Spring/Summer EQ 2013

EAST QUARTERLY

EQSpring / Summer 2013

www.EASTinitiative.org

ConferenceHighlights

Special Thanks

EAST at Horace Mann Magnet Middle School for designing the cover for this issue of EQ!

EAST Night Out is a nation-wide EAST open house hosted in over 100 individual communities that have EAST programs. During EAST Night Out, EAST classrooms share with their school, community members, business leaders, media and families the power of student-driven, service-based, technology-infused education. The facilitator and students work together to showcase projects and share their EAST story. Take advantage of this exciting opportunity.

National EAST Open House

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

CONTENTSSpring / Summer 2013

Spotlights

EQ Brief

EAST CORE National ServiceProject

In the News

Site SupportConference

AR STEMCoalition

Staff MemberDondi Jackson

Click here for a video summary of EQ Magazine

Dr. David RaineyBoard Member

Sam CarrasquilloEAST Alumni

James MillerMary LaVergne

FacilitatorAUTISSponsor

2

14 16 18

20

6

4

15 17

9

810

Geek Speak

SponsorsProject Profiles

EAST GearWhere EAST Is

EAST Staff

21

26 3230

28 31

Guest BlogCharlie Fitzpatrick

EAST QUARTERLY PG. 1

EAST COREcore.eastinitiative.org

It helps to strengthen our skills preparing us for the real world. - Dalton

I like EAST Core because it gives us a chance to leave the classroom and do something other than worksheets and bookwork. We actually get to talk and communicate rather than sit and be quiet. I think we should come out of the classroom more often. - Cody

I like EAST Core because it gives us a hands-on approach to learning. - Dylan

I like EAST Core because we are not sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher talking and trying to comprehend what she is saying. I learn better with hands-on. - Ryan

I like EAST Core. It allows us to get out of the same ol’ classroom day after day. - Cade

I like the Coordinated Learning Center because it’s more hands-on, and I get out of the classroom and get to be on computers and build things that I like. - Brianna

I like EAST Core because it lets us deal with technology and learn a lot about different projects. - Anna

The national focus in education is centered around implementation of the Common Core State Standards

and Next Generation Science Standards. There exists a heightened understanding for the need to

provide opportunities for students to become better communicators, problem solvers and innovators.

EAST Core provides the necessary tools, resources and support to achieve teaching and learning excellence.

Participating schools experience a dynamic methodology to prepare students for competitive post-secondary

studies and STEM careers. The use of advanced technology reflects real world application that is relevant for the 21st

Century and STEM pipeline.

The EAST Initiative is uniquely situated to scale the EAST Core model with a large footprint in the state of Arkansas

and a long track record of successfully seeding project- based learning and 21st Century Skills into schools.

What students have to say about EAST CORE

PG. 2 EAST QUARTERLY

The national focus in education is centered around implementation of the Common Core State Standards

and Next Generation Science Standards. There exists a heightened understanding for the need to

provide opportunities for students to become better communicators, problem solvers and innovators.

EAST Core provides the necessary tools, resources and support to achieve teaching and learning excellence.

Participating schools experience a dynamic methodology to prepare students for competitive post-secondary

studies and STEM careers. The use of advanced technology reflects real world application that is relevant for the 21st

Century and STEM pipeline.

The EAST Initiative is uniquely situated to scale the EAST Core model with a large footprint in the state of Arkansas

and a long track record of successfully seeding project- based learning and 21st Century Skills into schools.


Site Support

Linking Your EAST Program to Business, Industry and Resources

Linking Your EAST Program

Michael VincentHot Springs High School

EAST at Hot Springs High School was recently named a finalist in the national Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition. The contest gave away more than $1,000,000 worth of technology to schools around the country. Samsung and its partners called on teachers to raise student interest in science, technology, engineering and math by inviting them to answer the challenge, “Show how science or math can help the environment in your community.” This was a great opportunity to showcase what EAST embodies in its innovative model of education.

As part of the contest guidelines, EAST students had to convince a panel of judges that their program is solving tomorrow’s problems with today’s technology. This was no easy task. To be chosen as one of 1,600 STEM program semi-finalists, students had to use a camcorder, laptop and video software provided through a grant to document the program’s innovative efforts, along with a documentary showing how the program is solving tomorrow’s problems.

The EAST students at Hot Springs began writing an essay describing their plan to document critical thinking and problem solving skills utilized while designing a three-dimensional (3D) model to demonstrate severe flooding issues in their community. They also captured their attempts to analyze structural and medical problems with a 3D printer constructed in their EAST classroom.

Hot Springs learned the good news that they were selected as one of the 1,600 semifinalists. After winning equipment for their EAST program, they teamed up with American LIDAR and the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas to work on an engineering project in Hot Springs. Students used LIDAR laser equipment in an underground expedition to scan city tunnels and caves to provide renderings and a model of the structure for city officials and engineers. Students also created a video documentary during the process.

Following the LIDAR project, EAST at Hot Springs High School was informed that they finished in the top 15 STEM programs in the national competition. After the recognition, equipment and awards started rolling in: Samsung provided Hot Springs with seven 55-inch HDTVs, three 65-inch HD monitors with touch overlays, five Ultrabooks, four 10.1-inch notebook computers and two copies of Adobe CS6. It was an exciting time for the EAST students and allowed them to showcase the innovative projects EAST students champion in programs across the country.

Students enjoyed working on the project and wish they could apply again next year. Once you receive an award from the contest, you cannot compete again. All EAST programs should give this competition a shot.

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EAST Initiative 2013 Dominates News Coverage in SpringWhile several EAST programs gained news coverage for their individual projects, the 2013 edition of Conference still dominated press coverage this spring.

