newsletter of electronic resources: october 2010

8/8/2019 Newsletter of Electronic Resources: October 2010

1/15

Newsletter of Electronic Resources

New York State Technology Education Association

Vol. 5 No. 2 October 2010

DisclaimerAny reference to commercials,

products, processes, services or

companies is not an endorsement

or recommendation by NYSTEA or

any of its components. NYSTEA

is not responsible for the contents

of any off-site Internet information

referenced by or linked to.

The Inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival, hosted by Lockheed Martin, is the coun-

trys rst national science festival and descends on the Washington, D.C. area in October 2010.

Opening on 10/10/10 with a concert of amazing science songs performed by over 200 children

and adults at the University of Maryland, the Festival promises to be the ultimate multi-cultural,

multi-generational and multi-disciplinary celebration of science in the United States. The culmi-

nation of the Festival will be a free, two-day Expo on the National Mall and surrounding areas

that will feature over 1500 fun, hands-on science activities and over 50 stage shows and per-

formances on four stages. The Festival is a grassroots collaboration of over 500 of the nations

leading science organizations.

http://www.usasciencefestival.org/

NYSTEA Conference 2011May 4-6, 2011

The theme for this conference, Technology Education . . . Roots

to the Future of STEM will focus on the role that technology

education will play in the evolution of this new direction. All

educators and private sector professionals are encouraged and

invited to present, participate and attend. One of the goals for this

conference is to include partners in STEM as we progress toward

eventual changes in store for all of us.

For more information go to www.NYSTEA.com


2/15

The Great Education Myth

In simplistic, Lexus-and-Olive-Tree terms, the neoliberal economic argument goes like this:

Tariff-free trade policies are great because they increase commerce, and we can mitigate those

policies negative effects on the blue-collar job market by upgrading our education system tocultivate more science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) specialists for the white-

collar sector.

Known as the bipartisan Washington Consensus, this deceptive theory projects the illusion of

logic. After all, if the domestic economys future is in STEM-driven innovation, then it stands to

reason that trade policies shedding low-tech work and education policies promoting high-tech

skills could guarantee success.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/09/EDM41FB9GM.DTL

VEX Robotics World Championship to Be Held at ESPN Wide World of

Sports Complex on April 14-16, 2011

Dedicated to inspiring todays youth to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

(STEM) education through robotics, the non-prot Robotics Education & Competition (REC)

Foundation, in conjunction with VEX Robotics, today announced that the 2011 VEX Robotics

World Championship will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Dis-ney World Resort near Orlando, Florida on April 14-16, 2011. Coinciding with National Ro-

botics Week, the three-day tournament unites top middle school, high school and college robot-

ics teams from around the world to celebrate their accomplishments and further inspire students

to pursue careers in robotics and other STEM related elds.

Disneys state-of-the-art facilities will provide the ideal experience for VEX participants and

fans, and we are delighted to host the VEX Robotics World Championship at the ESPN Wide

World of Sports Complex, said Jason Morrella, president of the REC Foundation

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100909005422/en

CTE Student Proles

ACTE is an association of educators, and career and technical education is their eld. But, as

every educator knows, it is the students who really matter, particularly in as invaluable a eld

as CTEwe are dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for

careers

To help show the world just how vital CTE is for students, we have compiled these CTE Stu-

dent Proles, giving a student from each state the opportunity to tell his or her CTE story, how a

CTE educator/s made the difference and what he or she might say to a legislator to urge supportfor CTE. The success of our students is the greatest measure of our worth, and their stories can

inspire us.http://www.acteonline.org/students.aspx


3/15

The Science of NFL Football:

About the Series

In America, the autumn season means two things--back to school and back to football. To cel-

ebrate both events, NBC News' educational arm, NBC Learn, is teaming up with the National

Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Football League (NFL) to release the "Science of

NFL Football"--an informative 10-part video series that explores the science behind America's

most beloved sport. Made especially for students and teachers as they head back to the class-

room, these videos are aligned to lesson plans and national state education standards, and also

are available to the public cost-free on www.NBCLearn.com and www.science360.gov.

http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/football/about.jsp

How to Drive the Smart Grid Forward: Connect with Consumers

Almost a year ago, I joined the GreenBiz.com debate about our nations energy future and

clearly stated my backing of smart grid as critical to affecting the rapid change we need on our

industrys severely antiquated infrastructure and business models.

