Saturday, May 12, 2012

Congratulations to Gwen Maturo-Grasso!

Congratulations to CNYTEEA member & teacher Gwendolyn Maturo-Grasso! Gwen teaches at Lincoln Middle School. She had just received a grant to buy iPads and other computers for her students. Read more about it ....
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/05/syracuse_teacher_wins_national.html

Monday, May 7, 2012

Junior Cafe Scientifique - Saturday, May 19th


"Going into Orbit: Famous Rocket Payloads and What We Learn from Them"

Saturday, May 19, 9:30-11:00am

Damian G. Allis, PhD, research associate professor of chemistry at Syracuse University and president of the Syracuse Astronomical Society, will present Going into Orbit: Famous Rocket Payloads and What We Learn from Them, a talk about rocket payloads, as part of TACNY’s 2011-2012 Junior Cafe Scientifique lecture series. 

People interested in learning more about rocket payloads are invited to attend the free Junior Cafe presentation on Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) in Syracuse’s Armory Square. Walk-ins are welcome, but we ask that people RSVP by emailing jrcafe@tacny.org by May 17, 2012

Allis is a research professor at Syracuse University, focusing on spectroscopy and drug design; works in the area of molecular nanotechnology as part of the international Nanofactory Collaboration; and studies DNA and genomics with AptaMatrix Inc. in Syracuse. He currently is president and webmaster of the Syracuse Astronomical Society, an organization that promotes observation, education, and light pollution issues from its Darling Hill Observatory in Vesper. During cloudy nights, he also is a drummer/percussionist in several local bands, including the Civil War-Era Excelsior Cornet Band. 

With 2,500 years of documented history as toys, military tools and delivery systems for scientists’ instruments, rocketry has changed the face of humankind. Rocketry not only opened the imaginations of authors in the 20th century to the universe, but profoundly changed telecommunications, surveillance, geopolitics, education, and observational astronomy.  The early 21st century has found governments having to collaborate on development and delivery at the same time as industry is developing new, competitive, commercial alternatives to orbit for equipment and humans alike.  This lecture will take a science-centric look at the use of rocketry in recent history and consider some of the radical change that has come from its science and application.

TACNY Junior Cafe Scientifique, a program for middle-school students, features discussions between scientists and students about topics in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in an informal atmosphere and seeks to encourage students to consider careers in these areas. Students must be accompanied by an adult and can explore the MOST at no cost after the event.

For more information about TACNY, visit www.tacny.org.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Our last CNYTEEA Tour ~ Warner Energy LLC (May 9th)


Next week come join CNYTEEA's visit to Warner LLC as our final tour of the year on WEDNESDAY, MAY 9th @ 4:00 pm.

Warner Energy was officially formed in March of 2006 as a joint venture between Drescher Management Group (DMG) and the O'Brien & Gere engineering firm (OBG). The purpose of the venture was to pursue technology development and product advancement in the alternative energy industry.  Headquartered in Liverpool, NY,  Warner Energy’s campus includes our Technology Development Laboratory, Solar Module Manufacturing Lines, Meteorological Monitoring Station, Solar Module Testing and Demonstration Arrays, and Wind Turbine.
Today Warner Energy designs and develops solar projects for clients throughout the US and distributes solar modules and related components to solar installers throughout North and South America.  We are a center for research, development, and manufacturing of new renewable technologies.  Our products are installed and operating all over the world as we continue to expand our line of offerings.

Seeking Public Input on Common Standards for CTE Programs


The opportunity for the public to comment on the Common Career Technical Core (CCTC), a shared set of rigorous, high-quality Career Technical Education (CTE) standards developed and validated by business, industry and education experts, begins today.

The public comment period will run April 30 – May 11, 2012 and all CTE stakeholders, including business and industry, educators, parents, and students are urged to participate in this process.

The public comment period is an opportunity for CTE stakeholders to participate in the development process of the CCTC, which is intended to help ensure all CTE students have access to high-quality, rigorous career-focused learning opportunities in every state, and every community across the nation. The CCTC will complement and support other comprehensive college and career ready standards, such as the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English Language Arts and Mathematics. The CCTC initiative is being facilitated by the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Consortium (NASDCTEc).

Forty-two states have declared support for the development of the CCTC. Each of the 42 states; Washington, DC and Palau nominated experts from a range of sectors -- from business and industry to education -- to participate in working groups charged with the development of the CCTC in the spring of 2012.

Once the public comment period ends on May 11, 2012 the state-nominated working groups will review the public feedback and finalize the standards.  The final standards are slated for public release at the National Career Clusters ™ Institute  on June 19, 2012. Provide public comment on the CCTC today.

