Quote of the Month . . .
"As for the future, your task is not to foresee it, but to
enable it."
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
"Antoine de Saint-Exupery was a pioneer of civil aviation in Africa and South America who wrote autobiographical novels about the early years of flying. Flying symbolized for him comradeship and the attempt to surpass human limitations. He also wrote the much-loved children's story, The Little Prince."
On Friday, March 8th, the San Diego Science Alliance (SDSA) and the San Diego Science Educators (SDSEA) hosted a breakfast and awards ceremony at the 12th annual San Diego Science Educator's Conference. The 150 guests included 40 principals and vice-principals along with representatives from more than 50 businesses.
Tom Dillon (SAIC) presented SDSA Partnership Awards to the following individuals and companies:
Each award winner received a plaque and check for $100. In addition to the SDSA Partnership Awards, SDSEA also honored Melanie and Robert Dean (UCSD PTEST), Pat Winter (General Atomics) and the San Diego Science Alliance for continuous work in science education. A special thanks to this event's chair, Ellie Glaser (QUALCOMM Incorporated) for her countless hours planning this event. SDSA and SDSEA hope to partner again next year to make this breakfast an annual event at the SDSEA conference. Plan to join us next March.
Nominations for the 1997 SDSA Partner of the Year Awards will be available in September. The deadline for submissions will be February 1, 1997. Awards will be accepted in four categories: teacher, administrator, individual volunteer, and company. Up to two awards will be given in each category. Awards will be given for conspicuous and effective efforts to partner organizations and schools resulting in a contribution to science education in San Diego County.>
SDSA network of scientists gave science teachers a look into the working world of
science at the San Diego Science Educator's Conference (SDSEA) on March 8 and 9. SDSA
members contributed over 20 workshops.
This year's SDSEA conference was planned on a San Diego City Schools Staff
Development Day and was well attended. Over 2,500 teachers from Southern California
attended. Dr. Bobbie Hansen (University of San Diego) and Christine LeMond (Hughes
Network Systems) made two presentations on "How the San Diego Science Alliance
Can Work for You." Bobbie and Christine also staffed a SDSA table at the conference
and distributed copies of the directory and other materials. The Conference Committee
included Ellie Glaser (QUALCOMM), Julia Ballance (TRW-Avionics), Christine
Grupp (Save Our Trees), Robin Kendall (Sea World), Denise Pateros (Rensalear
Polytechnical Institute), and Pat Winter (General Atomics).
The following members presented workshops:
Annette Dietz (Dietz Communications), Linda Hyman & Jodi Reed (Pacific
Bell, Education First), Jim Menders (ThermoTrex), Richard J. Trauger (Immune
Response), Jerry Caulder (Mycogen) Larry Wolf, Wendy Woolf and the
"Recombinant DNA Team" (General Atomics), Dr. Ian Trowbridge (Salk
Institute), Lorraine Bauman (Blue Sky Ecological Reserve), Frederic Bien (Bien
Logic), Dr. Frederick Bushman (Salk Institute), Shawn Carlson (Society for
Amateur Scientists), Georgana Hancock (San Diego Computer Society), Barbara
Armstrong (AWIS), "Eavesdropping Team" (Salk Institute), Richard
Schleicher (San Diego Model Railroad Museum), Deborah Bendinelli (Talk About
Trees), Dr. Arden Bercovitz (Einstein Alive!), John Fedors (Science
Consultant), Claude Edwards and J. Koltz (Pacific Southwest Biological Services),
and Zak Likins (Environmental Management Associates).
SDSA members presented a broad spectrum of workshops on sea life, endangered animals,
InterNet access, chemistry, archaeology, botany, DNA technology, weather, insects, fusion
energy, biology, physiology, astronomy, pollution, and more. Most workshops were geared
towards making the science educator's job infinitely easier. SDSA thanks its members for
their generous gift of time and talent. Next years science educators conference will be on
March 14 and 15. Workshop applications will be available in December. Contact Pat Winter
at 455-3335 if you would like to be one of the SDSA presenters. Or call 491-2368 for more
information about the San Diego Science Educators Association.
