Vex Robotics Information

VEX Robotics will ship a Tool Supplement Kit to all schools that previously
ordered a kit for their POE or AE courses or GTT program.
Registration is now open for schools with a GTT or PTE program to offer a
Gateway Academy Summer Youth Program.

Also, the Fall/Winter Assessment Period is almost upon us so please read this
week's reminders and contact our School Support Team with any questions.

We want your feedback on the Action Bulletin. Are you receiving the
information you need in a timely fashion? What are the topics you would like us
to cover? Send your comments to Trevor Sparks at tsparks@pltw.org.

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End of Course Assessment Reminders

The Fall/Winter Assessment Period opens next month. Please review the
following reminders to prepare for the upcoming testing cycle.

Reminders

All high school teachers were emailed their login credentials for the
assessment system on October 17.
Teachers will have access to the assessment system beginning November 1.
Teachers who did not receive their logins should contact our School Support
Team at schoolrelations@pltw.org.
The Fall/Winter testing cycle runs from November 7 through March 15.
+ All IEP/504 accommodation request forms need to be sent to PLTW
four weeks in advance of the testing date. Go to the Materials section of the PLTW Extranet
(http://extranet.pltw.org) for details on this policy.
This year's online assessments have a computer-controlled stop after 60 minutes. It is no longer the teacher's responsibility to control the allotted
time for the assessment. PLTW will be responsible for all time extensions.
+ The Spring Student Enrollment Process will open on November 15 and
run through
February 7. Guidelines for submitting your files were provided in an
email last month
(http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs017/1102771162287/archive/1107667269071.html).
Please review these instructions to help eliminate errors and delays.
+ If you have any questions or need more information about PLTW's End
of Course
assessments, contact our School Support Team at schoolrelations@pltw.org.

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VEX Robotics to Ship Tool Supplement Kits

Beginning in early November, VEX Robotics will ship a Tool Supplement
Kit with
each PLTW-VEX kit. The Tool Supplement Kit will include higher
strength tools,
as well as replacement set-screws for the VEX Shaft Collars (higher
strength and with improved hex geometry).

VEX Robotics will ship this kit with all new PLTW-VEX kit orders and to ALL
schools that previously purchased a PLTW-VEX POE Kit, PLTW-VEX GTT Kit or
PLTW-VEX AE Kit.

VEX Robotics is committed to supporting PLTW schools and ensuring
they have the best possible experience with VEX Robotics equipment. Any questions
or comments for VEX Robotics can be directed to support@vexrobotics.com.

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Offer a Gateway Academy Summer Youth Program

Sign up now to offer a 2012 Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education
Foundation (SME-EF) Gateway Academy Summer Youth Program. Any school
with PLTW's
Gateway To Technology (GTT) program or Pathway to Engineering (PTE)
program may
offer this day camp, which is designed to engage middle school students in
hands-on STEM projects and introduce them to the GTT program.

Students come together in a fun, exciting environment to sample STEM
disciplines like robotics, aeronautics, rockets, eco-design, manufacturing and
alternative energy. They use leading-edge technologies and work on their
critical-thinking, problem-solving and collaboration skills. Teachers trained in PLTW's STEM education program provide expert instruction in small group settings.

Gateway Academy uses the same software and equipment as the GTT program and is
designed to take place in the same classroom. Enrollment is typically 20-25
students per session.

Eligibility

Open to schools currently offering the GTT or PTE program.
Teachers who have completed training in GTT or any PTE course may lead a
Gateway Academy program.

Costs

The total cost to deliver a one-week Gateway Academy is approximately $2,000.
This total is based on one instructor hired for the week at a district's
rate-of-pay and $500 to $700 of consumable materials, based on the projects
chosen from the curriculum.
If funding allows we encourage hiring an additional instructor or a high
school volunteer to assist with the program.
The costs associated with Gateway Academy may be offset by student tuition,
school district funding or other available grants and funding sources.

How to Register

Complete the registration form
(http://www.pltw.org/sites/default/files/Gateway_Academy_Registration_Form.xls)
Email the completed form to gatewayacademy@pltw.org before May 1, 2012.
Once a school's eligibility is confirmed, a key to access the curriculum
through the Virtual Academy will be emailed to the Gateway Academy
contact named on the registration from.

If you have any questions, or need more information about the Gateway Academy
Summer Youth Program, contact gatewayacademy@pltw.org.

VEX Robotics Competition

VEX Robotics is committed to supporting PLTW schools and
ensuring they have the best possible experience with VEX Robotics
equipment. Any questions or comments for VEX Robotics can be directed
to support@vexrobotics.com[1].

OFFER A GATEWAY ACADEMY SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM

Sign up now to offer a 2012 Society of Manufacturing Engineers
Education Foundation (SME-EF) Gateway Academy Summer Youth Program.
Any school with PLTW's Gateway To Technology (GTT) program or Pathway
to Engineering (PTE) program may offer this day camp, which is
designed to engage middle school students in hands-on STEM projects
and introduce them to the GTT program.

