Winter EQ 2013

02 27 13 - 03 01 13

HOT SPRINGS CONVENTION CENTER

Come and Be Inspired #EASTcon2013 Students have taken charge of their own learning and are preparing to showcase service projects in an exhibition hall featuring over 200 booths.

CONTENTS Winter 2013

2 EAST CORE

8 In The News

12 Site Support

5 Training & Events

9 Summer STEM @ UALR

12 NSP

6 ENO

10 Guest Blog

13 Conference

Spotlights 16 Staff Member Tim Van Dusen

18 Facilitator

Millicent Sanders - Anderson Kim Austin

20 EAST Alumni Tevin Wooten Ryan Springs

17 Board Member

19 Sponsor

22 Project Profiles

28 Where EAST is

31 EAST Gear

25 Geek Speak

30 Sponsors

33 EAST Staff

Prakash Jalihal

Acxiom

EQ Brief Click here for a video summary of EQ Magazine.

EAST QUARTERLY

PG. 1

EAST CORE

Students Lead You - CORE Concerns & Conclusions - Star City

Let the Students Lead You. Leslie Frewert EAST Core Teacher, Prairie Grove High t has been almost one year since our journey began transitioning

I

from traditional teacher-led classrooms to Project Based Learning (PBL) rooms at Prairie Grove High School. I remember my ignorance, or the bliss that existed, because I was completely unaware of how the comfortable, predictable teaching methods used with precision, were going to take a 180° turn.

When our principal Ron Bond met with all geometry and biology teachers to assess our interest in becoming an EAST Core startup PBL classroom, we were all on board. In fact, I vividly remember saying, “Sure, I do projects all the time. This won’t be anything different than what we’ve been doing all along. Plus, look at all the technology we’ll be getting!”

Did I mention something about ignorance and bliss going hand in hand?

My cozy little world came crashing down around me during summer training when it became clear that PBL was NOT students doing projects that I had given them. Matt Dozier’s opening statement, “The students will lead you,” delivered with so much conviction that I wanted to believe but knew in my heart of hearts …“right off a cliff” was the only ending possible.

Well, August came and school started. My fear and dread of starting PBL was extremely high. After a few weeks I decided to face my fears and take the students to the Coordinated Learning Center (CLC) classroom.

Strapping on my invisible parachute for the inevitable falling off a cliff ending, I unlocked the door and stepped in after the students.

Guess what? The students will lead you if you let them. All I have had to do is quickly explain what their role would be and they did it. Their first task was to brainstorm possible problems related to biology and geometry within our community. Then, they had to work within their groups to choose one problem to tackle and make it happen. I almost cried when one of my most challenging students phoned a city council member and spoke to them like an educated professional. The students have really stepped up as if they were waiting for a chance to take control of their own learning. Imagine that, teenagers wanting to take control of their lives. It all makes perfect sense now. All I had to do was take the first step, unlock the door. The students will lead you to the top of a mountain.

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It helps to strength preparing us for the r

core.eastinitiativ

CORE Concerns & Conclusions Amy Biggers EAST Core Teacher, Harrisburg High ecoming a part of EAST Core this past summer has impacted my view of the use of technology and projects in the mathematics classroom. When I began the process of learning about EAST Core and Project Based Learning (PBL) through the use of technology, I was very skeptical that it would work in our school.

B

As we entered the Coordinated Learning Center (CLC) as a class for the first time, I was quite nervous.

I wondered how things were going to go. How was I going to deal with the discipline problems we were going to have? Are my computer skills up to the challenge? And most importantly, were my students going to learn and gain an adequate understanding of the skills being used?

hen our skills real world.

ve.org

- Dalton

I have always been a hands-on instructor and worked very hard to make sure that my students mastered the Arkansas frameworks for Geometry before going on to their next level of math. When I began my journey with EAST Core, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to cover everything the students needed to learn. I wondered if I did get it all in, would I have done it in a way that the students would have mastered the skills they needed. Letting go a little and allowing them to learn more on their own was going to be a learning experience for the students and me.