San Diego Science Alliance presented its first Science Fair Awards to two San Diego county students at the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair on April 11th at Balboa Park:
Each of these projects exemplified SDSA's criteria for excellence -- creativity, originality, the student's demonstrated understanding of the project, and their use of the scientific method. Bryan and Robin will be special guests of the San Diego Science Alliance at our September 24th reception at the Reuben H. Fleet Space Museum. Judges who contributed their time and expertise on behalf of SDSA were Dr. Todd Talashek (NutraSweet-Kelco), Dr. Elliott Friedman (UCSD), and Lawrence Woolf (General Atomics). Marky Pitts (UCSD) coordinated SDSA's Science Fair Awards. A special thanks to each of you.
On May 30 the tenth annual Inventors Showcase was held at the Scottish Rite Center in
Mission Valley. Approximately 400 students in grades K-12 from San Diego county schools
participated. This event was sponsored by the San Diego Science Alliance, The San Diego
Science Educators Association, and the law firm of Knobbe, Martens, Olson &
Bear (a patent law firm). Local businesses including Teledyne Ryan, General
Atomics, Stratagene Cloning Systems, and Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp. also
made significant contributions. The 1996 Inventors Showcase Organizing Committee included
volunteer teachers and SDSA representatives.
The goal of Inventors Showcase is to encourage and develop scientific thinking skills in
students through the creation of a simple invention (an original object or system) or
innovation (an improvement of an existing invention). All participants received a
certificate of appreciation and a T-shirt. Medallions and savings bonds were awarded to
the most outstanding projects at each grade level and for inventions in special
categories. Volunteers and business partners are needed for the 1997 Inventors Showcase.
Contact Pat Winter at General Atomics (455-3335) or Gwen Rosenberg at Alliance
Pharmaceutical (558-4375) if you'd like to assist with the next event.
The San Diego Science Alliance is holding a logo design contest for high school students throughout the county. SDSA hopes to inspire students to use their creativity and to become aware of the interconnection between the arts and sciences. The logo designs will be judged for their symbolic representation of SDSA's mission and their artistry. Awards will be given for first, second and third place entries. Dozens of impressive designs have been submitted. The students with the winning logos will be awarded at their schools in early June, and they will be introduced at our community event in September. We would like to extend a special thanks to all the students who participated in the contest, and to the teachers who provided guidance and encouragement toward the development of the logos. Questions about the contest should be addressed to Patricia Winter at General Atomics Education Foundation (455-3335) or Gwen Rosenberg at Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp. (558-4375).
30 schools and over 400 students competed in 15 challenging events. Picture a team of three students using mirrors to direct a light beam to its target! Picture students designing and constructing a catapult to shoot a bean bag the farthest distance. Picture students matching different bones and organ systems with a replica of the human body.
These are just three of the fifteen events that took place on March 28, at the countywide Science Field Day for elementary school students. Teams from 30 San Diego County elementary schools took part, each with 14 student members. "The day was a wonderful success," says Nancy Taylor, event co-organizer. "Each event teaches important science concepts and application. We want to dispel the myth that science is boring. Events like this help students become enthusiastic about science." Students who were between events were treated to assemblies from Einstein Alive!, Science Adventures, Learning Safari and a rocket launch. Additionally, many local businesses, museums and community agencies sponsored individual events by providing prizes to the five top-scoring two or three person teams. The students were elated to receive recognition and prizes for their intensive work.
The steering committee of the Elementary Science Field Day extends its thanks to the following event sponsors: GDE Systems, San Diego Natural History Museum, Strategene, Pacific Southwest Biological Services, Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater and Museum, Scholastic Books Inc., Sea World, San Diego County Water Authority, NurtaSweet-Kelco, San Diego Zoo, Museum of Man, the Stephen Birch Aquarium Museum, and the San Diego Science Alliance. For information about next years event, contact Nancy Taylor at the San Diego County Office of Education.
