Tech Directions - September 2007 - (Page 8)

the news report Susanne Peckham susanne@techdirections.com New JETS Clubs Coming this month—the new JETS Clubs—that will include monthly contests, online Clubs community, new partnerships and much more! Being a JETS Club member gives you all of JETS resources and benefits in a new package. Members receive a welcome packet and a monthly email, which includes JETS Challenge problems, a TEAMS problem, two activities courtesy of The Engineering Pathway Portal, and several discussion topics. Most importantly, each e-mail contains a preformatted lesson plan for use in your club. In addition, JETS Club members also receive a subscription to the Pre-Engineering Times, discounts at the JETS Store, TEAMS and NEDC updates, and registration fee promotions. Best of all it’s free! There is no fee to participate during the inaugural year. For more information, visit www.jets.org and click on “Join JETS” or call 703-548-5387 ext. 104. The JETS program works to increase interest and awareness of engineering and technology-based careers by offering student competitions, assessment tools, career guidance resources, the e-newsletter, and other resources. TSA Competitors Use Professional CAD Software Students involved in the Architectural Model, Computer-Aided Design 2D, Architectural, and ComputerAided Design 3D, Engineering Competitions at the National Technology Students Association (TSA) Conference held this summer in Nashville, TN, received the use of 200 seats of Envisioneer and KeyCreator software courtesy of Technology Education Concepts, Inc. (TEC); Cadsoft Corp.; and Kubotek, USA. Envisioneer is used by architects and building designers to create 3D drawings, framing, rendering, animation, material take-off, and cut lists. Design engineers use KeyCreator for applications in aerospace, automotive, machine design, and reverse engineering. Noting the value of the TSA competitions, Richard Amarosa, TEC president, stated, “We congratulate the achievements of the students, teachers, and schools [involved], and we appreciate the opportunity, in cooperation with Cadsoft and Kubotek, to provide industrial CAD and CAM tools necessary to be competitive in architectural and mechanical design and manufacturing.” Submissions will be judged on originality, creativity, engineering elegance, feasibility, design process description, team participation, and clarity of communication. Sally Ride Science, founded by astronaut Sally Ride, is dedicated to fueling young people’s interest in science, math, and technology. For information on the TOYchallenge competition, visit www.TOYchallenge. com or call 800-561-5161. Web Page Showcases Graphic Arts Industry Students interested in careers in the graphic arts industry or who want a list of colleges with graphic communications programs along with scholarship information can simply click on the word Students in the Quick Links section of the Graphic Arts Information Network (GAIN) Web page, at www.gain.net. The student-landing page opens to a short, quick-paced video, Introduction to Graphic Communications. Corrections The correct Web address for a very cool video showing the boats described in “RC Boat Make Waves” in the August issue: www. techdirections.com/rcboats.html. Also, the August “News Report” referred to Ed Willms as a contact person at AXYZ Automation, Inc. As it turns out, he has retired, and the current contact is Greg Jenkins, who can be reached at gjenkins@ axyz.com. Careers in Construction Week The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) announces the third annual Careers in Construction Week will take place October 15-19. The weeklong campaign aims to promote recognition among parents, teachers and students of the rewarding career opportunities available in construction and is dedicated to the men and women in the industry. Career fairs and various construction-related activities will be held to help promote construction career opportunities. Free promotional materials are available for download from careers.nccer.org. Toy Engineering Design Competition Sally Ride Science calls on students in grades 5 through 8 to step out of their classrooms and develop their design and engineering skills by creating their dream toy in it Sixth Annual TOYchallenge. The competition launches during fall 2007. To get started, teams must find an adult coach, sign up for the competition, and choose from themed-toy categories like Games for the Family or Get Out and Play. Both boys and girls may participate, but, to encourage the involvement of girls in science and technology, at least half of the members of each team must be girls. Events Sept. 11-15. RSES Annual Conference, includes four technical sessions. San Antonio, TX. 800-297-5660 x4046, www.rses.org. Oct. 10-13. National Career Pathways Annual Conference. (Formerly the National Tech Prep Network Conference). Louisville, KY. www.ncpn.info; click on “2007 Conference.” Oct. 28-31. Leadership Academy for Women in the Construction Industry. Sponsored by NCCER. Clemson (SC) University. www.nccer.org. Susanne Peckham is managing editor of Tech Directions. 8 techdirections ◆ SEPTEMBER 2007 http://www.TOYchallenge.com http://www.TOYchallenge.com http://www.gain.net http://www.jets.org http://www.techdirections.com/rcboats.html http://www.techdirections.com/rcboats.html http://www.rses.org http://www.ncpn.info http://www.nccer.org http://careers.nccer.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - September 2007

Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology’s Past Technology Today Mastering Computers Dome, Sweet Dome—Geodesic Structures Teach Math, Science, and Technology Principles Help Students Become Wise Energy Consumers How Does FERPA Affect You? Camera Operator and Videographer e-gallery Product Central Free for the Asking More than Fun

Tech Directions - September 2007

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