Working together, the students and I learned to use the technology. Technology problems were solved almost instantly by simply saying to the class, “We have a problem. Is there anyone who can help?”

We didn’t come across any issues that someone in the room couldn’t fix. With students having backgrounds in the traditional EAST program, it’s

hard to find a problem that someone doesn’t know how to fix or where to find a solution. Students today are more computer and technology literate than many of their teachers. I learned quickly that my students definitely know more than I do about the computers and the software, and they are very eager to assist when you need them.

On the first day of our project, I noticed a huge change in a few students. As we worked together, students who refused to work in a regular classroom setting began to work. They participated in the project and did their share of the work. They were interested in the success of the project. For one student in particular, this cooperation and effort translated easily into the classroom; it was amazing to see the change in him.

Attendance has always been a big issue at our school. I was convinced it would be an even bigger issue while working on projects in groups. I was wrong. Students made arrangements with the rest of their group when they knew they would be absent. When they returned from unexpected absences, they quickly caught up on the progress their group made while they were out.

From Day One in the CLC, I saw that all my worries were unnecessary. Discipline wasn’t an issue, attendance problems were easily overcome, and my lack of computer skills wasn’t a problem.

Overall, our first project was a success. I still have some concerns, simply because it’s a new journey and I’m not sure exactly what our results will be in the end, but the further into it I go, the more assured I am that this can work.

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PG. 3

Star City Students Share STEM Success Skye Morgan Star City EAST student

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tar City High School’s STEM Night Out was a huge success, held on Monday, November 5th at Star City High School. There were 400 plus visitors who attended and 40 plus student presenters who helped make this event happen.

the many parents and guests that attended STEM night. The videos covered the different transformations of geometric figures and the rules that are used to make those transformations. The students filmed the clips on an iPad and pieced them together using iMovie in the new EAST Core CLC technology Lab.

STEM Night Out was an open house to the community, business leaders, and parents to show them what students in STEM classes (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) are learning and doing to help our community. Visitors to the EAST classroom had the opportunity to view different stations and learn about projects and the technology involved with it. One project that drew a lot of attention was “Healthy Community.” This project is important because the obesity epidemic in America is rapidly growing. It is now being called one of the greatest threats to our National Security because the military will not take individuals who are over a certain weight. Obesity has also reached the very young and is a leading cause of type 2 Diabetes in children.

Parents viewed a slideshow of students working on that project as well as other projects from the class. A variety of technologies were featured in the presentation, including a selection of software and GPS. The students used GPS units to measure

These students are working with local health officials and The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement in Little Rock. Other projects that are related to the Healthy Community project are Walking Community (installing sidewalks in the city) and Community Garden to allow people to have a space to grown fresh vegetables. Another worthy project is the “Meant For You” program.

This project is in its fifth year and involves high school students mentoring elementary students who already show signs of dropping out of school.

High school drop-outs are a serious problem for Arkansas. The high school students work with others who show the early signs of behavior problems, absenteeism, and falling academic grades.

Some of the technology shown that night from the EAST classroom included Virtual Reality, ArcView, which is a Geographic Information System program, SketchUp an architectural software, Final Cut Pro video editing software, and Photoshop a graphic design software. Linda Kay Thompson is the EAST Facilitator.

EAST Core geometry students presented transformation videos they made in class to

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speed over a set distance and graphed the slope of the line based on time versus the distance each student ran.

Plans for future projects include allowing students to redesign the parking lots of the school district by redrawing the parking lines to accommodate more spaces. The students will also be designing a new parking lot to accompany the new STEM Center, scheduled for construction in the spring. Lori Brown is the EAST Core geometry teacher.

During the STEM night, EAST Core biology students also presented their biomes project. Each student is a member of a group and assigned a particular biome to research. The students used information from ArcGis to create a map of their biome and show different features such as climate, precipitation, plant, and animal types. Jim Teague is the EAST Core biology teacher.