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Fifteen Public Schools Across the Country Named as Finalist in Samsung’s $1 Million* Solve for Tomorrow Contest

Rison High EAST Project Tabbed National Finalist |Cleveland County Herald

Dardanelle EAST receives Award of Excellence, Superiorrating at conference

Ashley County Ledger > School News > Eight Attend HotSprings Conference

Harrison EAST Class Gets Chamber Award -HometownDailyNews.com

Sonora Makes Waves in Technology Program |NWAonline

Students conduct ‘cool’ research

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.---- Fifteen public schools from across the country - Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts...

Posted by admin on Feb 13, 2013 in News, Photos | RISON - The Rison High School EAST lab’s project to help Rison Shine Downtow...

EAST at Dardanelle High School is the recipient of the Timothy R. Ste-phenson Founder’s Award of Excellence in Community and Collaboration

HHS students with their booth in Hot Springs. Eight HHS students, along with teacher Paula Gathings, attended the annual EAST Conference ...

The Harrison School District 6th Graders from what’s known as the EAST class were awarded the Jerry McFarland Youth Group Award at the Har...

At A Glance EAST Programs EAST started with a single classroom program in Greenbrier in 1996. Since then it has spread to 220 schools in ...

Eureka Springs High School EAST Initiative members braved 27 degree temperatures, a windchill of 22 degrees and winds gusting 10 to 25 mp...


* 25th Annual Arkansas Business of the Year Awards

*


The future of Arkansas depends on a commitment to excellent STEM education involving government, the education system, students, families, and employers. The STEM Coalition guides science, t ec h no lo gy , eng ineer ing , and mathematics educational priorities to alignment with the business needs of the state. If you are interested in solving the problems of science, technology, engineering, and math education in Arkansas we invite you to join the Arkansas STEM Coalition.

Advancing Arkansas’ Future

Did you know: Arkansas ranks 50th in the number of college graduates. Arkansas industries are not finding sufficient numbers of Arkansas-educated STEM graduates to fill

available job openings. Forty-two percent of Arkansas students who took a college placement exam in 2010, according to

ADHE policy, were not ready for college level mathematics study. Only 1,311 students received a

Baccalaureate degree in STEM-identified subjects in 2009 - 2010, which is only 13% of college gradu-ates in Arkansas.

The number of students enrolled as STEM post-graduates (master’s and doctoral levels) has declined in Arkansas by 25% over the past 5 years.

www.ArkansasSTEMcoalition.com Executive Director, Suzanne Mitchell, Ph.D.

P.O. Box 3142 Little Rock, AR 72203


National Service Project

Monticello Intermediate School

Bridge Project

Announcement

The 2014 National Service Project will be announced at the 2013 EAST Initiative

Summer Seminar Event

2013 NSP Opportunity & Entrepreneurship Winner

click here to read more


2013 EAST Conference

A Day in the Life of a Leadership Team Member

Life of a Leadership Team Member / Save The Date

Montana RuthTechnical Support Team

Sum up your Conference experience.

To me Conference is like “A World of Endless Wonder.” It is simply amazing to see all of the

creative and innovative projects that EAST students share. Every year, Conference has surprised

me in new and unique ways.

What is the best part of working behind the scenes at Conference?

By working behind the scenes at Conference, I gained the opportunity of working with some

of the best people that I have ever met. I had the opportunity to help others, which gave me a

feeling of deep accomplishment.

Name three things that you gained from this experience.

By being a part of the Technical Support Team, I gained experience on how to work in a

team. I also gained experience on why proper planning (or the lack thereof ) can make all the

difference in the world. Overall, I gained real experience on what a computer tech support

member would go through on a daily basis, which is something that will prepare me for my

future career path.

Was there anything about the experience that surprised you or was unexpected?

The excitement of being a part of the Leadership Team was a bit of a surprise because I had

been providing tech support to many people for some years now. I didn’t think this would

be different. However, my team was thrown some interesting problems, and the reactions,

decisions and outcomes of those problems were something that surprised me. During the

last minutes of the closing session, I actually danced to Gangnam Style on stage with the

friends that I had met just two weeks prior, and I felt like that was one of the best moments of

my life. As I boarded our bus 15 minutes later, I thought about all of the experiences I had at

Conference and all the great people I met.

How was this year’s Conference experience as a Leadership Team Member different from previous Conference experiences as a participant? Was it more or less than you expected?

This year’s Conference experience was the best one out of three.

I was fully engaged with many aspects of Conference that, before

serving on the Technical Support Team, I didn’t even know existed.

This year’s experience was way more than I expected, and because of

this, I was surprised on many occasions.

How will this opportunity help you grow as a person?

Because I intend on following a career path in Computer Science and

Technology, this experience has given me a taste of what my career

will be like. I learned to work as a part of a team, right from the start.

I learned how to expect the unexpected and how to make the best

with what you have.

What could you say to other students that would encourage them to apply to be a team member?

Being a part of the Technical Support Team is like being a part of

something bigger. The sense of accomplishment I received when I

helped others with their problems encouraged me to become more

selfless and to use my knowledge and talents to help others who

could benefit from it. As we were told, being a part of the Leadership

Team shows you a whole new side of Conference and allows you to

be one who made Conference a success and a great event.


Bryttani BarlettDocumentation Team

Sum up your Conference experience.

My Conference experience was extraordinary. I got to meet many interesting

people and made lifelong friends with my team members on the Leadership

Team. Working behind the scenes with the EAST Staff was really an honor because

they are some of most influential individuals I have been around, and they helped

make my conference experience distinct and unforgettable. Being a part of a team

with a huge goal that has never been accomplished before kept me motivated to

be the best I could be.

What is the best part of working behind the scenes at Conference?

The best part about working behind the scenes at Conference was being behind

the scenes and seeing how Conference is managed and helping run it. Being a

part of the documentation team and producing the conference video shown at

closing session was really awesome. We were the first group to ever meet that

deadline so that everyone could see it, and it was exhilarating. Working with all

the different EAST people, from EAST Alumni to the Tech guys was just really

rewarding because I was always learning something new and meeting new

people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. Being behind the scenes really opened

my eyes to all the work that goes in to this event, and I loved it.

