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Monthly Newsletter
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February 2013
Volume 13, Issue 2
Adventures in Math & Science
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Director’s Chair .................... 1
Greetings from Gail .............. 1
Coordinators’ Corners .......... 2
Career Profile........................ 3
10 Things You Can Do to Get
Into College .......................... 4
Parents’ Corner ..................... 5
February Birthdays .............. 6
Diva vs. Songbird…………………7
Dreamgirls Info…………………..7
Schedule-At-A-Glance………...8
AIMS TIMES
DIRECTOR’S CHAIR
Greetings AIMS Family!
It is once again that time of year…sweetheart’s monthJ!!!! Make sure to enjoy
your Valentine’s Day with the loves of your life (mother, father, sister, brother,
significant otherJ)!!! If you have an extra box of chocolates or cupcakes or roses
you need to give away…send in my care!!! On a more serious note, I pray that
each of you are on target with your grades and class work. Remember that
online tutoring is available daily. However, if you do not have easy access to a
computer, please let us know ASAP so we can work with the people in your area
to get you access to the Internet outside of school time.
There are several exciting activities happening this month, in addition to the
programs surrounding Black History Month. Please make sure to check the cal-
endar for these events. Remember to send us any of your accomplishments so
we can post them in the newsletter. I look forward to seeing many of you this
month at the Scholars Bowl/Bridge Workshop! Take care…until we meet again!
WÜA WÉÜ|á VÄtÜ~@ftÜÜ
A MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Hi Everyone!
February is here already… just proves that time waits for no one or anything.
I just want to simply remind you to get all of your completed and mailed. As you are
well aware, it takes time to get everything prepared for your arrival and the paper-
work plays a crucial role in this task.
I don’t have much to say except people seem to talk more about love throughout this month, but let’s be different from the rest and love each other every month. Let me be the first to say: Happy Valentines Day! Looking forward to seeing you at Orientation!
Gail Woolridge
“Don't think that because you haven't heard from me for a while that I went to sleep. I am still here, like a spirit roaming the night. Thirsty, hungry, seldom stopping to rest.” Spike Lee
Hey everybody!
I hope you are all doing well. I’m great; thanks for asking J Please PLEASE do not forget to tell your friends about AIMS! We are obviously not at your schools nearly as much as you are so help us out! Thanks in advance! Good luck to those who are taking the ACT this month. Remember, you CAN study for the ACT. You should’ve gotten the power point from the AIMS ACT workshop a while back. There are LOTS of tips in it…even tips about what to do the night before and the day of. I’ll put them on Facebook to make the information easy for you to access.
To those going to the Academic Bowl this month: LET’S DO THIS! You can study for that, too….and you definitely should have been already. We did good last year, but we have to do even better this year. I’ve got a good feel-ing!!
Be sure to let us know what we can do for you. Please don’t forget about tutor-ing at your school, through AIMS online, and the many other free resource online. Do the work, see the rewards!
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” – Colin Powell
EvanO’Neal
COORDINATOR’S CORNER—AIMS I
COORDINATOR’S CORNER—AIMS II
Happy February AIMS Family!
I’m amazed how quickly the semester
seems to be flying by, but I am also excited
as we prepare for your arrival this
summer! We have been interviewing
AIMS Staff for the summer and I just
know you are going to love some of the
new as well as returning folks who will be
coming on board for the summer. Very
excited to include some new faces and
members to our AIMS Family!
I will be seeing some of you in your
schools very soon. Please help us get some
of your friends involved in AIMS. You
have always been our biggest recruiter so
please feel free to help us spread the word
about our program.
Bridge students, if you have missed meet-
ings and dates and intend to be a Bridge
Participant this summer, you must contact
me. This is your responsibility. As always,
I look forward to hearing from you and
feel free to hit me up via email or
Facebook!
Much Love,
Stephen D. Keene
2
MATH, SCIENCE, AND COMPUTER STUDENTS: THE
ENERGY SECTOR WANTS YOU BY DAVID HATCH
A technology revolution reshaping the energy sector through streamlined operations,
increased production, and improved distribution will create ample job opportunities for
college graduates over the next decade, energy and labor experts say.
Public utilities and oil and gas companies were sometimes dismissed in the past by col-
lege grads as too lumbering and old-school. That view is rapidly changing as energy com-
panies deploy technology-laden smart grids, establish high-tech mission control centers,
and embrace wireless sensors, predictive intelligence, and other cutting-edge innovations.
While much of the energy sector's hiring over the next decade will involve skilled and
unskilled labor to operate drill rigs and tractor trailers, college grads with technical and
advanced degrees will be needed to fill lucrative positions as engineers, scientists, and
technicians. "I think the percent of [energy] jobs that are technology-related is just going
to continue to rise," says Rick Nicholson, group vice president at IDC Energy Insights. As
a result, students with math, science, and computer backgrounds are in "high demand"
from energy producers, and colleges and universities are placing a greater emphasis on
preparing grads to fill entry-level positions at these companies, he adds.
