On Oct. 17, 2014 nearly 100 girls visited Sierra College, were inspired by entrepreneurial women in tech fields, made hands-on projects in labs and met for round table discussions with mentors from local companies.
Posts Tagged ‘Sierra College’
Should Art be added to STEM?
Wednesday, June 25th, 2014A new White Paper, Exploring STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, written by Elizabeth Dayton for the Sierra College STEM Collaborative, considers adding art to STEM.
According to Dayton, “The value of including art and innovation as part of our national effort to encourage careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is multifaceted.” The paper explores the evidence in support of adding arts and innovation to our national effort to encourage STEM education and careers.
Read this paper to learn about the evidence that indicates adding art to STEM can better prepare students to meet industry’s needs for creativity, imagination and innovation: Exploring STEAM Science Technology Engineering Arts & Math E Dayton Sierra College STEM.
Free Math in Welding Webinar – May 22, 2014
Friday, May 16th, 2014
On May 22 at 4 PM, PST you can learn how to “Ignite Your CTE Students’ Math Skills.” Sierra College instructors, Bill Wenzel, Welding and Katie Lucero, Mathematics will present a free webinar on infusing welding assignments with essential math skills.
Register for this free “Ignite Your CTE Students’ Math Skills”webinar.
Read more about the May 22 Math in Welding event.
Flyer on May 22 Ignite Your CTE Students’ Math Skills
Link to IGNITE Math in Welding Report and 8 Lessons
After the event, the Sierra College Ignite Welding infused with Math webinar will be posted on YouTube: http://goo.gl/41MrUO
Sierra College instructors will present eight turnkey activities and worksheets that they developed and used successfully in multiple welding classes to raise students’ math scores. The materials were created for the 2011-12 National Science Foundation (NSF) IGNITE (Infusing GeNed Into Technical Education) project, funded through a sub-grant from the University of West Virginia at Parkersburg.
Sacramento Common Core Math Workshops
Wednesday, February 26th, 2014
The Sierra College Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Collaborative is offering a series of three workshops on implementing the Common Core standards of mathematical practice. To prepare teachers to meet the new Common Core mathematics requirements, participants will learn how to use hands-on activities to engage students and facilitate critical thinking.
Implementing the Standards of Mathematical Practice on Fridays March 14, April 4 and May 9, 2014 in Roseville CA. Sierra STEM Hands on Math Common Core March May 2014 Workshops Flyer
Sierra College Student Clubs invited to Hacker Lab
Wednesday, January 29th, 2014
Sierra College is partnering with Sacramento Hacker Lab to encourage innovation in the greater Sacramento region. Learn more at Sierra College CACT & Hacker Lab Partnership & 3D Printer Spur Innovation.
Student clubs can arrange special discounts to join Hacker Lab.
Sierra College Center for Applied Competitive Technology (CACT) also supplied a 3D printer and soldering equipment to Hacker Lab so members are able to use this equipment to develop new products.
Talking Directly to Advanced Manufacturing Employees Inspires Students
Wednesday, November 6th, 2013
Del Oro High School Students Tour Progressive Technology
Students participating in tours of Sacramento manufacturers repeatedly reported that the direct interaction with technicians, engineers and staff had the most impact of them. Many said that it solidified their education and career plans. The tours were part of the National Manufacturing Day and organized by Sierra College Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT) and the Sierra Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Collaborative.
An Oakmont High School student said, “It definitely made me more sure of my plans to pursue higher education for engineering and gave me a more clear idea what a future job might look like.”
Dan Frank, who teaches Engineering Support Technology at Rocklin High School, toured RobbJack in Lincoln, CA with his students. “As a result of the tour, my students seemed more committed to the program and can see themselves becoming technicians and engineers,” said Frank. “Students really connected to individual employees who talked to them about welding, organizing the shop using 7S or programming CNC machines to create prototypes.”
Teachers also say that the experiences are enriching their curriculum with applied academics and 21st Century Skills.
Learn more about the impact of high school STEM students touring local businesses as part of the National Manufacturers Day and how teachers are using the experience to help students refine their interest in Advanced Manufacturing careers as well as bringing real world applications into their classrooms by reading: STEM Teachers See Impact of Manufacturing Day Tours Organized by Sierra College.
3D Printers in High Schools Prepare Students for Advanced Manufacturing
Monday, November 4th, 2013
Sierra College STEM Collaborative recently provided 3D printers to Colfax, Del Oro and Placer High Schools to introduce Career Technical Education students to Product Design and Advanced Manufacturing careers.
