
• Third Place: Seminole Ridge

Poster, 3rd place: senior Brie Codner Poster, 3rd place: senior Brie Codner

BANNER: Students create banners based on the Olympiad's theme. Banners must contain the school mascot and SECME logo.
• First Place: Seminole Ridge

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
• Second Place: Seminole Ridge

Water bottle rocket, 2nd place: Chris Garrett (retired rocket engineer with Pratt & Whitney) Damian Coleman, Cindy Dosch

Water bottle rocket, 2nd place: Damian Coleman, Cindy Dosch

OVERALL HIGH SCHOOL PALM BEACH COUNTY CHAMPION:

• Second Place: Seminole Ridge High

• First Place: Suncoast High Seminole SECME - 2nd place Olympiad overall in the county!

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.
Mousetrap Vehicle: Sam Smith and Cody Summerlin

Inspecting the Mousetrap Vehicle: (left to right) Sam Smith, Cody Summerlin, Dr. Thelma Jackson, and AJ Fandrey

BRAIN BOWL: Students compete against the clock and each other in a quiz show style contest filled with science and math questions.
left to right: Arnold Banner, Joe Pavicic, Yiro Shimabukuro, Robert Botkin



SECME is too serious to be taken seriously
SECME is too serious to be taken seriously
Seminole SECME Captain Cindy Dosch holding aloft our trophy
GO HAWKS!

We look unbelievable!

DJ Y alias JY - The Unbelievable Look (Mashup) from checkdissout on Vimeo.

The Olympiad is this Saturday the 22nd at Santaluces High School, and our submissions look unbelievable! Check it out.

Del Prado Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, Glade View Elementary, and Beacon Cove Intermediate Take the Top Spots at the 2011 Palm Beach County SECME

Over five hundred students from 52 schools participated in the 2011 Palm Beach County SECME Elementary Olympiad on February 12 at Santaluces High School. The following schools were the overall district winners:
1st Del Prado Elementary School
2nd Roosevelt Elementary School
3rd Glade View Elementary School
4th Beacon Cove Intermediate School

We need to teach our kids that it’s not just the winner of the Super Bowl who deserves to be celebrated, but the winner of the science fair.

President Obama made his commitment to science, technology, and education very clear in his remarks on the State of the Union on January 25, 2011: "No country has more successful companies, or grants more patents to inventors and entrepreneurs. We’re the home to the world’s best colleges and universities, where more students come to study than any place on Earth. What’s more, we are the first nation to be founded for the sake of an idea -– the idea that each of us deserves the chance to shape our own destiny. That’s why centuries of pioneers and immigrants have risked everything to come here. It’s why our students don’t just memorize equations, but answer questions like “What do you think of that idea? What would you change about the world? What do you want to be when you grow up?” The future is ours to win. But to get there, we can’t just stand still. As Robert Kennedy told us, “The future is not a gift. It is an achievement.”

Science is an adventure in which should participate

EarthSky – a clear voice for science – today announced the selection of E.O. Wilson as the 2010 EarthSky Science Communicator of the Year. EarthSky interviewed Dr. Wilson in Boston. Dr. Wilson told that science is an adventure, and that everyone can participate. Here’s is an excerpt:.

Symphony of Science - A Wave of Reason

The Symphony of Science is a musical project by John Boswell designed to deliver scientific knowledge and philosophy in musical form.

"A Wave of Reason" is intended to promote scientific reasoning and skepticism in the face of growing amounts of pseudoscientific pursuits, such as Astrology and Homeopathy, and also to promote the scientific worldview as equally enlightening as religion. Enjoy!

EngineerGirl! Essay Contest 2011 - Relief from a Disaster

The National Academy of Engineering sponsors an annual essay contest for precollege students dealing with the importance of engineering and its impact on our world. Boys and girls ages 8-18 compete for prizes up to $500, as well as an opportunity to publish their entries on the EngineerGirl! Website.

This year, the theme is "Engineering & Human Service – Relief from a Disaster." Flood, famine, earthquake, tsunami, oil spill, blackout, building collapse, mining accident, wildfire, hurricane, tornado, terrorist attack—all have been headline news in recent years. Disasters, both natural and man-made, can take many forms. Every disaster presents unique challenges and requires fast and decisive action to save lives and limit damages. Engineers are involved in designing many products specifically for use in disaster zones such as portable medical equipment, oil skimmers, or basic shelters. Identify an item designed specifically for use in disaster relief, and then do some research on it to write your essay.

Contestants must in 1500 words or fewer, describe an item that is used for disaster relief. Explain how it works. Point out key elements of the design and why it was designed that way. Describe how different types of engineers (e.g. civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.) might have contributed to the final design of this product. Discuss the constraints designers faced in the creation of this product and potential changes/improvements needed if it were used in a different disaster relief scenario. Be sure to include your references.

You can find the announcement, guidelines, and related information about the contest on the EngineerGirl! website:
http://www.engineergirl.org/CMS/Contest.aspx

Entries must be received by 6:00 PM on March 1, 2011. Essays will be judged on the basis of creativity, feasibility, and usefulness of the design as well as the author’s ability to communicate ideas. All entries are read by a panel of judges, whose selections are final.

Math, Science and the Future of Our Nation

Discovery Channel’s MythBusters Join Global Online Town Hall on Student Attitudes Toward Math and Science

Former Vice President Al Gore to moderate live interactive discussion connecting students from the US with those in countries that outperform them

Release Date:11/08/2010

(New York, NY) – Hosts of the Discovery Channel’s MythBusters, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, will join former Vice President Al Gore, astronaut Sally Ride and inventor Dean Kamen during Time Warner Cable’s Global Online Town Hall called “Math, Science and the Future of Our Nation” on November 17, 2010 at 12pm ET.

