SEPTEMBER 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,
It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I welcome you back to the 2018-19 school year. This is going to be a great year of partnership and exploration as we look forward to pushing our AMSE students beyond their own expectations.
Last year, the AMSE team and I spent several months reflecting on the future goals and ambitions of the AMSE Institute. It is our desire to have all the students who participate in the AMSE Institute actively engage in experiential learning, persist in building their problem-solving skills, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process. To this end we have redesigned several of our program goals and have re-written our mission statement. Our mission is now
Preparing the Next Generation of Christian STEM Innovators.
In the months ahead, you can be on the lookout for announcements concerning new opportunities for student participation, more exciting events, and some changes to AMSE policies that will simplify the way we do business.
One of the most exciting things that happened over the summer is the creation of the new Valley Christian Schools
Research and Development Department
. Birthed from an AMSE vision, the new R & D Department stands as a separate entity serving all of VCS, innovating K-12 programs including the Conservatory of the Arts and Athletics. In support of the true A3 spirit, the R & D department will provide opportunities for on-campus, student internships for select VCS students to conduct innovative, inquiry-based research in collaboration with industry professionals.
I, along with the AMSE teachers and staff, look forward to growing with you as a community with continued new initiatives and opportunities as we work together to ensure all students become innovators, educators, leaders, and learners of the 21st century!
In His Service,
Danny Kim
Vice President & Senior Director
K-12 Applied Math, Science, & Engineering (AMSE) Institute
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QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE
SPEAKER SERIES
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The AMSE Institute is pleased to partner with the Conservatory of the Arts, Athletics, and the Business and Entrepreneurship Initiative to present this year's Quest for Excellence Speaker Series. These high-caliber speakers plan to cover a wide variety of topics and interests. All VCS students and families are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Speaker Series Etiquette:
- Please be on time! There will be no late admittance after 3:15 pm.
- The session time has been extended until 4:15 pm. There will be no early dismissal.
- AMSE students must check in with your student ID card. *Please review our new check-in process.
- Please give the speaker your full attention by silencing your phones and storing away your phones & iPads.
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NEW CHECK-IN PROCESS FOR
SPEAKER SERIES
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This year we are rolling out a new process to expedite the attendance process at AMSE events. All AMSE Majors & Minors must check-in to receive attendance credit for the speaker series.
Students must bring their school-issued student ID Card (or a photo of it, including the bar code, on their phone). The bar code will be scanned upon entry.
This process will begin on September 28 at the Quest for Excellence Speaker Series.
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INTRODUCING THIS MONTH'S SPEAKER
DR. JYOTIKA VIRMANI, PH.D.
Jyotika Virmani, Ph.D
Sr. Director, Planet & Environment, XPRIZE
"Empowering the Global Community
to Solve Humanity's Greatest Challenges"
Friday | September 28 | 3:15 - 4:15 pm | Conservatory Hall
Please Be On Time - No Late Admittance
We are privileged to host Dr. Jyotika Virmani, Sr. Director at
XPRIZE
, for our first Quest for Excellence Speaker Series of the school year. Dr. Virmani joined XPRIZE in 2014 with extensive experience in the oceanic and atmospheric sciences, including both research and leadership positions. As Senior Director in Prize Operations, she is the Prize Lead for the Ocean XPRIZE, the competition in which Valley Christian's Ocean Discovery Team competed to map the ocean floor.
We look forward to hearing about XPRIZE's unique approach to solving some of the world's greatest challenges. Following Dr. Virmani's, the Ocean Quest Documentary will be shown.
Come to the Speaker Series...Stay for the Film!
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OCEAN QUEST DOCUMENTARY
SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
4:30 PM | Conservatory Hall
Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to attend a private showing of
Ocean Quest
.
Follow the journey of AMSE's Ocean Discovery Team as they compete in the
Shell Oil XPRIZE Global Ocean Mapping competition
. This 45-minute documentary chronicles the Ocean Discovery team's expedition while they make history as the first group of junior high and high school students ever to make it to the semi-final round of a global XRPIZE challenge.
This entertaining short film showcases the ups and downs of the team’s expedition, highlights a groundbreaking collaboration between Academics, Athletics, and the Conservatory of the Arts, and features an original musical score from VCS alum Yuma Sung (’07). Its message of youthful ambition, innovation, environmental exploration, and creatively overcoming challenges will inspire young and old alike.
Free Admission | Complimentary Refreshments Provided
Private Showing for VCS Families and their Guests
Come early to hear Dr. Jyotika Virmani from XPRIZE!
