sTEm-at-Work: Energy Systems Tech (Puzzle #9)

This is the last of a set of puzzles that deals with sine waves, or if you prefer cosine waves. Next month we might go over some the response data. But, in the meantime try this one out!

The Tech is checking the operation of an alternative energy system that uses capacitors to store and release a flow of charge, electrons on a wire, and knows that when operating correctly this electron flow, current, and the corresponding voltage do not go up and down together. They are not in phase. In fact, the voltage goes down after the current goes down, that is, the voltage “lags” the current. In the oscilloscope cartoon below, the system's voltage signal is connected to Channel B and the current signal is connected to Channel A.

The energy system is operating correctly? (Yes or No). Submit your answers at http://www.fl-ate.org/

 

Educating the educator about STEM and Robotics

It may sound like preaching to the choir, but have you ever asked math and science teachers if robotics, science, technology, engineering and mathematics can be considered “cool” and “fun”? Well apart from the obvious response, their enthusiasm in not just “learning”, but “doing” science, math and technology is sure to hit a home-run.

“I think technology and showcasing the everyday applications of STEM is what’ll be the hook for students” says Heather Russell, a math teacher at Hudson Middle school in Pasco County. Russell was one of the teachers who attended the summer camp-style STEM workshop for teachers hosted by FLATE at Hillsborough Community College in Brandon. The week-long workshop was attended by 17 teachers from seven counties in Florida and was held from June 28-July 2. In many ways the workshop served as a first step in “educating the educator” about STEM resources for the classroom, and was geared to explore various facets of robotics technology and curriculum to promote learning in STEM-related subjects.

Central to the workshop was its emphasis on hands-on learning. Anna Speessen, a math and science teacher at Brooksville Elementary School in Hernando County agrees the first step to empowering students is for teachers to “learn more” about STEM and robotics. Speessen believes “if students are given hands-on experience in robotics they can be confident in using robotics technology and venture in this new direction.”

During the workshop, participants had access to a plethora of resources that projected a fun and creative side of robotics. As part of an effort to develop learning objects to enhance students’ understanding of STEM-centered curriculum, and to share those resources with other educators, participants also developed a robotic arm that they could program to perform certain tasks. They were also updated on latest technology applications, had access to curriculum challenges and content developed by engineers and curriculum experts, explored links to nanotechnology, and engaged in exercises focused on stimulating and building soft skills needed to operate in the diverse 21st century workplace/classroom.

In addition to hands-on activities, participants got a taste of “robots in action” through observation of FLATE’s Lego Mindstorms robotics camp. They also toured Valpak’s modern, high-tech manufacturing facility located in St. Petersburg, FL, and witnessed use of robotics technology in everyday manufacturing operations. Donna Burns, a teacher in Lake Wales, FL, was shocked to see how clean and appealing the modern manufacturing environment was for workers. Prior to her visit to Valpak, Burns admits she held the old-school, traditional view of manufacturing as a dirty, grimy profession—one she did not encourage her students to consider as a probable career option. She wasn’t aware of local robotics initiatives in central Florida, and “always thought you had to move to Japan or someplace else to get a closer hands-on experience of robotics.”

Burns is not alone in sharing this misconception. Rachel Burgin, Senate representative for district 56 in Florida who attended FLATE’s robotics camp and the teacher STEM camp, agrees there is cultural misconception that “those interested or have skills in mathematics/science are the ones who need to be doctors, engineers, or accountants”. Burgin states these perceptions are changing the educational climate/direction and is one of the biggest challenges that educators as well as manufacturers currently face. “From that standpoint, I think as a state we have to ensure that all kids have the access and the resources to be able to learn, understand and educate themselves about STEM, and it is our responsibility to instill/change perceptions that math and science is for everyone, not just for certain types of individuals” Burgin said.

Indeed, the STEM workshop served as an effective vehicle in deconstructing some of the myths, and in empowering educators to learn about STEM and robotics. For more information on teacher workshops and/or STEM curriculum and resources visit www.fl-ate.org, or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at barger@fl-ate.org.

Are your employees truly ready to work?

Even in a tough economy, forward-looking manufacturers constantly have an eye on steps they need to take to grow the workforce of the future. One way to begin building a talent pipeline is to recognize – and even encourage – the Florida Ready to Work credential as you hire, train and promote.

