Supporting PLTW East Bay in 2015-2016

For all questions related to PLTW East Bay convenings, strategies, BASF engagement, funding, etc, please contact April Treece [phone: (925) 672-3759; email: ccep@cococo.org] as she is still the East Bay Regional Leader for PLTW CA.  Also, be sure you are connected with the regional PLTW affiliate institution - San Jose State University: 

• For questions about PLTW, please contact Jack Warecki: jack.warecki@sjsu.edu 
• For Outreach and PLTW requests, please email outreach.engineering@sjsu.edu

PLTW is Expanding in the Bay!

Is your school listed? Confirm it by visiting https://www.pltw.org/our-network/pltw-schools.

FREE Materials and Classroom Supplies for Bay Area Teachers

SCRAP is once again offering Bay Area teachers an opportunity to stock up on materials they need for the upcoming school year.

We will be provide a great variety of materials for teachers at no cost. That’s right, FREE! Join us to stock up on paper, pads, pencils, pens, makers, binders, and a great variety of other materials. Come early, supplies are limited.

We will be providing materials on Saturday, August 15th at SCRAP from 10 AM to 4 PM. All teachers are welcome.

SCRAP is located at 801 Toland Street in San Francisco. The entrance is on Newcomb St.  Link: http://www.scrap-sf.org/free-teachers-give-away-august-15th

3 Things Students Desire to Hear From Teachers

These are age-independent truths.  This applies to students, adult, everyone!  Read article at http://www.edutopia.org/blog/students-desire-to-hear-from-teachers-lori-desautels

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Women in STEM : Dr. Sally Ride

Loving today's Google Doodle about Dr. Sally Ride!

For more information, visit http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/26/8659275/sally-ride-google-doodle

Career Readiness : New STEM Opportunities in Alameda

Alameda’s New Billion Dollar Company - Wrightspeed 

Wrightspeed is a powertrain company built on a tradition of quality systems engineering. Its powertrains are the next step in the evolution of vehicle propulsion. Wrightspeed’s engineering team has particular strengths in control systems, high-reliability software, and high-power analog electronics. Wrightspeed holds most of the IP for its powertrains, including patented-pending controls, 200 kW inverter, 41 kg 250 hp electric motor, two speed gear box with clutch-less shifting, battery pack, battery management system, and LCD user interface. 

Q8: When it comes to recruiting what kind of standards or requirements are you looking for? Are you looking for welders? Are you looking for all engineers? What’s going to be the spin out for your employee recruitment? 

Ian Wright: “Oh, it’s going to be everything you can imagine. Right now, we’re looking for people with manufacturing experience. Supply chain people. Manufacturing engineers. Then there’s technicians for assembly and test. We do have one fabricator that does welding for prototype development work. And we probably need another tech right now with more techs later. But we’ll need a lot more engineers as well. Test engineers. Mechanical engineers.”

Read the complete interview here. 

Honoring Our Teachers: KRON 4’s Teacher of the Week

KRON 4 is proud to recognize a “Teacher of The Week.” Click here to tell us why your favorite teacher should be nominated and he or she may have the chance to be recognized on KRON4 TV as the “Teacher of The Week.” Nominations are limited to Kindergarten through 12th grade. Show your support today!  Click here to nominate! 

ELA + STEM = Developing Literacy with Math and Science

I recently came across a 2013 article that is still relevant to the state of literacy in STEM for many of our schools and students.

"ELA + STEM = Developing Literacy with Math and Science" talked about just that. 

• Ways to develop a student's literacy skills 
• Strong need for STEM teachers to partner with their English colleagues to incorporate relevant reading and writing into their classroom activities
• How to blend the learning

Take a moment and read this article at http://www.nms.org/blog/tabid/58/postid/213/ela-stem-developing-literacy-with-math-and-science.aspx. Also this summer, Barnes and Noble is kicking off a summer reading program for kids with many perks! Learn how your child can earn a free book by clicking http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/summer-reading/379003570.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!

“A teacher affects eternity; she/he can never tell where her/his influence stops.” 

