EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (Ed&WD) COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
23 September 2015
Members Present: Angela Alban (Simetri/NCS), Prita Anhabra (CBCCFL), Dr. Mike Armbruster (OCPS), Suzanne Bliss (University HS), CarolAnn Dykes (UCF), Lyn Higgins (SCPS), Mike Kalaf (Synaptic Sparks), Keara Jones (P.E.C.), Scott Kidd, Fay Leuzzi-Martin (Florida Robotics), Alan Lynch (OCPS), Danielle McNeely (NAWCTSD), Dr. Kristy Murray (Summit Strategic Consulting), N.Y. Nathiri (PEC), Jorge Nieves (Herzing Edu), Hank Okraski (NCS), Jeff Pridmore (STEM Alliance),Abdul Siddiqui (PEOSTRI), Sunny Simmonds (NAWCTSD), Eileen Smith (UCF), Lindsey Spalding (SCPS), Carol Tingley (OCPS), Paul Wahnish (SCPS), Jesse Walker (SCPS), Lanny Wood (PLTW), Deb Yeagle (Plan- to- Win)
Meeting agenda is attached. (Attachment 1). Meeting minutes and presentations will be posted on the NCS website:
www.simulationinformation.com
Activities and Discussions:
A. Status of Ed&WD Committee Activities-
Hank Okraski, Committee Chairman, called the meeting to order, conducted the introductions and reported on the most recent activities of the committee, as follows:
n Donated 5 Oculus Rift 3D HMD’s to high schools & one middle school
n Plans for I/ITSEC STEM Booth include Golfview ES & M&S Certification Information distribution
n Conducted beta test Certification Exams at 6 Orange and Seminole County schools
n Certification approved by FL DoEd for CAPE funding
n M&S Framework/Standards approved by FLDoEd
n Certification Exam automation plans underway. Contract to be let in October.
n Certification Exam planned for State of Florida students in 2016:students in April and teachers in January
n Curriculum Standards/Framework/Study Guide/Model Curriculum on NCS website (www.simulationinformation. com) Go to Education.
n Participated in Advisory Board(s), Crooms techFEST, ZORA STEM, Orlando Tech, Hagerty HS
n Reviewed Lake County Public Schools Gaming, Simulation and Animation (GSA) Standards. Team recognized by School Board.
n Provided M&S Support to Hillsborough County and Monroe Middle School in Tampa
n Hall of Fame Solicitations & Program
n Provided 7 Scholarships to local high schools
B. M&S Certification Status
Deb Yeagle, President/CEO Plan to Win, and Chair of the NCS Sub-committee on M&S Certification, brought the committee up to date with the following accomplishments:
ü Beta Program Completed (January – April 2015)
n 6 Beta Schools Participated
n 10 Teachers M&S Certified
n 150 Student Applications Received
n 97 Beta Exams Administered to Students
n 72 Students Passed and are M&S Certified
ü Certification approved by the Florida Department of Education for the 2015-2016 Career and Professional Education (CAPE) Funding List (June – August 2015)
n Ongoing Activities (May – Present)
ü Automated system evaluation
ü New exam question development
ü Study guide updates
Expansion Plan Goals
n Expand Certification throughout State of Florida for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years
§ Procure and implement automated system
§ Expand marketing to all school districts
§ Increase size of question bank
§ Enhanced study guide
n Key Milestones
§ 10/31 – Automated System
§ 11/27 – Marketing Material and Exam Questions
§ 11/30 – 12/3 – I/ITSEC
§ 1/4 – Final Study Guide
§ Mid-Jan 2016 – Certification Exam for Teachers
§ April 2016 – Certification Exam for Students
Volunteers Needed
n Automated system implementation
n Exam question development
n Study Guide Refinements
n Internship opportunities
C. M&S Curriculum/Framework/Standards and Hagerty High School Implementation Status (Appendix A)
Lindsey Spalding, Seminole County Public Schools/Hagerty High School M&S Coordinator, described “Building a Model for a Sustainable Modeling and Simulation High School Program”, centered around the Hagerty HS Program of Emphasis. She went on to describe student demographics for modeling and simulation at HHS. The following milestones were presented:
Milestones
• 2013-2014
• Frameworks reorganized by SCPS and sent to DOE for approval
• First M & S Learning Lab established
• 3rd teacher attempt
• Student numbers doubled
• 2014-2015
• Frameworks approved by DOE!
• 2nd M&S Learning Lab built
• Beta Exam for Certification
• 76% student pass rate
• 2015-2016
• Certification exam approved by DOE
• 1 teacher /182 students
• Challenged by a lack of teachers
D. Mid Florida Tech (MFT) Launch Site (Appendix B- go to)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ppmgszphcjogtqi/NCS%20Presentation2.pptx?dl=0
Alan Lynch, Mid Florida Tech, described the most interesting and innovative undertaking at MFT in the area of modeling and simulation . He outlined four basic areas:
The 3D Animation Technology program prepares students to enter the simulation and digital media industry as production assistants, modelers, texture artists, riggers, animators, and motion capture technicians. Graduates of this program play a key role in creating the realism and story driven aspects of a simulation or animation. Students will learn from industry experienced professionals the skills and techniques used in animation production. Using the latest 3D animation technology, students will produce professional results faster and will build a complete portfolio of credited work upon completion of the program.
The Gaming, Simulation & Animation (GSA) Visual Design program prepares students to enter the simulation and game industry as production designers, modelers, texture artists, riggers, and animators. Graduates of this program play a key role in creating the realism of a simulation or game. Students will learn from industry experienced professionals the skills and techniques used in visual asset creation. Using the latest visual design technology, students will produce professional results faster and will build a complete portfolio of credited work upon completion of the program.