Students come together in a fun, exciting environment to sample STEM
disciplines like robotics, aeronautics, rockets, eco-design,
manufacturing and alternative energy. They use leading-edge
technologies and work on their critical-thinking, problem-solving and
collaboration skills. Teachers trained in PLTW's STEM education
program provide expert instruction in small group settings.

Gateway Academy uses the same software and equipment as the GTT
program and is designed to take place in the same classroom.
Enrollment is typically 20-25 students per session.

Silver Bullet 2011-12 STEM Programs and Contact Information

Please go to this link to check out our 2011-12 STEM Program information:

http://www.okcareertech.org/stem/1112/TEprog_2011-12_web.pdf

The College Board

Dear Colleague:

The College Board is pleased to announce that revisions to AP(R) Chemistry will launch in the 2013-14 academic year. The revisions promote a balanced instructional approach, focused not only on factual knowledge but also on the thinking and reasoning skills vital for in-depth study -- and success on the revised exam.
http://advancesinap.collegeboard.org/science/chemistry?ep_ch=PR

We are committed to supporting teachers as they implement the revised course. Please visit our website Advances in AP at http://advancesinap.collegeboard.org/ to access the following resources and more:

* AP Chemistry Curriculum Framework (.pdf/1.2MB) -- The curriculum
framework explains the design and intent of course revisions
and articulates what students must know and be able to do
to succeed on the exam.
http://noreply.collegeboard.org/1bb612629layfousuagqjhnqaaaaaaaoxohmqodshqmyaaaaa

Requires Adobe Reader. Latest version recommended.
http://noreply.collegeboard.org/15875127dlayfousuagqjhnyaaaaaaaoxohmqodshqmyaaaaa

* Course Audit Calendar -- Teachers of AP Chemistry are required
to submit an updated syllabus for the 2013-14 academic year.
January 31, 2014, is the deadline for submitting a revised syllabus.
http://advancesinap.collegeboard.org/course-audit?ep_ch=PR

* Professional Development Information -- We offer a wide array
of professional development workshops to help teachers
transition to the revised course. Visit the AP Course and
Exam Timeline for details.
http://advancesinap.collegeboard.org/comprehensive-timeline?ep_ch=PR

Vex Competition January 21, 2012

SAVE THE DATE: We will be having a Vex Sanction Competition at Payne County Expo Center on January 21, 2012. You can go on the Vex website to register for the conference. For further information email Kevin Terronez at kterr@okcareertech.org

69th Annual Four State Regional Technology Conference Nov. 10-11, 2011

As colleagues in the state department, so they can share it with the
teachers they work with in *Oklahoma*. This year's theme is:
/*"Advancing Technology Through STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Math), Innovation and Imagination." */We have an
excellent conference plan and the price is definitely right ($40.00
-early registration [$50.00 regular ], which includes Thursday's
Lunch, and *69 timely interest sessions [including 20+ STEM
presentations; FIRST Robotics, etc.]* ).I know its a challenge for
educators to go to conferences in these tough economic times, but I
believe your teachers and colleagues will see its worth it, even for
a day. We would really like to see more *Oklahoma *educators here
this year, as well as more *Oklahoma *presenters at next year's
conference.

I believe we have presentations that will meet the needs of a wide
spectrum of technology and technical instructors at all education
levels. All necessary FSRTC information and links are noted below. A
listing of topics also follows the summary.

We really want the FSRTC to be a clearinghouse for best practices, so
each state can gain fresh perspectives and ideas from one another.

TEAM Site

Check out this awesome possible math competition: TEAMs site;http://TEAMS.tsaweb.org

AP Awards

AP Awards - Below my signature block is an email from College Board about
AP Awards for the Southwestern Region. Please take time to read it and
think about who you might nominate. The nomination forms are due to
College Board by October 28th so don't delay! It would be great if
Oklahoma got the recognition it deserves!

AP Audit - Please check the attached Audit Calendar and Definition of
Terms. It shows October 15th as:

• the preferred date to renew previously approved courses in order
for those courses to be included in the November publication of
the AP Course Ledger. This is something administrators do - be
sure yours does it!
• Deadline to remove teachers not teaching or courses not being
taught during the 11-12 school year. (Note says that
administrators must contact AP Course Audit Helpline to remove
authorized courses. For that number, look at the paragraph
below.)

For questions, go to http://www.collegeboard.com/html/apcourseaudit/ or
call the AP Course Audit Helpline at 877-APHELP-0. Please note that the
helpline will be shut down all day on October 18th day and on October 28th
from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. ET.

The entire AP Course Audit System will be shut down on November 1st from
9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. ET for system maintenance. So get your audit done
today!

Please pass this along to anyone who is affected by the audit or who might
want to nominate you for an award!

Cathy Seward, Executive Director
Advanced Placement/Gifted and Talented Education
Oklahoma State Department of Education
Oliver Hodge Education Building, Suite 316
2500 N. Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
Phone: 405-521-4287
Fax: 405-522-5779
cathy_seward@sde.state.ok.us