For more information, contact Dean Folkers, Deputy Executive Director, dfolkers@careertech.org.

New York State Technology & Engineering Educators Association Participate in our 2012 Middle School Student Survey Participate in our 2012 High School Student Survey


Monday - May 7th thru Friday - May 18th, 2012

Why: This survey data will ultimately help support your own TE programs and the vital work of our association as we interface with the Board of Regents and Commissioner of Education. Our 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010 & 2011 student survey results ARE very positive and truly helpful.   For greater validity and credibility we simply need to gather more student data. 
 Go to: http://www.nysteea.org to find our past survey questions and results.

When: The survey will be “HOT” and “ONLINE” for student and teacher access between Monday, May 7th ~ Friday, May 18th.

Where: Go to: http://www.nysteea.org and the survey links, for the MS and HS will be available and easily found by going to our main web page, scroll down and click on the survey. Please be sure to stress to your MS and HS students that they select the correct link for their respective survey.

Questions: There are 36 questions. For the HS there is one short essay question asking students to write how technology education classes have impacted them personally and with their future. 

Timeframe: This survey will take students between 15 and 28 minutes to complete.

Strategy: If you have a full compliment of computers, in your classroom, with Internet access, then you are all set. If you don’t have adequate computers, then schedule one of your school’s computer labs on the date you can fit this survey activity into your schedule.                                                                                           Why not schedule it in today!!

We all can agree Technology & Engineering Education is a powerful learning experience that enables students to discover more about themselves, the relevance of their academic subjects and it helps them to become more technologically literate. The survey information can provide local and state level decision-makers with the critical data they want and need to see about what we teach.  We especially want to share this survey data with the Regents and the Governor.

Please contact Chuck Goodwin at mailto:cgnystea@stny.rr.com with any questions or concerns.



"Wireless Sensor Networking: The New Wireless Revolution"


Please join us for SUNYIT's final Provost's Lecture presentation of the semester. Dr. Geethapriya Thamilarasu, Assistant Professor Computer Science, will present "Wireless Sensor Networking: The New Wireless Revolution". Friday, May 11 from noon to 2 pm in Donovan Hall, Room G152. www.sunyit.edu/provost_lectures for additional detail and to RSVP. www.sunyit.edu for directions and campus map.

Marv Meissner
Associate Director Professional Development
SUNY Institute of Technology
100 Seymour Road
Utica, NY 13502
Phone:315-792-7197
Cell: 607-745-8354
Fax:315-792-7278

Seeking Volunteers for Girl Scout STEM events


Did you know Girl Scouts is committed to providing every girl a chance to explore the fascinating world of STEM? Girl Scouting encourages girls of all ages by offering "fun with purpose" through its K–12 national program.  Girls explore a variety of interests, everything from the arts to the outdoors and, of course, STEM.
We are excited to reach out to the TACNY community for support with TWO upcoming girl events in Syracuse*.  Dynamic, engaging, enthusiastic men and women are encouraged to volunteer and women interested in serving as role models are especially welcomed.
1.       Feed Your Head, Wednesday, May 16th 6:30-8pm at the DeWitt Community Library
a.       We are seeking 4-8 volunteers with special areas of interest in: entertainment technology (with grades 4-5); simple home science experiments (with grades 2-3); forensic science & criminal psychology (grades 6-8); science behind the fashion/beauty industry (grades 9-12)
b.      Each age level will complete 2-5 activities within the theme towards a specific badge.  There is flexibility within the requirements that can be discussed in more detail.
c.       Materials will be purchased by the Girl Scouts.
2.       Top Jobs 2018, Tuesday-Friday, July 17-20th 12:30-2:30PM
a.       A business host and professionals within the field to host ONE day with a group of girls grades 6-12.  During the two hours, girls will tour an “innovative business,” share time with professionals and experience a sampling of what the job entails.
b.      Fields of interest include: biomedical engineers, network systems analysts, financial examiners, medical scientists, physicians assistants, biochemists & biophysicists, skin-care specialist, athletic trainers
c.       Note: On Monday, July 16th girls will receive What Color is Your Parachute? For Teens, identify some of their specific interests and assess their transferable skills and develop “burning questions” about the businesses we will visit.
*Each of these events is mirrored in both Utica and Binghamton.  We are seeking specialized support in those regions, as well.
Please contact me, if you are interested in learning more about either of these events. 
It is through the support of committed "real life topic experts" in our community, that the Girl Scout Leadership Experience comes to life and girls will become inspired to explore STEM careers!
Thank You,
Christina M. Verratti
Senior Manager, Series and Events Pathways
Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways, Inc.
8170 Thompson Road, Cicero, NY  13039

T 315.698.9400, ext 2126
F 315.698.9500