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Action Bulletin Archive
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Welcome to the latest edition of the Action Bulletin, your source for up-to-date information and reminders to successfully implement and sustain your PLTW program..
There are a couple of new items for your attention:
- VEX Robotics will ship a Tool Supplement Kit to all schools that previously ordered a kit for their POE or AE courses or GTT program.
- An updated guide to installing Multisim is available and should help resolve the issues some schools were experiencing.
- Registration is now open for schools with a GTT or PTE program to offer a Gateway Academy Summer Youth Program.
Also, the Fall/Winter Assessment Period is almost upon us so please read this week's reminders and contact our School Support Team with any questions.
Catch up with previous issues for more information and reminders about the program.
An Action Bulletin archive is available in the Virtual Academy under the Welcome section as well as in the Program Support section of the PLTW Web site.
We want your feedback on the Action Bulletin. Are you receiving the information you need in a timely fashion? What are the topics you would like us to cover? Send your comments to Trevor Sparks.
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End of Course Assessment Reminders
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The Fall/Winter Assessment Period opens next month. Please review the following reminders to prepare for the upcoming testing cycle.
Reminders
- All high school teachers were emailed their login credentials for the assessment system on October 17.
- Teachers will have access to the assessment system beginning November 1.
- Teachers who did not receive their logins should contact our Assessment Team.
- The Fall/Winter testing cycle runs from November 7 through March 15.
- All IEP/504 accommodation request forms need to be sent to PLTW four weeks in advance of the testing date. Go to the Materials section of the PLTW Extranet for details on this policy.
- This year's online assessments have a computer-controlled stop after 60 minutes. It is no longer the teacher's responsibility to control the allotted time for the assessment. PLTW will be responsible for all time extensions.
- The Spring Student Enrollment Process will open on November 15 and run through February 7. Guidelines for submitting your files were provided in an email last month. Please review these instructions to help eliminate errors and delays.
If you have any questions or need more information about PLTW's End of Course assessments, contact our School Support Team.
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Updated Multisim Installation Guide
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In the past month, several schools have brought to our attention some difficulties with the Multisim software from National Instruments (NI). The main issue has been the auto expire function that is built into the software.
Schools lease Multisim on an annual basis and will need to update their lease prior to receiving the license codes and serial number from PLTW.
We have worked with NI on this issue and have updated the installation guide that will assist you in renewing your license. You can also access this guide through the Technical Support section of the Virtual Academy. Under the Software Installation and Tech Support Guide, click the "School Lab Software Download, Installation, and Tech Support Guide for Teacher Login" link.
If you are still having technical difficulties after completing the instructions in the guide, please contact technicalsupport@pltw.org.
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VEX Robotics to Ship Tool Supplement Kits
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Beginning in early November, VEX Robotics will ship a Tool Supplement Kit with each PLTW-VEX kit. The Tool Supplement Kit will include higher strength tools, as well as replacement set-screws for the VEX Shaft Collars (higher strength and with improved hex geometry).
VEX Robotics will ship this kit with all new PLTW-VEX kit orders and to ALL schools that previously purchased a PLTW-VEX POE Kit, PLTW-VEX GTT Kit or PLTW-VEX AE Kit.
VEX Robotics is committed to supporting PLTW schools and ensuring you have the best possible experience with VEX Robotics equipment. Any questions or comments for VEX Robotics can be directed to support@vexrobotics.com. |
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Offer a Gateway Academy Summer Youth Program
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Sign up now to offer a 2012 Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation (SME-EF) Gateway Academy Summer Youth Program. Any school with PLTW's Gateway To Technology (GTT) or Pathway To Engineering (PTE) program may offer this day camp, which is designed to engage middle school students in hands-on STEM projects and introduce them to the GTT program.
Students come together in a fun, exciting environment to sample STEM disciplines like robotics, aeronautics, rockets, eco-design, manufacturing and alternative energy. They use leading-edge technologies and work on their critical-thinking, problem-solving and collaboration skills. Teachers trained in PLTW's STEM education program provide expert instruction in small group settings.