"I am very bullish on the energy sector as an area of job growth in the U.S. over the next
decade," says John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the nation's oldest
outplacement consulting firm. New career opportunities with energy firms are
"inevitable" as the country weans itself from Mideast oil and taps more domestic re-
sources, he says. He also sees global opportunities with energy companies, particularly for
college grads with strong foreign-language skills.
Much of the job creation will be driven by domestic production of shale. These under-
ground deposits of oil and natural gas are found in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, where
the Marcellus Shale straddles an eight-state region, as well as in North Dakota, where
energy companies are racing to tap the Bakken Oil Field that extends from Montana to
Canada. For college graduates willing to venture to Canada, Ft. McMurray in northern
Alberta is a booming, though remote, center for the production of tar-like petroleum
deposits called oil sands.
MATH, SCIENCE, AND
COMPUTER STUDENTS
CONTINUED
Job-growth projections from
2010 to 2020 released by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics pre-
sent a mixed view of the energy
sector. The BLS foresees an
increase of 23,000 oil and gas
extraction jobs over the next
decade, largely due to the rise in
shale production, but a decrease
of 47,000 jobs with electric
power and natural gas utilities.
"New technologies, along with
newer and larger facilities, have
led to more efficient [utility]
plants that require fewer work-
ers," the BLS explained in its
2012 employment outlook.
Skills for energy jobs of the
future will vary widely, from
high school diplomas to two- or
four-year college educations to
advanced degrees, depending on
the level of expertise required.
Here's a snapshot of opportuni-
ties through 2020:
Oil and gas: The dramatic
increase in domestic oil and gas
exploration and production will
create demand for information-
technology specialists. Job titles
will include petroleum, reser-
voir, and software engineers;
database administrators; field
service technicians, who test
and maintain equipment such as
pumps and compressors; wire-
line operators, who collect data
and perform other tasks; and
geologists, geophysicists and
geoscientists, who help pinpoint
energy reserves and guide op-
erations. Demand could be
strongest for skilled labor, in-
cluding drill-rig operators; me-
chanics and welders, to handle
extraction and refining; and
unskilled labor, such as truck
drivers, to haul equipment and
fuel.
3
MATH, SCIENCE, AND
COMPUTER STUDENTS
CONTINUED
Environmental protection: Pro-
fessionals with environmental and/or
technical backgrounds will be needed
to fill positions as occupational health
and safety technicians to ensure that
energy producers comply with fed-
eral, state, and local regulations.
Demand could grow if increased
domestic-energy production sparks
more controversy over environmental
consequences. Major energy produc-
ers and the dozens of oil field service
companies that contract with them
will conduct the hiring.
Renewable fuels: While most solar
panel manufacturers are overseas,
especially in China, demand for solar
panel installers in the United States
could skyrocket over the next decade
as the technology improves and
equipment prices drop. A 2011 census
by the Solar Foundation documents
rapid near-term hiring for installers,
with 24,000 positions projected to
have been added from August 2011 to
August 2012. Nicholson also sees
career prospects for engineers and
architects to plan the next generation
of wind turbines and wind farms. If
the electric vehicle market takes off,
IT specialists will be needed to design
the circuitry and components.
Smart grids/utilities: Although
increased automation of energy grids
is expected to result in a net loss of
positions over the next decade, new
ones are still being created, particu-
larly in the area of information tech-
nology, Nicholson says. And there's
always a need for technicians to
install meters and engineers to design
and maintain electrical systems, he
adds. Nicholson anticipates stronger
growth among the IT companies that
develop smart-grid technology, such
as the ABB Group, GE, IBM, Oracle,
and Siemens. Tech-savvy college
grads might want to consider Silicon
Valley-inspired software startups like
Arlington, Va.-based Opower and
Boulder, Colo.'s Tendril and Simple
Energy that specialize in new online
tools to manage home-energy output
and access energy-usage data.
10 THINGS YOU CAN DO THIS SUMMER TO GET INTO
COLLEGE
Whether you are a rising senior or an
incoming freshman, summer is an ideal
time to amp up your college preparation. I
know, I know, summer break is your fa-
vorite time to be UNproductive. And I am
fully supportive of some rest and relaxa-
tion. But why not enjoy your break while
also getting a few steps ahead in the col-
lege game? Take a look at our list of 10
easy things you can do NOW to increase
your chances of getting into college:
1. Volunteer: Get involved in some com-
munity service doing something you love.
Volunteering doesn’t need to be a bum-
mer. It can actually be really fun and ful-
filling. Find an organization, group, or
cause you are passionate about, and help
them out. Volunteering even once a month
at the same organization will look great for
college applications.