Visitors to the Project Lead The Way classes on STEM night viewed presentations from

engineering students. The presentations, which were prepared and presented by the students, included Prezi presentations, Autodesk Inventor demonstrations (CAD software), and project board tours. Also, guests were shown various equipment which will be used by the students during the year. The students will learn how to setup the MakerBot Replicator to make 3D models and the laser engraver to produce spectacular images. The PLTW courses have allowed the students to learn about engineering and to gain experience before going to college. The technology is used in many industries today. Ginny Chambliss is the PLTW engineering teacher.

At the end of the evening, guest Tammy Ward won an iPad. To be eligible for the drawing, visitors had to have attended at least four of the programs presenting.

Out of town visitors to STEM night were Mike Holcomb, State Representative, and a team of administrators/teachers from Crossett and Malvern schools. These schools have applied to implement EAST Core in their schools next year. Ramona Sawyer, of the Crossett School District stated, “It was a great event and we were very impressed with your facilities, labs, and most of all- your students. Their presentations were awesome… and presented with such eloquence!”

STEM Night in Star City not only allowed parents and civic leaders to learn more about what students are doing in these innovative classrooms, they also learned more about the STEM areas and their relevance in everyday life. As is true in so many things in life, the more you know, the more you want to learn.

Training & Events 2013

2013 Training Schedule Community Mapping

Crowley’s Ridge Educational Cooperative

CAST

Harrisburg, AR

Learn the Basics of Adobe Illustrator

SAU TECH

Introduction to Garage Band

EAST Training Center

Community Mapping

Dawson Education Cooperative

CAST

Little Rock, AR

Using Open Source Tools for Web Sites, Wordpress and Joomla

EAST Training Center

Tue, Apr 2, 2013

Digital Photography Concepts

EAST Training Center

Tue, Apr 2, 2013

Final Cut Pro “X”

EAST Training Center

Fruity Loops

EAST Training Center

Apr 4-5, 2013

Basic Camera Workshop

EAST Training Center

Apr 8-9, 2013

Web Design with Dreamweaver and Introduction to Content Management Systems

EAST Training Center

Pre-Production Planning and Visualization

EAST Training Center

Advanced Adobe Photoshop

EAST Training Center

Jan 29-30, 2013

Jan 31-Feb 1, 2013

Mon, Feb 4, 2013

Feb 5-6, 2013

Feb 7-8, 2013

Ashley Moore

Reuben Canada

Camden, AR

Little Rock, AR

Little Rock, AR

Kwasi Boateng

Wed, Apr 3, 2013

Alex Kent

Tim Van Dusen

Doug Gusewelle

Steve Taylor

Little Rock, AR

Little Rock, AR

Little Rock, AR

Little Rock, AR

Little Rock, AR

Kwasi Boateng Thu, Apr 11, 2013

Apr 18-19, 2013

Mark Giese

Ashley Moore

Little Rock, AR

Little Rock, AR

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PG. 5

EAST Night Out Takeaways - Headlines

2012 EAST Night Out Takeaways 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Through post-event reflections, facilitators and students provided a true understanding of the benefits to sharing EAST with their communities, families, other teachers and students at their school. It is paying off!

Personal phone calls to local media, business leaders and other VIPs helped get them in the door.

More events are student coordinated from start to finish with encouragement and monitoring from facilitators. And, it is working!

When you pair standard EAST programs and EAST Core sharing their experiences, magic occurs.

New creative and useful resources have been uploaded to the Event Kit. Check them out!

The 5th Annual EAST Night Out was a huge success. Over 60% of EAST programs nationwide celebrated student growth and their individual EAST experiences with communities.

View Photos from these schools 2012 ENO

Vilonia High School

Mansfield High School

College Hill MS Academies

Conway High School

Dardanelle High School

Dover High School

Fayetteville High School

Henderson Magnet Middle School

Joe T. Robinson Middle School

M. L. King Magnet Elementary

Monticello Intermediate School

North Little Rock High School

Westwood Elementary School

Wilson Intermediate School

School

Randall G. Lynch Middle School

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Roberts Elementary School

Wonderview High School

Wynne High School

Cabot High School

Clinton High School

Fordyce High School

Greenbrier High School

Har-Ber High School

Ozark Middle School

by EAST Initiative

EAST Night Out in the News!!