Gateway Academy uses the same software and equipment as the GTT program and is designed to take place in the same classroom. Enrollment is typically 20-25 students per session.
Eligibility
- Open to schools currently offering the GTT or PTE program.
- Teachers who have completed training in GTT or any PTE course may lead a Gateway Academy program.
Costs
- The total cost to deliver a one-week Gateway Academy is approximately $2,000.
- This total is based on one instructor hired for the week at a district's rate-of-pay and $500 to $700 of consumable materials, based on the projects choosen from the curriculum.
- If funding allows we encourage hiring an additional instructor or a high school volunteer to assist with the program.
- The costs associated with Gateway Academy may be offset by student tuition, school district funding or other available grants and funding sources.
How to Register
- Complete the registration form.
- Email the completed form to gatewayacademy@pltw.org before May 1, 2012.
- Once a school's eligibility is confirmed, a key to access the curriculum through the Virtual Academy will be emailed to the Gateway Academy contact named on the registration from.
If you have any questions, or need more information about the Gateway Academy Summer Youth Program, contact gatewayacademy@pltw.org.
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Technical Support for PLTW Schools
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As a reminder, the quickest way for PLTW schools to resolve any technical support issues with the software, hardware and equipment in their classrooms is to email technicalsupport@pltw.org.
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Reminders: Counselor Conferences, Extranet Updates, Software Orders and Program Registration
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Counselor Conferences
A PLTW Counselor Conference is a professional development opportunity designed to inform school counselors, post-secondary advisors, principals, teachers and school administrators about PLTW's STEM Education program and provide information to help encourage students to enroll in PLTW courses.
Schools that have implemented a PLTW program are required to send at least one advisor/counselor to a Counselor Conference every year. We highly recommend that schools send all of their advisors/counselors to at least one conference.
Visit the Counselor Conference page for dates and locations. Registration is handled by the host institution.
Additional dates and locations will be added as they become available. For more information, contact the host institution or Laura Greenaway.
PLTW Extranet Updates
Your assistance in maintaining accurate school and district information in the PLTW Extranet is important and greatly appreciated.
Delegates
- Check your district's and schools' information in the PLTW Extranet.
- Make any necessary school deactivation requests, teacher removal requests and contact information updates for the district and all registered schools.
Teachers
- Update your email address and phone number (if necessary).
- Indicate the courses you will be instructing during the 2011-12 academic year.
If you have any questions or need assistance, contact the School Support Team.
Software Orders If you haven't ordered the software needed for your PLTW courses, we recommend you do so as soon as possible.
- Schools offering Pathway To Engineering courses should contact their Authorized Autodesk Reseller to order the required Autodesk software for the 2011-12 school year. More information on the required software for the courses you're offering is available in the Additional Resources section of the PLTW Purchasing Manual page.
- Schools offering POE, CIM, AE and/or the AR unit of GTT with the VEX Robotics platform should place their order for the ROBOTC software licenses as soon as possible by using the form on the ROBOTC tab of either the ENGR Vendor Workbook or GTT Vendor Workbook on the PLTW Purchasing Manual Web page. ROBOTC orders should not be placed on any purchase orders. Download and installation instructions will be emailed to the designated contact(s). Please allow three weeks to complete this process.
New School and Program Registration
New school and program registration for the 2012-13 school year opened last month.
District Delegates
- District Delegates now may login to the Delegate Console of the PLTW Extranet to add new schools or new curricular programs (Pathway To Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, or Gateway To Technology) to their districts.
- The deadline for adding new schools and programs from within the PLTW Extranet is June 30, 2012.
- However, it is recommended that new schools and programs are added by March 15, 2012 when Core Training registration opens so that teachers may reserve seats at the training sessions of their choice.
Schools
- If you do not know your District Delegate, use the PLTW School Locator to obtain your delegate's contact information.
- If you know of districts or schools that wish to implement a PLTW program for the 2012-13 school year:
A New School Press Release Template is available for schools implementing a new PLTW program. By completing this template with school information, schools have a ready-made tool to promote their programs to local media outlets.
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