2012 final Masthead

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 Vol. 2 - No. 13 - October 11, 2011

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Do You Love Science and Engineering? You Can Support the 2nd USA Science & Engineering Festival!  

The USA Science & Engineering Festival is a nonprofit organization that aims to inspire the next generation of innovators by producing the nation's largest celebration of all things science & engineering.

Donate Now Generous support from our donors helps us provide and keep the Festival free and open to the public, and sustain the Festival's impact through year-round programming and curriculum development. 

 

If you or someone you know would like to donate to the Festival, then please click here.

*Your gift is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law  

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 

 

And in Other Important Festival News...

Preregister for the Expo to win a cool prize! 

Let us know that you are planning to attend the Expo, and you will automatically be signed up to win an iPad 2, 5 Tickets to a special Meet & Greet with Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, or 1 of 50 T-shirts! You don't have to preregister to attend the Festival Expo, but you will have a chance to win a cool prize while letting us know a little about who will be attending. 

Click Here to preregister now!   

 

Thank You to Constellation Energy and our Dedicated Tweeters! 

Twitter bird

The USASEF would like to thank Constellation Energy and the hundreds of you who helped with the E2 Grants program Tweet campaign to help us raise $10,000 to bring underserved students to the Expo!  This will allow us to bring 4,000 inner city Washington DC students to join us in April. So thanks for RETWEETING!!  We couldn't have done it without YOU!

 

Help Us Locate New Expo Exhibitors, and Receive Your Reward

Current Festival Expo exhibitors, we need your assistance!  Help us locate additional professional societies, universities and high tech and life science businesses who would be interested in serving as exhibitors at the Festival's finale Expo next spring in Washington DC. 


rewardAnd for your help, we'll certainly make it worth your while!  In Groupon-like fashion, we'll deduct $100 off your outstanding Exhibitor Fee for each booth they sign-up for, providing the new organization you introduce us to signs up as a full paying exhibitor.

Note: New sign-ups must not have participated as Festival exhibitors in the past or be current exhibitors and they must be consistent with the scientific educational goals of the Festival.

   

To submit your suggested organization, or for more details, contact Larry Bock.    

Nifty Fifty Accepting Applications 

Hosted by:

ATT Logo

Teachers and parents - don't miss out on the exciting chance for your school or your child's school to host a "Nifty Fifty Speaker!"  This is the opportunity of a lifetime for students to be inspired by one of our dynamite 'Nifty Fifty (times 2)' science and engineering professionals who will fan out across the Washington, DC area in March and April of 2012!       Nifty Fifty 3

 

Speakers will share their passion for science and engineering, explain why they chose their career path and offer insight into opportunities for young people in their field of expertise. The Nifty Fifty Speakers will highlight what influenced them to follow their dreams as well as the challenges they faced along the way. 


Nifty Fifty 5Over 100 Nifty Fifty (times 2) speakers are signed up to participate, including: social network research guru Sinan Aral (find out what the future holds for email, Facebook and other technologies in the Information Age); robotics and rocketry outreach expert Bob Ekman; Mars and Bermuda Triangle geosciences researcher Marilyn Fogel; the intriguing astrophysicist and science educator Jeff Goldstein; the card-shuffling mathematician C. Brent Morris, and chemist Diane Bunce (learn her classroom secrets to demystifying chemistry for students!).

Nifty Fifty 4And don't forget: noted biologist Marnie Halpern (let her show your students the amazing discoveries she's making studying tiny zebrafish!); Naval STEM outreach leader Michael Kassner (tomorrow's high-tech Naval careers  never looked so exciting!), and renowned space physicist Mario Livio (get ready as he plunges students into the mysterious world of Black Holes, super novas and dark energy). Plus many others!

Check out all of our Nifty Fifty Speakers by clicking here!


Apply today to host a Nifty Fifty Speaker at your school by clicking here.

 

Please note that space is limited and the deadline to sign up is October 21st.   

2012 Kavli Launch is Underway!


KavliThe 2012 Kavli "Save the World Through Science and Engineering" Video Contest is now accepting student entries. Eligible applicants include: individual students or groups from Grades 6-12 schools, home school networks, after-school programs, science clubs or any other organization the student is representing for the purpose of the contest.

 

Students worldwide are encouraged to send videos through schooltube.com and take the chance to win cash awards and prizes for the top entries! And best of all, the top videos will be shown at the Festival Expo during April 27-29, 2012, where hundreds of thousands of science fans are expected to gather in Washington, D.C. In addition, the first place winner will also receive a travel stipend to attend the Expo!


So if you think you can save the world through science and engineering then let us know! 