– Henry Adams

CCEP STEM Summer Camps for Teachers and Students

Source: http://ccpartnership.org/stemsummercamps-contra-costa-county.html

The CCEP STEM Initiative's goal is to provide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) summer enrichment opportunities for high school students and teachers.The STEM summer camps offer the opportunity to explore theory and practice in week-long experiences that blend hands-on exploration, field visits to industry workplaces, problem-solving and presentations by experts, combined with college campus exposure and college credit.

More than 85 industry partners participate in the four summer work-based learning camp experiences the STEM Initiative provides. These include:

1. Engineering, Construction & Manufacturing Camp @ Diablo Valley College; June 15-19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2. BioTech Summer Science Camp @ CSU-East Bay Concord Campus; July 6-10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3. Solar Science Academy @ CSU-East Bay Concord, July 13-17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (BY TEACHER INVITATION ONLY.)
4. Environmental Sciences Summer Camp @ CSU-East Bay Concord, July 27-31 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information about the summer camps and to register, please visit http://ccpartnership.org/stemsummercamps-contra-costa-county.html.  If you have questions, please contact the associated camp manager as listed on each camp page. 

STEM in Higher Education: Examining Why the "M" (Mathematics) Matters

From grade school to grad school STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is a hot topic in education. According to the Department of Commerce, STEM-related jobs are expected to grow by 17 percent by 2018, whereas non-STEM related jobs are only expected to grow by 9.8 percent. The Department of Commerce also states that those with STEM-related degrees earn more money than those with non-STEM related degrees, even if they work in a non-scientific field. But, currently only one-third of college degrees earned are in STEM fields, and the numbers are even lower for women and minorities. In this month's interview we talk with Dr. Mary Gray of American University about the importance of STEM education, what sorts of jobs those with STEM related degrees are taking, and how to attract more women and minorities to the field. 

(Source: https://www.higheredjobs.com/HigherEdCareers/interviews.cfm?ID=653)

Celebrating Women's History Month

Women's History. Her History. Legacy Building. Generational Impacts. 

The month of March is Women's History Month. The theme is "Weaving The Stories of Women's Lives".  Thank you to all the women who have paved the way for us - males and females - to enjoy the successes and advancements in education and career. 

Have your students review the biographies of a few of the Women CEOs of the S&P 500 and see how many of them have STEM degrees.  Also check out 12 inspirational quotes from women who rock STEM!  

For resources to utilize in your classrooms, please visit the following websites:

• 12 Inspirational Quotes from Women who Rock STEM http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/01/tech/12-inspirational-quotes-from-women/
• Women CEOs of the S&P 500 http://www.catalyst.org/knowledge/women-ceos-sp-500
• Society of Women Engineers http://www.swe.org 
• Engineer Girl http://www.engineergirl.org/
• White House Women in STEM https://m.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp/women
• Women in STEM Career Resources http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7863-women-stem-career-resources.html
• Expanding Your Horizons Network http://www.eyhn.org/
• San Francisco Bay Area STEM Resources https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=ICsQVZXoEYS4ogTF5ILwBw&url=http://sfgov.org/dosw/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx%3Fdocumentid%3D2610&ved=0CCsQFjAG&usg=AFQjCNH1ZgC8bm6sik1HLLkPOraXE0XlCw&sig2=zrHh7h5CcElmi7O3cYBc1w

Milka Duno, Venezuelan Race Car Driver.
Duno holds master's degrees in Organizational Development, Naval Architecture,
Maritime Business, and Marine Biology, and she has prior experience working as a naval engineer.

It's Pi Day!

(Photo Source: https://m.facebook.com/FreeHomeschooling101/photos/a.10150772773587082.462476.193023227081/10152836859577082/)

It's Great To Be A Tennessee VOL!

Our Resident Engineer is a a product of the University of Tennessee!  Three graduate programs at the University of Tennessee are in the Top 10 in the 2016 U.S. News and World Report graduate rankings!  

Congratulations University of Tennessee College of Engineering, Haslam College of Business - UT, and University of Tennessee College of Law!  Read more here: http://bit.ly/1b0eWYK!  For information about Tiffany's experience and how students can too become a Volunteer, please contact her directly via email.