Several EAST programs around the country made local headlines with informative sessions organized to showcase their projects before their communities. The following pieces are articles we have captured, or that were sent to us by the schools. Please forward your clips to us to share.

NTC Claremore presents 3rd annual EAST Night Out

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Paragould Daily Press: Serving Greene County, Arkansas - Local News

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EAST Night Out at Greenland

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Take a Closer Look at Russellville Junior High School EAST

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PHOTOGALLERY - Stuttgart, AR - Stuttgart Daily Leader - Stuttgart, AR

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EAST students reach out to community tonight

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Don’t miss more stories by EAST Initiative

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PG. 7

By EAST Initiative

EAST Initiative In The News The EAST Initiative garnered positive publicity pieces in Arkansas and Oklahoma during the Fall of 2012

Springdale Students Working to Make a Difference in Northwest Arkansas Students at Springdale’s Har-Ber High School are taking knowledge from the classroom out into the community.

“We use advanced technology,...

Click

ARKANSASMATTERS VIA EASTINITIATIVE

Subscribe to Follow The EAST Initiative in The News

Meet the Kids Coming to Take Your Job Arkansas students are taking charge of their education, learning about science and technology while helping their communities. One of those students is Margaret Justus, a senior at E-Stem charter school in Little Rock. Justus and a dozen other students were at EAST Initiative’s West Little Rock campus Monday, getting some first-rate training in geospatial mapping.

ARKANSASMATTERS VIA EASTINITIATIVE

on Storify. + Subscribe

PC help in Green Forest? There’s an app for that -- now, thanks to some inventive middle school students Green Forest -- Four middle school students have successfully developed a new software application for the Apple App Store. Green Forest EAST Initiative students Nick Luebbering, who served as chief developer, 13; assistant developer Conner Glassell, 12; beta tester Jayce Martin, 12; and code compiler Colin Stimson, 14, have developed an application for the iPhone and iPod Touch that troubleshoots computer problems on a Mac or PC.

ARKANSASMATTERS VIA EASTINITIATIVE

Don’t miss more stories by EAST Initiative

PG. 8

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Summer STEM @ UALR ualr.edu/eit/outreach

What are

YOU

doing with

YOUR

summer?

UALR始s Donaghey College of Engineering & Information Technology (EIT) offers the cure for the common summer with our residential summer programs for middle and high school students. Our programs are designed to motivate students like you to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees. If you want a summer full of building anything from bridges to robots, researching with top-notch faculty, and making new friends from all over the US, then see how EIT can give your slow summer months a boost.

High School Research Program A three-week residential camp that engages students in UALR faculty research projects, allowing high school students to establish early contact with college students and professors in their specific area of interest. You can choose from several research topics, such as nano-based organic solar cells or implementing artificial intelligence for the game of RISK.

National Summer Transportation Institute

Engineering Scholars Program The objective of the Engineering Scholars Program is to increase the number of students entering engineering programs in Arkansas through exposure to hands-on engineering projects, plant trips, and interaction with industry engineers. In addition, the one-week residential summer program includes counseling and advising sessions to assist students in preparing for college. The program features academic and lab sessions on various engineering disciplines, including robotics and civil engineering.

A two-week residential program for high school students that permit exploration of various transportation fields and careers (land, water, air, and safety). Classes in English, science, math, and technology provide the necessary foundation to understand the concepts that students utilize during field excursions, projects, labs and hands-on activities that are related to transportation. The program also features college and career preparatory activities.

