Jill Marsden (scholar)

Transcription

.. ♪♪ >> Hi, and welcome to this edition of "BCPS News." I'm Mary Beth Marsden. On today's show, we'll check out the robotics craze, a cross-generational reading program, and technology at its finest. All this and more. But first, let's check out what's trending. The 2012 national Carson Scholars Fund recently announced its award recipients. Each year, the fund recognizes a group of high-achieving students in grades 4 through 11 who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and humanitarian qualities. Students receive a $1,000 college scholarship award. This year, 11 BCPS students were first-time scholar winners, along with 51 other BCPS students who have renewed their Carson Scholar status. These previous winners have maintained high academic standards and a strong commitment to their communities. Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts just announced the release of the first mobile app created for the school by the students. The app is called PHS Connect and is now available in the iTunes app store for download to iPhones, iPods, and iPads. The program was created by the APPlied Club, an after-school group started by alumni Shawn and Stephanie Grimes, owners of Campfire App Development. The PHS Connect includes many features relevant to the students in their daily lives within the school community. Plans for a second app are in the works, featuring Patapsco games. More than 120 BCPS students have earned the highest achievements offered by the National 2012 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards organization, the most students of any school system in Maryland, as one of the most prestigious awards presented to talented secondary school writers and artists. 21 Gold Key winners -- Scholastic's highest-category award -- were achieved by students from the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology. Congratulations. Stay with us -- there's much more to come. >> When I was younger, I didn't want to admit I had a serious disease. Because of my diabetes, I lost the sight in my left eye. Misconceptions continue to surround this monster public health issue. But the simple truth is, diabetes can often be prevented and complications avoided. You're not alone. Understand the realities of diabetes and know that you can manage it and lead a full, active life. >> Welcome back. A unique reading program recently celebrated a milestone with some special guests. Let's turn the page and check out its local connection. >> REPORTER: A standing-room- only crowd packed the Eastern Tech library on the evening of March 15th for the 20th anniversary of the school's cross-disciplinary, cross-generational reading program. >> The program started 20 years ago with my immediate predecessor, who was Sally McNelis. One of the things that she worked very hard at was trying to promote lifelong reading in all of the students. >> REPORTER: So each year for the past two decades, the faculty at Eastern Tech selects a book for students, teachers, and members of the community to read and then hosts an evening where the Eastern Tech family can share their insights. >> I think the program really opens opportunities for people of all genders, of all ages, of all viewpoints, to come together for one night and to really discuss their opinions and viewpoints on a topic. >> REPORTER: This year's book was "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks." >> COOK: It was a story that you just couldn't put down when you picked it up, and those are the kinds of selections that we want our students to read. >> REPORTER: The book was further brought to life by guest speakers Courtney Speed, who is featured in the book; Henrietta's grandson, David; and a visit from her son, Sonny. >> STUDENT: Most of the time, you do not get to meet the people that are associated with the person who's the subject of a book. But here, we got to meet her grandson, as well as the grandchildren. And that basically made it feel more like a real story. >> STUDENT: It made me think a whole lot more of what they might be going through, and how they see the book as a pathway to something that's greater, just getting them known, and just getting their mother known. >> WOMAN: You have to look in the past to look forward, so you won't make the same mistakes, and I think it helps the younger generation to learn from our past mistakes, so we won't make them again. >> REPORTER: So, after 20 years, the reading program continues to serve its original purpose. >> We recognize that, you know, reading is a key part of success in whatever you do in life. So we try to foster that as much as we can. >> The faculty at Eastern Tech are already working on next year's book selection. Coming up next, students from around the county of all ages are devoting more and more of their time to the fascinating world of robotics. And the VEX Robotics Design System is part of that craze. >> REPORTER: Robotics is fast becoming one of the more popular pastimes of elementary, middle, and high school students these days, and for students in the Hereford zone, that pastime has turned into a passion. >> STUDENT: I've always thought robots were cool, so I decided to join, and it's turned out to be a great experience, because I've learned a lot from the other kids, I've got to teach myself the language we program in -- ROBOTC -- so that's been a cool experience. >> REPORTER: The VEX Robotics Design System offers students an exciting platform for learning about areas rich with career opportunities spanning science, technology, engineering, and math, otherwise known as STEM. >> In this tournament, we have the balls and barrels that we have to put into 15-inch and 30-inch goals. And the objective of this is that the robots are in the isolation and interaction zone, where some robots are put in the isolation zone and must work until last 30 seconds of the match, where the gate is raised, and all the robots can go into the interaction zone. >> REPORTER: This objective is presented to the designers. Teamwork and innovation is the name of the game. >> Originally, our claw was just this little part right here and not this bottom part. And I thought that maybe if