Name three things that you gained from this experience.

First, I would say confidence - being able to talk to my peers better and

collaborating and working with them. I have never been good at communicating

with people my age. I have always found it easier to talk to adults, and being on

this team really helped me with that. I would list both lifelong memories and

friendships. I have gained friends that I still talk to on a regular basis, and I am very

grateful for that. I now have a group of people who share my love of videography.

There are so many good memories from Conference that I will never forget.

Was there anything about the experience that surprised you or was unexpected?

What was really unexpected about the entire experience was how fast the whole

thing went. I knew it was going to be hectic. I felt like the days were long but they

went by really quickly because I was having fun, but also stressing out at the same

time. We had a schedule that was really full, so there was never a dull moment

in the day. I am used to working in this type of environment but I normally work

with people that are older than me, so that’s different and my days are slower. But

working with my peers is different in the sense that we are all experiencing the

same thing and we haven’t been doing this for a long time so we are all leading

each other.

How was this year’s Conference experience as a Leadership Team Member different from previous Conference experiences as a participant? Was it more or less than you expected?

The experience of being a Leadership Team Member is very different from just

being a participant. I noticed that many people looked up to me and gave me

some type of seniority. They asked me questions and a lot of people tried to

talk to me. It made me feel really important and that’s always a good feeling.

People became more interested in me and asked me how I became a part of the

team and wanted to know how they could join in the future. But this was more

than I expected. It wasn’t overwhelming, I just didn’t realize the huge amount of

responsibility I had until I arrived on the first day and realized that it was all really

happening.

How will this opportunity help you grow as a person?

Being on the Documentation Team helped me come out of my shell more around

my peers. I can work really well with adults in the industry, but when I’m around

my peers I have a bad habit of trying to take over and direct people. So I had

to step back and let my team members contribute their thoughts openly and

not direct people and take direction from each other. I feel like this helped me

become a better leader and a better follower.

What could you say to other students that would encourage them to apply to be a team member?

I would tell any student that wanted to apply to go for it. The experience of being

on the team is unforgettable and worth the long days of planning and working.


Save The DateMarch 19 - 21, 2014

Hot Springs Convention Center


Student innovation comes alive at EAST technical training.


Staff Member Spotlight

The Heart of EAST CORE

Dondi Jackson - Senior Director of Curricular Integration

Lifelong learning is more than a professional philosophy for Dondi Jackson; it’s

a family legacy. She is a third generation educator and the Senior Director of

Curricular Integration at the EAST Initiative. While Jackson may be the first member

of her family to facilitate in an EAST classroom, her passion for education was

inspired by similar principles introduced by her parents during her childhood. “My

parents were always doing projects, exploring new things, and they encouraged

us to explore, too,” Jackson said. “My brother and I developed diverse interests and

a belief that learning was fun.” That passion for education instilled by her parents

created a desire to nurture that same passion in as many students as possible.

Originally from Cleveland, Mississippi, Jackson worked as an educator in her home

state for 12 years. She moved to Arkansas in 2004 and taught in several school

districts before finding EAST. In 2006, when she was hired as a first-time facilitator at

El Dorado High School.

After going through the required Phase training and visiting with EAST staff, Jackson

could not hold in her enthusiasm for the program. “I was so excited about [EAST], it

was all I could talk about for weeks and weeks,” she recalled.

Though she had received her Masters in Instructional Technology, she chose to go

back to school and obtain her Specialist degree because she knew she could have

a bigger impact. “Within months of working with the kids, I saw the transformation

that took place within them. It was so powerful. I was moved to continue my

education because of EAST,” said Jackson. In 2009, she received her Ed.S. in

Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.

Jackson went on to start an EAST program at

Mountain View High School and facilitated

that program for two years. Jackson’s EAST

students received two EAST After Hours Grants

to complete an afterschool leadership program

and a teacher workshop, both conducted by EAST

students. Her EAST program thrived.

“If it wasn’t for Dondi, I would not be where I am

today,” says Marisa Damm, former EAST student at

Mountain View High school and current Technical

Support Group Member at the EAST Initiative.

“She started as my facilitator and grew into a

lifelong friend.”

However, after personal trials, Jackson moved to

Jonesboro, Ark. At that time, she did not have a formal

relationship with EAST anymore, but she knew she

was not finished with the educational program yet.

She began working on her doctorate in Educational

Leadership at ASU. While working on that degree,

she began working at Crowley’s Ridge Educational

Cooperative as a Literacy Specialist.

While researching for a paper, Jackson received a vague phone call from Matt

Dozier, President and CEO of the EAST Initiative, with limited information about

a special project at EAST. The state of Arkansas was developing a comprehensive

approach to address Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

education. Within months, EAST Core was born, and Jackson could not say no.

With support from the Arkansas Department of Education and STEM Works, EAST

Core builds upon success of the EAST model by incorporating best practices into

math and science classrooms. EAST Core began last year with five pioneer schools.

Expansion is already occurring, as two more schools will start the program in the

2013-2014 school year.

“We anticipate significant interest as we develop and implement EAST Core and

it begins to gain traction,” said Jackson. “It is going to be hard to keep a lid on this

program. This is such an incredible approach.”

EAST has provided exceptional opportunities for students since 1996. “Like EAST,

EAST Core is moving forward as a national best practice model,” says Dr. Angela

Kremers, Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at the EAST Initiative. “EAST Core

challenges students to apply what they are learning in STEM subjects by finding

solutions to real world problems. Students learn best by connecting what they

are learning to the context around them. EAST Core helps connect the dots of

common core and the Next Generation Science Standards.”

