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December 11, 2012 Vol. 4, #5

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NEWS FROM HQ

ITEEA Selelcts Barbato as Executive Director

The International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) has announced the selection of Steven A. Barbato as its new Executive Director. Barbato has a long career of excellence in education that includes curriculum development, teaching, educational research and development, elementary leadership, and extensive student organizational experiences. Barbato will leave his Pennsylvania school district to start his duties on January 1, 2013.

ITEEA President William Bertrand noted that, “We are very pleased with the selection of Steve as our next Executive Director. He is a person who can lead the profession and association in this era of STEM education. He has been considered a strong leader in technology and engineering for a long time. We are fortunate to have him as the new ITEEA Executive Director.”

Barbato has had numerous professional association responsibilities and activities that include being involved with the elementary and secondary principals, association for supervision and curriculum development, technology and engineering teacher education, mathematics and science education, and more. He has led teamwork pertaining to science and technology alliances, early childhood assessments for literacy, curriculum mapping, grading policy revision, education foundations, and teaching technology to children. 

ITEEA Search Committee Chair and Immediate Past President, Dr. Thomas Bell, led an extensive search that included candidates from all over the United States. The Search Committee extended its search time frame in order to insure that it had the right person with the skills to become Executive Director. Bell indicated that “Steve Barbato has the talent and experiences to take ITEEA far in its relationships with the rest of the educational community. We were looking for an experienced leader who would move our membership into a new era of technology and engineering education. Steve certainly has the ability to provide that leadership.”   

Barbato’s honors and recognitions include “Teacher of the Year,” a member of several honorary fraternities, outstanding university alumnus, state supervisor of the year, educational leadership awards, and ITEEA special recognition.

ITEEA is the professional organization for technology, innovation, design, and engineering educators. Its mission is to promote technological literacy for all by supporting the teaching of technology and promoting the professionalism of those engaged in these pursuits. ITEEA strengthens the profession through leadership, professional development, membership services, publications, and classroom activities.  

ITEEA seeks to advance technological capabilities for all people and to nurture and promote the professionalism of those engaged in such pursuits. The association publishes Technology and Engineering Teacher, Children’s Technology and Engineering, the Journal of Technology Education, STEM Connections, and a variety of other publications that lead the profession by providing teaching directions, instructional ideas, and networking opportunities.

ITEEA conducts a vigorous public policy program, frequently providing information to government, agencies, associations, and other special interest groups concerning technology and engineering education. The Association strives to provide concerned publics with an understanding of the importance of technological literacy through technology, innovation, design, and engineering education to the future growth and well-being of all nations.      
   
For more information about ITEEA, go to www.iteea.org/. Questions can be directed to iteea@iteea.org or 703-860-2100.

Investing in People as Educational Change Agents

This is ITEEA's 2012-2015 Strategic Plan, and it's aligned with this year's conference theme, "Improving Technology and Engineering Education for All Students: A Plan of Action." Educators from around the world will come together next March to help define that plan of action and what it should be in our schools today and tomorrow. Your New Year's resolution should include joining your colleagues in Columbus, Ohio, March 7-9, 2013. 

It's also ITEEA's 75th Anniversary, and you'll experience sessions, workshops, and other special activities like never before. "Celebration Central," a special area in the middle of the exhibit floor, will offer:

• Heritage-related displays and activities
• Exhibitor Spotlights - hear about special offers and promotions from key exhibitors
• Meet and Greet – your opportunity to meet key leaders, both past and present, and keynote speakers. Many retired educators will be attending the Columbus conference. It's a great time to say "hello and thank you" to your former teachers and students.
• Wheel of Fortune – spin the wheel to win special prizes
• Soapbox Derby Racing Challenge, a Boomerang Display, and National Robotics Challenge displays
• Exhibitor Recognition
• Anniversary Reception Thursday evening

TEECA will once again hold its Awards Banquet and Closing Ceremony on Friday evening (March 8, from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Hyatt Hotel). Outstanding TEECA officers and clubs will be recognized during the annual awards program. The competitive event winners from the Columbus conference will be announced. A dinner buffet will be served before the awards and is included in student conference registration. If you are a teacher and want to attend this function, additional tickets are available for $35 and can be purchased on the ITEEA registration form.