I added this, you'd be able to get a better grip on it. But not only can we get a better grip, we can also pick up more than just one object. >> REPORTER: Robotics is much more than a hobby. It's a stepping stone to a successful future. >> It gives you a lot of experience with not just being an engineer, not just that experience, but experience with teamwork and having a lot of fun out on the field, playing the game. And I'm planning on doing this as a career when I'm older. >> STUDENT: It's got some good applications with colleges, obviously. That's definitely something I'm going to be putting on my college application, is president of Robotics Club. That's BCPS brain power at its best. For more information on the VEX Robotics Design System and to follow the results of BCPS teams in the upcoming world competition, go to vexrobotics.com. Now let's turn our attention to the Cromwell Valley Elementary School kids, doing some Skyping around America in celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday and the annual county-wide competition of the 24 Math Challenge as we check out what's going on around the county. >> REPORTER: The talented students at Cromwell Valley Magnet School connected with other students around the nation by reading Dr. Seuss books, celebrating his birthday on Read Across America Day. >> WOMAN: We're trying to connect our children outside of our school walls, so that has been a goal all year long. Instead of just reading across America, we decided that we would connect across America. So we are using Skype and SAFARI Live to connect with classrooms all over the United States. >> REPORTER: The most popular book, we'd have to say, was "The Lorax" on that special day. >> MAN: It's a very fitting topic for our times. It's all about ecology. It's all about respecting the universe, the planet, the resources that we have. >> REPORTER: With Skype calling technology, the students were able to communicate with other school systems by reading each other pages from Dr. Seuss and from other subjects. >> I think that they love reading, which is part of what we're trying to instill, is the love of reading. They just like to know that there's a world out there and that they're connecting with it. >> REPORTER: Whether you read Mother Goose or Dr. Seuss, it's important to see the need to read in order to succeed. The 16th annual 24 Math Challenge, sponsored by M&T Bank, went off without a hitch this year. Competitors from elementary school and middle school competed for top prizes. For most of the students, it's all about preparation. >> STUDENT: My mom bought me my own cards, and I joined the Math Club at school, and we practiced -- I practiced the cards every Tuesday there at school, and I practiced at home. >> REPORTER: This year's 24 Math Challenge involves skills. >> It was just so heartwarming to see so many of our young people becoming more and more engaged in the science of mathematics. >> Technology is used every day throughout the school system. But one BCPS teacher was recognized for how she applies the use of technology in her classroom. Let's take an in-depth look as we get in focus. >> WOMAN: Mixed numbers -- what do you need to convert them to when you multiply? Josh. Improper fraction, very good. >> REPORTER: Today's classroom has so many instructional tools for teachers and students to use. >> Which is six plus one, which is seven. >> REPORTER: This is what they are accustomed to. >> Someone I haven't heard from here. By age, I'm obviously a technology immigrant. So I had to learn a lot of the technology as I went. It's enhanced my teaching, because it's made it more exciting, not just for the children, but for me. >> REPORTER: She has incorporated technology in her classroom seamlessly. >> FALATKO: Okay, make sure you're writing things, because you are going to have to explain. >> I like using technology in math class, 'cause you get to do a lot of things on the Promethean Board, and it makes math a lot more fun. >> I also like coming here, because it's interactive and we get to use different things to help us understand different subjects, like language arts and math. >> REPORTER: Mrs. Falatko feels it's important to include technology because this is what they know and how they learn. >> WOMAN: Whenever you walk in her classroom, her kids are using technology in one form or another. They're either using the Promethean Board, they're on their laptops, doing some type of research. She uses technology in order to enhance their strengths, in order to meet their needs, and to address their multiple intelligence. >> REPORTER: That's why she won the Baltimore County Outstanding Educator Using Technology Award and was nominated on the state level, as well. So how did she feel? >> FALATKO: It makes me feel proud for Cromwell Valley. Our school does a wonderful job, again, of seamlessly integrating the technology, from our principal's support on the projects that we do to our technology integration teachers, Dana Novotny and Jill Wright. We just get so much support, and this award should be for the whole school. And it makes me proud to represent CVE. >> REPORTER: With technology incorporated in her lessons, these students are receiving a quality education. >> I'm going just to tell you one thing for middle school. >> We'll keep you posted to see if she wins the Maryland Outstanding Educator Using Technology Award. We wish her the best. That does it for this edition of "BCPS News." If you have any story ideas, comments, or suggestions, contact us at [email protected]. And follow BCPS on Facebook and Twitter. As we leave you today, let's take a look at the Young Artists Showcase on display at the Towson Arts Collective Gallery. Until next time, I'm Mary Beth Marsden. Thanks for watching. >> I feel like it's all on my shoulders. How am I going to take care of my parents if they develop an eye disease like glaucoma? Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in African Americans and Hispanics in the United States. And what about my kids? Will they inherit it? Not to mention my risk factor. I'm really concerned, and I need some answers. >> Call... or go to AHAF.org for answers, including a free brochure on glaucoma.