While Jackson was a huge part of getting EAST

Core off the ground, she credits all of the success

to teamwork, both with her teammate, Melissa

Gallegos, and the entire EAST Initiative team.

“We collaborate with almost the entire EAST staff

depending on what project we are working on,

but you cannot talk about EAST Core without

talking about Melissa,” Jackson said. “She worked

on the professional development of EAST

Core, led the teacher training and took on the

coordination of installation of the technology.”

“Everything that happened has led me to

EAST Core and the greatest job ever. I always

thought facilitating was my favorite, but it is

this job,” Jackson said. “Honestly, in 2006, I didn’t

know what EAST was. It just happened that the

position was open and my resume matched

what was needed to be a good facilitator.

However, EAST changed my life; facilitating an

EAST program changed my life. I don’t know

how I ended up at the right place at the right

time because some people never find their

passion, but I have. I am so lucky.”


Lifting All Boats in the Delta

Board Member SpotlightDr. David Rainey

The recent feature film “Mud” starring Reese Witherspoon and Matthew

McConaughey, introduced moviegoers nationwide to the Arkansas Delta. Filming for

the movie began in and around Dumas, Arkansas - a community Dr. David Rainey calls

home. The Delta has pockets of extreme poverty at almost one-and-a-half times the

national average. This is in a state where almost half of its residents live in rural areas

compared to the national average of 21 percent. Despite these daunting facts, the

region is where Dr. David Rainey shares his passion for building a better tomorrow.

When he speaks about the Delta, Dr. Rainey’s message of hope for the region’s

youth and economic growth is clear. “You have to identify with a situation before

you can understand how something can benefit it,” says Rainey. While there are

many needs, education is critical for the region, and the EAST Initiative is one

shining example of addressing that need. “We have to find education reform

initiatives that are based in research, that get students engaged and ready to

succeed. Then add to that parents and the community getting on board and

excited – then you are half-way there,” adds Rainey.

The Delta was once a driving economic force in the state, and those with a true

passion like Rainey’s for the region know what possibilities still exist. “Education is

a survival issue for us, it needs to serve all kids well. When it succeeds, it will lift all

boats,” says Rainey.

Dr. Rainey attended his first EAST conference in 2012 and was immediately

impressed with how engaged and motivated the students were. He liked the social

consciousness aspect of student projects. “We talk about 21st century skills for

students to be globally competitive, but we need to re-enforce the critical thinking

skills and problem-solving skills that actually propel students to compete, not just

talk about it,” says Rainey.

Rainey brings to the EAST Board of

Directors a wealth of experience and

expertise. He is superintendent of

public schools in Dumas, Arkansas.

His professional experience

includes: serving as Arkansas state

representative; being named assistant

state director for the JBHM Education

Group, a school improvement

company; serving as visiting

professor at University of Arkansas

at Pine Bluff; acting as program

manager with Southwest Educational

Development Laboratory; and being

appointed Director of the Southeast

Comprehensive Assistance Center.

Rainey’s service as state representative included participation on the Education

Committee, as well as the Joint Budget, Insurance and Commerce, and Advanced

Communications and Information Technology committees. His educational

background includes a Bachelor’s degree in History and Government from the

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; a Masters in Secondary School Administration

from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville; and a Doctorate in Educational

Administration and Supervision from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Dr. Rainey presenting students of Dumas High School to the Arkansas House of Representatives.

Rainey is a true captain who is helping to lift all boats in the Delta and across the state


Fun With GIS 113: PBL? Look EAST!Guest Blog

Stories of education woe abound. But good news

exists, if you know where to look. Recently, I was

privileged to attend two important events: the

National Governors Association winter meeting and

the annual conference of the EAST Initiative.

At the NGA meeting, governors and audience

members heard a powerful presentation on the

importance of entrepreneurship. Knowing how to

engineer products is critical, said the speaker, but

of limited value if not coupled with the ability to

connect creation with user. When one governor

asked why the US is not more successful getting

students to complete school and be able to move

into STEM-related jobs, the speaker replied (I’m

paraphrasing here) “Our education systems may

have worked in the past, but not anymore. What

students need to do is projects, where they can

engage deeply, take something from start to finish,

learn how to do things that don’t have a clear right

answer, and solve problems.”

At that point, I half-expected Governor Beebe from

Arkansas to jump up and say, “Come see what we

have!” Had I sat closer, I’d have elbowed him to do

so. Arkansas deserves attention for their project-

based learning (PBL) program called EAST, for

“Environmental And Spatial Technology.”

Last week, I was at the annual EAST conference.

About 2000 students from around 200 schools

gathered at a convention center to show what

they had done, learn from each other, celebrate

their collective efforts, and inspire each other to

reach higher. Adults designed EAST and lead the

overall program, and each school has a “facilitator”

to oversee things, but most of the day-to-day work

through the year, and much of the conference,

is conceived, designed, led, and performed by

students. The students are given license — and

expectation — to explore, create, organize,

evaluate, problem-solve, and present. They learn

quickly that hurdles abound in the world, and

they must figure out how to overcome them. All

activities must benefit a community beyond just

the engaged student(s), which means presenting

a product to the “audience/client/customer.” ALL

work must consider the needs and desires of the

recipient from the outset.

EAST classes are most often in high school but

range in age from early college down into early

elementary. Going to conference is an “earned

privilege” at most schools. And student work ranges

from “a good start” to stunning.

As part of a broad suite of

advanced technologies, all

EAST schools have ArcGIS

Desktop Advanced (“ArcInfo”)

and extensions. Most EAST

classes have a few students who

engage more deeply in working

with GPS and GIS. They learn

enough to get underway, and

continue learning “as needed.”

Some students are just now

beginning with ArcGIS Online;

some have used ArcInfo for

several years.