See the new 3D printer at Del Oro High School.
According to a report on CNBC Disruptor Series on Manufacturing Disruptors, exponential growth is expected in 3D printing and robotics. Learn about community-based product development in second report on Quirky.
Learn more about 3D printing from the Additive Manufacturing Turning Mind into Matter — Industry Evaluation and Recommendations Report, published by Sierra College Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT). The paper is intended to help both businesses and educators learn more about emerging Additive Manufacturing technologies.
Colfax Student Movies Highlight Sierra STEM Impact
Thursday, October 31st, 2013Colfax High School students who benefited from the freshmen Tech Essentials course supported by Sierra College STEM, recently made these STEM interview movies as sophomores. Thanks to Wade Wolff who guided these students in producing this project. The interviews with teachers, counselors and the principal describe the impact that the Sierra STEM Collaborative has had at Colfax High School. Click the links below to see the four movies on the Colfax You Tube ColfaxMultimedia Channel.
Tech Essentials Team – The Colfax High School Tech Essentials teaching team talks about the positive impact the Sierra STEM Collaborative partnership. The support made it possible to create a Tech Essentials program and curriculum for freshmen. That model is now being used through the Placer Union High School District.
Principal – Principal Rick Spears talks about the Sierra College STEM Collaborative and the CTE program at Colfax High. Teachers have benefited from collaboration time, professional development and cutting edge tools. As a result, all Colfax students are being exposed to STEM Curriculum and opportunities after high school.
Career College Counselor – Career College counselor Bobbi Jo Forsyth talks about how the Career Cruising program, supplied by Sierra College STEM Collaborative, is helping her do her job at Colfax High School and attract students, especially girls, to Science, Technology, Engineering & Math.
Counselor – Counselor Rachel Dalton talks about using the Career Cruising program at Colfax High School. Students start using it as freshmen and can use it throughout high school to explore careers, discover their interests, research colleges and make career plans.
The students who made these movies gained valuable skills from the Tech Essentials course that all freshmen take at Colfax High School to learn applied academics. The course taught them to teamwork, project management and documentation as well as provided an introduction to Career Technical Education courses covering engineering, metal fabrication, woodworking, electronics, multi-media and photography. Sierra STEM provides support to the teacher team that created this Tech Essentials course and has supplied equipment to bring the design and innovation labs up to date.
Grant to Prepare Students for Advanced Manufacturing Careers
Tuesday, August 27th, 2013Sierra College was one of only eight colleges statewide selected to focus on the Advanced Manufacturing sector by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office Division of Workforce & Economic Development.
With a $300,000 grant, Sierra College will collaborate with community colleges in the Sacramento region to fill gaps in manufacturing workforce skills, provide employee training customized to manufacturers, and inspire students to pursue Advanced Manufacturing careers.
Advanced Manufacturing uses innovation, automation and highly integrated, tightly controlled processes as well as new materials and capabilities to fabricate products competitively.
Carol Pepper-Kittredge, Director, Sierra College CACT, will be the Deputy Sector Navigator for this grant project. “There are excellent opportunities for high-wage jobs in Advanced Manufacturing in our region,” said Pepper-Kittredge.
“To keep current, employees require on-going training. In addition, both high school and college students must be introduced to additive manufacturing, digital design, high-tech welding and other cutting-edge technologies so that they can bring this expertise to local businesses. Through this grant, colleges and industry can work together to enhance the local economy.”
Sierra College publishes report on Additive Manufacturing
Friday, August 23rd, 2013
NASA Lunabotics Mining Competition trophy prototype designed by Rocklin HS Students and made with Additive Manufacturing at Sierra College
In response to the explosive growth of 3D Printing, Sierra College Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT) published a white paper identifying trends, outlining uses and providing a review of Additive Manufacturing equipment for business and education.
Additive Manufacturing is the ability to generate three-dimensional models that need no machining or tooling. In the 3D printer, layer by layer of material builds up until the desired shape is achieved, instead of cutting away material as is done in machining. Computer 3D drawings are sliced into layers and the software directs the printer pattern as it builds the part from the bottom up. Products can be designed in Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) software or 3D scanners can be used to create designs from existing objects.
The Additive Manufacturing Turning Mind into Matter — Industry Evaluation and Recommendations Report is intended to help both businesses and educators learn more about emerging Additive Manufacturing technologies and can be found at the Sierra College CACT Training website.