2. Read: Find something to read that is
not required for school. Reading increases
your vocabulary (hint, hint – SAT’s) and
gives you material to reference in college
applications and interviews. Some college
apps ask for a list of every book you have
ever read. And a typical interview question
is “tell me about the last book you read?”
3. Contact Your Dream School: Many
colleges (especially the most selective)
track applicants’ “demonstrated interest.”
They want to know if you are truly inter-
ested in their school. They track every
email, conversation, and visit. Now, don’t
go and send them fifty emails this sum-
mer, just send one. Introduce yourself.
Talk about your passion and interest in
the school. And ask for more information.
One little email can go a long way.
4. Brainstorm Personal Essay Ideas:
Your personal essay will be a critical piece
in your college applications. And the best
essays are started early. Take 10 minutes
and write down any personal themes,
thoughts, challenges, or accomplishments
that you might eventually include in your
essay. List come up a bit short? Think
about ways to find content for your essay
by trying some new experiences. Keep this
list as a starting point to your essay.
5. Get on Facebook: I know, shock-
ing right? Facebook can help me get into
college? Well, kind of. Remember your
Facebook profile may end up on the com-
puter screen on a college admissions rep.
Be sure it is clean, professional, and rated
PG. Also, Facebook offers great groups
and fan pages to help you learn more
about your dream schools and research all
the wonderful schools out there
6. Try Something New: It is always
interesting to try something new. Maybe
you’ve been thinking about learning to
surf or paint? Maybe you want to try a
part-time job. Go ahead and give it a try.
You might find a new passion to continue
throughout high school. Or maybe the
experience is a total flop. Either way,
could give you some great content for
college apps.
7. Visit a College: The first step to creat-
ing your college list, is to begin research-
ing colleges. What better way than to step
foot onto a college campus? Get out there
and visit ANY college. Take the tour, ex-
plore the campus, and ask questions. You
will learn valuable information and can
begin exploring what factors will make a
college the right “fit” for you.
8. Stay Active: During the school year,
you are probably busy with your various
clubs, sports, groups, practices, and other
extracurricular commitments. When
these activities take a summer break, it is
easy to lose interest. Stay involved. Get a
small group together to hold unofficial
meetings or practice your craft solo. Col-
leges want to know you’ve stayed involved
throughout the summer.
4
Parents’ Corner
9. Teach Someone Something: We all have some sort of skill, talent, or hobby. And if
you don’t, let us know and we’ll help you find one! So, go ahead and teach it to someone
else. Your family, friends, and neighbors will be happy to learn a new skill. And this is a
great experience in leadership. Start by teaching one person, next thing you know, you’ll
have a whole class ready to learn!
10. Travel: Whether your budget allows for trips to Europe or trips to your neighbor’s
yard, travel experience is fantastic for college. Be creative in thinking about trips. Some of
the best trips are done by car or bus, and take place within 50 miles of where you live.
Visit some local landmarks or historical sights. Go out to the mountains and camp under
the stars. Travel experience exposes you to new things and shows college your curious
nature.
Although parents conscientiously send
their children off to school every day and
expect them to do well, they can add an
important extra ingredient that will boost
their children's success. Parent participa-
tion is the ingredient that makes the dif-
ference. Parents' active involvement with
their child's education at home and in
school brings great rewards and has can
have a significant impact on their chil-
dren's child's lives. According to research
studies, the children of involved parents:
• are absent less frequently
• behave better
• do better academically from
preschool through high school
• go farther in school
go to better schools
Research also shows that a home environ-
ment that encourages learning is even
more important than parents' income,
education level, or cultural background.
By actively participating in their child's
education at home and in school, parents
send some critical messages to their child;
they're demonstrating their interest in
his/her activities and reinforcing the idea
that school is important.
Becoming involved – laying the
groundwork in the elementary
school years
The reality is that some parents have more
time than others to become involved, but
it's important for even very busy parents
to examine their priorities and carve out
some time, even if it's brief. Some schools
are working out more flexible schedules so
that working parents have more options.
The National Education Association rec-
ommends some specific ways for parents
to become more involved in their child's
education.
At home:
• Read to your child — reading aloud
is the most important activity that parents
can do to increase their child's chance of
reading success
10 THINGS YOU CAN DO THIS SUMMER TO GET INTO
COLLEGE CONTINUED
INVOLVED PARENTS: THE HIDDEN RESOURCE
IN THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION
5
• Discuss the books and stories
you read to your child
• Help your child organize his/her
time
• Limit television viewing on school
nights
• Talk to your child regularly about
what's going on in school Check homework every night
At school: Meet with a teacher or
other school staff member to deter-
mine where, when and how help is
needed and where your interests fit in.