Esri hosted a “showcase competition” for GIS

projects. Receiving honorable mentions were

a community energy audit (7th graders from

Harrisburg Middle School) and a community

auto accident analysis (senior from Fayetteville

High School). The winning project was a

fabulous community storm water mapping

project by seniors from Greenland High School,

who completed for their town something that

communities across the US must do.

The range of projects containing at least some GIS was

impressive; the full range and quality of EAST projects

is, in a word, stunning … like the kids themselves.

Telling observation: hotels are more excited to

have EAST Conference show up than to see school

or college sporting events,

even though EAST kids vastly

outnumber adults. In a decade

of attending such events, I have

yet to hear my first word spoken

in anger. But I hear “May I show

you …” and “How did you …”

constantly. These are kids excited

about at least some of their

school experience. In its history,

EAST has served 150,000 kids.

PBL is not easy for teachers

and administrators to adopt

quickly. It is not how most

educators were schooled,

and it is not easily supported by current policies

which value precisely defined machine-scoreable

metrics following a prescribed sequence of uniform

experiences. But life is not like that. As the NGA

speaker indicated, PBL can foster kids engaging in

education more deeply; help them learn practical

skills and integrate learning; allow them to explore,

create, stumble, fail, revise, and move beyond; and

keep them as an integral part of the community

instead of apart from it.

Charlie Fitzpatrick, Esri Schools Program ManagerPrevious member of EAST’s Board of Directors and current member of EAST’s Advisory Council

By: Charlie FitzpatrickRepublished with permission from Esri

Fun With GIS 113: PBL? Look EAST!


Sponsor SpotlightAUTIS

The AUTIS logo has been prominently displayed for a number of years at EAST’s annual conference, and the organization has long been a proponent of the EAST

model. New Launchpad devices purchased with grant funds provided by AUTIS will be introduced into EAST classrooms in the fall of 2013. But who is AUTIS, and

what do they do? The Arkansas Users of Telecommunications and Information Systems promotes the advancement of professional and technical knowledge in

telecommunications and information systems management technologies. It is the only regional organization of its kind in Arkansas.

AUTIS was founded as a voluntary nonprofit organization, exclusively for educational and charitable purposes. Previously, they helped fund EAST’s web development,

and they have been long-term sponsors of the EAST Conference. Matt Dozier, President and CEO of the EAST Initiative, values the public and political support

provided by its membership as much as the technology. “We have had a long-term working relationship with AUTIS,” he said. “They have long been advocates for

EAST and our mission. In return, we support them by developing their next generation of membership.”

If you are a technology or education blogger and would like to be featured in EQ magazine, please submit your article for consideration to

[email protected].

You could be our next Guest Blogger and have your article read by our community and supporters.

GUEST BLOGGERS WANTED

“With continued sponsorship from AUTIS and other generous sponsors, the National EAST Conference successfully reaches over 2,000 students and educators from across the nation each year. As a national non-profit,

we could not do it without this generous support.” - Dr. Angela Kremers


Alumni Spotlight

When someone receives disappointing news, how do they usually respond to it? Most of us would answer with

a resounding answer of anger, negativity or confusion. According to Sam Carrasquillo, however, you just have to

get over it and work through it. When his dream of joining the NBA was shattered due to his 5’6” frame, he was

challenged to discover new dreams. When he risked being sent back to the seventh grade, instead of moving

to the ninth grade because of his poor English skills, he learned the language on his own with only a dictionary.

When several of his startup companies failed, he reset his vision and today is a successful entrepreneur.

Carrasquillo’s connection with EAST began when he and his family moved from Puerto Rico to the United

States. He attended North Pulaski High School and caught the attention of much of the school’s faculty with

his outgoing personality and built-in charm.

Among his teachers was Matt Dozier, President and CEO of the

EAST Initiative. Dozier taught English, speech and was an EAST

facilitator at NPHS at that time.

“Sam was a student of mine before he started in EAST, and

it was obvious that he enjoyed working with and being

around others,” said Dozier remembering his time with Sam.

Carrasquillo was interested in EAST from the

beginning, but he was unable to take the class

until his junior year, due to EAST’s popularity. While

in EAST, he was heavily involved in the Public

Relations team, which later allowed him to become

a national EAST ambassador. In that role, he traveled

throughout the country, demonstrating the skills

and technical abilities he learned in his EAST

program.

“EAST grew beyond the borders of Arkansas because

of students like Sam and their willingness to share their

story. I always knew he would be successful,

but I don’t think anyone – Sam included

– thought he would be so successful

so soon,” said Dozier. “EAST

brought out the best in him,

and he, in turn, helped be one

of the best representatives

the program has ever had.”

Today, Carrasquillo is a successful entrepreneur in

Arkansas. Among his other businesses, he founded

SC Roofing, Windows and Siding in 2008, and the

business continues to grow. He was honored to

travel to Washington D.C. in 2012 to be named one

of the Entrepreneurs of the Year. Carrasquillo credits

EAST for enhancing his ability to build relationships

and work hard.

“EAST taught me how to listen, problem-solve,

communicate, be creative and grow relationships.

It is hard to work with other people, who might not

be like you,” said Carrasquillo. “EAST also taught me

how to inspire people, have passion and how to

lead. EAST gave me vision, which gets you really far

in life. When you look at a project, make sure you

think about what it will become later on.”

As the alumni speaker at the 2013 EAST Conference,

Carrasquillo openly shared his successes and failures. He

advised EAST students not to make the same mistakes he

did and set clear goals.

“It is not where you are born or how hard it was growing

up that matters in life. It is how you finish. Work hard,

but plan harder. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Dreaming is fun, but it doesn’t get results. Follow your

plans, not your dreams.”

Carrasquillo dreams big, but follows it up with action.

He encouraged young EAST students to start their own

businesses one day. He informed them to use all the help

and resources available to those looking to get their ideas

off the ground.

