DECEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER
APPLIED MATH, SCIENCE, AND ENGINEERING (AMSE) INSTITUTE
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Preparing the next generation of Christian STEM innovators
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It is hard to believe that 2019 is almost over and a new decade will soon begin.
As the AMSE Institute continues to launch new programs and initiatives, our final newsletter of 2019 is filled with opportunities and stories of student achievement.
One such opportunity includes a unique summer program for VCS students
at Biosphere 2 in Arizona. I recently traveled there with university and industry leaders and we were so impressed with their facilities, research, and scientists. As a result, the Quest Institute is offering a Summer STEAM Intensive at Biosphere 2 for VCS students to work alongside top scientists and other students from around the world. What an amazing place to learn over summer break.
My heart is full of gratitude for the growing interest in VCS STEM programs and the achievements of our students. Our program managers and mentors, teaching faculty, and staff are committed to providing an enriching experience for our students. During the upcoming break, may you experience a time of rest and relaxation, and focus on God's peace, love, and joy this Christmas.
In His Service,
Danny Kim
Vice President & Director
K-12 Applied Math, Science, & Engineering (AMSE) Institute
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SEMESTER TWO PROGRAMS
APPLICATION OPEN
The application for the second semester of the following AMSE programs is now open. All interested students are encouraged to apply by the January 10, 2020 deadline.
HIGH SCHOOL
Agri-Tech
Health & Wellness (New!)
ISS Space Program
JUNIOR HIGH
Ocean Discovery
RoboQuest
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REGISTER NOW
QUEST INSTITUTE SUMMER STEAM INTENSIVE
BIOSPHERE 2
July 16 - 26, 2020
Valley Christian students have the exclusive opportunity to collaborate with students from around the world at the Quest Institute's Summer STEAM Intensive at
Biosphere 2. This facility, located near Tucson, Arizona, is dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues.
Students will attend workshops and lectures lead by mentors, researchers, and astronauts, as well as participate in hands-on research and competitions.
Areas for research and discovery include:
International Space Station
Ocean Engineering
Robotics
XPRIZE
Attendance at the Summer STEAM Intensive will fulfill the AMSE Honors Research Project requirement.
- Space is limited - available for the first 50 VCS students
- For students entering 8th - 12th grades in the 2020/21 school year
- Total Cost: $5,000 for early-bird registration through January 31, 2020 - price increases after this date
- Register now with a $500 deposit (non-refundable, via Payfees)
- Payment balance of $4,500 due in full by June 1, 2020 (via Payfees)
- Ground transportation, lodging, and meals included (airfare not included)
- Registration opens in January to students around the globe
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FREE AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE CLASS
BEGINS IN JANUARY
The
National Association for Amateur Radio
(AARL) program is offering free classes to students and parents 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.
Level 1 - FCC Element 2 Tech Class
Thursdays | January 9 - February 20, 2020 | 6:00 - 7:45 pm
Level 2 - FCC Element 3 General Class
Thursdays | February 27 - April 9, 2020 | 6:00 - 7:45 pm
Cost: Free
Students who successfully complete the class will receive program credit towards their AMSE Honors requirements.
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ISS STUDENTS ATTEND ASGSR
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Twenty-five VCHS students from the International Space Station (ISS) program attended this year’s
American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) Conference
in Denver, Colorado. Along with students from around the world, VCHS students presented posters of their ISS experiment ideas to an elite group of judges. Congratulations to the winning VCHS team who was awarded first place in the high school division (pictured above). While at the conference, students attended technology seminars, interfaced with ISS personnel, and visited the
Wings Over the Rockies
Air and Space Museum.
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ROCKETRY STUDENTS
ATTEND LAUNCH
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Rocketry program students recently attended a launch in central California. Click on the link below to view the photos and videos.
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JUNIOR HIGH WARRIORBOTS
ADVANCE TO NEXT ROUND
OF FLL COMPETITION
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Congratulations to the Junior High Robotics team, the WarriorBots, who finished well in the November First Lego League (FLL) qualifying tournament
. In addition to winning the Innovation Award and Robot Award, the team was among a select group invited to the NorCal FLL Innovation EXPO in March.