Perhaps not unexpectedly, many business, government, academic and consumer stakeholders

still question its credibility as the answer to our current and anticipated energy challenges. This

past year has shown some acceptance and progress, as well as lessons to move ahead with.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS352690748420100908

Geothermal Power on the Rise

Geothermal power generation capacity worldwide rose from 7,972.7 MW in 2000 to 8,933

MW in 2005, with 8,035 MW running. This is about 0.2% of the total world installed power

generating capacity.

The geothermal heat pump (GHP), also known as the Ground-Source Heat Pump (GSHP) orgenerically as geoexchange, is the fastest growing geothermal application today. GSHP is a

highly efcient renewable energy technology that is gaining wide acceptance for both residen-

tial and commercial buildings, with 1.4 million installations worldwide by 2005, and growth

from 1,854 MWt of capacity in 1995 to 15,284 MWt in 2005.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Geothermal-Power-on-the-Rise&id=502115


4/15

Helping Today's Students Become Tomorrow's Engineers and Scientists

SAE International's A World In Motion (AWIM) is a teacher-administered, industry volun-teer-assisted program that brings science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education

to life in the classroom for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. Benchmarked to the

national standards, AWIM incorporates the laws of physics, motion, ight and electronics into

age-appropriate hands on activities that reinforce classroom STEM curriculum.

The A World In Motion program builds bridges between corporations and classrooms by giv-

ing teachers, volunteers, and students the opportunity to work together and learn from each

other.

http://www.awim.org/Colleges: Freshmen Seek Career Advice Now

New Students Look For Leg Up In Job Market

As college freshmen nationwide continue exploring their campuses - nding dining halls, laun-

dry rooms, bookstores and gyms - ofcials at many schools say the newbies are increasingly

nding their way to career centers.

Once considered the place for panicked seniors to look for jobs ahead of graduation, college

career ofces are reporting dramatic hikes in use by rst-year students looking for the earliest

possible jump on the employment market.

http://www.wsoctv.com/money/24977121/detail.html

Stimulus-funded car batteries roll out

The rst wave of mass-produced advanced batteries funded by the Obama administrations

economic recovery program are starting to roll off assembly lines, setting the stage for new

hybrid and electric vehicles.

So how will consumers respond?Fending off criticism of the $787 billion stimulus program, the administration has cited the bat-

tery industry as one of the success stories. With new facilities coming online in the Midwest,

battery manufacturers for the advanced vehicles are providing a test case for the governments

attempt to revive the economy.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/09/13/1339078/stimulus-funded-car-batteries.html


5/15

New web site helps students explore STEM careers

Educators who want to help students better prepare for the technology careers of the future now

have a new resource in the Math & Science Career section of Texas Instruments Education

Technology Student Zone. As the need for technical work continues to grow, the ability to use

math and science to solve problems, make discoveries, and develop new products is critical, TI

says. Rewarding STEM careers can begin from two-year and four-year degreesand the more

science and math courses that students take in high school, the broader their college degree op-

tions and career choices will be.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/09/15/new-web-site-helps-students-explore-stem-careers/

Natural Gas to ChemicalsVirus-based nanowires are the key to making valuable chemicals out of methane.

Converting methane directly to valuable chemicals and liquid fuels is an in-

dustrial challenge that has deed the best minds in chemistry. Now catalystdeveloper Siluria Technologies claims to have solved the problem.Silurias solution is a catalyst that efciently turns methane into ethylene, the feedstock

underpinning more than two-thirds of global chemical production. The Menlo Park,

California-based rm, which raised $3.3 million from venture capital rms last year and

expects to announce further nancing this month, says it succeeded with a brute-force trial-and-error process

that tested novel compounds with catalytic potential. The problem is too difcult to analyze your way out of.

