An Apple a Day?

Folks:

Reseach says..........an apple a day.......

December 1, 2004

Blogging in the Big Apple
By Jeffrey Piontek

As an educator in the NYC Department of Education and a lifelong learner, technology has and always will be an integral part of my instructional life. But the idea of keeping an online journal was foreign to my vernacular and way of being. I kept thinking: "All of your innermost thoughts and feelings for all to see and read in the online log! Are they crazy?"

Although this is becoming more and more commonplace across the country, to me as an educator it seemed frightening. These Weblogs, or Blogs, have been described as the hierarchy of texts, images, media objects and data, archived chronologically and viewable in an HTML format. They are the newest way for students to voice their opinions and feelings online. While a few educators have already started using Blogs, many ask the potential for teaching and learning with students. What could this new technology be used for and how does current research measure up to it?

I will pose a few questions that draw on the social interaction of teaching and learning by using Vygotsky's theories (1978). Educators highlight the "knowledge construction" processes of the learners and suggest that "meaning making" develops through the social process of language use over time. As such, knowledge construction is discursive, relational and conversational in nature.Therefore, as students appropriate and develop language, they must have authentic opportunities for publication of their knowledge and understanding.

Through publication teachers can infer the process by which students transfer meaning and strategies appropriated within the social domain, making those strategies their own (Gavelach & Raphael, 1996). It makes materials accessible for subsequent reflection and analysis, allowing students to revisit and revise their artifacts; thus enriching their internal learning experience.

Publication will offer feedback which, in turn, scaffolds learning in his/her quest for knowledge construction.Blogs are, or can be, a useful tool for teaching and learning because they provide a space for students to reflect and construct their thoughts and understandings. Because they can be reflected and commented upon, they provide potential for feedback and thus allow the author to scaffold learning. Students can, after reading the Blogs, begin to construct meaning or ascertain knowledge about the subject or ideas in which they are interested.

Research has also shown that asynchronous chat such as on the Blackboard site (used in many schools across the country for online content delivery) allows the students to voice their concerns. The problem here is two-fold: asynchronous chat can be seen as a similar tool to the Blog.They both represent the student's ability to promote understanding, opportunity, higher-order thinking skills and the feasibility thereof to promote learning. On the other hand Blogs are so much more than a single form of exchange of ideas.

Blogs are a way for students to establish their personal and/or intellectual ownership of new concepts while they visualize and attempt to group abstract ideas. Blogs can become a student's online soapbox.

Unlike a discussion forum that can be shared by many, a Blog is personal with the students being in full control of their online content. It can be a place for all students to figure out who they are in a risk free environment.

Follow-up Response to Sol Phone Conference

Folks:

Hi Gang,

Thanks for your time yesterday. The call was definitely quite productive and I look so forward to our follow up work ! I am in the process of reviewing the minutes with Carol and I am hoping to get to it tonight, though I can not promise that. If I can not get to it this evening my promise is that I will have the minutes to you by at least by Jan. 10 I am leaving the country for an 8 day vacation and will not have access to email. I hope you all have a happy and safe new year.

Also, please do let me know when dates and times would work for you for us to have the next meeting !

All the best,
Renee

Sol Summer Camp Academy Phone Conference

Folks:

Thanks to everyone who was able to find themselves participating in Sol Summer Camp Organizational Committee phone conference on Monday, December 27, 2004. I think it was the continuation of something GREAT!

Special thanks to Linda Torony for providing her insights regarding the camp and her expertise regarding agriscience and the environmental elements and connections that so resonated with the committee.

Of course the students stole the "best of show" once again. I guess we should be getting used to this by now. Congratulations!

Best,

Jim

Confirmation of THINGS we already KNEW!

Folks:

ALL is not lost.....just hidden from plain view.

Detroit Free Press Article (with particular emphasis on the last paragraph)http://www.freep.com/money/business/genxy27e_20041227.htm

Best,

Jim

Sol Leadership Summer Camp Academy Conference Call

Folks:


Friday, December 24, 2004

Hey there !! Hoping you all are getting ready for a good holiday !

