NOVEMBER 2018 NEWSLETTER
APPLIED MATH, SCIENCE, AND ENGINEERING (AMSE) INSTITUTE
Preparing the next generation of Christian STEM innovators
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AMSE PARENTS AND STUDENTS,
The school year is well underway and I have enjoyed watching our students explore their interests and passions in the
various STEM fields. I continue to be impressed with the level of maturity, technical ability, and enthusiasm our students exhibit while participating in our clubs and programs.
Recently, we launched a student survey to gauge the level of communication, interest, and expectations for the year. The results revealed very positive feedback. Students reported their top three reasons for participation in AMSE programs included a deep interest in the subject matter (90%), the opportunity to improve their college resume (71%), and the chance to form and strengthen friendships (50%). From their responses, we learned that nearly 86% of students look forward to a hands-on experience and 67% expect that involvement in AMSE programs will help their overall academic performance.
Our staff is committed to exceeding student expectations and experiences this year through meaningful, collaborative, and challenging programs that inspire our students to become the next generation of Christian STEM innovators.
In His Service,
Danny Kim
Vice President & Senior Director
K-12 Applied Math, Science, & Engineering (AMSE) Institute
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NEW MODEL FOR AMSE INVOLVEMENT
COMING IN THE 2019/20 SCHOOL YEAR
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The Applied Math, Science, and Engineering (AMSE) Institute is excited to announce that we will be launching a new three-tiered model of involvement and distinction in the 2019-20 school year.
Starting with the graduating class of 2023, AMSE will offer its students a three-tiered program, replacing the current major/minor model. This change will allow AMSE to create more distinct pathways for recognizing the top high achieving students in their respective fields, while also broadening the scope of student involvement.
Current AMSE Institute majors and minors will have the option to continue in the current structure through graduation or transition to the new model in 2019-20. More details will be announced in January 2019.
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PATHWAY TO THE ISS PROGRAM
Due to growing demand for this prominent program, the AMSE Institute will be unveiling a new pathway designed to prepare and pre-qualify interested freshman and sophomore students for involvement in the ISS Program for the upcoming 2019-20 school year.
This pathway will include participation in a new series of faculty led workshops that will be offered after school, as well as awarding credit for participation in existing junior high and high school courses and programs. Workshops will begin in January 2019, with detailed information and registration opportunities available this December.
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ATTENTION GAMERS!
INTRODUCING THIS MONTH'S SPEAKER
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Sherol Chen, Ph.D.
Game Designer, AI Researcher, Educator, Musician
"Intellectual Faith and Artificial Intelligence
in Gaming and Music Creation"
Friday | November 30 | 3:15 - 4:15 pm | Conservatory Hall
Please Be On Time - No Late Admittance
Sherol Chen advocates for Machine Learning for Google Cloud and works in Research at Google Brain for Machine Learning in Music and Creativity. She has taught Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Stanford and around the world in six different countries. Her Ph.D. work is in Computer Science, researching storytelling and AI at the Expressive Intelligence Studio.
Sherol uses AI in expanding the possibilities of storytelling in video game creation. As part of the gaming community, she works on video journalism projects and has authored game and culture books. As an educator, she has taught game design, robotics, programming and AI from middle school to the collegiate level. She is also the founder of the
Passion Talks
– a conference that integrates faith and passion with vocation to foster humble dialogue to work together for a better world.
All VCS families are welcome and encouraged to attend.
AMSE Majors & Minors:
Please remember to bring your school-issued student ID Card for scanning.
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ISS STUDENTS DEPART FOR ASGSR
Nineteen VCHS students will be attending this year’s
American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) Conference
this weekend in Bethesda, Maryland. Along with students from around the world, VCHS students will be presenting posters of their ISS experiment ideas to an elite group of judges. Recognition for the best presentations and experiment ideas will be given at an awards banquet later that evening. Students will attend technology seminars and interface with ISS personnel and visit the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland before returning home.
ISS Program Director, Dan Saldana will deliver a presentation about the
Quest for Space
program at the conference.
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ROCKETRY STUDENTS
PREPARE FOR LAUNCH
Students from the high school Rocketry Program are preparing for their next launch on Saturday, November 17 in Helm, California. They will bring five custom rockets designed to reach 1,500 feet and compete against teams from all over California. The team that comes closest to that mark without exceeding it will win the competition. This all day event is sponsored by Tripoli of Central California.
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CLUB & STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS
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AMSE proudly endorses the
Makers Club
, a group that allows students to make their own technical DIY projects. Recently, they made a 3D hologram projector that could project YouTube videos from a phone. Their second project included an electronics component as members made conductive paint circuits. Students made their own paint and worked with resistors, LED's, and multimeters. These first semester’ “mini projects” will help Makers Club members understand aspects of technology for Makers Faire next year!
The Makers Club’s ultimate goal is to inspire making in each student and give them a space to turn their ideas into reality.
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WHAT OUR STUDENT'S ARE SAYING...
"AMSE has opened so many doors for me. I've always had an interest in science, and this program has given me so much exposure. I have also made many new friends through my involvement in AMSE Clubs."
Pauline Le
, Class of 2021, St. Jude Cancer Club
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FREE AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE CLASS
The
National Association for Amateur Radio
(AARL) program is offering free classes to students and fparents interested in obtaining an amateur radio license. Classes will be held locally at Hillside Church and will teach students the major elements of amateur radio and prepare them for the official FCC licensing exam. All radio classes are open to the public.
Students who successfully complete the class will receive credit towards their AMSE Major or Minor requirements.
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Class Details
Thursdays | February 28 - April 11, 2019
7 Weeks | 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Cost: Free
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BASEBALL ANALYTICS
AN AMSE/ATHLETICS COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITY
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Two students are needed to collect data during home baseball games in the upcoming spring season. This volunteer opportunity is perfect for AMSE students interested in sports analytics and data analysis.
Student volunteers will learn to operate the
FlightScope
data system utilized by Valley Christian's varsity team. The FightScope system, when combined with the Rapsodo pitching and hitting radar guns used at practices, distinguishes Valley Christian as the only high school on the west coast with these advanced data collection tools.
This is a great chance to be a part of one of the premiere athletic program at VCHS. Last year's varsity team was ranked #1 in the nation!
Student volunteers will earn credit towards their AMSE Major or Minor requirements.
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AMSE/BEI Club Officers Meeting
11/2/18 | Lunch time | Room 215
ASGSR
11/2-4/18 | All Day | Bethesda, MD
Math Team Competition
11/10/18 | All Day | VCS
Rocketry Launch
11/17/18 | All Day | Helm, CA
HS Robotics Team Competition
11/18/18 | All Day | Burlingame High School
Math Team Photo
11/29/18 | Lunch time | Amphitheater
Quest for Excellence Speaker Series - Sherol Chen, Ph.D.
11/30/18 | 3:15 – 4:15 | Conservatory Hall
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See what's happening on our social sites:
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If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:8-10
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