Were overwhelming the problem instead with a simple, sturdy experimental technique, says Alex Tkachenko,

Silurias CEO.

http://www.technologyreview.com/business/26296/?nlid=3515

Smart home sensors use electrical wiring as an antenna

Smart homes of the future will automatically adapt to their surround-

ings using an array of sensors to record everything from the buildings

temperature and humidity to the light level and air quality. One hurdle

impeding the development of such intelligent homes is the fact that existing technology is still

power hungry and todays wireless devices either transmit a signal only several feet, or con-

sume so much energy they need frequent battery replacements. Researchers have now devel-

oped sensors that run on extremely low power thanks to using a homes electrical wiring as agiant antenna to transmit information. The technology devised by researchers at the University

of Washington and the Georgia Institute of Technology uses a homes copper electrical wiring

as a giant antenna to receive wireless signals at a set frequency, allowing for wireless sensors

that run for decades on a single watch battery. A low-power sensor placed within 10 to 15 feet

of electrical wiring can use the antenna to send data to a single base station plugged in any-

where in the home.

http://www.gizmag.com/home-electrical-wiring-as-antenna/16388/


6/15

Preparing the Next Generation of STEM Innovators

New report from National Science Board focuses on identifying and pre-

paring the nation's human capitalThe development of the nation's human capital through our education system is an

essential building block for future innovation. Currently, the abilities of far too manyof America's young men and women go unrecognized and underdeveloped, and, thus

these individuals may fail to reach their full potential. This represents a loss for both

the individual and society. There are talented students with enormous potential from

every demographic and from every part of our country who, with hard work and the

proper educational opportunities, will form the next generation of science, technology, engineering, and math-

ematics (STEM) innovators.

The purpose of the STEM Innovators project was to explore ways that the country can foster the development

of our next generation of leading STEM professionals, entrepreneurs, and inventors, who will form the future

vanguard of discovery in science and technology. The Board's rationale for this project was twofold:

1. The nation's economic prosperity, security, and quality of life depends on the identication and developmentof our next generation of STEM innovators; and,

2. Every student in America should be given the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.

To address the issue, the Board proposes three keystone recommendations. Contained within each keystone

recommendation are multiple specic policy actions for NSF, the federal government, and/or the nation. Addi-

tionally, the Board proposes a research agenda for each keystone recommendation. These research ndings will

inform policy-making in critical areas, such as how to nurture early interest in STEM, best practices for devel-

oping STEM related abilities, and means for improving teaching effectiveness.

http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=117713&org=NSF&from=news

Disney's Planet Challenge Kicks off Year Two, Expands to Middle Schools

Disney today announced the kickoff of the second annual Disneys Planet Challenge, a free,

project-based environmental and science competition for classrooms nationwide. The response

to Disneys Planet Challenge last year was unprecedented, with thousands of classrooms en-

rolled from all 50 states. That success has prompted new program elements for year two includ-

ing:

Expansion to additional grade levels with an all new middle school track

A new level of collaboration with DonorsChoose.org to help classrooms cover the costs of class

projects -- with an added focus on educators in the Gulf region

A new online video series that will help engage classrooms as they embark on the educational

adventure of a lifetime that could result in a trip to Disneyland(R) Resort

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/disneys-planet-challenge-kicks-off-year-two-expands-to-middle-schools-2010-09-14?reink=MW_news_stmp


7/15

Building a Better Pipeline

We pride ourselves on being a nation of diversity. But when it comes to diversifying our work-

force in high-tech elds of tomorrow, well, lets just say we still have a lot of work to do.

Consequently, as we attempt to motivate more young students into the areas of science, technol-

ogy, engineering and math (STEM), it is paramount that we also increase our efforts to include

more women and underrepresented minorities in these elds.

http://www.hufngtonpost.com/larry-bock/building-a-better-pipelin_b_713123.html

Undergrads Build Worlds Fastest Electric Car

If you need examples of cool things engineers can do

in college, consider this: mechanical engineering stu-

dents from Ohio State University work together build-

ing alternative-fuel race cars as part of the Buckeye

Bullet team.