Due to the season we will have a sparse group on the phone. However, in the interest of moving this project forward we are going to stick with the date and have a prompt follow-up call in early January.

For those that can't make it, don't worry - I will get minutes out quickly. If you all could let me know some good dates in January for a follow that would be helpful. Once the holidays are over we will need to have the call after school hours to accommodate the youth represented on the team.

Can't wait to speak with you all.

Safe and Happy Travels !!!!

All the best,
Renee

Somewhere between Here and There

Folks:

If you missed the Urgency Insurgency message at http://www.cherry.commission.org try the follow-on piece from the Tom Watkins, Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The report is titled Structural Issues Surrounding Michigan School Funding in the 21st Century at http://www.michigan.gov/mde

In summary, I found this compelling "How would 12 billion be invested to assure that children obtain the education necessary to thrive in a 21st Century knowledge economy?" In this case the end is the beginning.

What was that quote by Einstein regarding "you will not find the solution from those who were responsible for the problem," (sic) or something along those lines.

Best,

Jim

Emerging "Things to Think About"

Folks:

Thrid Installment of our Emergent & Changing Economic Landscape

Detroit Free Press Article
NEW Meaning to Chineese Fortune Cookies
http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/webgmx22e_20041222.htm

Emergent Sector / Managers not Engineers
http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/gm-china-bar522e_20041222.htm

Best,

Jim

Higher Education in Jeopardy?

Folks:

Oh! Oh!Is nothing sacred, or does the "global bull" know no bounds and gore with impunity.

New Your Times Article

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/21/national/21global.html?oref=login&th

Best,

Jim

Sol Summer Camp Academy 2005 Proposal Update!

Folks:

For those of you who were instrumental in the execution of the Sol Project last October 2004.

Her is the lastest update.

Folks: Latest update on our Sol Summer Camp Academy 2005 project at the observatory.

Hi there - let's try this again !

I know it has been a crazy time of year, but we do need to get the scope defined to make this camp happen by summer. What's so exciting is that everyone on ths list seems interested in participating and driving this idea to execution.

Carol Gorelick and I are thinking 12:00 est on Dec. 27 for our first 1.5 hour conference call.

Once confirmed by all that can attend I will shoot over a conference call number we canuse. I do hope you can make it.

As for the Detroit team, what would work best is if you have a sub-committee meeeting prior to the call to discuss some issues for the scope (which you will find in the next step portion of the proposal) and then to have one person from the youth team represent the group on the call.

Below is a copy of the initial email I sent to you last month as well as the proposal! I suggestthat if you have the time to look at the following websitehttp http://www.campcoca-cola.com/ prior to the call that would be good.I have made contact with the director of the program and they are interested in helping us get this off the ground. They have been in the youth development business for several years !I do hope all of you are enjoying the season and the spirit and I can't wait to speak with you all again !

Renee

As you know at the SoL Sustainability Forum this past October, the Sustainability Corsortium reached out to begin a Youth Leadership Program.The excitment to create more and to help develop a memorable experience for Youth Leaders continues within the group.

Carol Gorelick and I have been called to action to see if we can make a richer and deeper youth oriented program happen. Since we returned home we've been working on a proposal for a summer camp - our goal is to make this happen for the summer 2005 whichwe believe is aggressive but doable. Based on my respect of you I am hoping you can join us at least in the beginning to help sculpt and mold the program.

The beginning strawman mission is as follows:

PURPOSE:

To establish a Youth and Education Sustainability summer camp within theSoL Sustainability Consortium so that we can bring selected Youth Leadersfrom around the world to build an active youth community that appliesorganizational learning principles to the next generation in a way thatleverages the experience and research developed over the 5 years of theSustainability Consortium existence and builds on the current momentum toaddress social issues related to sustainability.

Will we bring Youth Leaders from around the globe to engage incollaborative projects with supporting Consortium Organizations in a waythat raises awareness and increases action so that we transform theenvironmental footprint of today.

Renee M. Kaspar


Youth and Education for Sustainability Camp Retreat


PURPOSE:

To establish a Youth and Education Sustainability summer camp within the SoL Sustainability Consortium so that we can bring selected Youth Leaders from around the world to build an active youth community that applies organizational learning principles to the next generation in a way that leverages the experience and research developed over the 5 years of the Sustainability Consortium’s existences and builds on the current momentum to address social issues related to sustainability.

