Quote of the Quarter . . .
"Science and technology multiply around us. To an increasing
extent they dictate the languages in which we speak and think. Either we use those
languages, or we remain mute."
J. G. Ballard
J. G. Ballard (b. 1930), is an English novelist. This quote is from his
Introduction to the French edition of Crash. (1973)
By Sharon Lessard and Robin Kendall Where can I find a science program for my class-room? What do they do at SAIC? These are some of the questions you can find answers to in the new and improved Science Alliance Resource Catalog. This updated edition has been significantly revised and enhanced to provide a more comprehensive resource for teachers, students and others in our community. San Diego is home to a wealth of science and technology resources and the catalog is a bridge between the classroom and the science and business communities. Part 1 of the Resource Catalog describes programs and resources available to K–12 educators. Several new organizations and their resources have been added, and the programs are grouped into focus areas. Phone numbers and contact persons have been listed to assist teachers in finding out more. Part 2 describes the organizations that participate in SDSA. Now we can read about over 100 science organizations, what they make or do, how to contact them, and if they offer summer employment or internships. This section is intended to help career counselors as well as science teachers. We also hope to foster an increased visibility for San Diego science and technology organizations in the education community. A generous grant from the McCarthy Family Foundation funded the production of this catalog. TOPS Staffing Services' continuing financial donations to SDSA through their Technology Opportunities for Public Schools Program helped cover the printing costs. General Atomics in-house printing department generously agreed to print the catalogs at cost. Resource Catalog volunteers included Tracy Landauer and Roger Scott from WestEd, Robin Kendall from Sea World, Pat Flanagan from the San Diego Natural History Museum, and Patricia Winter from General Atomics. If you would like to receive a copy of the catalog, please contact Patricia Winter at pat.winter@gat.com, or FAX: 455-3379.
Editor's Note: Sharon Lessard was SDSA's Teacher Intern last summer and labored over every detail of the catalog. She contacted each and every organization listed in the old catalog. If you or your program needs to be added or edited, please contact Pat Winter. We hope to revise the catalog again in February 1997.
The San Diego Science Alliance has a new logo! It was designed by Chula Vista High School student, Claudia Aguilar, who was recognized for her work at the SDSA Community Event in September. At that event, Claudia stood next to her teacher, Kristen Arrivee, who thanked SDSA for providing students with such a exciting opportunity. The new SDSA Logo was unveiled by its designer Claudia and her teacher, Kristen Arrivee.
The Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center proved to be the perfect setting for SDSA's sixth community-wide event. Over 160 attended, making this the largest event SDSA has hosted. Of this total 44 individuals were from business, 41 were teachers, 21 from higher education, 17 from informal education, 16 school administrators, 5 from professional societies, 4 from research institutions and 10 additional such as our honored students and their families. Prior to the program, guests enjoyed the Fleet's hands-on science exhibits and delicious hors d'oeuvres provided by the Cubic Corporation and M & M Catering. This networking time is a valuable part of the SDSA mission. Guests were then seated in the Space Theater where Event Chair Denise Pateros from Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute began the program. Dr. Jeffrey Kirsch, Executive Director of the Fleet Center and Ed Salkeld, Vice-President, Engineering, Cubic Defense Systems, welcomed everyone. Guest speakers, Ivan Golakoff from the San Diego Water Authority and Zachery Likins of Environmental Management Associates spoke about science programs available through SDSA partnerships. The fast paced program continued with the unveiling of the new logo and the special acknowledgment of the students who submitted the final designs. Gwen Rosenberg, Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp., presented awards to the student winners. More students were honored by Marky Pitts, UCSD Animal Research, for Science and Engineering Fair honors. The third edition of the Resource Catalog was introduced by Robin Kendall from Sea World and distributed to all the attendees. We were honored to have Rachel McCarthy Bender in the audience and thanked her for her family's grant which funded the production of the catalog. Patricia Winter, General Atomics, announced the new SDSA Honorary Advisory Board (see article below).
George Seymour, NRaD, with the assistance of the Fleet Center Technical staff, provided
an exciting live demonstration of the SDSA web pages.
The amount of information on these pages is incredible and seeing it on the IMAX's dome
screen was impressive. Later, many guests stayed for a private showing of "Special
Effects," the current film at the Space Theater. Thanks to Lynne Kennedy, Michaeleen
Farrington, Carl Berg and the entire Fleet staff for making us feel so welcome. "Each
year this event gets bigger and better," said Denise Pateros. "Based on the
positive comments I receive, I know these events are a wonderful way to get the work of
the San Diego Science Alliance known to the community.
