MIT CLUB OF SOUTH TEXAS Sponsoring Activities for MIT South Texas Alumnae and Alumni

Assisting MIT in Recruiting Students and Promoting its Reputation Promoting Engineering, Science, and Math Education in Our Local Area

January 2014 www.mithouston.org

Do You Know A Science or Math Teacher That Would Like to Attend a 1 Week Summer Session at MIT? 2014 Leadership in Education Program (LEAP) Competition for Teachers Application deadline is Feb 15, 2014 The MIT Club of South Texas through its Leadership in Education Program (LEAP) has an ongoing interest in encouraging students interested in science and mathematics and in helping to elevate the level of technical literacy in our community. We would like to recognize key science and math teachers who are making a difference and to support their ongoing commitment to educating our youth in science and technology. We invite science and math teachers from the Greater Houston/South Texas Area to apply for the 2014 MIT Leadership in Education Award (LEAP). The winner of this award will attend the 2014 MIT Science and Engineering Program for Teachers (MIT SEPT), training class held on the MIT campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at our expense. This is a one week session and will run from Sunday, June 22 - Saturday June 28, 2014. This program brings educators to the MIT campus for one week of intense study with MIT faculty and scientists who work at the leading edge of research. This program is described more fully in the brochure. We will select a winner based on enthusiasm as an educator, credibility among peers, ability to stimulate students in science and technology, and interest in making a difference in our community. Previous LEAP winners are listed in our LEAP archives and you can read about recent feedback from recent LEAP winners. Applicants must be teaching full-time at the junior high school level or higher (or equivalent). Teachers will receive 4 CEUs of professional credit for their successful participation in the 2014 program, and will also become members of the Network of Educators in Science and Technology (NEST) alumni network, which offers many valuable benefits. More information may be found on the NEST website In order to be considered for a scholarship and travel expenses for the MIT summer program, completed applications(*) are to be emailed to Ed Rinehart, leap@mithouston.org, by February 15, 2014. If you have any questions or comments, call Ed by email or Stacey Nakamura at info@mithouston.org 281-486-4782. 2014 LEAP Introduction Letter http://goo.gl/mMk6we (*) 2014 LEAP Application (MS Word file) http://goo.gl/o4Sz09

Here is a listing of previous LEAP winners: 2013- Divina Browne, Eisenhower HS, Aldine ISD 2013 - Dwight Raulston, St. John’s School 2012 - Paulette Bogert, Lanier Middle School, Houston ISD 2012 - Michael Hunt, Episcopal High School 2011 - Wen Zhao, Westbury Christian School 2010 - Nancy Fiegel, Space Center Intermediate School, Clear Creek ISD 2009 - Daniel B. Friedman, St. John's School 2009 - Bhavna D. Rawal, Northbrook Senior High School, Spring Branch ISD 2007 - Anthony Langley, Arnold Middle School, Cy-Fair ISD 2007 - Serena Magrogan, Hightower HS, Fort Bend ISD 2007 - Mary Patterson, Hamilton Middle School, Cy-Fair ISD 2006 - D. Howard, Stratford HS, Spring Branch ISD 2005 - A. Smith, James E. Bay Elementary School, Clear Creek ISD 2004 - T. Hughes, Northbrook Senior HS, Spring Branch ISD 2004 - N. Wilson, Taylor HS, Alief ISD 2003 - A. Zoller, James F. Bay Elementary School, Clear Creek ISD 2002 - P. Nesrsta, Clear Brook HS, Clear Creek ISD 2002 - C. Warden, Cinco Ranch HS, Katy ISD 2001 - P. Thomason, Langham Creek HS, Fort Bend ISD 2000 - J. Elston, Taylor HS, Katy ISD 1999 - J. Boyd, First Colony Middle School, Fort Bend ISD

2014 Houston Science and Engineering Fair Judges Needed Thursday, February 20, 2014 6:00 - 9:30pm The MIT Club needs judges for the 2014 Science Engineering Fair of Houston. The judging will be from 6:00 to 9:30 pm on Thursday, February 20 at the Brown Convention Center, Hall A3. We need volunteers to look at the exhibits, talk to the students, and select three prizewinners. This is a chance for you to meet and encourage 7th through 12th grade students who are interested in science and engineering. If you are interested in being a judge, please email Arno Bommer at sfair@mithouston.org or call him at 281-492-2784 (W). You can find additional information at http://sefh.uh.edu/judges-agencies