School TubeVideo entries will be accepted on schooltube.com from October 1, 2011-March 1, 2012.

 

Visit our website by clicking here for a complete list of details on the contest.   

Innovation and STEM Outreach to K-12 Students Headline AT&T's Return as Major Sponsor!

As its new corporate slogan - "Rethink Possible" - suggests, AT&T is known for its long history of continually exploring new ways to reinvent itself through technological innovation, educational outreach and community involvement. The global telecommunications leader is bringing this same spirit to the 2nd USA Science & Engineering Festival in its return as a major Sponsor!

Get ready for a bevy of excitement when AT&T assumes keyATT Logo roles in next year's event, including serving as the official host of the Festival's high-profile Nifty Fifty speaker engagements where four of its leading innovators will wow students with presentations showing how AT&T's advances in science and engineering are ushering in some of the most advanced technology designed to help us communicate faster and more efficiently. AT&T will also have a major presence at the Expo, demonstrating in engaging ways how STEM can be made more interactive and exciting for young learners and "why STEM education and careers are so cool!" 

And don't miss other interactions with AT&T professionals that weekend when you'll get the chance to try out some of the latest technology coming out of AT&T labs (including iPhones, iPads and new
Festival Imageapplications to enhance online security and environmental sustainability), plus the opportunity to view videos of AT&T scientists at work, and to get your cell phones and other hand-held devices recharged for free at AT&T's charging stations that will be located at the Expo.

"Serving again as a Sponsor in the USA Science and Engineering Festival is such an important opportunity for AT&T to connect with people across the country about what we do," says Jennifer Kuhn, executive director of Public Affairs for AT&T.

In addition to AT&T's commitment to technological innovation, she says, "AT&T is devoted, from our CEO on down, to helping inspire and educate the next generation of innovators through various outreach endeavors in STEM that involve engaging our scientists and other professionals in mentoring and volunteering activities at schools, and taking an active role in other areas of the community."

Jennifer adds: "AT&T is especially interested in helping to demystify science for kids by engaging them in hands-on experiences in technology with scientists. This gives students a chance to see and work with these professionals up close in exciting ways, and lets them see that scientists come from all ethnicities, genders and backgrounds. In addition, it lets them see how math and science are used to solve real life problems." These are the types of students that AT&T would like to eventually hire to help create the next new technologies that will change the way we communicate, she says.

As further testament to AT&T's commitment to outreach and community involvement, some of its leading scientists are participating at the forefront of these endeavors. Young students will get the chance to meet four of these innovators - Alicia Abella, Ph.D., Mary Fernandez, Ph.D., Sanjay Macwan, and Valerie Torres, Ph.D. - when they serve as Nifty Fifty speakers in April.

AT&T also spearheads AT&T Aspire, a national $100 million multi-year initiative that is working to help improve high school retention rates and college and career readiness among students, including those in underserved communities. Another example of AT&T's commitment to STEM education is their work with the Obama Administration's new Digital Promise initiative, which aims to transform learning, particularly around technology, in America's classrooms. AT&T Labs Chief Scientist, Dave Belanger, will be joining other leading thinkers to form a commission to make recommendations for the initial research agenda for the Digital Promise initiative and help chart the course to transform how we use mobile technology to advance STEM teaching.

We thank AT&T and our other valued Sponsors as they join us in our goal of inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers!  

Homer Hickam - October Sky Rocket Boys Author is Featured Author at Book Fair 


Book Fair LogoBook Fair Featured Author Homer Hickam is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Rocket Boys, which was made into the acclaimed movie October Sky. He is also the author of The Coalwood Way, Sky of Stone, and We Are Not Afraid (all set in his beloved hometown of Coalwood, West Virginia), plus Torpedo Junction, Back to the Moon, and his popular

Crater

 "Josh Thurlow" World War II series. The first novel in his new Helium-3 series for young adults, Crater, will be released at the USA Science & Engineering Book Fair in April 2012. 

He is a former coal miner, a Vietnam combat veteran, a scuba instructor, a retired rocket scientist, and, recently, an avid field paleontologist. More than anything else, he loves to write.  

Homer Hickam

Book Fair Selection Committee Meeting 

Book Fair LogoWe have an overwhelming response of excellent books submitted for the USA Science & Engineering Book Fair. If you would like to be on the Book Fair Selection Committee, contact Laura ([email protected]) Our next meeting is scheduled for October 12th in Springfield, VA. Books are still being accepted by submitting the following form.