Reception refreshments were provided by Cubic Corp. Science Fair Award Winners were Bryan
Johnson, Point Loma High and Robin Parlette, Oak Grove Middle School. Denise is becoming
an expert on this subject. She has served as co-chair of the last three community wide
events. All of us want to thank Denise Pateros, Barbara Abelin (Cubic Corp.), General
Atomics Sciences Education Foundation, Hughes Network Systems, UCSD Animal Subjects
Foundation and everyone who helped to make this event a huge success.
Purpose: To recognize outstanding efforts in improving science education in San Diego County. The deadline for our second annual Partner of the Year Award is drawing close. Please note the nomination form included in the paper copy of the newsletter. The form is also available at our web site. There will be one award in each of these four categories: Teacher, Administrator, Volunteer, and Company. The critical element used in judging will be the use of partnerships involving member organizations of the San Diego Science Alliance. Deadline for nominations is February 1, 1997. Tom Dillon, SAIC, chairs the Awards Committee of SDSA. Awards will be given at the San Diego Science Alliance Awards Breakfast on March 14, 1997. Dr. Rudy Castruita, San Diego County Superintendent of Schools, has been invited to welcome us. The Awards Breakfast will help kick off the San Diego Science Educators Conference, March 14 and 15, 1997 at the Community Concourse. Invitations to the SDSA Breakfast will be mailed to principals, superintendents, and business members in February. To register for the San Diego Science Educators Conference, contact SDSEA at 491-2368.
We are proud to announce the following San Diego leaders who have agreed to serve on the San Diego Science Alliance Charter Honorary Advisory Board:
The SDSA homepage continues to grow and change. Over the summer the Calendar was updated and many more links were created. An on-line version of the SDSA Newsletter was added. K–12 teachers will love the new "Science Daily" (a digital periodical) as well as the "Invention Dimension" digital link. We also added an Encyclopedia Page. We hope to list all major K–12 science or mathematics events in San Diego County. If you have any you wish to be listed, send them to us via e-mail. Please include: (a) official name of the event, (b) whom it is for, (c) the actual dates and times, (d) fees, if any, and (e) a point of contact (e-mail or phone or both). Any URL links would be useful. SDSA thanks Tim Towler from San Diego High School for suggesting that his student, Jessica Ruble-English, support the SDSA. Her interest in math led her to create a Mathematics section for our homepage called SDSA Math Resources. Jessica did a great job, is an inspiration to us all, and also was recognized at the September 24th Community-wide event.
The SDSA homepage is intended for the use of teachers, students, and parents looking for science, mathematics, and technology information. We encourage you to send us inputs for the homepage, and to visit the homepage often. SDSA is also looking for a company or Internet specialist to assist in publishing the Resource Catalog on the Internet at http://www.sdsa.org/. Please contact the SDSA webmaster. According to data collected by the University of Minnesota, as of June 1996, there were 471 California schools on the Internet (203 elementary and 268 secondary). Nationwide 3,737 schools were on the Internet. The growth of K–12 schools using this technology is phenomenal. We are experiencing one of the greatest changes in education in the last 50 years, and the SDSA encourages your active participation.
We would like to be able to print more Resource Catalogs in 1997. Please send your contribution to the San Diego Science Alliance for this or for our other K–12 science and technology programs. Checks should be made payable to SDSU Foundation with a note in the lower left corner "for San Diego Science Alliance." Mail donations to SDSU Foundation, 5250 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-1934. San Diego is a generous community. Thank you. Note: The SDSU Foundation acts as the fiscal agent for the Science Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our principal investigator is Dr. Paul Paolini, Associate Dean, SDSU College of Sciences.
SDSEA Conference: SDSA Members Invited to Make Presentations. Are you a member of the San
Diego Science Alliance with information to share with San Diego science teachers? If
so, please contact Patricia Winter at pat.winter@gat.com
or 455-3335 immediately! The San Diego Science Educators Association welcomes SDSA members
to make presentations at their March 14 and 15 conference. While the deadline for
proposals was November 22, late arriving applications may be accepted if space is
available.
Newsletter Staff: Barbara Abelin, Cubic Corporation; Robin Kendall, Sea World; George Seymour, NCCOSC: NRaD; Janet Trentacosta, San Diego City Schools (retired); and Patricia Winter, General Atomics. Newsletter printing provided by Stratagene Cloning Systems (Judi Heitz). Newsletter mailing provided by Nokia Mobile Phones (John Noneman).
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