3D Selfies

This machine lets you take 3D selfies, and it's already a big hit in the UK!

Invitation to Future Tennessee Volunteer Engineers

Though we are in the Bay Area, I am a huge promoter of my undergraduate alma mater - The University of Tennessee at Knoxville. I was just informed from the Director of Engineering Diversity of several engineering camps taking place during Summer 2015.

The College of Engineering (CoE) at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN will host a series of summer engineering programs for rising seventh to twelfth grade students during the summer of 2015. The application deadline for the rising seventh to tenth grade programs is Friday, March 6, 2015. The application deadline for the eleventh and twelfth grade programs is Friday, April 10, 2015. The applications and information can be found online:http://www.engr.utk.edu/diversity.

There are options of day and residential camps. All your students have to do is apply. If a few of them get in, they can travel together for a great experience on Good 'Ole Rocky Top! We encourage your participation and support in identifying students that are interested in applying. Please forward the opportunity to guidance counselors, math/science faculty, students, parents, and administrators.

Black History Spotlight

Celebrating Black Inventions and Innovations

Month of February 

They are among history's most revered black inventors, known for their relentless inquisition, passionate research, impeccable design and, most importantly, their desire to push the envelope. Some of the world's greatest technological and social advancements, including the modern-day gas mask, light bulb and traffic light, owe their origins to black inventors.  Read more at http://www.biography.com/people/groups/famous-black-inventors

National Engineers Week

February 22-28, 2015 
Get ideas on who you and your school can share your enthusiasm for engineering.  Promote your PLTW Engineering pathways and make a difference in a young person's life.  See more at http://www.discovere.org/our-programs/engineers-week

Celebrating CTE Month

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) month—a great opportunity to acknowledge the important contribution CTE is making to individual citizens, our economy, and our nation. Every year, during this month, we recognize the efforts and accomplishments of the many students who are pursuing their ambitions through CTE pathways. We also thank all those working tirelessly so that more students can find their life’s passion and reach their full potential.

Read more at http://www.ed.gov/blog/2014/02/celebrating-cte-month/

NEWSLETTER | February 9, 2015

I hope second semester is starting off well for you.  We attempted to send out a newsletter today, and we received 102 bounce backs because Barracuda rejected the attachment in the original email. So we decided to post here as well. Please govern yourselves accordingly to the updates below. Thank you!

• East Bay/San Jose Chevron IED Challenge ::

2015 Chevron Design Challenge registration is now open! Space is limited, so register early! You can register ONE team per school at pltwca.net/go/IED2015. For questions, please contact Michelle Bunn, Associate Director of PROJECT LEAD THE WAY - SDSU College of Engineering <mbunn@mail.sdsu.edu>.

• PLTW Launch Expansion in the Bay Area ::

Are you interested in visiting a Launch site in our region? There is an opportunity to visit a Bay Area site this Wednesday, February 11th. 10:30-12:00 you will be able to see two grade levels with a talk and debrief following! If you are interested, email me directly as soon as possible. Thank you!

• Regional School Spotlight ::

One of our regional schools is spotlighted in SJSU's most recent PLTW newsletter: West Oakland Middle School's GTT program! Read their feature online now at engineering.sjsu.edu/pltw. 

• PLTW Updates from San Jose State University ::

Also see the latest update of information from Angelica Mata, SJSU on PLTW Updates: Core Training Registration and the Women in Engineering Conference for Female Students

Why is it so important...

...To have a mentor as a professional and a mentor for your students? We all have the ability to learn from others and share with others - the positive and learning experiences. Small investments made in lives of our youth can forever impact their lives - professionally and personally.

"If I hadn't had mentors, I wouldn't be here today. I'm a product of great mentoring, great coaching... Coaches or mentors are very important. They could be anyone--your husband, other family members, or your boss." 

- Indra Nooyi, the CEO of PepsiCo

January is National Mentoring Month. If you have or are utilizing a mentoring program for your students, awesome! If not, here are some resources to spark your interest and aid you in starting one today:

• http://www.serve.gov/?q=site-page/mentoring
• http://www.nationalmentoringmonth.org/
• http://www.mentoring.org/