More on PLTW Course Weight Issue

Article on Oswego student activism, bringing PLTW courses to the same grade weight as AP.

Some Work on the PLTW Course Weight Issue -- What Do Other Schools Do?

Southington High School (Southington, CT) -- PLTW weighted same as AP, designation "H"

High School Students: Document Your PLTW Work with College Board

Register here.

In 2015, College Board introduced a new program, a combined effort between the College Board and Project Lead The Way (PLTW) to increase participation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses. This program provides an opportunity for students to earn a recognition that shows colleges and employers that they're ready for advanced course work and interested in STEM careers.

To ensure that qualifying students in your school earn the recognition this summer, please encourage students to submit their application on the AP + PLTW student recognition site by June 30. Students will only need to complete three easy steps to get started:

Middle School Girls -- Want to Build a Robot?

Girls' Science Investigations
Saturday, Feb. 6, 9 am - 2 pm
Sloane Physics Lab, 217 Prospect St.

You must pre-register.

Reminder: Get Those PLTW Forms in by the End of December

Dear Parents and Students in Project Lead The Way Courses:

Since your child attends a PLTW-certified school, she/he can get a head start on engineering-related career and add prestige to their college admissions applications by receiving college credit from University of New Haven (UNH).

The process is simple:

Medieval and Renaissance Science in the Middle East -- Great Resource

Al Jazeera has a new video series on the history of science and engineering in pre-modern Persia, the Middle East, North Africa and Islamic Spain.

Description:

Great Opportunity with a Quick Deadline -- Oct. 15

The Junior Academy is a virtual program for exceptional students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Successful applicants gain access to an exciting community of student peers from across the globe, as well as mentoring from leading STEM practitioners. Each year, Junior Academy students compete in global challenges to solve real-world problems with the chance to win cash prizes and an all expenses paid trip to New York City for a two-day summit. The Junior Academy aims to network thousands of the world’s most promising young STEM talent and provide them the support they need to stay engaged and eager to excel. The program is open to students ages 13–19 from around the world.

Application Deadline: October 15th 2015

http://thejunioracademy.org

Join KidsBuild This Fall!

KidsBuild is a club that puts ESUMS students in touch with the development of their new building. Students already involved with the program have seen many phases of the design process, from paper sketches to blueprints to political obstacles to, finally, a school well into the building phase. With graduating seniors there are some spots available for participation in the KidsBuild program.

  If one of your children has their eyes set on Architecture, Civil Engineering, or Construction, please contact Mr. Smith (hunter.smith@nhboe.net) to express interest in participating. At minimum there will be a Fall and Spring site visit occurring after school. During these outings we meet with the program sponsors Svigals + Partners Architects and Fusco Construction Management to discuss advances on the site since our prior visit as well as future work that will be seen soon.

  The Fall trip will likely be on either October 20^th or 27^th (both Tuesdays), however this needs to be confirmed with the program partners. Spots are very limited, so please send an email quickly!

    ESUMS teacher contact: Hunter smith                 hunter.smith@nhboe.net

An Exhibit on the History of Navigation and Longitude

Ships, Clocks & Stars at Mystic Seaport.

A Message from the National Society of Black Engineers

Please share with any parents or students that are interested: The New Haven NSBE Jr. Chapter Program will resume on Monday, September 28, 2015 and run through Thursday, May 2, 2016. Meetings take place every Monday evening. This program is open to any 9th-12th grade student regardless of race or gender who is interested in being a member of The National Society of Black Engineers Pre-College Initiative (PCI) program which is designed to stimulate the interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. The goal is to encourage students to attend college and pursue technical degrees. This year's programming will include opportunities for tutoring in math and science, participate and compete in several STEM competitions and attend NSBE's 42nd annual convention in Boston, MA. Company tours and a cultural field experience. Learn and develop leadership skills and participate in fun social activities. For additional information please call 475.422.9515 or email us at access4kidz@gmail.com. To learn more about NSBE, please visit www.nsbe.org.  Space is limited.

A Message from ESUMS Engineering After-School Enrichment

If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out in Google Forms.

NH Register Article about ESUMS Senior Nina Filippone

http://www.nhregister.com/science/20150720/yale-summer-scholars-programs-draws-students-to-new-haven-for-science

The Details On Project Lead-the-Way Credit

Dear Parents and Students in Project Lead The Way Courses:

We hope you are experiencing a rewarding school year, and feel that the pre-engineering courses through Project Lead the Way (PLTW) have been beneficial. There is no better time than right now to contemplate a career in STEM areas as there are many more jobs in the United States than qualified people to fill them.

Since your child attends a PLTW-certified school, she/he can get a head start on engineering-related career and add prestige to their college admissions applications by receiving college credit from University of New Haven (UNH).

Westport Maker Fair April 25

How Did ESUMS Do at the TSA TEAMS Science & Engineering Competition?

The 9th & 10th grade team placed 3rd in the state, with a possibility of attending the national contest.  Congratulations to all!

Cool Solar Energy Tool

Ever wondered if your house is a good candidate for solar power?  This website looks at your roof in Google Earth and gives you a rough estimate of what solar panels would cost and how long it might take to "pay for itself."  This and other interesting articles are on engineering.com.

A Fun Engineering Bio

Lonnie G. Johnson
(1949– )
He was an engineer for NASA, but Johnson may be most famous for inventing the Super Soaker!
Background: Johnson was born in Mobile, Ala., and attended college at Tuskegee University. After completing his master's degree, he joined the U.S. Air Force.
Invention: Johnson began working as an engineer for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1979. During his time at NASA, Johnson worked on the Galileo mission to Jupiter, the Mars Observer project, and the Cassini mission to Saturn. He earned multiple awards from NASA for his spacecraft control systems.

But Johnson is possibly best known for inventing the Super Soaker water gun. The inspiration hit him while he was working on an eco-friendly heat pump. "I accidentally shot a stream of water across a bathroom where I was doing the experiment and thought to myself, 'This would make a great gun'," Johnson said. The Super Soaker's success allowed him to work for himself and fund his own research in green technology. Johnson holds more than 100 patents.
Did You Know? Johnson considers a robot that he built in high school one of his top three inventions, along with the Super Soaker and his work for the Galileo project.

Two ESUMS Seniors Found Skateboard Company

Story in the New Haven Independent.

Something Fun for your Friday Early-Dismissal Afternoon

Yale Center for Engineering Innovation and Design
"Engineering Makes Scents -- Engineer a signature scent for you or your Valentine"
1-3 pm, 15 Prospect St., free & open to the public.

CRISP High School Research Fellowship

The Center for Research on Interface Structure and Phenomena (CRISP) is taking applications from Juniors and Seniors for its summer program.  The materials science program is free and offers the student a $500 stipend.  Applications are due April 1; students must be 16 years or older.  Details here.