Not cool enough? Well, the team just broke the elec-

tric car land speed world record with their most recent

vehicle, the Buckeye Bullet 2.5.

Racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah last week,

the Bullet 2.5 reached a peak speed of 320 miles per hour and logged a two-way average speed

of 307.66 miles per hour.

The Ohio State team has been racing electric cars for more than a decade, but their latest design

is the rst to run purely on battery powe

http://students.eg-k12.org/worlds-fastest-electric-car/

Engaging Girls in STEM

The results are in, and girls in the United States arent any more interested in STEM (science,

technology, math and engineering) careers than they were 10 or 20 years ago. More alarming is

the fact that those girls who do take an interest in such subjects at the middle school and high

school level tend to drift to other interests in college. The trend is raising red ags all across

academia, where teachers and administrators are struggling to ward it off and get female stu-dents more interested in STEMn a recent study on Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math from Florida Gulf Coast University

and the University of Colorado at Boulder, researchers found that in the United States, two-thirds of young chil-

dren (boys and girls alike) said they like science. The numbers began to diverge in middle school and became

more obvious in high school, where many girls who take advanced science courses in middle school do not

continue to study science in high school, according to the report.

http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/09/08/engaging-girls-in-stem.aspx


8/15

Fuel Sipping Diesel Hybrids to Debut in EuropeHigh fuel prices make the cars cost-effective in Europe.

Next year, European automakers Peugeot and Mercedes-Benz will introduce the rst diesel hybrid cars, which

will get about 60 miles per gallon. Peugeot expects to be the rst to market with its 3008Hybrid4 in the spring.

The Mercedes E 300 Blue Tec hybrid is due out by the end of 2011.

The rst diesel hybrids will appear in Europe, where diesels are already popular, because fuel prices are high

enough for drivers to quickly recoup the added cost. Fuel prices are too low in the United States diesel hybridsto make as much sense for drivers there.

http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/26233/?nlid=3474

Problem Solving in Technology Education:A Taoist Perspectivefall 1998

Problem solving and product design experiences can empower students by presenting unique

learning opportunities. Although the problem solving method may have been important to tech-

nology education, as well as industrial arts, asfar back as the 1920s (Foster, 1994), the movement to incorporate more problem solving and

product design in technology education kept surfacing in the 1990s.

For example, the Commonwealth of Virginia introduced a series of high school technology

courses grouped together as Design and Technology (Virginia Department of Education, 1992);

TIES Magazines web site offered 70 video tapes that will support the teaching of design,

problem solving and technology (Ties, 1998); the use of design briefs was emphasized (Ritz &

Deal, 1992); the popularity of a textbook titled Design and Problem Solving in Technology

Hutchinson & Karsnitz, 1994) continued to grow; and smiling students and their technological

inventions were featured in articles (Edwards, 1996), at fairs, and in promotional materials. Inthe newer approaches to technology education that center on design, students are often asked to

design new products. They creatively invent products like: pizza cutters with built-in ashlights

roller skates that work in sand; hats with built-in fans for cooling; and yet another way

to store compact discs.

http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v10n1/pdf/owers.pdf

Turn Ideas into Reality - Learn. Connect. Create.

The Engineering Pathway (EP) is a portal to high-quality teaching and learning resources in

applied science and math, engineering, computer science/information technology and engi-

neering technology, for use by K-12 and university educators and students. EP is the engineer-

ing education "wing" of the National Science Digital Library (NSDL).

http://www.engineeringpathway.com/ep/util/Statistics/static_statistics.jhtml;jsessionid=W2EMDWUVHYVVNABAVRSSFEQ?topX=100&discipline=Information-

Technology&statisticsType=download&audience=hEd


9/15

U.S. ramps up efforts to improve STEM education

A grant program that challenges students to design their own video games is one of several new

initiatives announced by President Obama Sept. 16 as part of a broad expansion of his Educate

to Innovate campaign, which aims to spur students interest in science, technology, engineer-

ing, and mathematics (STEM).