His advice may be just be worth heeding; his business

ventures are now worth millions.

“Research, research, research before you start,” Carrasquillo

advised. “Plan, plan, plan and execute your plan. Then

repeat, repeat, repeat and you will have success.”

Sam Carrasquillo

Sam Carrasquillo - Join the EAST Alumni

North Pulaski High School - Class of 2001


www.EASTalumni.orgRegister to become an Alumni for FREE today!

Who are the EAST Alumni?Many students do not know that if they were ever a student in an EAST program or EAST Core class at their school they are considered part of the EAST Alumni. It doesn’t matter if you were only in EAST when you were in middle school or all throughout high school; if you were in EAST you are counted as part of the EAST Alumni! Isn’t that cool? We are a collection of former EAST students that still want to be involved in community projects, networking, growing with technology and giving back to EAST Schools. We also join up with the EAST staff to help make things happen at EAST Conference. We are hoping to grow as an association to make a difference in the world. The EAST Alumni website is a common ground for all of the alumni to stay connected with each other, keep up with events, questions, share stories and inspire each other. Sign up today to continue your EAST experience and prove that EAST students can change the world.

/EASTalumni @theEASTalumni


Please tell us about your favorite EAST project.

Please tell us your favorite thing about EAST in general.

Why do you support EAST?

Why do you think EAST is important to education for Arkansas and the US?

How has EAST impacted you?

What kind of progress have you seen in your students due to EAST?

Where do you see your EAST program in five years?

Why did you decide to become an EAST facilitator?

Would you recommend becoming an EAST facilitator to another teacher? Why?

Would you recommend enrolling in an EAST class to a student? Why?

Students worked with an assisted living

facility. They visited with the residents,

helped them with various needs. Students

remained in contact with residents

throughout the year, forming bonds.

The student-student, student-facilitator

relationships that develop.

EAST allows students to experience real,

meaningful problem-solving. Students make

a real difference, which makes what they

learn relevant.

EAST builds skills in students that are

essential to success. Critical thinking,

teamwork and community service are

important life skills.

It has caused me to see greater potential in

students.

They tend to be better independent thinkers,

more self-motivated. They also are more

aware of issues around them.

I see our program being much more

integrated into the community.

I felt the EAST program would be a good

fit for my teaching style with project-based,

student-driven learning.

Yes. It takes student-based learning to a new

level.

Yes. They will push themselves to highs they

never imagined.

Project with the Department of Emergency

Management. It included trainings for

emergency response teams, community and

students, evacuation plans, documents for

emergencies, etc. We used videos, GIS/

GPS, and various hands-on trainings (fire

extinguishers, etc.) The department of health

and several other agencies were also involved.

Student responsibility for learning and life

are developed in EAST.

EAST is the only place students can learn how

everything fits together, while learning

responsibility, problem solving, communication

and service to their community.

EAST prepares students for the opportunities and

careers that we have not even dreamed about.

It has given me too many opportunities to

mention, as well as memories.

I have seen many students go on to have

service careers. Firemen, doctors, police,

nurses, etc.

I have expectations that one of my former

students will step in and take over the

program when I retire.

I was asked to act as a “translator” for the

science and math teachers being sent to

training because the administrators knew I

wasn’t afraid of technology.

Yes, EAST just makes sense.

Yes, and I have done so often. The EAST

way makes sense when it comes to student

learning and growth.

James MillerRandall G. Lynch Middle School

Mary LaVergne Malvern High School

Facilitator SpotlightJames Miller / Mary LaVergne


Tech Tips from the EAST Initiative Technical Support Group

Technical Problem in Your Classroom?It’s easy to get fast technical support from the EAST Technical Support Group with the help ticket system. Before opening a help ticket, be sure to follow the suggested steps for resolving technical issues in the EAST Classroom.

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Help TicketEAST Technical Support Click here to open

a new help ticketEAST QUARTERLY PG. 21

Geek SpeakTechnical Support Spotlight - Launchpad Liftoff

Technical Support: Issue Spotlight

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To: EAST Technical Support

From: Student

Ticket: I just reinstalled Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit on our HP workstation using a non-HP branded Windows 7 installation

disk. After reinstalling the operating system on a new hard drive (the old drive failed), I can’t join it to the network or access the Internet.

I have checked all connections to the back of the computer and everything including the network cable is plugged in. The network jack

on the back of the computer is even showing a link light! Please help.

Background InformationOften times when you reinstall a Windows operating system on a computer, especially from a standard Windows installation disk, you

must install the appropriate drivers after the Operating System’s initial setup and configuration is complete. Windows includes some

drivers as part of the default Windows installation; however, this is not at all a comprehensive driver database and often times additional

drivers must be downloaded and installed. In this case, the most probable issue is that the network drivers are missing since the

student is getting a link light on the network card, but is not able to access the Internet or the internal network.

Troubleshooting Tips

When you reinstall an operating system, the first thing you

should do is check if additional drivers need to be installed. To

do this on a Windows 7 workstation, go to Start, right-click on

Computer, and select Properties.

You will now be presented with the System window. Take note

of the System type listed in the main window (in this case 64-bit Operating System; this describes the system architecture

which is needed when searching for a driver). Next, click on

Device Manager in the left upper corner of this window.

When Device Manager appears, look for any devices that are

listed under Other devices that have a question mark or an

exclamation point next to them. Notice in the screenshot below

that Ethernet Controller has an exclamation point next to it

and is listed under Other devices. This means we need to

install drivers for this device.


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To locate the necessary drivers to install, you really have two

options.

1. If you have the original drivers disk that came with

the computer, you could use that to install the drivers.

However, EAST TSG recommends that you always

download the latest version of the appropriate drivers from

the manufacturer’s product support website. You’ll need

to know the Make and Model of the workstation before

you can download the drivers, as well as the Operating

System (Windows 7 Professional SP1) as well as the

Architecture type (64-bit).