We will bring Youth Leaders from around the globe to engage in collaborative projects with supporting Consortium Organizations in a way that raises awareness and increases action so that we transform the environmental footprint of today’s world.

OUR OBJECTIVES:

Raise Awareness
Increase Action
Get young people engaged with real time/real life project working collaboratively with supporting organizations
Transform the environmental footprint of today’s world.

BACKGROUND:
There is a SoL Youth and Education Network (YEN) but it has no traction.
The Sustainability Consortium began in 1999 and has demonstrated success through projects. The focus to date has been on environmental issues.

Concern about the social issues for sustainability is evident in the Sustainability Consortium membership e.g., a Women Lead Sustainability subgroup has formed, another subgroup is forming around the social issues (BP, Slumberger, Unilever are participating).

Several SoL events have successfully included a youth component.
Global Forum (Finland)
Annual Meeting (Boston)
Sustainability Conference (Dearborn)
There is a desire to integrate youth more directly in SoL events in the future.

ASSUMPTIONS:

Education is a critical issue for sustainability. SoL initiatives can inform this work And this camp can serve that end.

The recent SoL Sustainability Conference Youth Leadership Program confirmed that the participants, Young Leaders, learned by doing and by being treated as equals receiving support and empowerment from adult leaders that helped them achieve results. This experience contributed to the design of our approach.

Many people involved in SoL have expressed willingness to contribute and participate in youth and education initiatives.

A prescribed curriculum that is focused will inspire a different type of student with an interest in sustainability with the hope that this will produce future leaders in this important discipline.
Natural passion and desire to be involved with a mission driven program creates organic leaders – leaders with longevity and committed passion to these kinds of issues. But you start by saying you are selecting (targeting) Youth Leaders…so are you creating leaders or do you increase leadership capabilities, skills organically?

VALUE PROPOSITION:






THE CAMP:
The camp will have all the traditional camp activities such as swimming, hiking, rock climbing, and campfires, but will be so much more as its goal is to be a yearlong program developing Youth Leaders pioneering sustainability issues in their communities.

Serving as an environment that nurtures these motivated Youth Leaders, the camp will allow these Youth Leaders to connect with one another, share and explore their diverse cultures, develop a greater understanding about sustainability and engage and interact in activities supported by a learning environment.

The students will work on site with projects related to water, agriculture, energy and air, product development. The objective is for the Youth Leaders to collaborate with corporate sponsor volunteers where these volunteers will involve the young leaders work on real time/ real life problems that are relevant in their organizations i. ( corporate value propositions still need to be determined)

Camp Strategies:
Some are principles, some are goals or objectives.
Provide activities that are fun
Build on the strengths of young people
Teach with experience and reflection
Provide a safe environment where they will free to express themselves
Offer caring relationships with positive adult role models
Involve youth in programming and decision-making
Have diversity within youth and leadership (Leadership of the camp?)
Set high expectations for campers and staff, and
Set clear rules and provide focused activity

Add ons:
These are how you will deliver content
· Engage Young Leaders in healthy eating habit – maybe even a session mixed with Agriculture and nutrition
· Recycling
· Composting
· Closing feedback loops- have participants carry a trash bag with them all week, and put all of the waste they generate into it)

THE CONTINUUM
After the camp, year long continued support for these leaders is absolutely necessary to help them develop and execute their plan. We will provide continued coaching support, newsletters, web forums, and internet and web support. At the end of the session students will form groups based on ideas and projects and will be assigned an adult leader (is the adult a leader or coach, advisor?) to sponsor and support them on their initiative throughout the year. Who is responsible for the success of the project—the youth teams or the adult leader?

The camp retreat will serve as the foundation for a year-long program designed to help these young leaders initiate local school and community programs aimed at gaining the interest of other teens. At the camp, the Young Leaders will be provided with the proper tools to create initiatives, be set up with internet connectivity, and assigned a project team and mentor.
In addition, the Young Leaders will present their learnings at the 2006 SoL Forum. We will create a living knowledge asset that will capture and build on the learnings.