An environmental education workshop for teachers is planned for Sat. Oct. 19, 1996 and Sat. April 26, 1997. For more information about the program and presentations, contact Pat Winter at 455-3335. Zak Likins (Environmental Management Associates) is helping to plan this program.
Dr. George Edw. Seymour, SDSA Board Member, SDSA "Webmaster," and Research Scientist in the Human Factors Engineering Section of the NRaD division of the Naval Command Control and Ocean Surveillance Center is continually striving to improve our site. Why? Because the InterNet represents the latest advance in communication technology. This advance is neither orderly nor well understood but the explosive growth to the InterNet has no parallel in human experience. Unlike earlier forms of communication (one person to one person,) or radio and television communication (one source to many receivers), the InterNet can provide unrivaled advances in communication -- from many to many, as well as information on demand.
Geography and time no longer serve as barriers to full communication. Individuals and groups can both share information and receive it, electronically. The World Wide Web servers are rich with information about everything from astronomy to zoology. Scientists, teachers and students can share information freely. That is why SDSA is on the InterNet. We serve as a technology change agent for the teachers of San Diego's K-12 students who will one day face challenges that most of us cannot imagine. SDSA can provide a link thorough our networking of local business, educators and scientists. The SDSA homepage lists resources for science educators and links to other sites. Our Resource Catalog, Newsletter, and Calendar of Events is available. We hope to expand the homepage and include more information as requested. If you have comments or suggestions please let us know. If your SDSA member organization has a homepage and you want to be linked to the SDSA homepage, please contact George Seymour (seymour@nosc.mil) or Pat Winter (pat.winter@gat.com).
Soon, our internet address will be shortened to: http://www.sdsa.org/
SDSA extends a special thanks to our internet provider CERFnet, the home of the SDSA homepage. This service would not be possible without CERFnet's continuing support for science and technology education.
SDSA supported the KPBS Seek Out Science Program this year with its science educators and member scientists. Walt Desmond (Lincoln High), Pat Winter (General Atomics), and Robin Kendall (Sea World) served as advisors to an energetic group of volunteers lead by Monica Medina (KPBS). SDSA members scientists were invited to visit classrooms and talk about their careers. This season's radio program "Oceans of Life" provided teachers with an informational kit. A reception honoring the teachers and scientists involved was held at the Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute. The Institute Senior Vice-President, Don Kent, described the variety of research projects Hubbs is involved in. Both Sea World Education Department and KPBS Outreach co-hosted this reception.
The next SDSA Community Event will be held at the Reuben H. Fleet Space Center in September. Why not plan to join us on Tuesday, September 24, 1996, at the Reuben H. Fleet Museum in Balboa Park for an early evening of networking and celebration. Denise Pateros (Rensalear Polytechnical Institute), Julia Ballance (TRW-Avionics) and Barbara Abelin (Cubic Corporation) are the event co-chairpersons. Reuben H. Fleet Space and Science Center and Cubic Corporation will co-host this event. Invitations will be sent in early September. See the SDSA Calendar for more details.
SDSA Newsletter Volunteers: Editor: Janet Trentacosta (San Diego City Schools) Contributors: Ellie Glaser (QUALCOMM), Robin Kendall (Sea World) Christine LeMond (Hughes Network Systems), Marky Pitts (UCSD), Gwen Rosenberg (Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp), George Edw. Seymour, (NRaD), Nancy Taylor (SDCOE), Pat Winter (General Atomics). SDSA thanks General Atomics for printing, and Nokia Mobile Phones for mailing, this newsletter.
Copyright © 1996-1998, San Diego
Science Alliance , All Rights Reserved
10/05/98 ern