This unique, first-of-its-kind town hall event will connect young people from the US with students from around the world, including Australia, China and Finland, and with internationally known science and technology leaders, for a discussion that will focus on attitudes among American youth toward math and science, and how to inspire and motivate them so they will be successful in a competitive global marketplace.

“There is never, at any time, any issue more important to this country than the education of its youth. We are thrilled and humbled to be involved in some way with this crucial initiative, and it has our full support," said Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, co-hosts of MythBusters.

Members of the public can join the discussion at connectamillionminds.com, where – using a new online broadcasting platform from Vokle - they can submit live video questions and comments from anywhere in the world in real time. A facilitator’s guide is available for those teachers and principals who would like to bring the conversation into the classroom by hosting a town hall viewing of their own. To access the guide, and for more information about Time Warner Cable’s Connect a Million Minds program or the global online town hall event, please visit http://www.connectamillionminds.com/.

Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter Fall 2010

Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter Fall 2010

In the Fall 2010 issue of the Seminole SECME "Hawk Talk" newsletter
- "Hawk"-tober at the Ridge: brainstorming bridges, banners, and bottle rockets
- Aviation engineering aces from Kimley-Horn and Associates speak at Seminole Ridge.
- Highlights from President Obama's 2nd annual back to school speech
- Figure This! math challenge on the long arm of Lady Liberty
- SECME Spotlight on Brian Bartels
- Be the Dinosaur at the Children's Science Explorium in Boca Raton
- Hawks win Miami VEX Round Up robotics tournament; qualify for 2011 World Championship
- Hawking Talk: Thank you to our sponsors Publix Super Market Charities

Click here to download a PDF copy of our
Seminole SECME 'Hawk Talk' newsletter Fall 2010 issue.

PAGE 1

White House Science Fair 2010

President Barack Obama gets down on his hands and knees as he looks at the inner workings of a robot that plays soccer, built by a team from Pennsylvania, as he tours science projects on display in the State Dining Room of the White House. President Obama hosted the White House Science Fair for winners of a broad range of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions. October 18, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Remarks by the President at White House Science Fair

President Obama speaks about the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education to the country’s economic future after viewing exhibits from science fair winners from across the country: "Now, if that doesn’t inspire you -- if that doesn’t make you feel good about America and the possibilities of our young people when they apply themselves to science and math, I don’t know what will."

Best. Meeting. Ever.

Seminole Ridge symmetry

Technical drawing - mousetrap vehicle
VEX Round Up practice
technical drawing - water bottle rocket
technical drawing - water bottle rocket
banner
banner
banner
I heart SECME

NASA Selects Astronaut Leland D. Melvin to Lead Office of Education

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden announced Tuesday the selection of Leland D. Melvin as the agency's new associate administrator for education, effective immediately.

Since April 2010, Melvin has been assigned to the Office of Education at Headquarters leading the Education Design Team. His job was to develop a strategy to improve NASA's education offerings and to assist the agency in establishing goals, structures, processes and evaluation techniques to implement a sustainable and innovative science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education program. He also served as the partnership development manager for the agency's new Summer of Innovation education initiative, aimed at engaging middle school students in STEM activities during the summer break.

President Obama Announces Goal of Recruiting 10,000 STEM Teachers Over the Next Two Years

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release September 27, 2010

President Obama Announces Goal of Recruiting 10,000 STEM Teachers Over the Next Two Years

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Barack Obama announced a new goal of recruiting 10,000 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) teachers over the next two years. This announcement will move the country forward on the Obama Administration’s ambitious goal of preparing 100,000 STEM teachers over the next decade.

Statement by President Obama: “When I came into office, I set a goal of moving our nation from the middle to the top of the pack in math and science education. Strengthening STEM education is vital to preparing our students to compete in the 21st century economy and we need to recruit and train math and science teachers to support our nation’s students.”

As America’s students lag in math and science when compared to peers around the world, President Obama has made improving STEM education one of his top priorities. President Obama has identified three overarching priorities for STEM education, necessary for laying a new foundation for America’s future prosperity:

- Increasing STEM literacy so all students can think critically in science, math, engineering and technology;
- Improving the quality of math and science teaching so American students are no longer outperformed by those in other nations;
- And expanding STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented groups, including women and minorities.

NASA and Mary J. Blige PSA Encourage Exciting STEM Careers For Girls

NASA is collaborating with award-winning R&B recording artist Mary J. Blige to encourage young women to pursue exciting experiences and career choices through studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). In this first of two public service announcements, Blige appears with veteran NASA space shuttle astronaut Leland Melvin.



Both PSAs are now on NASA TV and the agency's website at: http://www.nasa.gov/soi. NASA's Summer of Innovation (SoI) project and Blige's Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN) both show students the many possibilities available if they follow their dreams and reach for the stars.



The SoI project is part of the President's Educate to Innovate Campaign. It started earlier this summer to help keep middle school students engaged in fun and stimulating STEM-related activities during the school break.

"Working with FFAWN is a rare opportunity to help spread the STEM message into communities not always readily accessible to us," Melvin said. "Mary's presence can help NASA make the STEM message more appealing to these communities and increase the pipeline of underrepresented students going into these disciplines."