WHO ARE THESE YOUTH LEADERS:
Young leaders from around the country and around the world will be selected. They will be high school and college age students who have demonstrated a level of commitment to sustainability/community learning and systems thinking.

We will develop an application process so that teens can self-select. Through that process we will be able to determine their level of commitment to sustainability. Our belief is that true leadership comes from natural passion that is connected to a vision.

Our aspiration is to create a process that will identify teens with the passion and to equip them with the ability to create and bring greater vision to the work they’ve already done. Moreover, this passion and vision should empower these selected leaders to enroll other students within their respective school systems and communities to be part of the initiative.

THE PROGRAM FORMAT:

The format will be an admission only Summer Camp Program. The Steering Committee will discuss the appropriate number of students to be accepted the first year.

The program is 3-tiered.

First, the students will work on site with projects revolving around: water, agriculture, energy and air, product development. The objective is for the Youth Leaders to collaborate with corporate sponsor volunteers where these volunteers will involve the young leaders work in real time/ real life problems that their organization is working on.
(other potential topics: Active Citizenship, Architecture, Bioregionalism, Consumption, Ecology, Economics, Ethics, Living System, National Resources, Non-humans population, Technology, Wilderness)

Second, the Young Leaders will bring the project back to their schools and communities with the intent of engaging other young people in their locales. We would like the Young Leaders to have developed project teams at the camp and to stay connected with each other – rolling out their projects collaboratively. The intention of the global project teams is to keep the Young Leaders tied into the global interconnectivity of these issues and for them to provide each other with continued support. We will use electronic tools such as email, user-groups, blogs.

Third, The Young Leaders will design and deliver one or more sessions at the next SoL Forum in March 2006 to report on their findings and their experiences. This session will involve corporate participants as well as youth. A model for and success of active youth participation in a Sol Conference was demonstrated through the attendance of the (or participation of the) SEED group from Schlumberger at the Forum this past October.


NEXT STEPS:
· Form a steering committee to identify the: (Jeremy Seligman, Oran Hesterman, 2 Youth, Facilitators, Food Project, Dean from Dean’s Beans)

o amount of time the students Youth Leaders will come together
o age range
o selection process
o location, venue (we have some connections with Duke or Cornell or Detroit)
o program curriculum
o number of students we will host
o Infrastructure requirements
o costs to run the program

· Identify and engage potential sponsors to secure funding

o the Society for Organizational Learning -Sustainability Consortium and member organizations.
o solicit grants from the EPA, World Resource Institute, W.K. Kellogg Foundation and other agencies

Partners: Coca Cola? Karen Flanders, Plug Power-Roger Saillant, Info from Paul Higgins, Andy Acho- Ford, Gary Mayo- Visteon, Skyles Boyd- DTE, Brigitte Tantawny-Monsou- Ujnilver, Simone Amber- Seed, Deans Beans, Environmental Defense, Biomimicry Folks-Janine, Catherine, Kellogg Foundation, Food Project-MASS, Carol Gorelick- YEN Linda Booth Sweeney, LuAnn Reilly, Carolyn Hendrickson, EPA, WRI, Green Mountain- Michael Dupee CSR, Nike – Bill Malloch- Nike Foundation- (Maria Eitel), UTC Krista Pilot- Shawn ? Jamie Cloud and Maya Agarwal, Sibel Bulay- Ford skoyluog@ford.com

Potential Universitys Venues: Duke- NC (UNC), Cornell: Stu Hart other guy Joe met, U Mich- Tom Gladwin, Andrew Horning, Sam Moore- his school, John Winter- his school, UNH, Sustinability Institute

A First Sketch on the Model:
We will reach out to schools that have already been defined by the consortium and encourage teens to apply. Teens will be supplied with an application with an explanation of how to apply to the program. There will be a selection board reviewing the applications determining admissions. The ages will range from 16-22 which incorporates young leaders at both HS and college levels collaboratively working together. The youth from the Forum 2004 will help to select and be part of the community.