2. If the machine you’re working on doesn’t have a working

internet connection, you can use another working machine

to download and save the drivers to a USB flash drive,

then extract/install them on the non-working machine.

Need to determine how to find the latest drivers and support

resources for your Dell or HP workstation? Visit one of the

tutorials below for instructions. If you’re still having trouble

locating the proper drivers or your brand isn’t listed below,

please contact [email protected] for further assistance.

Dell: http://eastinitiative.org/tutorialssupport/Tutorial.aspx?Id=217

HP: http://eastinitiative.org/tutorialssupport/Tutorial.aspx?Id=165

Once you have the drivers downloaded and have extracted

the files from an archive such as (.zip), you need to install

the drivers. To do this, right-click on Ethernet Controller and

select Properties if they don’t install automatically.

When the Ethernet Controller Properties window appears, click

on the Driver tab as shown below. Then click on Update Driver.

Next, a window appears asking you how you want to search

for driver software. Click on Browse my computer for driver software.

Next, a window appears asking you to browse to the driver’s

location. For this example, I previously downloaded the

Ethernet driver from HP’s website, and then extracted

its contents to C:\Drivers\HP\Ethernet. Your path may

be different – just remember where you downloaded and

extracted the driver to and provide that path here (or browse

to it), then click Next.


After clicking Next, Windows installs the driver software

from the location you specified.Once the driver installs, you’ll be presented with the screen

below. Click Close.9 10

Launchpad Liftoff

Learn Programming in the world of Microcontrollers

The EAST Initiative strives to bring the

latest and greatest technology into the

EAST classroom. As part of our ongoing

effort, we would like to introduce you

to the Texas Instrument’s Launchpad

microcontroller. Our aim with the

Launchpad is to get students interested

in programming and electronics.

In order to learn more about the

Launchpad, we interviewed two of the TI

employees that helped to create it, Adrian

Fernandez and Dung Dang. They both

helped to create the Launchpad, but each

worked on separate parts of the project.

Adrian is a microcontroller customer

experience manager at TI, and Dung is a

microcontroller application engineer. They

also co-authored a book entitled “Getting

started with the MSP430 Launchpad.”

The book is designed to let people with

no previous knowledge of programming

or electronics get familiar with the

Launchpad Microcontroller.

As a developer, it is a cool thing to keep trying new technology projects because even if most of them fail, you may have one or two that eventually get adopted [by the general public].

- Dung Dang

“ “


You will now be returned to the Device Manager window,

where you should see that the Other devices category has

now disappeared, and the Ethernet Controller is now

installed and listed under Network adapters.

If you still see your device listed under Other devices after

following these steps, you may not have downloaded the

correct driver, or the driver you downloaded may not be the

correct version for the installed Operating System. Recheck

the driver file you downloaded for compatibility with regard

to Operating System (Windows XP, Windows 7, etc.) as

well as architecture (32-bit or 64-bit). If you still have issues,

please contact the EAST TSG for further assistance.

11 12

So what exactly is a microcontroller?

A microcontroller is essentially a small

computer that can be programmed. It’s

as simple as connecting your Launchpad

to your computer with a USB cable and

installing a program. Then you write

code on your computer and send it to

the Launchpad to execute. There are an

unlimited number of things you can do

with a microcontroller, but a very simple

example would be to hook up a button

and a LED to the Launchpad. When you

press the button, the Launchpad would

detect it and then turn on the LED. The

Launchpad works by searching for some

kind of input; performing calculations

based on that and then providing an

output. By itself, the Launchpad is able

to run programs, perform calculations

and blink an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

But where the Launchpad really starts to

shine is when you plug in a Booster Pack.

The Launchpad was originally targeted

for engineers, and so was the software

to use it. Code Composer Studio is a

professional-level, powerful tool that TI

designed for engineers to write code for

their Launchpad devices. While Code

Composer Studio will let you do whatever

you want with the Launchpad, it’s not the

easiest software to learn.

Energia is an open source program

created by the online community for

everyone to use. Energia is designed

to be simple, intuitive and easy to learn.

Energia can be downloaded from Energia.

nu. The community worked hard to bring

great resources together under the

Energia website.

Dang and Fernandez, co-authored

“Getting Started with the MSP430

Launchpad,” an extremely easy-to-follow

and informative book that walks the

reader through many project examples

while it explains what the microcontroller

is doing.

In addition to the book, there is also an

entire online community at 43oh.com.

This online community shares code

snippets, libraries for booster packs and

general how-to and frequently asked

questions. The 43oh community is eager

to help by sharing code and inspecting

code for fellow members.

Combined with the community, the software

and an inquisitive mind, the Launchpad

can enable a student to accomplish

anything they can imagine. The resources

available make it easy for anyone to get

started. Project ideas abound online with

everything from farming irrigation control

to making everyday objects interactive, the

Launchpad has nearly unlimited potential.

Adrian Fernandez and Dung Dang showcase the

Launchpad at the Maker Faire


Project Profiles

EAST Students Design Meerkat Exhibit at Little Rock Zoo

(AR) Meerkat Exhibit - (CA) 3D Laser Capture

When Joe T. Robinson Middle School students Nick Kohler, John Bell, Jake Kohler,

Cameron Tyler, Grant Scott and Andrew DosSantos brainstormed ideas about a

project of interest, they never dreamed their idea would turn into a real exhibit

at the Little Rock Zoo. This four-year project has progressed over time with new

students stepping in for those who had moved up in school. The students used

their skills to build a VersaCad (2D) and Trimble SketchUp (3D) model of a Meerkat

exhibit. These models came to life when the EAST students collaborated with the

Little Rock Zoo in hopes of creating the actual exhibit.