Registration is open: Save by registering online prior to February 1, 2013. ITEEA members save even more! www.iteea.org/Conference/Registration.htm

Housing is open, and the ITEEA hotels (Hyatt and Red Roof Inn) offer a terrific value. Click www.iteea.org/housing to book your room now to guarantee your hotel, as the room blocks are starting to fill. Daily Internet access is complimentary if you book through the official ITEEA housing block. 

This is the ONE educational event you won't want to miss in the New Year. Professional development and networking opportunities await you next spring in Columbus as we celebrate 75 years together! You owe it to yourself to invest in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Happy holidays to everyone, and stay tuned for updated conference information in the New Year. Full conference details can be found at  www.iteea.org/conference/precon.pdf.

ITEEA Has an APP for the Columbus Conference, March 7-9, 2013!

Experience the Excitement in "Celebration Central" at ITEEA's Columbus Conference!

Join us in the center of the Exhibit Hall in Columbus for these fantastic performances and Showcases!

Boomerangs Are Coming Back by Gary Broadbent 
True or False: Boomerangs were once used as weapons. Get this question answered and much more in a one-hour enthusiastic, motivational, educational, inspirational program that discusses the history, science, craft, hobby, sport, art, and competition of boomerangs—advocating a drug-free, stay-in-school, believe-in-yourself, follow-your-dreams, positive attitude and finding your bliss in life. Watch as Gary Broadbent demonstrates several unique and artistic styles of boomerangs on the main floor of the ITEEA exhibit hall. Gary Broadbent is a four-time world record holder, member of the U.S. Boomerang Team, and owner of the world's largest boomerang collection – over 15,000. Gary has presented in all 50 states and around the world. You have to see this, it is truly unbelievable!

Mini Soap Box Derby Racing Challenge
Educators! Can you build the fastest mini car? Visit us on the exhibit floor to build and race your own mini Soap Box Derby cars on a timed track. See the value in Mini Soap Box Derby racing and how it applies to STEM and K-12 Education.

Soap Box Derby Cars on the Exhibit Floor (by TEECA display)
Come take a test drive and learn how educators are using Soap Box Derby cars to promote the STEM initiative in their classrooms worldwide.

National Robotics Challenge Showcase
See and interact with robots that compete in the National Robotics Challenge. Witness how an open-platform robotics program can change the way you teach and how students learn.

In addition, these exhibitors will be center stage for short presentations in the Exhibitor Spotlight.

STRATASYS
Schools Using 3D Printing Technology in STEM Classrooms:
Hear about schools that are using 3D printing technology and how it can enhance curriculum and increase student engagement by providing hands-on learning in classrooms and labs, including specific examples and 3D models from various schools.
11:30am ? 11:40am, Thursday, March 7, 2013, Center Stage 1

GOODHEART-WILLCOX PUBLISHER
3 Cs ? Conversation on Curriculum and Content
Stop by to listen to the authors and executives from Goodheart-Willcox discuss where technology education has been and where engineering education is going in the future.
12:00pm ? 12:10pm, Thursday, March 7, 2013, Center Stage 1

THE BOOMERANG MAN ? Boomerangs Are Coming Back
Educating audiences on his boomerang talents, see what Gary Broadbent has to say about the technology and engineering of boomerangs?you are sure to be entertained.
12:30pm ? 12:40pm, Thursday, March 7, 2013, Center Stage 1
12:30pm ? 12:40pm, Friday, March 8, 2013, Center Stage 1

WHITEBOX LEARNING
3D Engineering Meets 3D Gaming
WhiteBox Learning enables your students to engineer and compete their virtual designs against other students all over the world, from any browser, 24/7 ? how cool is that?”
11:00am ? 11:10am, Friday, March 8, 2013, Center Stage 1

TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION CONCEPTS
Digital Fab-Labs: Today’s “Must Have” for Every School That Teaches STEM!
If your middle or high school teaches STEM, your school can’t be without a Digital Fab-Lab. Fab-Labs are essential in completing the STEM learning process because they provide students with the end result: A product they can hold in their hands. We’ll be touching on what you need to know about equipment when planning your school’s Fab-Lab, especially 3D printers and Laser cutting/engraving technology, two components every Fab-lab needs to keep up with today’s manufacturing technology.
11:30am ? 11:40am, Friday, March 8, 2013, Center Stage 1