The goal this summer is to bring in 30-50 young adults (this number to be determined by the steering committee). The ratio that would lead to an effective model would be to choose a few students per school at a ratio of 2 students per every 150 students of the student body. This ratio is important because of impact and effectiveness the young leaders will have on their community upon their return. They will be able to provide each other with consistent support working collaboratively to roll out their initiative.

When the students arrive at the camp they will working with experienced SoL facilitators and staff, by participating in a wide variety of educational, real-time projects and recreational activities designed to create new learnings, community building, leadership development and by sharing stories and through experiential exercises.

We imagine the framework of the retreat to look somewhat like this:
Opening Night
§ Welcome
§ Dinner
§ Mixer and Social
§ Fun games and activies to begin the thinking process
§ We will have a Keynote speaker, some sustainability games (such as Jamie’s fish game) and present the experiential problem that they will work on throughout the weekend (example of an idea – a community project such as building or reconstructing a local area park – the goal is to use systems thinking in the design and construct a new product or approach to a business issue) We will work with an experiential learning and design firm to properly orchestrate this.

First Project
§ Open with some new speakers that provide some additional background
§ Leadership training, icebreakers, sustainability training
§ Beginning working on first project (air, energy, agriculture, water)
o Planning time w/ sponsor volunteers
o Breakouts
o Execution of problem solutions and building

A few days later
§ Finish project
§ Discuss roles of the future
§ Break-out session on how to bring this back to their schools

Repeat the process for 4 full projects

The closing:
§ Prepare presentations for parents / schools / and Forum
§ Local dinner reception with parents and sponsoring organization
o Presentations
o Awards and recognition


Model being used at Camp Coke that we should think about – http://www.campcoca-cola.com/ but the age is older—highschool and college versus soon to be 8th graders….would this influence the design? Will the same students return for 5 years?

Year One - Leading MyselfDuring the first year of the program, our soon-to-be 8th graders will spend four weeks at camp learning more about themselves and developing fundamental leadership skills while participating in adventure activities and experiencing the best of camp life.
Year Two - Leading OthersThe second year of the program will build on the first. Campers use their newly discovered leadership skills to plan an exciting TREK and to be leaders for camp activities.

Year Three - Leading in My CommunityIn the third year of the program, the emphasis will begin to shift toward the community. Campers play a larger role as volunteers and leaders at home. While service is emphasized each year, during year three campers create and implement their own community service project with the help of an adult sponsor.

Year Four - Preparing for the FutureThe fourth year of the program, a two-week experience, is destined to be the signature event of the entire program. One week will be spent in a once-in-a-lifetime high adventure trip, such as white water rafting or backpacking in a national park. The second week, campers, now high school juniors, visit colleges and universities, allowing them to see what the next phase of their lives may be like. Campers themselves plan the two-week program.

Year Five - Creating Other LeadersIn the final year, participants will use their skills and abilities to create other leaders in their camping community. Fifth-year campers are offered the opportunity to be Counselors-in-Training, working with younger campers under close supervision from senior staff. These paid positions will provide a real opportunity to build their skills while earning money for school or career pursuits.

Continuity of SupportCamp Coca-Cola believes a multi-year experience is vitally important for supporting a young person's development, and has formally structured this element into its program. Campers who do well in school, attend classes regularly and fulfill their community service commitment will be invited to return each year to participate in new programming and further their potential as leaders. This lasting support of campers will positively influence their development into responsible adults, and is a critical element of the Camp Coca-Cola program.

CHANGE and WHY we must PREPARE!

Folks:

CHANGE is the only constant! You have two choices, take advantage of it or it will take advantage of you.

Detroit Free Presss Article21st Century Work for 21st Century Schools?http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/webgmindia21e_20041221.htm

WHAT did we know and when did we know it? Or don't shoot the messenger!http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/main21e_20041221.htm

The Prophet / Insightful?
http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/gm-india-bar521e_20041221.htm

Best,

Jim

Hi-Tech in Los Angelus...WHY not Oakland County?

Folks:

Here is a little something to wet your imagination compliments of Paul Briercheck.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStoryts.cfm?ArticleID=5416

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Jim

A little bit of this & that

Folks:

Somewhere between the Cherry Commission report and the previous GM "posts" comes a little bit of creativity, innovation, imagination, entrepreneurship, a dash of courage and a large dollop of URGENCY!

