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NCS HOSTS M&S WORKSHOP FOR TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS
On 8 September 2011, NCS hosted a “ground-breaking” workshop for thirty science and mathematics teachers from Orange and Seminole Counties. The workshop was the product of the NCS Education and Workforce Development Committee, chaired by Hank Okraski, and was carefully planned for the past several months. It required support from the school district administrators, industry, academia and government. (The workshop agenda and power point presentations are attached.)
The objectives of the workshop were as follows:
• To introduce M&S/STEM to Central Florida’s Teachers and Educators
• To identify the skill sets required by the M&S industry–present and future. (EA Sports, Lockheed
Martin, Northrop Grumman and SAIC)
• To become familiar with regional secondary and post-secondary school programs in M&S
• To construct a model M&S curricula
Tom Baptiste LtGen USAF (Ret), NCS President and Executive Director, welcomed the group of 65 attendees with a picture of the rapid growth of the M&S cluster in Florida, the number of M&S jobs in Florida and the urgent need to fill the academic pipeline and grow the workfoce of the future. The M&S economic engine in Central Florida has expanded from a pure defense customer to an array of potential applications (medical, education, entertainment, homeland security, transportation, digital media, gaming, etc.) Presentations, of interest to the teachers, were given by industry experts from EA Sports, Lockheed Martin, SAIC and Northrop Grumman. Presenters briefed the teachers on industry products and, very appropriately, explained how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) coursework is a vital ingredient to securing jobs in the M&S industry.
Both the secondary and post-secondary school educators provided insightful comments and descriptions of their programs. Secondary school representatives briefing the group were from Crooms AOIT, Lyman and Timber Creek High Schools. The presentations demonstrated the ability of high school students to undertake complex simulations and visualizations. Attendees also received a brief on the Timber Creek Lead-the-Way Project. Post-secondary schools on the agenda were Daytona State College, Seminole State College, University of Central Florida and Valencia College. Briefers talked about student capabilities, attitudes, etc., along with academic program descriptions.
Attending teachers became aware of the career opportunities for students in the M&S industry–right in their own “back yard”. They are now armed with new and exciting awareness and knowledge, and they can draw upon what they experienced in the workshop when giving examples of applications of mathematics and science in their classes.
Duane Hume from the Florida Department of Education attended the workshop to provide guidance on course structure and recent developments in standards and frameworks and Dr. Jeff Bindell was available to describe the FHTCC techPATH program, that provides opportunities for teachers and students to become familiar with M&S, physics and robotics.
The workshop was “capped” with break-out group sessions led by Pat Breeding, Orange County, and Colleen Brown, Seminole County. The groups brainstormed and presented ideas as to what a formal high school course in M&S should include in the form of courseware elements. The results of those sessions will be posted on the NCS website in the near future. Other surrounding counties Have requested similar workshops.
MODELING AND SIMULATION WORKSHOP AGENDA
September 8, 2011 Radisson University Hotel Orlando
7:45 -8:30 a.m. Networking Continental Breakfast
8:30-8:40 Welcome: Tom Baptiste, Lt Gen, USAF (Ret), President/ Executive Director, NCS
8:40-8:50 Workshop Objectives: Mr. Hank Okraski, SES (Ret), President/CEO, Henry C.
Okraski and Associates and Chairman NCS Education and Workforce
Development Committee
8:50-9:10 Introductory Comments: Ms. Janet Addair, Orange County Public Schools
Mr. Kevin Gouvia, Seminole County Public Schools,
9:10-9:25 Mr. Duane Hume, Supervisor, IT/STEM Education, Florida Department of
Education
Industry Briefings: Mr. Perry Dunn, Simulation Consultant
9:25-9:50 Dr. Mark Riecken, Chief Engineer, SAIC
9:50-10:15 Mr. Mike Kalaf, Senior Manager, Business Development, Lockheed Martin
10:15-10:30 BREAK
10:30-10:55 Mr. Jim Lipscomb, Project Manager, Northrop Grumman
10:55-11:20 Mr. Eric Byron, Development Director, Electronic Arts Sports
11:20-11:45 Dr. Jeff Bindell, Program Manager/Professor, FHTCC/techPATH Program
11:45-12:30 LUNCH (sponsored by NCS and Metro Orlando EDC)
Post Secondary School Briefings: Dr. Jeff Bindell
12:30-1:30 p.m. Dr. Randy Shumaker, Executive Director, UCF/IST
Dr. Ron Eaglin, Associate VP, College of Technology, Daytona State College
Mr. Lenny Portelli, Associate Dean, IT & Automotive, Seminole State College
Dr. Colin Archibald, Professor, Computer Programming & Analysis, Valencia
College
1:30-1:45 BREAK
High School M&S Programs: Mr. Clayton Donnan, Teacher, Crooms Academy
1:45-2:45 Lyman High School Lyn Higgins
Timber Creek High School Lanny Wood and Phil Tillery
Crooms Academy Clayton Donnan
2:45-4:15 4 x Breakout Sessions: Ms. Pat Breeding, Orange County Public Schools
Ms. Colleen Brown, Seminole County Public Schools
4:15-5:00 Report Out/Wrap-up