INTERNATIONAL SOAP BOX DERBY
12:00pm ? 12:10pm, Friday, March 8, 2012, Center Stage 1

KIDWIND PROJECT
Michael Arquin, founder of KidWind, will give a description of Kidwind's Advanced Wind Experiment Kit and some examples of experimentation for usage in an engineering classroom setting. Michael will show how using these kits in a classroom can effectively teach engineering concepts in a multidisciplinary hands-on approach.
Day and Time TBA, Center Stage 1

NEWS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Deadline Extended for Hybrid Training Opportunity at the ITEEA Annual Conference

As part of this National Science Foundation-sponsored project, Stevens Institute of Technology is offering ITEEA members the opportunity to participate in a hybrid training course for WaterBotics during 2013. The course will commence with a full-day preconference workshop at the 2013 ITEEA Conference in Columbus, OH, followed by four online modules, 2-3 hours each, offered in the spring and again in the summer, 2013. Key details are as follows:

• Stevens will conduct a full-day, preconference workshop on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 for 20 ITEEA members.
• This session will be followed by 4 online modules, 2-3 hours each, to be completed either in the spring or summer, 2013. Modules will consist of written materials, videos, screencasts, simulations, and web conferences, with the goal of maximizing flexibility for the participants.
• Participants will be selected through an application process, with preference given to 2-member teams of teachers from the same school or district.
• Each participant will receive reimbursement for his/her conference registration and a $500 stipend pending completion of classroom implementation and evaluation requirements.
• Each participant will receive a WaterBotics site license valued at $200.
• Participants will be asked to complete pre- and post-surveys and assessments, and to have their students complete assessments that are embedded within the WaterBotics curriculum.
• Participants must have or obtain the necessary equipment needed to implement WaterBotics with a class of students during the 2013-14 school year. Participants must also have access to this equipment for the online training component. Please review the equipment and material requirements below before applying for the program.

If you are a middle or high school teacher and ITEEA member, we encourage you and a partner teacher from your school or district to apply. Please note that each partner must complete an application form.

The DEADLINE for submitting applications has been EXTENDED to January 4, 2013. Go to www.waterbotics.org/iteea/ to apply.

Star of the Month for November – Gregory Kane

Greg Kane, of Central Connecticut State University, has single-handedly kept Connecticut technology education in a progressive stature by committing to many national initiatives and standards such as:

• Project Lead the Way
• VEX Robotics
• SeaPerch Underwater Robotics
• Lego League
• Engineering byDesign™

Along with numerous other initiatives. Greg has performed at an extremely high level of leadership and dedication to all ITEEA and CTEA teachers and professionals. He constantly updated curriculum standards in Connecticut technology education for the CT SDE. He has personally helped numerous teachers and programs through grants that he was able to attain for Connecticut. I believe it would be very difficult to find another candidate that has served ITEEA as well as Greg Kane.

Nominated by: Jim Hutson
ITEEA member from Connecticut

Paper Engineering Contest for PreK-6 Students

The Children's Council of ITEEA is sponsoring a paper engineering contest for all PreK-6 students in the United States. The contest supports two of the Children’s Council’s goals: to promote children’s creativity, ingenuity, and design-based problem-solving skills and to promote the study of technology and engineering as a vital aspect in every elementary school. For guidelines and additional information, go to www.stemiselementary.com/Newsletters.html

CTETE Yearbook Now Available

Anyone interested in creativity and design in technology and engineering education should be aware of a free resource that has just been released through ITEEA’s Council on Technology and Engineering Teacher Education (CTETE). Edited by Drs Scott Warner and Perry Gemmill from Millersville University, the book is entitled Creativity and Design in Technology and Engineering Education. The book represents the 60th annual yearbook for the Council. CTETE has made an electronic copy of the yearbook available to anyone online. The book is available in its entirety, or broken into sections such as individual chapters, abstracts for each of the 12 chapters, author information, and an index. These electronic versions are available in PDF format, which makes them easy to search through for key words or terms. The URLs for references and citations have also been activated so that anyone doing research can immediately go to the original source. Click here to view the yearbook: www.ctete.org/#!yearbook/vstc8=2011