Detroit News Editorial
http://www.detnews.com/2004/editorial/0412/20/A10-37037.htm

Best,

Jim

Classrooms of the 21st Century?

Folks:

A Different Perspective on Jobs & EducationDetroit Free Press

Articlehttp://www.freep.com/money/autonews/gm20e_20041220.htm

Detroit Free Press Article / WHAT 21st Century Classroooms Might Look Like
http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/gm20e_20041220.htm

Best,

Jim

A Call to URGENCY

Folks: (FYI / something for the agenda?)

Detroit News & Free Press Article
http://www.detnews.com/2004/editorial/0412/19/A22-36500.htm

Full Report at
http://www.cherrycommission.org

Best,

Jim

Something for Everybody interested in 21st Century Education

Folks:

Wired Magazine Article regarding the future of Scientific Exploration.
http://www.wired.com/wired/

Enjoy!

Best,

Jim

Hey

Hi ya'll,
Thanks for inviting me to the new blog, love the definition since we are definitely making new from the old, and making a genre all our own. >.< (Sweet!)... We rock!
Type at cha later!
~Kate

I'm signing on....

There is much that should be done and some that can be done. We should, hopefully, find out where the should/could lines cross.

Let's do what we can, with that which we have, where we are and at this point in time...keep it real. Does anyone see any limitations?

This thought comes to you from an African boy who has died of AIDS. I heard his story today and found it to be compelling.

Paul

Absolutely profound and a great place from which to start. I think this should be on our agenda and/or perhaps become our mission statement.

Thanks for sharing.

Jim

Anticipation

The Jan 05 meeting looks to be filled with opportunity.......JBB

AMAZING!

Folks: (It's Official)

'Blog' is dictionary's top word for 2004: A four-letter term that came to symbolize the difference between old and new media during this year's presidential campaign tops U.S. dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster's list of the 10 words of the year. Merriam-Webster Inc. said on Tuesday that blog, defined as "a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments and often hyperlinks," was one of the most looked-up words on its Internet sites this year. Eight entries on the publisher's top-10 list related to major news events, from the presidential election -- represented by words such as incumbent and partisan -- to natural phenomena such as hurricane and cicada. Springfield, Massachusetts-based Merriam-Webster compiles the list each year by taking the most researched words on its Web sites and then excluding perennials such as affect/effect and profanity.

Best,

Jim

AGRISCIENCE AND NATURAL RESOURCES / CLUSTER ADVISORY MEETING

AGRISCIENCE AND NATURAL RESOURCES CLUSTER ADVISORY MEETING
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2005 8:00am

AGENDA

Continental Breakfast

1.0 Role of Advisory Committees and Members

2.0 Current Program

2.1 Projects2.2 Student FFA participation

2.3 Job Shadowing and academic learning

2.4 Facility

3.0 Where can we go from here?

3.1 What should we be doing that we are not?

3.2 What do we need in order to do it?

3.3 What opportunities do we have to work with?

4.0 Involvement of Community

4.1 How can we get the community to see what we do?

4.2 How can we let parents know what is going on and involve them?

4.3 How do we help students get ahead?

5.0 Action Steps

5.1 Define what we do next

5.2 Responsible parties

5.3 Reporting Back

6.0 Adjournment

Advisory Committee Meetings / Tool Kit Parameters

As we discussed in our staff meeting on Thursday, be sure to call yourAdvisory Committee Chairperson to ask which date during the week ofJanuary 10th works best (not Wednesday, January 12).

The following is a summary of what we learned from our activity using the AdvisoryCommittee Tool Kit.