For more info & applications, visit ualr.edu/eit/outreach

EIT

GEORGE W. DONAGHEY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

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PG. 9

Guest Blog Edutopia

Douglas Rushkoff Digital Literacy Advocate - Codecademy

Code Literacy: A 21st-Century Requirement Republished with permission from Edutopia

Photo from sxc.hu

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sk kids what Facebook is for, and they’ll tell you it’s there to help them make friends. And, on the surface anyway, that’s what it looks like. Of course, anyone who has poked a bit deeper or thought a bit longer about it understands that people programming Facebook aren’t sitting around wondering how to foster more enduring relationships for little Johnny, Janey and their friends, but rather how to monetize their social graphs -- the trail of data the site is busy accumulating about Johnny and Janey every second of the day and night.

After all, our kids aren’t Facebook’s customers; they’re the product. The real customers are the advertisers and market researchers paying for their attention and user data.

But it’s difficult for them or us to see any of this and respond appropriately if we don’t know anything about the digital environment in which all this is taking place. That’s why -- as an educator, media theorist and parent -- I have become dedicated to getting kids code literate.

Digital World Ownership As I see it, code literacy is a requirement for participation in a digital world.

When we acquired language, we didn’t just learn how to listen, but also how to speak. When we acquired text, we didn’t just learn how to read, but also how to write. Now that we have computers, we are learning to use them but not how to program them. When we are not code literate, we must accept the devices and software we use with whatever limitations and agendas their creators have built into them. How many times have you altered the content of a lesson or a presentation because you couldn’t figure out how to make the technology work the way you wanted? And have you ever considered that the software’s limitations may be less a function of the underlying technology than that of the corporation that developed it? Would you even know where to begin distinguishing between the two?

This puts us and our kids -- who will be living in a more digital world than our own -- at a terrible disadvantage. They are spending an increasing amount of their time in digital environments where the rules have been written by others.

Just being familiar with how code works would help them navigate this terrain, understand its limitations and determine whether those limits are there because the technology demands it -- or simply because some company wants it that way. Code literate kids stop accepting the applications and websites they use at

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face value, and begin to engage critically and purposefully with them instead.

Otherwise, they may as well be at the circus or a magic show.

More generally, knowing something about programming makes us competitive as individuals, companies and a nation. The rest of the world is learning code.

Their schools teach it, their companies are filled with employees who get it, and their militaries are staffed by programmers -- not just gamers with joysticks.

According to the generals I›ve spoken with, we are less than a generation away from losing our technological superiority on the cyber battlefield, which should concern a nation depending so heavily on drones for security and electronic trading as an industry.

Finally, learning code -- and doing so in a social context -- familiarizes people with the values of a digital society: the commons, collaboration and sharing. These are replacing the industrial age values of secrecy or the hoarding of knowledge.

Learning how software is developed and how the ecosystem of computer technology really works helps us understand the new models through which we’ll be working and living as a society. It›s a new kind of teamwork, and one that’s under-emphasized in our testing-based school systems.

Codecademy To build my own code literacy, I decided to take free classes through the online website Codecademy.com, and ended up liking it so much that I’m now working with them to provide free courses for kids to learn to code. The lessons I’ve learned along the way are of value to parents and teachers looking to grow more code literate young people.

1. Learning by Doing One of Codecademy’s key insights was that programming is best taught by doing. Where literature might best be taught through books, coding is best taught in an interactive environment. So instead of just giving students text to read or videos to watch, Codecademy invites them to learn to code by actually making code. Every online lesson involves writing lines of code in an interactive window within the web browser, and then hitting the “run” button and watching those lines actually work. Instant payoff, and an “intrinsic reward.”

2. A Stake in the Outcome

3. Benefits of Interaction Finally, while badges and point scores are great for motivating students in the short run, social connections to a real group of cohorts probably matter more for the long haul. Codecademy’s first strides in that direction, simple forums, allow users to seek out help from others when they’re stuck in a lesson.

Meanwhile, those who are mastering a skill find it really sinks in when they have the opportunity to explain things to someone encountering it for the first time.

Just as research has shown a heterogeneous classroom benefits those on both ends of the aptitude spectrum, interaction between more and less experienced code learners benefits both.