The GSA Audio/Video Effects program prepares students to enter the simulation and game industry as audio, video and visual effects technicians. Graduates of this program play a key role in creating the realism of a simulation or game. Students will learn from industry experienced professionals the skills and techniques used in visual and audio asset creation. Using the latest visual and audio software and hardware, students will produce professional results faster and will build a complete portfolio of credited work upon completion of the program.
The GSA Programming program prepares students to enter the simulation and game industry as software programming technicians. Graduates of this program play a key role by bringing the visual and audio assets into the game engine and assigning the functionality to complete the simulation product. Students will learn from industry experienced professionals the skills and techniques used in computer programming including languages and game engine platforms. Using industry standard programming languages, students will produce a number of finished simulations and will build a complete portfolio of credited work upon completion of the program.
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E. Simulation Summit.
Angela Alban , SIMETRI President and CEO and NCS Board Chairperson, reported on the success of the Orange County/NCS Simulation Summit held at the Orange County Convention Center. Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the National Center for Simulation (NCS) hosted the first-ever Florida Simulation Summit on Sept. 16 to highlight the state’s multi-billion dollar simulation industry and help identify opportunities for businesses to diversify and commercialize simulation.
The Summit’s impressive brain trust included simulation experts on topics ranging from entertainment, medical, education, transportation and emerging technologies such as cyber, energy and manufacturing. Summit panelists included speakers from Universal Orlando, the University of Central Florida, EA Sports, Space Florida, Simetri, Limbitless Solutions, Orange County Public Schools, Lockheed Martin Commercial Flight Training, Raytheon Co. and Duke Energy. Students from Orange and Seminole Counties attended and demonstrated robotic technology.
Owing to the large turnout and interest expressed, plans are underway for a second summit event next year. Next year’s program will most likely include technology demonstrations.
F. PEO STRI Internships/Robotics (Appendix C)
Abdul Siddiqui, PEO STRI, discussed the most significant STEM programs the Army has underway locally. These initiatives include mentorships, internships, project-based learning and projecting success. He also announced the formation of “Robo-Knights”, a group of five local high schools who will , as a team, be competing in the First Robotics competition.
G. STEM Alliance of Central Florida (Appendix D)
Jeff Pridmore, Executive Director of STEM Alliance of Central Florida, discussed the organization, its goals, focus, programs and plans as follows:
– Goal – Achieve the critical mass to make a real difference in STEM
– “One stop shopping” for STEM education initiatives
– Link Education and Industry with scalable STEM programs/ projects
– Create a sustainable and scalable funding and support ecosystem
• Focus
– STEM Workforce/ student preparation – Responsible for “content” and projects -- in-class projects, lectures, industry outreach, student competitions, etc.
– Teacher Professional Development – Augmenting existing teacher capacity and improving STEM readiness of graduating teachers
– Community - Community awareness and involvement in STEM
H. Central Florida STEM Education Council (CFSEC)
Carol Ann Dykes, Director of the CFSEC, outlined the near-term plans for the organization as follows:
The 6thannual DiSTI Duffer will be held10 Oct(www.distiduffer.org). Every dollar raised in sponsorships, donations and player registrations is used by the Council to support information learning experiences for teachers and students. In past years funds have gone to the Central Florida YMCA for scholarships to their STEM after school programs, the Sea Perch program, scholarships at local high schools, and a project-based learning workshop for 50+ teachers each year at I/ITSEC. Our goal this year is to raise $15k.
-The next meeting of the Council will be23 Octfocused on STEM in Manufacturing. It will be held at Mid-Florida Tech and feature manufacturing education programs in the community as well as local manufacturing companies- all sharing the STEM skills needed and career paths available in manufacturing.
-The Council has fully assumed responsibility for managing the Teacher Workshop and STEM Pavilion at I/ITSEC. We have secured some additional space for the Pavilion this year and will be able to showcase 24-26 organizations impacting STEM education in the community. The Workshop will provide Project-Based Learning instruction for 70 Title 1 middle school teachers from 6 counties. The week of I/ITSEC will also be proclaimed “STEM Week in Orange County” by Mayor Teresa Jacobs in a ceremony on Wednesday, 2 December 2015.
I. I/ITSEC Student/Teacher Activities (Appendix E)
Dr. Kristy Murray, in her role of coordinator of I/ITSEC student/teacher activities, discussed the overwhelming response to the invitation for student attendance at I/ITSEC. ( Students and teachers are invited to tour the exhibits on the Thursday of I/ITSEC). Every effort is made to approve the applications from the many schools applying, however, this year, the quota was filled very early. Dr. Murray indicated that 987 students will be attending this year.
Dr. Murray indicated that there may be new programs forthcoming such as scholarships and internships. Announcements are forthcoming.
J. stemCONNECT/techPATH
Eileen Smith, Director of the E2i Creative Studio at IST, gave the committee an overview of a new STEM program opportunity developed and administered by The Corridor’s TechPath arm. The new program, stemCONNECT, digitally connects middle and high school classrooms with experts in various STEM fields across Central Florida. This program is available to the 23-county service area of The Corridor (formerly known as the Florida High Tech Corridor Council) and is a FREE PROGRAM.
For more information on the program, visit the website athttp://flstemconnect.com. This is an opportunity for both teachers and experts! For teachers, they can register into the system, which gives them the ability to request speakers on certain topics pertinent to their curriculum activities. For experts, they can register into the system, which allows the stemCONNECT team to pair them with classrooms.
To see two archived video sessions of this program, one on robotic surgery and one on medical simulation, visit this linkhttp://flstemconnect.com/Content/sessionsearch.aspx. This is an excellent program that helps to build the bridges from classroom to career.
Meeting adjourned at 5:30 PM
Attachment 1- Meeting Agenda
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