The WarriorBots' performance qualified them to advance to the NorCal FLL Silicon Valley Championship at St. Francis High School on December 14, 2019. We look forward to the results of the next tournament.
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JH OCEAN DISCOVERY
FIELD TRIP
In November, students from the VCJH Ocean Discovery program attended a private, behind the scenes tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. While there, they were escorted though the operational side of the exhibits, including the kelp forest and jelly fish tank.
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XPRIZE EXTRAVAGANZA RECAP
In October, Valley Christian Schools honored students from the
Ocean Quest Team, winners of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) bonus prize in the Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE Competition. Attendees listened to an inspirational keynote from Anousheh Ansari, XPRIZE Foundation CEO, watched a sneak peek of the next documentary, and learned about two new XPRIZE competitions available for Valley Christian students. The evening was captured on video, which is now available for viewing.
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DIGI-X/ESPORTS
FALL MAJORS UPDATE
As the 2019 Fall Majors season comes to a close, the VCHS Esports Program would like to thank all the teams that participated and congratulate the teams that made it to the playoffs.
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MATH TEAM COMPETITION
SEASON IN FULL SWING
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The VCHS Math Team is enjoying record enrollment this year, with over 100 students participating! Their competition season is off to a great start, with several notable finishes for both the team and individual students. Special thanks goes out to Math Team Program Managers, Mrs. Claudia Smith and Dr. Ted Shim.
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FALL DATA CHALLENGE WINNERS
3 YEARS IN A ROW
For the third year in a row VCHS Math Team students were awarded “Best Overall High School” by “
This is Statistics
”. In this year’s Fall Data Challenge, 55 teams submitted their recommendations on how to help solve homelessness in Los Angeles, Seattle, or New York City using the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2018 Point-in-Time Estimate of Homelessness in the U.S. dataset.
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BAY AREA MATH LEAGUE
FIRST PLACE
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In November, twenty-two schools competed in the Bay Area Math League, with Valley Christian students winning first place! In addition to the team award, we are proud of the following students who placed well in individual contests.
12
th
GRADE
1
st
– Vittal Thirumalai, 2
nd
– Kyle Lee,
3
rd
– Kadin Tang, 4
th
– Janet Qian, 5
th
– Chris Phan
11
th
GRADE
5
th
– Cathy Chang, 8
th
– Linus Zheng, 9
th
– Allen Zhang
10
th
GRADE
1
st
– Alex Gu, 3
rd
– Brad Zeng, 4
th
– Sheryl Hsu, 6
th
– Jennifer Song, 9
th
– Julia Kim
9
th
GRADE
10
th
–
Roshan Bellary
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NATIONAL TEAM SCRAMBLE
SECOND PLACE
VCHS Math Team placed second - their highest finish ever - in the National Team Scramble. Twenty-five schools competed in this test, administered through
National Assessment & Testing. During this fast-paced competition, 55 students worked together to solve 100 problems in 30 minutes.
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SCVMA OLYMPIAD
TOP FINISHERS
Congratulations to the VCHS Math Team students who were top finishers in the Santa Clara Valley Math Association's (SCVMA) 69th Olympiad.
FIRST PLACE
Vittal Thirumali
FOURTH PLACE
Kadin Tang
FIFTH PLACE
Janet Qian
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AMSE ARTISTS
BLENDED PROJECT DEADLINE
Attention AMSE Artists! January 30, 2020 is the deadline for selecting this year's AMSE Artist Blended Project. Please complete the following form and let us know your choice. (All senior AMSE Artists must submit their selection.)
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JH FLL ROBOTICS TOURNAMENT
Saturday | December 14, 2019 | 7:30 am - 7:30 pm | St. Francis High School
HS FRC ROBOTICS CHALLENGE REVEAL DAY
Saturday | January 4, 2020
AMSE PROGRAMS SECOND SEMESTER APPS DEADLINE
Friday | January 20, 2020
AMSE ARTIST BLENDED PROJECT DEADLINE
Thursday | January 30, 2020
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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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