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PUTTING THE MAGIC BACK
INTO SCIENCE!

In This Issue:
Improving Science Education in America
Using A Study Diary
Coach of the Month: Michael Robin
Quick Links

 

Academic Success Partner of the Month

We're proud to once again introduce our readers to a Success Partner doing tremendous work in the field of College Counseling, Karin Goldberg and her company Right Fit College Decision. After a long and successful career in technology sales, Karen decided upon a new and exciting second career: college admissions counseling.  Having endured the stress of her own children's college admissions experience, Karen felt there had to be a more structured, less emotional approach to the admittance process. Karen's approach is unique in that she takes a longer view than the average college counselor, by starting with the questions, "Where do you see yourself after college? What type of career are you considering?" These questions require a focus on what a college education provides-a solid foundation for the future. 

Karen works closely with students, parents, financial aid counselors, and teachers to develop an individualized strategy for each client that will produce a list of schools that provide the Right Fit.

This Fit includes academic, social, and financial components. 

Karen has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY and an Independent Educational Consultant Certificate from UCLA.  She regularly attends workshops and college admissions conferences to keep abreast of changes in the field. She is also a

member of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA)  and the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC).

For more info on Karen and RightFit, visit the website

 or call 310.994.1631.

Looking for a Student Community Service Opportunity?

  
Meet Rickey Smith, social entrepreneur and owner of the sustainable food business Urban Green. He's started a community education venture called the Urban Green Kids Row program, creating opportunities for kids from diverse backgrounds to participate in many activities related to food sustainability, from planting seeds  to learning about how organic food is grown and harvested. For more info on a terrific community service and volunteering opportunity for kids, email Rickey, visit the website at www.urbangreenla.com

or call (800) 200 3320. 

Check out Our  YouTube Video!

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two-minute video we recently produced to give you a feel for who we are, our philosophy and the way we approach our work
How Academic Success Can Support You
At Academic Success we take great pride in finding the right coach to support the unique needs of each student we help.  Please check out the areas where we work on our  web site and let us know how we can support you.

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Looking for a College Counselor or Ed Therapist?
We work and partner with excellent Educational Therapists and College Counselors throughout the L.A. area.  Give us a call and we can recommend the right fit for your child.

310-823-4398
Have Your Children Been Introduced To The Joys Of Science
 
Late last month an astonishing article appeared in the Huffington Post about a budding high school student's science fair project that showed his school could save $21,000 annually by changing the font in its school newspaper! His research was picked up by a major science journal for young scientists and has since been passed on to the federal government.
We also recently became aware of a fantastic book titled Fifty Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Children Do, written by the creator of the leading science website for kids, Tinkering School. Both the book and website make the case that it's never too early for our kids to become actively involved in science, through the joys of experimentation, exploration and trial and error.
With so much discussion about where our country ranks in Math and Science educational achievement, we'll present some inspirational ideas and stories geared to kickstarting your kids' enthusiasm for Science- and the younger the better!

At Academic Success, we know that arousing a child's curiosity and passion for a subject is just as important as implementing the best teaching methods. 
 
Please call with any questions at (310) 823 4398 or

 

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All the best,

 

The Academic Success Team

 

"Men and women love to wonder, and that is the seed of science."

                                              - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Education News 

Improving Science Education in America

 

Recently, the cutting-edge online magazine Slate asked its readers for ideas to get kids involved in Science at an early age. The result was overwhelming, with some brilliant feedback that will hopefully find its way to those making the decisions on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) education in our country. 

 

Making Science Fun For Our Kids

 

In a recent NPR poll, nearly a quarter of parents believe that their child's school doesn't put a high enough priority on science. Amidst a growing awareness that our students need to be able to compete with a high-tech, global workforce, this NPR report on science education couldn't be more timely. 

 

Local Innovation Sparking Interest in Science

 

Just as advancement in all scientific endeavor requires creativity and innovation, improvement in scientific education also occurs on the back of creative ideas and ingenuity. This inspiring story details the success of a Louisiana high school in bringing kids into the Science fold, through the creation of a truly unique Science Awareness Day. 

 
High School Scientists Reaching The Stars

   

How often can a high school student say they are collaborating with NASA? That was the case this month for nine Tarrant high schoolers who will soon see their school project launched into space. This article should serve as inspiration for any student hungry to move out of the textbook and into the laboratory. 

 

Whetting Kids' App-etite For Science
 
While parents are trying desperately to get their kids off their phones and tablets, these 10 Science Apps should awaken even the most unenthusiastic imagination. Exploring all things scientific from chemistry to astronomy to physics, these digital explorations might be the spark that begins a new passion for your child.

Study Tips 

Be Systematic 
in Your Approach By Using A Study Diary

Most, if not all, scientific discoveries emerge from a refined process and systematic approach that requires a daily account of the work being done. For this reason, many great scientists and mathematicians including Albert Einstein, Leonardo Da Vinci and Nikola Tesla kept a notebook, documenting and tracking their progress on a daily basis. 
Students can also markedly improve their work flow and output by keeping their own Study Diary. It is remarkable how much time and energy is wasted by having to re-familiarize ourselves with our work on a given subject. Using a Study Diary, students can be specific in where they left off during their last study session. They can also write down reminders about problems that need solving, required research or new ideas that they didn't have time to explore previously. 
Finding the notebook that suits a particular student's style and sensibility can be a fun outing enjoyed with both friends and parents. 
When it comes to achieving consistent success, duplicating the workflow of the masters is never a bad idea. After all, if they took the time to keep a diary, why shouldn't you?

Coach Profile 

 
Meet  
Michael Robin,
  Coach Profile of The Month  

 

M Robin
This month we revisit with one of the senior members of our coaching team, Michael Robin. Michael has a proven track record as a tutor for Academic Success, helping his students gain entry into some of the top high schools and colleges in Los Angeles and around the nation, including Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Stanford. Michael himself is a graduate of Harvard University where he majored in English and Playwriting. He began his tutoring career in his home town of New York, often raising his students' SAT scores by over 400 points. Michael went on to be an accredited teacher through the prestigious Teach For America, a national teacher placement organization focused on closing achievement gaps throughout the United States which resulted in a position teaching 11th grade English and Dramatic Arts at the largest public school in New Haven, Wilbur Cross. While there, Michael demonstrated his abilities in the creative arts by directing the school's springtime play.  

One too many winters saw Michael finally make the move to Los Angeles and a spot on our coaching team. When not tutoring students, Michael can be found working on his latest TV script and other writing projects. Michael was also recently selected for the Schusterman Family Foundation's InsideOut fellowship, which will send him to Israel during the month of July to teach English in Migdal HaEmek, a low-income community. 

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We consider it a privilege and an honor to support students and their families throughout the Los Angeles area.  Please call us at any time; we welcome your thoughts and input.  We are available at 310-823-4398.

Sincerely,
 
Jamie Altshule
Academic Success, Inc.