MITEF Event – “Big Data” A MIT Enterprise Forum Event February 19, 2014 5:30pm Drinks and hors d'oeuvres 6:30pm Program The MIT Enterprise Forum of Texas is presenting a panel discussion on big data and machine learning as well as some thoughts on its potential in upstream Oil & Gas. MIT Alumni are invited to register at the general admission rate of $50. Register at www.MITEFtexas.org

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Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Houston Area School Wins 2013 Invention Grant for "3D Glasses Washer" The Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam initiative inspires a new generation of inventors by engaging students in creative thinking, problem-solving and hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Each InvenTeam receives up to $10,000 in grant funding to create and pursue a yearlong invention project addressing a real-world problem. Three Houston area teams have won in 2011 and 2012, and we are pleased to announce that Elkins High School in Missouri City, Texas has been selected for their “3D Glasses Washer” project. Elkins HS is one of 15 high schools selected for Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Awards in 2013. In June 2014, students, teachers, and mentors representing each InvenTeam travel to Cambridge, Mass., for the Lemelson-MIT Program's EurekaFest, a multi-day celebration of the inventive spirit. During EurekaFest, InvenTeams showcase their prototypes at a public exhibit and attend workshops for guidance on sustaining an inventive culture. 2013 Elkins High School in Missouri City, Texas: 3D Glasses Washer The Elkins HS InvenTeam is developing an automated washer for 3D glasses in movie theatres and areas that depend on providing ample supplies of glasses to the general public. The washer will follow a cleaning cycle that removes bacteria and sanitizes the glasses in time for the next use. This will ease any personal health concern that moviegoers have while watching a movie in their 3D glasses and also lessen the workload of employees who manually clean glasses, allowing them to focus on the needs of their patrons. The Elkins HS team is looking for people to help with:

• welding materials together • review drawings and provide feedback • help with computer programming and electrical

design • growing and testing bacteria and the chemicals that

can be used to treat those bacteria • help in making cheap prototypes

Alumni interested in providing assistance to the Elkins HS team can contact Brian Tucker, the team faculty advisor, at Brian.Tucker@fortbend.k12.tx.us You can follow the team's progress via their blog: elkinsinventeam.blogspot.com Elkins HS InvenTeam’s Mid-Year Technical Review February 22, 2014 1-3pm Elkins High School – Commons Area 7007 Knights Court Missouri City, TX 77459 The Elkins HS Team will have their Mid-Year Technical Review on February 22, 2014 and MIT Alumni are invited to participate. The team welcomes advice and guidance from MIT Alumni on all aspects of their project. For more information, please contact Brian Tucker, the team faculty advisor, at Brian.Tucker@fortbend.k12.tx.us

Volunteers Needed for MIT Booth at FIRST Robotics Competition April 4 and 5, 2014 9am – 5pm (includes lunch) FIRST is having a “University Row” section this year at the Lone Star Regional Competition: schools will have booths to assist potential applicants with questions. Our Club will be hosting a MIT booth and need volunteers to work morning and afternoon shifts. Please contact us at info@mithouston.org if you are interested. Save the Date: Apr 6, 2014 Join the Fun at FIRST Robotics Lone Star Regional Competition Sunday, April 6, 2014 Join the fun of competition in the "over the top" crowd cheering on their favorite robots. This year’s competition is called “Aerial Assist”: two competing Alliances of three robots each on a flat 25’ x 54’ foot field, straddled by a truss suspended just over five feet above the floor. The objective is to score as many balls in goals as possible during a two (2)-minute and 30-second match. The more Alliances score their ball in their goals, and the more they work together to do it, the more points their Alliance receives. The MIT Club of South Texas will sponsor a Club event that includes a pit tour, lunch get together, and a seat in the routing section with Team 3335 (Team 3335 is sponsored by the MIT Club of South Texas.) Watch for registration information in future newsletters and on the website. If you would like to help out at the regional competition contact Marilyn Taggi Cisar at mitcstreplies@prodigy.net or register directly on the houston.txfirst.org website. Save the Date: Mar 28, 2014 InterClub 1.0 Bowling The Yale Club of Houston is hosting an InterClub night at Lucky Strike Bowling. Registration and a nominal fee payment will be done via the Yale Club website. MIT Alumni will register as individuals and declare their school alma mater. Participants will begin bowling as they arrive and a master score keeper will keep a tally of each school’s players results. Prizes will be award to the top wining school teams. Details to be announced soon. Save the Date: Mar 29, 2014 International Dining Club We are planning our next Dining Club outing on Saturday, March 29, 2014. Details to be announced soon. Event Under Development: Wine Tasting We are planning our next wine tasting for February or March. We had a great time at the Oct 2013 wine tasting and look forward to another tasting event! Details to be announced soon.