 

You Can Do the Rubik's Cube Contest - Free Workshop and Kit 

DC, MD and VA K-12 teams will be competing for the fastest time to collectively solve 25 Rubik's Cubes. Teams may compete in one of three divisions: K-5th grade ,6th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade. Team sign-ups have begun! All registered teams will compete in a semi-final contest and the top six finalists from each division will then compete for the championship at the USA Science & Engineering Festival during the Expo weekend 4/28/2012. Attend a free teacher's workshop, learn how the Rubik's Cube relates to STEM, learn to solve the Rubik's Cube and receive a Free Rubik's Cube Math education kit valued at $150. This workshop and free kit offer are only available to new workshop attendees. Learn more by clicking here.

Rubik  

At a Glance- New Sponsors of the Festival 

Johnson & Johnson

For Johnson & Johnson, caring for the world, one person at a time is the uniting force behind their company. Johnson & Johnson embraces science and research and strives to use innovation, products and services to advance the health and well-being of people. The Festival graciously accepts Johnson & Johnson's Krypton Level Sponsorship. 

 

Center for America

The goal of Center for America is to provide Americans with the tools they need to educate, motivate and empower themselves. CFA produces non-partisan video, audio and website programs that ordinary Americans can utilize to expand their growth and knowledge of some our country's toughest challenges. The Festival is thrilled to have CFA as a Platinum Level Sponsor. 

 

John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory 

The Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is a not-for-profit center for engineering, research, and development. Located north of Washington, DC, APL is a division of one of the world's premier research universities, The Johns Hopkins University. The APL joins the Festival this year as a Platinum Level Sponsor.   

  

METRO  

Anyone in the Greater DC Area knows the Metro is the premiere way to get around town! Today, Metrorail serves 86 stations and has 106 miles of track. Metrobus serves the nation's capital 24 hours a day, seven days a week with 1,500 buses. The Festival is thrilled to have the Metro as a Platinum Level Sponsor. 

 

Northern Virginia Technology Council 

The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) is the membership and trade association for the technology community in Northern Virginia. NVTC is the largest technology council in the nation and employs roughly 200,000 employees in the region. NVTC joins the Festival this year as a Platinum Level Media Sponsor.   

 

The Scripps Foundation for Science and the Environment 

Located in San Diego, California and a key sponsor of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Festival is honored to have The Scripps Foundation for Science and the Environment as a Platinum Level Sponsor.
    

SpaceX
SpaceX develops a family of launch vehicles which will ultimately reduce the cost and increase the reliability of space access by a factor of ten. Coupled with the newly emerging market for private and commercial space transport, this new model will re-ignite humanity's efforts to explore and develop Space. The Festival is thrilled to have SpaceX as a Palladium Level Sponsor this year. 

 

Rochester Institute of Technology  

RIT is a National leader in professional and career-oriented education. As a major technical university with a strong foundation in humanties and social sciences, the students of RIT gain an understanding of both technological developments and the philosophy and ethical issues that go with them. The Festival is grateful to accept RIT as a Titanium Level Sponsor. 

  

San Diego State University 

Home of the Aztecs, SDSU's College of Sciences is the region's largest center for science education and research. The College of Sciences strives to produce graduates who possess the essential professional skills needed by local and regional industries and also contributes to the training of future mathematics and science teachers. The Festival is thrilled to have SDSU's College of Sciences as a Titanium Level Sponsor this year. 

  

The George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) 

SEAS is dedicated to meeting the Engineering challenges of the 21st Century. Engineering at SEAS encompasses a broad range of disciplines, with strong and growing programs in environmental engineering, biomedical engineering, robotics, nanotechnologies, transportation safety, and high-performance computing. The Festival is honored to accept SEAS as a Titanium Level Sponsor for this year's Festival.

 

New Festival Advisor  

Mr. Travis Dredd  

Deputy CEO for "Inside the Hall" Operations, Democratic National Convention, joins the Festival Advisory Board.
 
Learn more about the Festival's hard-working advisors here.  

Volunteer Outreach Team Meeting Scheduled - October 30th!   

VolunteersNew and returning Volunteers - Sign up for the next Volunteer Outreach Team meeting October 30th, 2011.  We will reveal a new Festival postcard and poster - and you will learn more of exiting Festival details. We will give you a Festival t-shirt and materials to share - and you can meet your School District Volunteer Outreach Team Coordinators!

 

New Volunteers register here.  

 

Returning Volunteers register here:  

 

We look forward to seeing you on October 30th, 2011, K&L Gates, 1601 K Street Northwest, Washington, DC 2-4PM. 

School District Volunteer Outreach Coordinators Named  
Volunteer Image
We are pleased to announce Volunteer Outreach Coordinators in each of the following school districts. Please email Laura if you would like to represent a school district not listed, or would like to Co-Coordinate a school district. We are grateful to our wonderful Volunteer Outreach Team Coordinators! To be on the Volunteer Outreach Team, register here.
 

