SHPE - Winter 2009 - (Page 22)

T H E G AT H E R I N G S T O R M ents received valuable insight into becoming stronger advocates in their children’s learning. In his keynote address, the Honorable Jaime Oaxaca commended them for realizing that a solid foundation in STEM learning represents the best possible future for their children and the nation. According to summit chairman Mitchell Suarez, the CCC’s success is apparent by the increased participation in this year’s event. “We have new partners and new people involved in the effort,” he continued, “and we have become much better at spreading the word.” Not content with appearing on early-morning local radio shows and distributing a nationwide enewsletter, CCC members are also seeking funds to air bilingual public service announcements during prime-time television and novela hours. They are also devising a political action plan and finding partners to conduct an outreach case study. “In the following months, we plan to work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other organizations to design principles for a California state-wide STEM initiative,” Suarez continued. “The progress we have made in the past years has been possible due to dedicated individuals and supportive institutions such as USC which hosted and sponsored this year’s event.” ■ * The full report “Diploma to Nowhere,” released by Strong American Schools, can be read at http://www.edin08.com/ uploadedFiles/Issues/Issues_Pages/Dipl omaToNowhere.pdf. The CCC Summit Committee. disruptions that will result, as early as five years from now, if there isn’t enough technical talent to fill the void left by a surge of Baby Boomer retirements. CCC members renewed their commitment to build partnerships and rapidly scale the number of those who benefit from successful programs. These partnerships and programs will be the focus of future installments of The Gathering Storm series in SHPE magazine. Hands-On! Participating in the event were more than 100 students from local middle and high schools who joined in various hands-on activities and informative workshops. Empty soda containers, paper rockets, rubber hoses, pipe cleaners, straws, aluminum foil, balloons and string along with a little imagination composed the tools of the trade in assembling everything from miniature satellites to a rocket launcher. During a quickpaced Tech Fair, students interacted with company reps to learn about the practical ways they benefit from their innovations. “It was my best Saturday ever!” declared seventh grader Joshua Flores as he demonstrated his new understanding of propul- sion. Older students such as eleventh grader Araceli Cabelin were excited to learn that “engineering is for girls, too.” In fact, she is now interested in becoming a jet engineer. With college myths dispelled, Jose Depaz, another eleventh grader, left feeling more confident about applying to a fouryear program over a community college. Teachers also participated in breakout sessions where they were given various resources and techniques to bring science to life in the classroom. One activity had them use toilet paper (with each square representing an astronomical unit) to chart the distance of each planet from the sun. With another session led by the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE), par- t’s time to redefine the basic R’s of education to reflect standards consistent with global competition: Relevance, Relationships and Rigor.’ ‘ I Hands and feet were kept busy with engaging science activities. 22 SHPE ❘ Winter 2009 http://www.edin08.com/uploadedFiles/Issues/Issues_Pages/DiplomaToNowhere.pdf http://www.edin08.com/uploadedFiles/Issues/Issues_Pages/DiplomaToNowhere.pdf

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SHPE - Winter 2009

SHPE - Winter 2009 Contents President's Letter Browser Calendar Professional Chapter Leaders - Providing the Right Resources at the Right Time Closing the Expectation Gap - Summit Addresses ‘Diploma to Nowhere’ Conference 2008 A Career Building Diversity in Engineering Education Graduate STEM Degrees Extend Technical Reach Programs & Services Inner Circle Employer Profile Regional Roundup Annual Report Advertisers Index

SHPE - Winter 2009

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