After-School Adventures The greatest challenge so far, at least from my end, has been figuring out ways to get these interactive lessons into the schools that need them. Between curriculum standards, overworked faculty and legal restrictions on inviting minors to use websites, it’s an uphill battle. To help with these challenges, Codecademy has unveiled an after-school program through which any parent or teacher can teach code to a self-selecting group of interested students.

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“

Code also makes much more sense to people when it is tied to a real project.

People need reasons for learning one skill or another. When students are working to devise a computer adventure game, all of a sudden abstract mathematical functions become immediately relevant.

EAST brings code literacy into classrooms by providing the resources & tools necessary for app & web development.

- The EAST Initiative

Codecademy.com/afterschool is basically “Codecademy in a box.” It’s a year of interactive lesson tracks, specially assembled for an after-school group or club run by an adult with no programming experience. In the fall semester, kids make a website by learning HTML and CSS. In the spring, they build an adventure game by learning Javascript. The beauty of the model is that the adult supervising all this needn’t know anything about code in advance. The course materials let you know everything you need to stay a week ahead of the kids, and the rest of the online community is there to help you out if you get stuck.

When I learned about the after-school program, I was compelled to tweet, “No Excuses.” That’s about the best I can say it. The obstacles to code literacy are getting smaller every day, while the liabilities for ignorance are only getting more profound.

What steps are you taking to bring code literacy into your classroom?

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PG. 11

Site Support Staying the Course

Staying the Course with Your Site Support Team At face value, the job of an EAST facilitator can appear simple, but reality shows it is far from such. The EAST Site Support team works closely with facilitators to be a trainer and mentor to them and their work, giving them what they might need, when they need it. Each Site Support team member is primarily responsible for creating working relationships with EAST programs around the nation.

They are the ones who establish the lines of communication used for ongoing conversation, celebration and discussion of issues that arise during the year.

Throughout the school year, team members continue this communication as well as plan on-site visits. We average visiting over 70 percent of our schools each year with a goal of being in every program at least once every two years. New

Everyone loves to tell their story, and we love to hear them. We look at projects the students are working with, their involvement with peers and community members, the progress in finding solutions to problems with an overall goal to see if they are adding value to themselves, others and the local program. This can be uncovered by visiting with them about something that consumes them in EAST - their project. The experiences of the team members can help give perspective to the local programs. To the facilitator it can sometimes be not seeing the forest for the trees. Having the capacity to see many programs gives many examples and scenarios to turn to when needed.

programs and new facilitators in existing programs are the priority early in the school year. Programs that have had issues of one sort or another in the past also have priority. Others are added to the visit list but take less of a priority.

Not being in the trenches on a daily basis can also enable team members to see things that can be obscured by the day-to-day grind. The site support team is also heavily involved in many other areas of EAST, so the information gained in the field is considered in the decisions surrounding professional development, technical training, conference, administration training and the overall direction of EAST. These visits are crucial to students, facilitators and the support systems of each EAST program. It also is crucial to the entire EAST family. EAST, as an organization, continues to evolve into something stronger, measured by the strength of our programs, which are mentored, supported and embraced by the team members of EAST Site Support.

At an on-site visit, the team member visits with the facilitator and administration to get a feel of the “how” side of EAST: that is, how things are done and how well things are going overall. They also visit with the students as this is where EAST really happens when all of the “how” portions are going well. By taking an interest in what students are doing, we can be a sounding board (in addition to the facilitator, peers, etc.) to bounce ideas off of. Often we can give the same feedback they’ve already received but it’s seen in a different light thereby creating growth in their projects.

NSP

NSP: Join An Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Join An Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Starting Up in Arkansas Friday, March 1, 2013 at Hendrix College in Conway is the official launch of Startup Arkansas and #ThinkBigArkansas, a public discussion by leaders from around the state on how the state can build a strong startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem. This ecosystem has many pieces from education and talent to corporate involvement and funding.