TSA and Verizon Team Up to Offer a New App Challenge for Students

The challenge is open to teams of 5-10 middle school OR high school students. Working with a faculty advisor, teams will develop a mobile app concept that incorporates STEM and addresses a real need or problem in their school or community. Ten winning schools will each receive a $10,000 cash grant plus professional support and training to help bring their designs to life and to the marketplace. Students on each winning team will receive a Samsung Galaxy Tab and be invited to present their winning apps at the 2013 National Technology Student Association Conference in Orlando, Florida, in June. SUBMISSION DEADLINE is January 18, 2013. Learn more and register your team online at: www.verizonfoundation.org/appchallenge.

Source: Ideagarden Digest, Vol 61, Issue 14

ITEEA Endorses SME's "Workforce Imperative: A Manufacturing Education Strategy"

With an estimated 600,000 unfilled manufacturing positions across the country, the manufacturing workforce shortage is already impacting most industries. With the retirement of much of our core engineering and technical workforce over the next 10 years, and new generations not prepared to—or even interested in—taking their place, the manufacturing industry is facing a crisis. It is imperative that we overcome it before it impacts our economy and our nation’s security.

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers has launched a white paper, “Workforce Imperative: A Manufacturing Education Strategy” calling for educators, industry, professional organizations, and government to work together to:
1.    Attract more students into manufacturing
2.    Articulate a standard core of manufacturing knowledge
3.    Improve the consistency and quality of manufacturing curriculum
4.    Integrate manufacturing topics into STEM education
5.    Develop faculty that deliver a world-class manufacturing education
6.    Strategically deploy resources to accomplish these goals

ITEEA has officially endorsed the white paper with the following comment: “We applaud SME for its initiative and white paper on 'Workforce Imperative: A Manufacturing Education Strategy.' Our association looks forward to being an SME partner in supporting the initiative and making a difference in the number of students entering the manufacturing workforce. Nothing could be more important to our economy and to the field of manufacturing than to pursue an initiative aimed at creating the next generation manufacturing workforce.”

For more information, or to download a copy of the white paper, go to: www.sme.org/WorkforceImperative/

For membership, visit www.iteea.org/Membership/membership.htm

OTHER STEM NEWS

NY Senator Urges NYS Board of Regents to Approve Two New High School Diplomas...

... Based on Math and Science, Career Skills

Senator Charles Schumer is urging the Board of Regents to work with experts in the field of developing new Career- and College-ready curriculum standards in New York State as it seeks to develop and incorporate these new alternative pathways into the education system. There are a number of organizations, like the New York State Technology and Engineering Educators Association (NYSTEEA) and the New York State STEM Education Collaborative, that have dedicated themselves to the advancement of both Career and Technology as well as STEM education areas.

Schumer noted, as an example, that NYSTEEA believes that the STEM pathway should focus on the integration of all four instructional disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and math. This would ensure that today’s students truly understand a STEM education and have the skills necessary to be successful in any STEM-related field they choose.

For the full story, go to: www.schumer.senate.gov/Newsroom/record.cfm?id=337921.

New Interactive Game From Design Squad Nation

Introduce kids to electrical circuits with Design Squad Nation’s newest game: Fidgit Factory! Players act fast to get Fidgits ready for the dance party before the power runs out. Set up your factory and connect circuits to power your Fidgit Factory and earn points. Find out more at http://pbskids.org/designsquad/games/fidgit_factory/

Win $17,500 and Improve K-12 Education in Virginia

Apps4VA: Unleash the Power of Data  

The Apps4VA program challenges the public to develop software applications (apps) that will use or analyze the information that has been collected in unique ways ? in other words, make a great app that helps us understand the nature or impact of educational reach and help us to plan for the future.

CHALLENGE: Create an app that uses education data in ways never before imagined. What cool new ways can we use and interpret VLDS data?  

ELIGIBILITY: Open to all members of the public who are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.  

DEADLINE: 12/31/13 @ 5PM

VLDS DATA: Virginia Longitudinal Data System (VLDS) is designed to store student information from K-12 through higher education and then into the workforce, so that students, parents, educators, policymakers, legislators, and even employers can use the information to make decisions that affect students.

IDEAS to GET STARTED: Here are a few quick examples of ways others have suggested the data could be used.