Volunteer time. Parents can:
• Be classroom helpers
• Tutor or read with individual chil-
dren
• Assist children with special needs
• Help in special labs, such as
computer or science
• Plan and work in fundraising
• Plan and accompany classes on
field trips
• Assist coaches at sporting events
• Help out with arts and crafts
workshops
Involved Parents: The Hidden Resource (Continued)
• Assist with a special inter-
est club or drama group
• Speak to classes about
your career or special expertise
• Help write press releases
or local news articles
• Work as a library assistant;
help with story time
• Vote in school board elec-
tions – know what the candi-
dates stand for
• Participate in parent-
teacher associations and school
decisions
• Help your school set chal-
lenging academic standards Become an advocate for better education in your community and state.
The possibilities are endless.
Staying involved – the middle
and high school years
In adolescence, children be-
come more independent and
usually don’t want their par-
ents in school. In middle and
high school, students have to
deal with more courses and
more teachers in a more imper-
sonal way, so parent involve-
ment, although less direct, is
still critical. Parents can par-
ticipate in events at school,
monitor homework, provide
experiences and materials that
supplement course work, and
help children with organiza-
tional strategies. Parents can
influence their children’s aca-
demic progress by encourage-
ment, reinforcement, and mod-
eling. Children learn from their
parents’ own learning styles
and activities, such as discus-
sions, newspapers and other
reading materials, television
habits and quests for informa-
tion and knowledge.
INVOLVED PARENTS: THE HIDDEN RESOURCE
(CONTINUED)
WILLIAM COOPERMAN
BLAKE DENSON
AKELIA HIGGINS
CARLOS EASLEY
CODY EASLEY
AMANDA MARLOW
DAKOTA TUCKER
ASHLEY VELASQUEZ
ARIEL VINES
ELEALEH VINES
ZACHERY WARBRITTON
HOW PARENT INVOLVE-
MENT PAYS OFF
When parents contribute effort and time,
they have the opportunity to interact with
teachers, administrators, and other par-
ents. They can learn first-hand about the
daily activities and the social culture of the
school, both of which help them under-
stand what their child's life is like.
The child and the school both benefit, and
parents serve as role models as they dem-
onstrate the importance of community
participation. In addition to improving
academic progress, parental involvement
pays off in other significant ways. Numer-
ous studies have shown that parents' in-
volvement is a protective factor against
adolescent tobacco use, depression, eating
disorders, academic struggles, and other
problems. By staying involved with their
child and/or teenager, parents can be a
source of support, create a climate for
discussing tough issues and serve as role
models for responsible and empathic be-
havior.
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS!
6
Diva vs. Songbird in a special event that you WILL NOT want to miss! Stay tuned throughout the summer for more info about this challenge. Only 1 will claim the ultimate victory!
CATCH THE DREAM! Full of
onstage joy and backstage
drama, the sensational new
production of Dreamgirls tells
the story of an up-and-coming
1960s girl singing group, and the
triumphs and tribulations that
come with fame and fortune.
With music by Academy Award
nominee Henry Krieger and book
and lyrics by Tony and Grammy
Award winner Tom
Eyen, Dreamgirls features the
unforgettable hits: "And I Am
Telling You I'm Not Going," "One
Night Only" and "Listen." This
Tony and Academy Award
winning musical sparkles like
never before!
This event is part of our cultural
experiences and will be offered to
Honor Roll Students. The event
will be held at the Carson Center
in Paducah, KY. Dinner will be
provided prior to the
performance. Stay tuned for
more information about this!
2013 SUMMER CHALLENGE
DREAMGIRLS—MARCH 23, 2013
7
VS
AIMS STAFF
February May TBA Summer Employment 4th SAT Test Date Interviews 27th Bridge Move-In Day
2nd Academic Team Meeting June (Additional Information pg.5 of this newsletter) & 1st SAT Test Date MANDATORY 8th ACT Test Date Bridge Meeting 3 10th Undergraduate Move-In Day 9th ACT Test Date 29th—July 3rd End of Summer Trip 23rd Kentucky TRiO Day Celebration/ Scholars Bowl Competition Morehead State University
March 9th SAT Test Date 23rd Honor Roll Trip: Dreamgirls Dinner TBA April TBA College Tour
13th ACT Test Date
27th AIMS Summer Orientation 9:00am—12:00pm 251 Blackburn Science Bldg
Adventures in Math &
Science
Murray State University
240 Blackburn Science Building
Murray, KY 42071
Phone: 1-877=424-6777
Fax: 270-809-4351
E-mail: murraystate.edu/aims
Dr. Doris Clark-Sarr, Director [email protected]
Stephen D. Keene, Coordinator [email protected]
Evan O’Neal, Coordinator [email protected]
Gail Woolridge, Adminstrative Assistant [email protected]