Special guests Brad Feld (the Foundry and TechStars) and Scott Case (ceo Startup America Partnership and co-founder Priceline) and others will be on hand and participate in this discussion.

http://www.startuparkansas.com/events/thinkbigarkansas

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EAST Conference February 27th - March 1st

EASTConference.org Over 150,000 students have experienced EAST. Each year, thousands from across the country attend the National EAST Conference to share their stories, celebrate their work over the past year and experience a formal banquet and a trade show-like environment.

The conference is also the EAST Initiative’s largest training venue of the year. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to meet other students from around the country and share ideas. Join us in Hot Springs, Arkansas to meet these students and experience the excitement of EAST!

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PG. 13

Ambassador Team This team consists of EAST students who will solve problems, greet VIPs and assist EAST staff in the countless details of such a huge event. Ambassadors always have a smile on their face and a “can do� attitude.

The EAST Conference is an annual event that showcases our standard EAST Program and EAST Core achievements.

Students and educators from across the country have the opportunity to network, attend key breakout sessions that boost their skills, participate in an Awards Banquet for over 2,300 people, present their EAST experiences to event participants, media, VIPs and much, much, more.

Congratulations to the students who were nominated by their facilitators and completed applications to be members of the three conference leadership teams.

Team Leader Associate Team Leader Speaker Speaker Speaker Speaker Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member

Molly Churchwell Faith Thomas Katie Houpt Lauren White Luke Burton Luke Methvin Allyn Irvin Anne Paul Arielle Williams Ashlee Johnson Austin Gill Caitlin Cothern Daniel George Elise Fry George Heinemann Jobana Magana Kennedy Langton McKenzie Self Madison Wilson Melanie Jackson Spencer Sagely Wyatt Caldwell

Greenbrier High School Star City High School Bismarck High School Star City High School Har-Ber High School Hope High School Mountain View High School Malvern High School Springdale High School Monticello High School Sonora Elementary Annie Camp Jr. High Har-Ber High School Batesville High School Valley View High School Star City High School Omaha High School Robinson High School Paragould Junior High School Harrisburg Middle School West Fork Middle School Mountain Pine High School

Documentation Team The documentation team consists of photographers, videographers and reporters who work together to document the Conference. The video and photos are shared with Conference participants, hosted on the Conference website, and made available to others outside the Initiative. This year we are also opening up a position on the team for a Social Media Manager who will be the voice of EAST throughout Conference on our social media networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).

Social Media Manager Photographer Photographer Photographer Photographer Videographer Videographer Videographer Video Editor Audio Technician

Blayne Cameron-Wyatt Arrington Floyd Jala Patterson Katelyn Blankenship Madison Weast Bryttani Bartlett Cristian Zamora Destiny Moore Hannah Jones Whitney Evans

Greenbrier High School Sonora Elementary Dumas High School Dumas High School Star City High School Hot Springs High School Springdale High School Indian Capital Technology Center Monticello High School Star City High School

Technical Support Team These students work closely with the EAST Technical Support Group to solve a variety of technical issues for participating schools, vendors and guest speakers throughout all three days of the Conference.

Team Leader Member Member Member Member Member Member Member

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California Buhrmester Allen Holzhauer Hiep Nguyen Jordan Smith Kevin Hollins Montana Ruth Nishant Gokal Sam Byrd

Jonesboro High School NLR High School - East Campus Fountain Lake High School Watson Chapel High School Bryant High School Northside High School (Ft. Smith) Russellville High School Cutter Morning Star High School

Public Attendance Members of the general public are invited to visit the exhibits on Thursday, February 28 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and on Friday, March 1 from 8:30 AM to Noon.

2

Does EAST really = (ME) ?

Stay tuned...

February 27th - March 1st

Hot Springs Convention Center conference.eastinitiative.org EAST QUARTERLY

PG. 15

Staff Spotlight Tim Van Dusen - Network Manager

Van Dusen Takes Parental Involvement to a Professional Level In April of 2007, when Tim Van Dusen interviewed for the position of Information Technology Manager for the EAST Initiative, he wasn’t actually looking for a job. In fact, he loved his job as the network administrator for Odom’s Tennessee Pride because it combined two of his greatest loves in life – sausage and computers. As is true with so many of the professionals who join the ranks of EAST, Van Dusen was intrigued by the organization because of his firsthand contact with an EAST student. In his case, a very special student: his daughter.

