Engineering the Future
January 9, 2023
School Updates
Mission Avenue STEM Elementary: Teachers at Mission gathered on January 4th to participate in professional development to launch into the new year. Some teachers are also participating in a fun book study inspired by the recent Innovative Schools Summit with Sarah Matosian King and Ramona Corona using the book Move Your Bus: An Extraordinary New Approach to Accelerating Success in Work and Life by Ron Clark. Mission avenue students started off 2023 with a fun investigation with Mr. Kirschman into the difference between Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. Next students will begin using Merge Cubes learning about Renewable Vs NonRenewable Energy.
Garfield STEM Middle School: Garfield teachers also had a great day back on January 4th delving into professional development inspired by what teachers learned at the Innovative Schools Summit! Lena Fahrenkrog and Kalyn Lopez had a great session, Belonging Matters: Making Positive Connections with Students, and Rachael Sonia and Kathleen Miller led a fantastic session on managing difficult students. Thanks to Chris Speck who also presented an engaging session on Analyzing Conflict Through the Content Areas and Melanie Lucero who refreshed everyone on the importance of utilizing the RACE format in writing! . Tracey Taylor also wowed the district with her Immersive Art PD that she presented to Middle and High School art teachers from across the district!
Valley High School: Valley teachers took giant steps forward on their PBL journey on January 4th and 5th. Dayna Laur from Project Arc spent two days working with the staff on Project Based Learning really focusing on assessment and worked with departments to develop PBL's for the spring semester! Staff raved about the professional development and we can't wait to see all the cool things the Vikings will be doing this year in 2023!
Professional Development Opportunities
The Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Awards are back for the new school year. These awards honor and recognize 10 all-star teachers working diligently to help students in underserved and underrepresented communities pursue futures in computer science and robotics.
Recipients are formally recognized by Amazon and will receive $25,000 to expand computer science, engineering, and/or robotics education at their school, plus an additional $5,000 teacher cash award.
You can apply yourself or nominate a colleague. Applications open December 13, 2022 and close February 14, 2023, so don’t delay!
Mathematics and Computer Programming UNM Research Project
The University of New Mexico Research team is recruiting bilingual middle and high school mathematics teachers interested in integrating Computer Programming with Mathematics in their classroom. Teachers that participate would receive a $9,000 stipend for their participation in this two year experience.
Questions? email Veronica Apodaca.
Aerospace Opportunity
On December 9 participants heard from the Mars Desert Research Station mission crew live from a simulated Mars habitat where they conducted research! If you missed the event, or would like to watch it again, please access the recording using the link below.
Opportunities for Students
Opportunities for Native Students
Indigitize Computer Science is partnering with Amazon Future Engineer to offer a scholarship which provides $40,000 plus a paid engineering internship for high school seniors. Students can learn more and apply here. Key information: Applications are now open and close Jan. 20. Eligible students must be planning to attend an accredited 2 or 4-year college and planning to study engineering, computer science, or other related fields of study. $40,000 scholarship is awarded at $10,000 / year towards a 4-year degree. Other eligibility requirements apply. Please click here for more details.
Office of Innovation
Email: innovation@aps.edu
Website: https://www.aps.edu/innovation/engineering-the-future
Location: 6400 Uptown Boulevard Northeast, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505-855-9053
Twitter: @APSInnovates