DC DCPS - Beatrice Thompson
DC Private Schools - Verda Peterkin
MD Anne Arundel County Public Schools - Jack Andraka
MD Howard County Public Schools - Kevin Baker
MD Howard County Public Schools - Leslie Sands
MD Montgomery County Public Schools - Kathryn Spivey
MD Montgomery County Public Schools - Rosanna Thomas
MD Prince George's County Public Schools - Felicia Reed
MD Prince George's County Public Schools - Velarie Harvell
MD Prince George's County Public Schools - Laura Carriere
MD St. Mary's County Public Schools - Corey Redmond
MD Catholic Schools - Tom Brett
VA Arlington County - Rob Dudek
VA Arlington County - Teresa Liao
VA Arlington County - Louisa Marinaccio
VA Fairfax County - Patrick Truver
VA Loudoun County - Veronica Breza
VA Prince William County - Carol Matheny
VA King George County - Elody Shojinaga  

Exhibitors Signing up for Festival!

The Festival Finale Expo is officially larger than last year, with over 400 exhibitors signed up to date, and nearly 1300 booths reserved! Here are some of the exciting organizations who have signed up to exhibit at the 2nd USA Science & Engineering Finale Expo!

SFN Logo  Science for Citizens  Sidwell

  Earth Scope Logo  UMES   Cisco

 

  SIAM Ace Logo   Hampton Univ Logo

Air Force Research LabASP LogoSHPE LogoNOAO

 National Flight Academy  SFB Columbia Logo Montgomery County Public Schools  

Eureka!: The Dr. Elliott and Eileen Hinkes Collection of Rare Books in the History of Scientific Discovery   

October 24, 2011 - February 29, 2012

George Peabody Library, 17 E. Mount Vernon Pl.,     Baltimore, MD 21202

Eureka
The Dr. Elliott and Eileen Hinkes Collection of Rare Books encompasses over 500 years of the greatest milestones in the history of scientific discovery in the West. With a focus on history's true "Eureka!" moments, the exhibition highlights volumes that have transformed our understanding of the natural world.


Materials range from a 1495 edition of the works of Aristotle to early editions of many of the most important and influential works of the Scientific Revolution. Also on display are seminal works from the European Enlightenment, milestones from the Industrial Revolution, and a rich collection of the leading scientific publications of 20th-century achievements in science.

Admission is free!
The George Peabody Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 - 5, Saturdays from 9 -3, and Sundays from 12 -5.

sponsorsThank You to our Palladium Sponsors


Academy of Model Aeronautics

American Mathematical Society

Biogen Idec

Children's National Medical Center

Draper Laboratory

Dassault Syst�mes Solidworks Corp. 

Destination DC

FEI Company

Genentech

National Girls Collaborative Project
SpaceX 

University of Massachusetts Lowell

  

Thank You to our Titanium Sponsors

Aerospace Corporation

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA)  

American Society of Agronomy

American Society of Civil Engineers

American Society for Microbiology

Atlas Experiment at the Large Hadron Collider 

Big Kid Science

Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute  

Consortium for Ocean Leadership

Crop Science Society of America

Data.Gov

Defense Threat Reduction Agency

DeVry University

The Engineering Place, North Carolina State University 

EurekAlert!  

George Mason University

Georgetown University

George Washington University

 George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) 

Georgia Institute of Technology 

Idaho State University

James Madison University

Johns Hopkins University

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Michigan Tech Mind Trekkers

National Museum of Health and Medicine

North Carolina State University

NumbersAlive!

Polytech Institute of NYU 

Rochester Institute of Technology 

 San Diego State University  

SMU Caruth Institute for Engineering Education

Society of American Military Engineers (SAME)

Soil Science Society of America

The Mars Society

The Pennsylvania State University  

Thirty Meter Telescope

United States Naval Academy
University of Florida 

University of Georgia

University of Rochester

Vanderbilt University

VCU School of Engineering

 

In-Kind Sponsors:

American Elements 

Wolfram

  

Visit us online at

http://www.usasciencefestival.org/ 

 

 

Science Spark is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization responsible for creating the USA Science & Engineering Festival and several regional Festivals including the San Diego Science & Engineering Festival, Bay Area Science & Engineering Festival, Boston Science & Engineering Festival, Los Angeles Science & Engineering Festival, Chicago Science & Engineering Festival, Houston Science & Engineering Festival, Miami Science & Engineering Festival and the Philadelphia Science & Engineering Festival.