The EAST middle school students shared their 3-D model of what the real exhibit

will look like with zoo staff. The design included an African theme of the exhibit,

incorporating a thatched-roof keeper house, restroom and straw-covered

awnings. The glass dome in the center is a viewing area for children who can

crawl through tubes to access it. It gives a feel of being right next to a meerkat.

There are also glass walls on the sides of the exhibit for viewing. A keeper house

on one end of the exhibit allows meerkats to enter and be cared for by zoo

employees. Overall, it is a strong re-creation of a meerkat’s natural habitat.

The Little Rock Zoo was very interested in the exhibit idea and renderings and

began a cost analysis. Students created an informational meerkat brochure and

a physical model of the exhibit to display and share with the zoo and those

involved in the planning.

The construction date to begin building the exhibit has not been determined,

but when the project is completed, the EAST students cannot wait to see people

enjoy the exhibit and learn more about meerkats.

Meerkat Exhibit Model created by EAST Middle School Students for the Little Rock Zoo


Mission Santa Inés Captured in 3D as High School Students Take Technology to New Level

Students hid behind pepper trees at Mission Santa Inés in Solvang on a recent

Friday morning as they took images and scanned structures for their one-of-a-

kind project involving a 3-D laser.

A group of students in the Environmental and Spatial Technologies (EAST)

program at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School are among the first high school

students in the world to use Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), which

rapidly captures millions of points to construct a 3-D image of an object.

“This technology allows us to reconstruct objects, buildings and other things that

are historic and valuable so in case anything happens like a fire or flood, it can be

recreated,” said McKensey Richmond, a junior in the program.

After watching a TED talk about the laser technology, Superintendent Paul

Turnbull got together with teacher Chip Fenenga and Santa Barbara County

Regional Occupation Program (ROP) director Tony Bauer to introduce the

technology at the school. Created by CyARK, an Oakland-based nonprofit

organization, the objective is to digitally preserve cultural heritage sites by

collecting, archiving and providing access created by laser scanning, digital

modeling and other state-of-the-art technologies.

“With this laser scanner and software you can literally fly through and around

structures or objects, and it has an accuracy down to the millimeter,” Fenenga told

Noozhawk. “The opportunity these students have with this is amazing because it

provides hands-on experience that is way ahead of the field.”

Stephanie Aichinger, a Santa Ynez High senior, is considering attending Cal Poly

San Luis Obispo as an architecture major, especially since she has had been using

the EAST program to document the mission, the mission’s Grist Mill for the Santa

Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and horse carriages for the Santa Ynez Valley

Historical Society.

“To be able to preserve these historical pieces for the future is so cool.” Aichinger

said. “The aspect of architecture I like is how building design mimics the society

and people of that era, so this project fits those together.”

The laser scanner is positioned up to 43 yards away from the object and rotates to

capture more than 1 million measurements every minute. The scanner also takes

color pictures of the scan area and maps the color or texture information.

“We then take the scans and put them together into the program and select what

we don’t want, like shadows or people walking through the area,” said Alice Mullin,

a senior student involved with the project. “Once the image is cleaned up, the 3-D

model is created.”

CyArk is using this technology for its worldwide CyArk 500 Challenge, which is to

digitally preserve 500 of the most important world heritage sites over a five-year

period. Sites include the pyramids in Egypt, the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel

Tower in Paris, Mayan ruins and many other notable places.

The LiDAR technology has application in fields like agriculture, archaeology,

atmospheric physics, forensics, forestry, geology, geomorphology, military and law

enforcement, mapping and remote sensing.

“Our hope it to make this technology available to the community so they can

essentially borrow the laser and use it for many things, like scanning local

archaeological sites, in forensic cases scanning crime scenes or mapping trail

systems,” Fenenga said.

Fenenga noted that UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly don’t have the technology,

and he said he hopes the school can work with them in the future.

Raiza Giorgi is a Noozhawk contributing writer from the Santa Ynez Valley. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.

Santa Ynez Valley Union High School students are using Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging to document and help preserve Mission Santa Inés.

( Raiza Giorgi / Noozhawk photo) - Reprinted with permission from Raiza Giorgi.


Arkansas

Louisiana

Oklahoma

California

IowaPennsylvania

Where EAST IsClick here to view the full list of schools


Arkansas

Louisiana

Oklahoma

California

IowaPennsylvania


AUTIS awards the EAST Initiative $1,000

See story on page 17

BHP awards the EAST Initiative $25,000 for school and community projects

CAST

The

Cent

er for Advanced Spatial Technologies

University of Arka

nsas

, Fa

yetteville

U of A

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK


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Marisa Damm

Technical Support Group - Member

I was an EAST student at Mountain View High School for three years. Currently, I am an EAST Scholar at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, pursuing a Bachelor’s in Information Science, with a minor in American Sign Language. I am originally from Toledo, Ohio, but I am excited to be back in Arkansas, helping a program that is so dear to me!

Lori Andrews

EAST CORE Coordinator

In the past, I have been very active in 4-H and was inducted into the Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame in 2004. I was also a 2004 Arkansas Governor’s Award Finalist. I play the piano, fiddle and clog. In my free time, I enjoy photography and sewing.

I have taught everything from Algebra I to Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry and College Algebra. I taught at Hamburg Junior High School, Monticello High School, Watson Chapel High School and Star City High School.

I am excited and looking forward to helping teachers become more effective and efficient in their teaching. Students need a connection from school to their lives. EAST Core makes the connection for students and helps them to see the relationships of the expectations for school.

Lacey Brooks

Communications Assistant

It is a privilege to be back at EAST for the summer again, not as the intern, but as the Communications Assistant. I recently received my Bachelor’s in Mass Communications and minor in Psychology from Ouachita Baptist University. I look forward to a fun and busy summer working on the next issue of EQ and getting the word out about EAST!

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2013 EAST Staff.We are here to help you rise to your full potential.


Documents

Spring/Summer EQ 2013