1. Success Preparation: Can you create an app to show if Virginia students are prepared for college success?
2. Success Preparation: Can we use the data to show signals (at the school or division level) that can help identify weaknesses in students' college and career-ready preparation?
3. Workforce and Future Occupations: Based on current or projected workforce needs, is there a way to determine if Virginia has a sufficient supply of students to fill those needs? Do we have appropriate/sufficient courses in place?
4. Schools, Divisions, Statewide Processes: What tools could be created to assist in cost improvements/cost reductions?

VISUAL PRESENTATION: Is there a way to combine and display certain data in a visual way to make them easier to understand?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: www.apps4va.org

"There is Another Bubble Burst Coming –– and It Needs to Happen Soon"

Roland R. “Bud” Johnson Jr., Vice President, Sales & Marketing, for PAXTON/PATTERSON, LLC, writes that "We are headed for a bubble burst in higher education’s bachelor’s degree programs of study..." Read the complete article at: www.ednetinsight.com/news-alerts/voice-from-the-industry/there-is-another-bubble-burst-coming---and-it-needs-to-happen-soon.html

NASA Opportunities

2012 OPTIMUS PRIME Spinoff Video Contest
NASA has opened registration for the 2012 OPTIMUS PRIME Spinoff Video Contest. Featuring OPTIMUS PRIME, the leader from the popular TRANSFORMERS brand, the contest highlights spinoffs from NASA technologies that are used on Earth. The goal is to help students understand the benefits of NASA technology to their daily lives.

Each student, or group of students, will submit a three- to five-minute video on a selected NASA spinoff technology listed in NASA’s 2011 “Spinoff” publication. Videos must demonstrate an understanding of the NASA spinoff technology and the associated NASA mission, as well as the commercial application and public benefit associated with the spinoff technology.

Participants must register for the contest by December 15, 2012. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/releases/2012/12-077.html. Questions about this contest should be directed to Darryl Mitchell at Darryl.R.Mitchell@nasa.gov.

2013 NASA and Worcester Polytechnic Institute Sample Return Robot Challenge
NASA and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA, are seeking teams to compete in a robot technology demonstration competition with a potential $1.5 million prize purse.

During the Sample Return Robot Challenge, teams will compete to demonstrate a robot that can locate and retrieve geologic samples from a wide and varied terrain without human control. The objective of the competition is to encourage innovations in automatic navigation and robotic manipulator technologies. Innovations stemming from this challenge may improve NASA's capability to explore a variety of destinations in space as well as enhance the nation's robotic technology for use in industries and applications on Earth.

NASA provides the prize money to the winning team as part of the agency's Centennial Challenges competitions, which seek unconventional solutions to problems of interest to the agency and the nation.

Early-bird registration and fees for the competition are due by January 7, 2013. For more information about the Sample Return Robot Challenge and to register online for the competition, visit http://challenge.wpi.edu. Questions about the Sample Return Robot Challenge should be sent to challenge@wpi.edu.

Source: NASA Education Express Message — November 25, 2012

Women in STEM High School Aerospace Scholars
Engineer your dream job! The adventure begins in 2013. NASA wants you to become part of the workforce of tomorrow as we offer the opportunity to dream, engineer, and WISH. The Women in STEM High School Aerospace Scholars, or WISH, project offers a one-of-a-kind experience for female high school juniors to jump-start their future by engaging in opportunities relating to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Participation starts in an online community and culminates with a summer experience at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, during the summer of 2013. Get ready to collaborate with girls from across the country as you complete online activities, design unique projects, work with NASA personnel, and present mission accomplishments. Start your dream now!

To be eligible, applicants must be:

• U.S. citizens
• Female high school juniors during the 2012-2013 school year
• Interested and excited about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
• Committed to a one-year relationship with NASA's Johnson Space Center
• Able to access the Internet and email (at home, school, or public library)
• A scholar with a cumulative GPA of 3.25/4.0 or higher

Applications and all supporting documents are being accepted until 11:59 p.m. CST on December 28, 2012.
For more information and to download the application, visit http://wish.aerospacescholars.org/. Questions should be directed to JSC-NHAS@mail.nasa.gov.

Source: NASA Education Express Message — November 29, 2012

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