Tech Directions - January 2008 - (Page 8)

the news report Susanne Peckham susanne@techdirections.com gram, HVAC educators should contact Steven Allen at 734-424-0725. Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards Toshiba and the National Science Teachers Association announce the 16th annual Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards competition. Students are invited to create and explore their vision of a future technology by combining imagination with the tools of science. Awards for winners include U.S. savings bonds, laptop computers, and other prizes for students, teachers, and mentors. For details and to obtain an entry kit, rules, resources, and tips, visit www.exploravision. org/dmpc; call 1-800-EXPLOR-9; or write to exploravision@nsta.org. Adobe Calls for Entries to Its Design Awards Competition Adobe has announced its call for entries for the eighth annual Adobe Design Achievement Awards. The competition honors promising student graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, animators, digital filmmakers, developers, and computer artists from the world’s top institutions of higher education. Reflecting the growth in the interactive design field and the importance of the integration between design and development, Adobe has added several new categories in three media areas: Interactive Media, Motion Media, and Traditional Media. ● Interactive Media categories include Browser-Based Design, NonBrowser Based Design, Designer/ Developer Collaboration, Installation Design and Mobile Design. ● Motion Media categories include Animation, Live Action and Motion Graphics. ● Traditional Media categories include Illustration, Packaging, Photography, and Print Communications. “The annual awards celebrate emerging talent and innovative thinking from students from all over the world,” said Ann Lewnes, senior vice president of corporate marketing at Adobe. Submissions will be accepted online through May 2, 2008. The submissions will be judged digitally in May and semifinalists will be asked to submit their source files and a physical copy of their entry for the final phase of judging. Finalists will receive cash and software prizes, as well as a trip to the New York awards ceremony. Interested educators and students can visit the Adobe Design Achievement Awards website, www.ADAAentry.com, and access ADAA Live! to view participants submitting projects in real time. NAM and SkillsUSA Announce an Alliance to Prepare More Students for Manufacturing Career Leadership A new national partnership to prepare more students for career leadership in advanced manufacturing and help meet the industry’s growing need for highly-skilled employees was announced by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), its Manufacturing Institute, and SkillsUSA, at the SkillsUSA Awards Ceremony in Kansas City, MO, in June, before an audience of 14,000 students, parents, teachers, school administrators, government officials, and business and labor officials. “America can’t compete without skilled workers,” said John Engler, president and CEO of the NAM. “Our Dream It. Do It. manufacturing careers and economic development campaign is creating strong regional alliances to raise awareness among young people about manufacturing’s high-paying and rewarding careers. The SkillsUSA network will enable us to reach more students directly in their schools with fun, hands-on programs that teach teamwork and other important workplace skills. Skills USA is a proven leader in teaching employability and leadership skills to students and a natural partner for our Dream It. Do It. campaign.” “This alliance is a clear sign that the NAM values career and technical education and its critical role in the country’s economic success,” said Tim Lawrence, Executive Director, SkillsUSA, at today’s announcement ceremony. “The SkillsUSA association serves over 130 occupational areas, many of them in manufacturing. We have over 41 years of experience helping students learn employability skills. We look forward to working more closely with the manufacturing community to create Susanne Peckham is managing editor of Tech Directions. Mechanical Contractors Announce Partnership with Schools One of the best reasons for HVACR programs to pursue accreditation is that it can lead to additional opportunities for your students. The Mechanical Service Contractors Association (MSCA) and their partners, including the United Association and the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, have chosen to use HVAC Excellence programmatic accreditation as their benchmark for identifying quality programs with which to work. Through this new program, students who participate in an HVAC Excellence-accredited program can transfer their credits from their school into the MSCA-approved apprenticeship program. Once they successfully complete the program, graduates are eligible to work with over 21,000 affiliated employer partners. To learn more about the pro- 8 techdirections ◆ JANUARY 2008 http://www.exploravision.org/dmpc http://www.exploravision.org/dmpc http://www.ADAAentry.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - January 2008

Tech Directions - January 2008 Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology's Past Technology Today Mastering Computers Transportation/CAD/CAM Communication Manufacturing Pre-engineering Special Feature: Annual Media Review Free for the Asking More than Fun

Tech Directions - January 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.