The day before, Obama announced the launch of Change the Equation, a CEO-led effort to dra-

matically improve STEM education in the United States.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/09/16/u-ramps-up-efforts-to-improve-stem-education/

Post video to eSN.TVearn national recognition

Thanks to our Student Video Network (SVN) initiative at eSN.TV, your

students can earn valuable video-production experienceand a shot at na-tional recognition for their efforts.

eSchool News founded the SVN to give students across North America the chance to experi-

ence what its like to be real news anchors and reporters. Now, beginning this month, students

can upload their own videos to eSN.TV for consideration.Weve upgraded our web site to allow users to post their own videos to www.eSchoolNews.TV. And were en-

couraging students to create and submit video samples that illustrate how they handle breaking news coverage.

Simply click on the Upload Video tab to get started.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2009/01/15/post-video-to-esn-tv-earn-national-recognition/

Doubling Lithium-Ion Battery StoragePortable electronics could run 40 percent longer using a new type of anode.

Battery startup Amprius says it has developed batteries capable of storing twice as much ener-

gy as anything on the market today, thanks to nanostructured silicon electrodes. The company

says it is partnering with several as-yet unnamed major consumer electronics manufacturers to

bring the batteries to market by early 2012. The batteries will allow por-

table electronics to run 40 percent longer without a recharge.Amprius also says it is working with several major automakers who are evaluating the

electrode materials for use in batteries for electric vehicles. The company is not yet

disclosing these commercial partners, either.



10/15

DraftSight, free, professional-grade 2D CAD from Dassault

Desktop-engineering applications increasingly have their own online social-networking com-

munities. Consider, for example, the new DraftSight application from Dassault Systmes, which

also includes widely used engineering software such as SolidWorks, Catia, Enovia, Simulia,

and 3Dvia. DraftSight is a free, professional-grade 2D CAD program currently in public beta

and available for download at DraftSight.com. The software is said to give students, educators,

and CAD professionals a better way to create, edit, and share DWG les. Part and parcel with

it is swym.3ds.com, a Web site which hosts design-focused communities where users can learn,

interact, and even wax passionate about CAD.

Once a user is on the site, its a simple matter to quickly navigate between communities or nd

a new community of interest. There are public areas open to all, private communities to which

you must request access, and secret communities joined by invitation only.

http://machinedesign.com/article/free-2d-cad-has-a-social-networking-side-0907

Good and not-so-good in new Obama science ed planPresident Obamas announcement that 100 corporate chief executives will collaborate with him

to improve math and science education has the potential to enliven school for disadvantaged

students and change many of their lives. But it will not do much for long campaign to get young

Americans in general more interested science, math, technology and engineering as careers.

The business group, led by former astronaut Sally Ride and former CEOs from Intel, Xerox,

Time Warner Cable and Eastman Kodak, have created the non-prot Change the Equation orga-

nization to bring successful, privately funded programs to 100 schools and communities which

serve many disadvantaged students. Their action is buttressed by a new report from the Presi-dents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology recommending more and better training

for science and math teachers.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/class-struggle/2010/09/good_and_not-so-good_in_new_ob.html

Test your nano-IQ with our "Nanotechnology Quiz"

20 questions with answers and explanations.

Think you know nano?

http://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology/quiz.php


11/15

Space Systems/Loral to Help Champion Science, Technology, Engineering

and Math Education

Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), the worlds leading provider of commercial satellites, today an-

nounced its support for Change the Equation (CTEq), a CEO-led initiative to cultivate wide-

spread literacy in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Space Systems/Loral has

joined the organizations founders with funding and other resources to support STEM teachingand help inspire students to pursue technology careers.

The satellite manufacturing industry provides many exciting career opportunities for techni-

cally savvy workers, said John Celli, president of Space Systems/Loral. Every day our em-

ployees work on spacecraft that are launched more than 22,000 miles above the earths surface

and provide essential services to billions of people around the world. We commend Change

the Equation for its efforts to promote science and math education and we hope that exposure

to companies such as ours will inspire a new generation of children to pursue engineering and

technology careers.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/space-systemsloral-to-help-champion-science-technology-engineering-and-math-education-2010-09-16?reink=MW_news_stmp

Robots on TV: Five glimpses of future machines

Meet a talking butler robot that knows its way around the

house and can even recognise a copy of New Scientist. Or

watch a baby-faced android thats being designed to learn like

a human toddler.