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MIT South Texas Golf - Join The List ! For the first time an “honorary” alum took top honors at the MIT Club golf outing, held on a sunny Saturday, January 18, at the Cypresswood Traditions Course in north Houston. Juliani Vachon shot an outstanding 86, which included an 8 on a par three hole! Greg Turner was runner-up, followed by Juliani’s husband Guy Vachon. Leo Bonnell, Tomas Gonzales, Phil Ruziska, and Matt Turner also join in the fun. We hope to get out again this spring, before the really hot weather sets in. For those interested who are not on our email distribution list, feel free to contact Greg Turner at golf@mithouston.org. Please join the MIT Club of South Texas (see elsewhere in this newsletter to learn how, if you haven’t already!), make your contribution to the Annual Fund, and come on out and join us! Event Under Development: Houston Rockets Game & Presentation We are working to have another Houston Rockets Game & Presentation event this year with Daryl Morey, GM ’00. Stay tuned for details! Volunteer Recognition: MIT Educational Counselors A big thank you to the following alumni who are served as Educational Counselors (student interviewers) during the 2012-2013 admission cycle: Ms. Kelly Aheimer Mr. Abdulaziz Albahar Mr. Juan F. Rodriguez Alvarado Ms. Michelle Barber Mr. Cameron Brown Ms. Denise Leung Chan Ms. Keiko Chevray Ms. Angie Chiang Ms. Marilyn Taggi Cisar Dr. Alan James Cisar Ms. Lisa Costello Mr. Eric A. Del Castillo Mr. Samuel E. Denard Mr. Joshua N. Ertischek Mr. Benjamin A. Escobar Ms. Vidya Eswaran Mr. Frank V. Gay Dr. Alan P. Glombicki Mr. Theodore Goetz Ms. Ashwini A. Gokhale Mr. Gabriel R. Gomez Mr. Manuel T. Gonzalez Mr. Albert R. Hernandez Mr. Anwer Hussain Ms. Sarah E. Jensen Dr. David H. Johnston

Dr. Asha S. Kapadia Ms. Irene M. Kim Ms. Jennifer Kleiman Mr. James Knoedler Dr. Emily V. Le Ms. Katherine A. Leskin Mr. Edward Mabonga Mr. Shanahan Mondal Mr. Fausto Morales Ms. Lydia S. Musher Mrs. Risa B. Myers Mr. Jeffrey R. O'Donnell Ms. Cordelia M. Price Dr. Keith G. Reed Dr. Ed Rinehart Mr. Renard R. Roy Ms. Alyssa Samson Mr. Ramon San Pedro Mr. Douglas Smith Ms. Coleen Smith Ms. Tara Soni Mr. Albert L. Tervalon Dr. Sharmila Watkins Dr. Charles C. Wykoff Dr. Shan H. Yang Dr. Jing F. Zhou

Volunteer Recognition: FIRST Robotics Local Alumni Volunteers at 2013 Lone Star Regional Competition MIT alumni Charlie Klene, Marilyn Taggi Cisar and Al Cisar coordinated a MIT Alumni event at the FIRST Robotics Lone Star Regional Competition held at the George R. Brown Convention Center on March 9, 2013. The 2013 contest was ULTIMATE ASCENTSM and is played by two competing alliances on a flat, 27 x 54 foot field. Each alliance consists of three robots, and they compete to score as many discs into their goals as they can during a two (2)-minute and fifteen (15)-second match. Along with the fun of the competition, the MIT Club had an escorted tour of the pit area where the robots are assembled and tweaked for performance. The MIT Club of South Texas is a proud sponsor of Cypress Ranch Robotics Team #3335, winners of the 2010 Rookie All Star Award. Volunteer Recognition: 2013 Science & Engineering Fair of Houston Judges Our Club awards “MIT Club of South Texas” prizes as a “special awarding agency” of the fair. Many thanks to the following alumni for representing our Club as judges (and a big thank you to Arno Bommer for coordinating this over the years!): Arno Bommer John Boynton Sam Denard Emily Le-Saab

