The Little Moe MTV & Popsicle Stick Bridges

Seminole Ridge SECME: (l to r) Edwin Keo, Ryan Hamilton, and Yiro Shimabukuro

Seminole SECME meeting minutes for September 29, 2010
Meeting called to order at 3 PM by Captain R. Hamilton.

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.

Coming Soon to a T-Shirt Near You!

We might need another example to illustrate the idea of point or rotational symmetry, such as including playing cards (specifically the face cards) from a deck

From the diamond suite, with a royal flush, we could say that SECME has “winning hands.” Or with the ace as a single card we could be “aces.” Or we could create a new face card, the Hawk, since H is a letter with origin symmetry

Society of Women Engineers November 2010 events

Society of Women Engineers National Conference - November 4 - 6, 2010
Location: Orlando, Florida
Sign up to be a volunteer at the WE10 in Orlando, FL, November 4-6. SWE needs help to drive the success of our conference! You also can earn registration credit! WE10 Volunteers are eligible for ½ off basic registration (professionals) and free basic registration (collegians) for simply giving 5 hours of your time during WE10. This is your chance to attend that Career Enhancement Series session, tour, or banquet you have always wanted to attend! Sign up today at: Click here to sign up.

Engineering Family Fun Day(EF2D) - November 20, 2010
Location: Dreher Park, West Palm Beach, Florida
Click to get more information on EF2D.

In-truss-ting, very interesting!

Monty Python and the Bridge of Death!

Bridge/Truss design seminar on Saturday, September 25th from 9 AM to 1 PM, at Palm Springs Middle School. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the seminar, ere the other side he see.



Coordinators are responsible for bringing all necessary materials and supplies to the workshop. Here is a list of items needed to construct the mini-bridge/trusses. Four different mini trusses will be constructed.
- ¼ by ¼ Balsawood (several pieces)
- Insta-Cure glue or Wood glue
- Paint brushes
- Wood cutter or hand saw (Miter Box recommended)
- Balsa cutters
- Sand paper
- Rulers and meter stick
- Wax paper

Directions to Palm Springs Middle School, 1560 Kirk Rd., West Palm Beach, FL: I-95 to Forest Hill Blvd. West to Kirk Rd. School on NE corner.

Field trip permission slips are required for participation. Please have your parent/legal guardian's approval before attending.

BONUS: Build a Bridge Out of Her! (ED. NOTE: I always think about this scene at the beginning of the school year when I teach about the scientific method...)

Cassini Scientist for a Day Essay Contest - Entries Due Oct. 27, 2010

NASA JPL is sponsoring the 9th Cassini Scientist for a Day essay contest. The Cassini Scientist for a Day contest challenges students to become NASA scientists studying Saturn. Participants examine three target images taken by the Cassini spacecraft and choose the one they think will yield the best results. This choice must be supported in a 500-word essay.

The Cassini spacecraft will take pictures of Saturn and its rings and moons on Oct. 18-22, 2010.

The contest is open to all students in the U.S. in grades 5-12, working alone or in groups of up to four students. The essays will be divided into three groups: grades 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12. All submissions must be students’ original work. Each student can submit only one entry. Teaming up is encouraged. Winners will participate in a teleconference with Cassini scientists from NASA/JPL.

For more information, visit the contest homepage: http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education/scientistforaday9thedition/

The contest deadline for 2010 is October 27, 2010 at 3 PM Eastern Time.

Here is also a video about the contest:

PSAT Set for Sophomores, Juniors Wed., Oct. 13

High school students countywide will take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) Wednesday, October 13. The school district pays the fee for all sophomores to take the test; juniors may sign up to take the test at lunches. The cost for juniors is $15.00, in cash or check made out to SRHS, and includes the official student guide to the test.

SRHS encourages juniors to take the test; not only it is preparation for the actual SAT, but it‟s also the only time they can qualify for a National Merit Scholarship. Sophomores will receive the guide to the test from their English teachers, and they should familiarize themselves with the test before October 13.

Scholarship Bulletin for September 2010

Good morning,

A copy of the most recent Scholarship Bulletin was placed in your mailbox. Please make every effort to post in your classrooms. The majority of scholarships will apply to seniors only however the same scholarships tend to be offered year after year. Please feel free to copy or forward as you feel necessary.
Thank you,

Heather Woeber
Guidance Counselor, Co-Gi
Scholarship Cordinator

Summer Changes Everything!

Attend the National Summer Learning Association’s Conference, November 9-10 in Indianapolis.

Summer Changes EverythingTM, the only national conference focused entirely on summer, will be held at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, November 9-10. If you work with children, operate or make decisions about summer programs, or are involved in youth education, you can’t afford to miss this conference. With 60 workshops on topics from STEM learning to social media outreach, we’re presenting the latest information regarding youth and summer learning.

This year, we are thrilled to welcome an exciting lineup of guest speakers, exhibitors, and panelists, including neurologist, author, researcher, and middle-school teacher Dr. Judy Willis. Tarik Glenn, retired Indianapolis Colt and co-founder of D.R.E.A.M Alive, Inc., will share how his experiences both on and off the field have helped him to build and maintain a successful youth program. Other presenters include social media guru Beth Kanter, policy experts, and NSLA staffers. Don’t miss out on what promises to be the best summer learning conference yet!

Learn how to build, strengthen, and expand summer programs at the Summer Changes EverythingTM conference:
- Connect and network with colleagues, including summer program providers, educators, school administrators, researchers and policymakers.
- Choose the option of participating in one of two relevant, in-depth pre-conference institutes on November 8, on program planning or summer learning advocacy.
- Choose from 60 workshops in three exciting areas: Knowledge and Strategies for Summer Program Managers; Policy and Funding for Systems Building; and Innovative Instructional Approaches.

Learn more and register now at our conference homepage. Or, contact our Conference Manager, Ryan Rebarchick, via e-mail nationalconference[at]summerlearning[dot]org or phone: 410 856 1370 ext 203.