In this months video special, we introduce you to our top ve

new robots. These machines are pushing the boundaries ofarticial intelligence and are learning to interact with humans

more naturally. Some could become the heroes of dangerous

rescue missions, while others could be our future companions.

http://www.newscientist.com/special/robots-on-TV-ve-glimpses-of-future-machines

The Two-Stroke Engine, ReconsideredOnce thought too polluting, the two-stroke engine makes a comeback in

advance of stricter fuel efciency standards.

EcoMotors International, a startup based in Troy, Michigan, has a new approach to an old

idea--the two-stroke engine--which it says is up to 50 percent more efcient than most

vehicle engines and pollutes far less than a conventional two-stroke engine.

The company recently received a combined $23.5 million in investment from Bill Gates and Khosla Ventures.

That money will go toward development of EcoMotorss opposed piston, opposed cylinder (OPOC) engine. The

engine uses two piston movements per cycle, instead of four, and each cylinder contains two opposing pistons,

instead of one. A single crankshaft sits in between pairs of cylinders. The design relies on precise computerized

control of all the components.



12/15

The Two-Stroke Engine, ReconsideredOnce thought too polluting, the two-stroke engine makes a comeback in

advance of stricter fuel efciency standards.

EcoMotors International, a startup based in Troy, Michigan, has a new approach to an old

idea--the two-stroke engine--which it says is up to 50 percent more efcient than most

vehicle engines and pollutes far less than a conventional two-stroke engine.

The company recently received a combined $23.5 million in investment from Bill Gates and Khosla Ventures.That money will go toward development of EcoMotorss opposed piston, opposed cylinder (OPOC) engine. The

engine uses two piston movements per cycle, instead of four, and each cylinder contains two opposing pistons,

instead of one. A single crankshaft sits in between pairs of cylinders. The design relies on precise computerized

control of all the components.


A Power Sticker to Boost Solar Power Generation

New and unique ways of making solar panels more efcient in power genera-

tion are coming to light every day. The new kid in the block of one such device

is a large transparent sticker applied to the front of the panel which increases the

power output by about 10% or so. Genie Lens Technologies is the rm which has

developed these polymer lm stickers. These polymer lms are imprinted with

special kind of microstructures. Even the panels that have been prior installed and working can

have these polymer stickers applied easily to them and the stickers will boost their efciency.

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/power-sticker-boost-solar-power-generation/

New York State announces unprecedented high-tech/nanotechnology ini-tiative

Empire State Development (ESD) and the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology

and Innovation (NYSTAR) today announced the merger of two of New York States Centers of

Excellence- Infotonics Technology Center (ITC) in Canandaigua and the Center of Excellence

in Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnology at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering

(CNSE) in Albany. Empire State Development and NYSTAR will invest up to $10 million to

the merged operation, the Smart System Technology & Commercialization Center (STC), which

will be managed and supported by CNSE.The merger and the addition of new processing capabilities at ITC and CNSEs Albany Nano-

Tech Complex situate New York State for signicant private sector job creation and investment

in all areas of advanced manufacturing across the state. In addition, the partnership leverages

the states investment in these two facilities and positions New York State as a global leader in

smart system and smart device innovation and manufacturing.

http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=18133.php


13/15

Hydrogen-Powered Personal Helicopter

A personal helicopter weighing just 230 lb created sizzling news when it ew on hydrogen with

zero emission. With an ability to carry payloads up to 800 lbs, this pocket Hercules can y for

90 minutes. Fitted with easy controls, this reaches a speed of 100 knots thanks to a pair of small

yet powerful motors mounted on it. Two common and easily available things Hydrogen per-

oxide (H2O2) and a catalyst combined to bring about a milestone in personal aviation history

with attention to the environmental issues as well! Avimech has combined

these two to power engine in to an innovative machine.