Art Schlauch Katherine Schwarz Ron Weiner

Students receiving prizes this year from our Club are: Senior Division (10th - 12th grade) Shreya Mandal Hightower High School in Missouri City Circumferential Detection Using Piezoelectric PVDF 9th Grade Division Nick Zhao The Woodlands College Park High School Chemical Analysis Using Raman Effect Junior Division (7th & 8th grade) Maria Castro Seabrook Intermediate School Making Energy from Radio Waves

Alumni Judges L. to R: Art Schlauch, Emily Le-Saab,

Arno Bommer, Katherine Schwarz, Sam Denard

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2013 Leadership in Education Program (LEAP) Winner Local Teachers Receive MIT Leadership in Education Award The MIT Club of South Texas has selected two teachers in the Greater Houston area to receive the 2013 MIT Leadership in Education Award. The Leadership in Education program reflects MIT’s continuing desire to encourage students interested in science and mathematics and to help in elevating the level of technical literacy in our community. Awards are made to recognize key science and math teachers in the Greater Houston area who are making a difference and to support these teachers’ ongoing commitment to educating our youth in science and technology. The teachers selected for 2013 are: Divina Browne Eisenhower HS, Aldine ISD, Houston, TX Dwight Raulston St. John’s School, Houston, TX Ms. Browne and Mr. Raulston had their expenses paid to attend the 2013 MIT Science and Engineering Program for Teachers. This program brings educators from around the country to the MIT campus for one week of intense study with MIT faculty and scientists who work at the leading edge of research.

Annual Club Membership Drive – Calendar Year 2014 It’s time once again, time for the annual MIT Club of South Texas membership drive. The MIT Club of South Texas invites you to join or renew your membership for 2014. Membership in the club runs coincident with the calendar year. Membership is open to all MIT alumni and alumnae, as well as current undergraduate and graduate students and their parents. Your dues in the local club are used to pay for printing and mailing this newsletter, sponsor events for local high school students accepted at the Institute, award prizes at local science fairs, and improve local science and math education through our Leadership in Education Program (LEAP). Although we do benefit from some administrative assistance from the Institute, the MIT Club of South Texas does not receive funding from MIT or from the Alumni/ae Association. Last year was a record year for South Texas alumni and parent participation and we look forward to your continued support in 2014. Join today to get the maximum benefit from your membership! Visit our website to sign up: http://www.mithouston.org/membership Not sure if you have signed up for 2014 yet? Just check our website for the current membership roster.

These events will occur after postal delivery of this newsletter and are listed here for our newsletter archive Houston InterClub 2.0 Social (30/40+) Hosted by Columbia and MIT Tuesday, January 21, 2014 6 – 9pm 13 Celsius

11th Annual Toast to IAP – Houston Wednesday, January 22, 2014 Because No One Does January Like MIT Wednesday, January 22, 2014 6 – 9pm 3rd Floor Bar

Houston InterClub 1.0 Happy Hour (20/30+) Hosted by Johns Hopkins University Wednesday, January 29, 2014 6 – 9pm Local Pour

August 2013 Frosh Sendoff Party

January 2013 Toast to IAP

South Texas K-12 STEM Webpage Launch We have launched our K-12 STEM webpage!

www.mithouston.org (STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Math) Please visit our webpage and browse through our current and future educational outreach activities. We are also featuring our South Texas K-12 "Group," which is a social collaboration feature of the MIT Alumni Association's website software platform.

Check out the PDF version of this newsletter on our website mithouston.org/newsletters

Contains more pictures from 2013 events!

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Sign up at www.mithouston.org and save time and postage! 2014-01

Please sign me up as a Member of the MIT Club of South Texas, Calendar Year 2014: Name: Home Address: Phone:

Class & Course: Work Address: Phone:

The Club is moving towards email as the primary communication method with alumni due to rising printing and postage costs. We are now sending out 2-3 hardcopy newsletters and 2-3 postcards each year in addition to biweekly emails.

If you do not have an email on file with the MIT Alumni Association, please consider adding one to your profile. It will automatically be added to our master email distribution list. If you wish to receive our biweekly emails but do not wish to register your email address with MIT, please contact info@mithouston.org and we will add your email to a special local distribution list.