Ready to Work is a “FREE” training, testing and credentialing program aimed at building career readiness skills like applied math, reading, and locating information (which is using and interpreting workplace graphics like charts, floor plans, gauges, etc.). Since these are critical, sought-after foundational skills, the National Association of Manufacturers recommends mastery of these skills prior to jobseekers and employees working toward manufacturing-related certifications like the Certified Production Technician (CPT) certification. Depending on scores on proctored tests, individuals can earn a credential that shows employers they have the right skills for the job – a useful tool for applicant screening purposes and, later for workforce development.

Beyond screening, 400+ employer partners across the state are using Florida Ready to Work in a variety of ways such as:

• Testing -- Supplementing or replacing current employee assessments and pinpointing strengths and development needs in the workforce.

• Training/Courseware -- Using the free online courseware to build work (and life) skills of the current workforce, showing measurable results.

• Job Profiling -- Making more objective, informed promotion decisions. Using an EEOC-compliant job profiling process, employers can identify the skills and skill levels employees need for success in higher level roles.

The FRW program enjoys widespread participation, and is being implemented by school districts and companies across Florida. On a local level, approximately 10 schools have adopted the FRW program within Hillsborough County School District; five from Sarasota County School District, nine from Pasco County School District, and three each from Pinellas and Polk County School Districts. Statewide, Brevard County School district leads the way with more than 4000 candidates from 50 schools participating in the program, and earning the FRW credentials.

Local companies using the program include Pepperidge Farms, PGT Industries, Denny’s Restaurant, Shands Jacksonville, and Busch Gardens. For more information, or to view a full list of community colleges, adult education, technical centers, regional workforce boards and/or community based organizations throughout Florida that have adopted the FRW program, visit www.floridareadytowork.com, or contact Sharon Albrecht, business services director at 941.914.0046, or salbrecht@floridareadytowork.com.

Contributed by our partners at Florida Ready to Work.

Robotics, STEM AND Girl Power

“Girl power” reigns supreme this summer as STEM education takes center-stage at FLATE’s robotics camps. The picture gets clearer as Elizabeth Heli, one of the lead instructors for the 2010 robotics camps talks about teaching STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) concepts using a robotics platform to middle school students throughout Hillsborough County.

Heli is the lead teacher for the engineering STEM academy at Greco Middle school where she teaches technology education—a pre-engineering course—for the past six years. But there is a more “fun” side to Heli than meets the eye! She brings an exciting dimension into the classroom by incorporating her interest in electronics, technology, and video gaming which “helps strike a connection with the kids.”

Given Heli’s affinity for technical stuff, she is involved in a number of STEM-related projects at Greco that deals with civil engineering, aerospace engineering, and transportation technology. For aerospace engineering projects, she helps build rockets, parachutes, hot-air balloons, and egg-drop vehicles that simulate launching capsules to the space/moon. Under transportation technology, she teaches how to build carbon dioxide-powered race car models using Newton’s laws of motion. Another fun and interesting project she is involved in at Greco is designing and building mazes using technical drawing software.

In terms of the FLATE robotics camps, Heli will be the lead instructor for the “Girls Only” robotics camp at Hillsborough Community College (HCC) in Brandon, and the robotics camps at HCC’s SouthShore campus in July. She loves the way the challenges are designed. In that she applauds FLATE for integrating current/relevant robotics engineering technologies into the curriculum, and designing age-appropriate materials that showcase real-world applications. “Where the STEM concepts are really getting ingrained is when students have background knowledge acquisition, and then they get to apply what they have learned through hands-on exercises that require problem-solving” Heli said.

The possibilities are endless. Heli hopes the lessons learned during the camp will motivate kids to encourage teachers at their respective schools to start a robotics program, or encourage them to join FIRST Lego League clubs/competitions. “If they can have more hands-on time with robotics and/or STEM-related activities it will enhance their learning, as well as build on problem-solving skills they gained during the camp.”

Indeed, Heli is a big proponent in securing students’ interest in STEM/robotics, as well as high-tech manufacturing. She says attractive flyers are an effective way to spark students’ interest, particularly for girls. Capturing students’ interest while they’re young, using curriculum that portrays a fun or the real-world side of what they are learning, and finding innovative ways to showcase careers and educational pathways in high-tech fields is yet another way to garner interest.

Heli points to FLATE’s camps as a great platform to expose students to the world of STEM and robotics. To that effect, she is interested in using some of the resources she is learning at the camp to improve curriculum for future camps, and/or implement some of the concepts into her daily teaching experience. “It’s all about STEM and fun. This is how learning takes place, and is what matters at the end of the day” Heli said.

For more information on FLATE’s high-tech robotics camp visit www.fl-ate.org/projects/camps.html, or contact Dave Gula, FLATE’s camp manager/outreach coordinator at 813.259.6581 or gula@fl-ate.org.