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PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
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ISS STUDENTS RECEIVE
EXPERIMENTS FROM SPACE
Student experiments that launched to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX OA-9 in May returned to earth in late August. During a recent ISS Program meeting, students opened the flight unit to find their microlabs intact and ready for observation and analysis.
Valley Christian student experiments include:
- The Effects of BAM-FX Nutrient Solution and Endophytes on Plant Growth in Microgravity
- The Efficacy of Sharklet Material in Preventing the Growth of E. coli Bacteria in Microgravity
- The Effects of Microgravity on the Electrochemical Characteristics of a Microbial Fuel Cell
- Measuring the Rate of Lactococcus lactus Fermentation in Microgravity
- Measuring Radiation with Respect to Solar Flares and the South Atlantic / Anomaly / Light Propulsion in Microgravity / Ferrofluid Heat Dissipation
- Prevention of Biofilm Formation in Microgravity Using an Antimicrobial Copper Paint
- Slime Mold (Physarum Polycephalum) Growth in Patterned Structure under Micro-gravity
- The Effects of BAM-FX (Bio-Available Mineral Formula-X) Nutrient Solution and Endophytes on Marathon Broccoli Plant Growth in Microgravity
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VCS STUDENTS TALK TO AN ASTRONAUT AT ISS R&D CONFERENCE
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This summer, sixteen AMSE students attended the
International Space Station R & D Conference in San Francisco. Students had the opportunity to connect live with
Serena Maria Aunon-Chancellor, American physician engineer and
NASA astronaut..
Through amateur radio, Serena was able to answer students' questions live from the International Space Station. This unforgettable experience was made possible by
ARISS Connect (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station.)
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ANSEL GOES TO WASHINGTON
Ansel Austen's summer included a trip to Washington DC where he was honored for winning the "
Two for the Crew" design challenge, sponsored by Future Engineers. In addition to meeting NASA officials and astronauts, Ansel presented his 3D printed bi-directional ratchet wrench at the
National Air and Space Museum and appeared on "
Good Morning Washington DC". Congratulations, Ansel, for this significant accomplishment and for the excellent way you represented Valley Christian Schools.
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WE LOVE OUR AMSE CLUBS!
AMSE endorsed clubs got off to a great start at the annual Club Fair. Contact these Club Officer's about how to get involved.
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3D Design Club
Chemistry Club
Chess Club
Drone Club
Environmental Club
Forensics Club
Future of Science Association Club
Future Surgeons of America Club
Makers Club
Marine Biology Club
Math Club
MD Junior Club
Medical Club
Migraine Awareness Club (NEW!)
Physics Club
Puzzle Club
Quiz Bowl Club
Red Cross Club (NEW!)
SNAP Club
St. Jude Cancer Club
USA Biology Olympiad Club (NEW!)
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Matthew.chan@warriorlife.net
jeremy.sharp@warriorlife.net
vittal.thirumalai@warriorlife.net
luke.vanderkooij@warriorlife.net
nicholas.chiang@warriorlife.net
deevya.raman@warriorlife.net
samuel.habib@warriorlife.net
angela.kou@warriorlife.net
Jenessa.bevis@warriorlife.net
vittal.thirumalai@warriorlife.net
saneel.kharinar@warriorlife.net
zena.fasheh@warriorlife.net
sonia.thukral@warriorlife.net
rohan.viswanathan@warriorlife.net
sydney.hsin@warriorlife.net
bruce.tran@warriorlife.net
anisha.baktha@warriorlife.net
pauline.le@warrriorlife.net
melody.choi@warriorlife.net
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All BEI Clubs and Programs are eligible for AMSE credit.
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All AMSE Photo | Thursday | 9/13/18 | Lunchtime | Amphitheater
Quest for Excellence Speaker Series | Friday | 9/28/18 | 3:15 - 4:15 pm | Conservatory
Ocean Quest Documentary | Friday | 9/28/18 | 4:30 - 5:30 pm | Conservatory
Officer's Monthly Meeting | Friday | 10/5/18 | Lunchtime | Room #215
ASGSR Conference | Wed - Sat | 10/31 - 11/3 | Maryland
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GRADUATION REQUIREMENT REMINDER
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Attention: Class of 2019
We will be reviewing AMSE Major and Minor status for all seniors. Ultimately, it is the senior student's responsibility to confirm their status. Please
contact us
to check on your current standing.
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International Space Station
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International Space Station
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International Space Station
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International Space Station
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Assistant Program Manager
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See what's happening on our social sites:
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If I go up 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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