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/hydrogen-powered-personal-helicopter/

Zinc-Oxide Nanostructure Production Made Easy

Two scientists are on a path-breaking method to produce sea-urchins to

expedite the work capacity and efciency of photovoltaic devices. Jamil Elias

and Laetitia Philippe are the two scientists from Empas Mechanics of Ma-

terials & Nanostructures Laboratory who have been successful in producing

these tiny sea urchins which are ready to revolutionize solar-cell technology. New methods

are generally difcult procedures, more so when the aim is to lend materials new characteristics

as well by new processes. The two scientists from Thun have used materials that do not cost a

bomb and they have achieved these results without utilizing any instrumentation that costs too

much time and/or money.

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/zinc-oxide-nanostructure-production/

Standards for Engineering Education in K-12, new report

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction is

collectively referred to as "STEM education." While content standards ex-

ist or three STEM disciplines < science, technology, and mathematics none

exist for engineering. A new report from the National Academy of Engi-

neering looks at the value and feasibility of creating standards for engineer-

ing education at the K-12 level. Some evidence suggests that engineeringeducation can stimulate interest and improve learning in mathematics

andscience and understanding of technology. The report recommends that

educators come to a consensus on the core concepts and skills in engineer-

ing are appropriate for K-12 students; develop guidelines for K-12

engineering instructional materials; and examine K-12 engineering educa-

tionat the state and national level.

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12990#toc


14/15

Towers of Strength

Even as they raise new structures for the future, building engineers keep an eye on the past,

learning from historic examples. This week, climb on high with BBCs

Johnathan Foyle to study cathedrals and domes, then challenge your stu-

dents to erect their own tower using core engineering principles.

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=5wqy5rcab&v=001sR9KXnYiTHhsVZYLCBiGir

3ru-yd6NxZfXEm-HZ-ge9-ZZFoKxnJSVl6_wS4w5rQjeGVkFAIraTw9i28VVD2sEXGB_A9VFlY0_

iSI6EkTDM%3D

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Skills Achievement Prole for Stu-

dents with Disabilities Receiving an Individualized Education Program

(IEP) Diploma

The Ofces of Curriculum and Instructional Support and Vocational and Educational Services

for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), have collaboratively developed a model Career and

Technical Education (CTE) Skills Achievement Prole for students with disabilities who are

pursuing an individualized education program (IEP) diploma. The model Prole was developed

for students working towards an IEP diploma who participate in Career and Technical Educa-

tion (CTE) courses. In these courses students develop a breadth of knowledge and a variety of

abilities. This Prole will enable the student with an IEP diploma to provide a potential employ-

er and/or postsecondary program with documentation of the career and technical skills pro-

ciency level acquired.

The CTE Skills Achievement Prole documents students attainment of career and technical

knowledge and skills; work-related skills and certication or licenses; and relates directly to

the students individual Career Plan, as dened through the New York State Career Plan Initia-

tive. The use of the two documents together provides a comprehensive acknowledgement of the

students career-related history.

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/transition/CTEprole.htm

What Is the Meaning of Industrial Arts?Industrial arts represents the study and practice of technical design including furniture, auto-

mobiles and toys. Industrial artists serve many purposes in society and cultivate technological

advancement through careers in automobile design and computer-aided drafting. The demand

for people skilled in the industrial arts transformed over the years and includes a

need for individuals skilled in a particular area, such as appliance design.

http://www.ehow.com/about_7229776_meaning-industrial-arts_.html


15/15

Weak science education threatens U.S. competitiveness and economy

Declining standards in scientic education threatens U.S. competitiveness and the economy,

according to a report from the National Academies, a group of leading business and science

gures.

Released Thursday at a congressional brieng attended by senators and congressmen, the re-

port entitled, Rising Above the Gathering Storm updates a 2005 science education report thatled to measures to double federal research funding. However, the 2010 document indicates that

there has been little improvement in U.S. elementary and secondary technical education since

then.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/65536/20100924/science-education-research-future.htm

http://www.nyserda.org/

http://www.nesea.org/

http://www.kidwind.org/

The links below are great sources of energy related materials, although there is some overlap

as they do work together, all three have great resources and are worth a look.

newsletter of electronic resources: october 2010

Documents