If you would like fax notifications, please fill out the below fields: [_] FAX # ________________________________ Please circle preferred fax receive times: Day Evening Overnight No Preference

[_] Emeritus, $400+ [_] Benefactor, $200+ [_] Sustaining, $100+ [_] Patron, $50+ [_] Regular, $25 [_] MIT Recent Grad (’09-’14), $5 [_] Current Student in graduate degree program, but not otherwise eligible for Recent Grad rate (SM, PhD, MD, DDS, JD, etc.), $12 NOTE: Current Undergraduate Students always have complimentary membership privileges - no membership sign up is required [_] Parents (per household per year), $25 [_] Parents MultiYear (per household for 4 years), $40 one time payment

Extra Contribution to Leadership In Education (LEAP):________

Please make check payable to MIT Club of South Texas and return to:

Mr. Stephen Murdoch MIT Club of South Texas 13190 Trail Hollow Houston, TX 77079

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Dues Paid Members for 2014 (as of Jan 19, 2014) The MIT Club of South Texas expresses its thanks for your continued support of the Club !

(Note: It may take several weeks for mailed-in memberships to get posted)

Emeritus Benefactor+ Benefactor Denard, Sam Israel, Sharon Turner, R. Greg Sustaining Patron Baker, Lawrence Cisar, Alan Cisar, Marilyn Taggi Cole, Mary Cutler, Scott Gonzalez, Tomas Karohl, David Nakamura, Stacey Peaceman, Donald Starkschall, George Yearwood, Mario

Regular Chevray, Keiko Fraizer, William Godbold, Gilbert (2014 & 2015) Jamroz, Przemek Jester III, Lewis Kodama, Koichi Mabonga, Edward Mata, Juan McMahon, Michael Mehta, Ajay Moorman, R. Hal Price, Cordelia Qureshi, Wagar Reyes, Danny Tang, Sunny Tse, Gabriel Turner, Matthew

Recent Graduates Archilla, Eduardo Carrasquillo, Omar Chapa, Matt Chhatre, Shreerang Espitia, Alejandro Fernholz, Dave Gokhale, Ashwini Hadjiharitou, Dimitris Kelly, Amy Klene, Charlie Konduru, Mahesh Mathew, Janice Moore, Jason (2014 & 2015)

Ocalan, Murat Ortega, Alberto Ranjan, Manya Samson, Alyssa Santos, Rodolfo Wu, Ning

Current Students (SM, PhD, MD, DDS, JD, etc.) Ghosh, Alokananda Parents - MultiYear Sustaining Gibbs, Mary and Chuck Parents - MultiYear Patron Xu, Alan and Kathy Zhang Parents - MultiYear Regular Bender, William Casas, Javier Cisar, Alan & Marilyn Taggi Fortune, Carla Karen Huff, Glendora Kane, Mory Kew, Jeanette Ledvina, Joseph Parents - Regular

K-12 STEM Robotics News MIT Alumni Association (MITAA) K-12 STEM initiative with FIRST Robotics FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by Dean Kamen. MIT's Woody Flowers sits on the Board of Directors of FIRST. In 2009 the MITAA K-12 STEM Board chose to ally with FIRST because of its international footprint, hands on programming, and outreach to many age levels. There are numerous opportunities for alumni to get involved, including starting FIRST teams, joining existing organizations, and getting their kids involved in the programs.

Of course a background in mechanical or electrical engineering would be helpful, but you don't need to be Course 2 or 6 to be valuable to a team!

Teams need help with: • business plans • fund raising • brainstorming and logistics

Interested in Volunteering? If you are interested in volunteering feel free to contact Marilyn Taggi Cisar at mitcstreplies@prodigy.net. If you are already volunteering, please let us know so that we can help others to find opportunities and help you keep in contact with others in the K-12 STEM network in the Houston Area.

Upcoming Events:

Jan 21 – InterClub 2.0 (30/40+) Social (13 Celsius) Jan 22 – Toast to IAP (3rd Floor) Jan 29 – InterClub 1.0 (20/30+) Happy Hour (Local Pour) Feb 15 – LEAP Applications Due to Club Feb 19 – MITEF Event – Big Data Feb 20 – Houston Science & Engineering Fair Judging Feb 22 – Elkins HS Mid-Point Review for Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Project Feb/Mar TBD – Wine Tasting

Feb/Mar/Apr TBD – Houston Rockets Game & Presentation Mar 28 – InterClub 1.0 Bowling Night Mar 29 – International Dining Club Apr 4-5 – MIT Exhibit Table at FIRST Robotics Apr 6 – MIT Event @ FIRST Robotics Lone Star Regional Competition Apr 16 – MITEF Event “Regenerative Medicine”

For The Latest Event Status Check Our Website and Watch For Our Emails