* Former students on the advisory council are encouraged.
* 4-6 is the minimum for business and industry partners.
* Representatives from colleges with articulation agreements are welcome.* Instructors have the primary responsibility for "setting it all up."
* A sample agenda was provided.
* The chain of command has not changed.
* The January meeting is a local (building) Advisory Committee meeting.
* Instructors will call the Advisory Committee Chairperson to ask about the best time and date.
* Instructors will provide Chuck with the agenda and Chuck will mail it with the invitations.
* There is money for food (e.g. continental breakfast, light lunch, etc.).
* Who decides "if" and "how" input is used? All information will be shared with the countywide cluster and provided to CFE administration.
* Advisory Committee meetings will be held by cluster with breakout sessions as needed.
* Instructors and chairpersons will provide administration feedback back to Advisory Committee members.
* The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to provide continuous improvement for CTE programs.
* We have a lot of control over the January meeting.* We must protect student confidentiality as defined by FERPA (see Student/Parent Handbook page 27).
* Instructors have the primary responsibility for identifying business and industry members.


Meeting / OSTC / NW / Friday, September 17, 2004 10:30AM
Jim Ross
John Iras
Anna Smith / Palace Stone
Paul Briercheck

AGENDA

Introductions

*Need Letter of Understanding from Oakland Schools
*Budgetary Considerations Discussion / Leverage Possibilities

McMath-Hulbert Solar Observatory

*National Geographic Article / Golden Age of Solar Astronomy
*Digital Observatory
*Faulkes Telescope Project
*Digital Solar Observation
*Telescope in a Bucket
*Thomas Edison Project / Port Huron

Agri-Science Off-site Program Development

Palace Stone
Hawk Woods Nature Center
Unisolar (Altenative Energy)
Teachers Discovery
Solar Farms / David Oliver / Palace Stone

MichBio formalizes student chapters (Nancy White)
*OSTC / NE Program Development Collaboration
*Brandon Elementary School / Mentoring Program

U.S FIRST Robotic's Program / OSMTech
*Submersible Graphics / U.S. Army Corps of EngineersProject
http://webcam.crrel.usace.army.mil/soo/vid2/camera2.mpg

SOL (Society for Organizational Learning) Confernece (Peter Senge)
October 10-14, 2004
Student Participation in SEED Program

*Oakland Schools / Pontiac Schools / Oakland Schools Technology Center / NW / Agri-Science (Water Quality Testing)

NSF Grant Initiative / Informal Science Centers

FFA / Virtural FFA from OSTC/NW 2005

Action Items
Letter of Understanding
Budget Outline
Create Youth Advisory Council (MHO CFG Youth Advisory Council
*Blog-site Development
SAT Photo's of Palace Stone, Hawk Woods, Unisolar, Teachers Discovery (Oakland County)
*Agri-Science Chair / OSTC/NW / Set Meeting

ECD system energizes new California school: The first of three new California schools using solar energy to power its classrooms is being dedicated today in the city of Brentwood, in Contra Costa County. United Solar Ovonic L.L.C., a subsidiary of Rochester Hills-based Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (Nasdaq: ENER) provided building integrated photovoltaic roofing for the project. The 33-kilowatt system will put power into the grid for the district's new Pioneer Elementary School. The photovoltaic laminates are applied directly to the school's stainless steel flat panel roofing. Pam Currier, business manager for the district, said the decision to use solar power would pay for itself, and made sense in the face of state educational spending cuts. The district also received a $125,000 rebate from Pacific Gas and Electric for the system. A second Uni-Solar system will be installed at the Grant Avenue Elementary School now under construction in the district. A third system for a new 80-kW middle school is under bid. More at www.uni-solar.com.

MichBio formalizes student chapters: MichBio, the state's life sciences industry association, Wednesday announced that it plans to develop student chapters at nine colleges and universities in Michigan. The schools involved are Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Kalamazoo College, Michigan State University, Oakland University, the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Western Michigan University. The student chapters are intended to help students learn about job opportunities in Michigan's life sciences industry, through programs like career days, internship programs and industry guest lectures. MichBio also announced that its BioConnections internship program placed 27 paid interns this summer. For the first time, MichBio expanded the BioConnections program outside the Washtenaw county area, placing students in Detroit, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Lansing. Internship positions ranged from organic chemistry interns to artificial lung projects to entrepreneurial MBA positions. BioConnections is funded by a three-year, $1.1 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. It aims to place students in Michigan's life sciences industry and keep them in Michigan after graduation. The intern program is available year-around to all life science companies in Michigan. MichBio now has more than 160 members. More at www.michbio.org.