Betsy Van Dusen was in the fifth grade and enrolled in the EAST program at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School. She loved her EAST class and talked about the projects they were doing in the program constantly. It wasn’t long before he realized that the work she was describing was the same as the work he was doing with the industrial engineers at Odom’s. Van Dusen was captivated by her enthusiasm for EAST and by the transformation it inspired in her. When EAST’s annual conference rolled around in the spring, Tim and his wife Susan attended Parents’ Night. The pair wandered through the empty Exhibit Hall browsing booths and were “blown away” by the level of sophistication of the projects displayed. That night, it occurred to him that EAST was an organization that profoundly impacted its students and their communities. Suddenly, the scent of great sausage slipped a notch on his list of personal rewards from his profession.

A few weeks after the conference, Van Dusen noticed a tiny ad in the newspaper for a Network Manager for the EAST Initiative. He responded to the ad which led to a very relaxed conversation with Jerry Prince who directed EAST’s IT department. Prince invited him to interview for the job. Coincidentally, Van Dusen had the following Friday, Good Friday, off and planned to enjoy the day hiking Pinnacle Mountain just down the road from EAST’s headquarters in Little Rock. Prince agreed to let him change from his hiking gear into business attire at the office before conducting the interview.

As with all things EAST, the interview was atypical.

“I remember Matt Dozier didn’t ask me the typical questions you hear in an interview,” he recalled.

“Dozier asked me what scared me most about my current job. I said knives.” Van Dusen joined the

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organization in May and the rest, as they say, is EAST-ory. He still enjoys witnessing the changes in kids that experience EAST programs. Betsy is now in high school in North Little Rock and her younger sister Mary continues the EAST experience at Horace Mann Junior High. Both girls recognize their father is mindful of the pillars of the organization. Requests for parental guidance are now met with a gentle reminder: “What’s the problem?” The organization has encouraged him to be more outward-looking and more willing to act in response to situations.

Working for EAST allowed Van Dusen to “peek behind the curtain of Oz” and see the inner workings of the organization that seemed to be trying to save the world one student at a time. “I was most surprised by the small number of people who keep the EAST dream going for so many students,” he said.

“We make more noise with fewer voices than we should be capable of doing. But I also realize that if the wheels fall off, EAST kids will keep it going.”

Van Dusen’s ongoing goals for EAST include providing the technological support necessary to allow the organization to grow with efficiency and agility. “I want to help us collaborate more creatively and smoothly through technology,” he said. “I also want to make sure that as we procure new equipment and software for schools that the technology meets our students’ needs. It is

important to assess the synthesis of technology to ensure that it is suitable for student projects and their career development. Students take technology and do things with it that I didn’t explain how to do.

They continue to blow me away with it.”

EAST’s impact on Van Dusen’s professional evolution continues to this day. “I don’t like IT for IT’s sake anymore,” he said. “The geek stuff hooked me, but EAST showed me that technology is a tool. We don’t just build a bridge to get a shinier or newer bridge.

We build a bridge because we need to use the bridge.” While Van Dusen may have sacrificed the scent of sausage to join the EAST family, he replaced it with a spicy supplement: he is the reigning Chili King of EAST Chilipalooza in addition to being an IT Manager Extraordinaire. He is the Google equivalent of an Apple sheep, and his musings on the competition between the two are frequently the reason for laughter in EAST’s offices. Meanwhile, Van Dusen’s wife and kids often accompany him to after hours events on nights and weekends ensuring that in his household, EAST is a family affair.

Van Dusen pictured above durring his summer trip to Silicon Valley.

Board Member Spotlight Prakash Jalihal

Jalihal’s First Class Seat to the Future Education has always been important to Prakash Jalihal, the current chair of the EAST Initiative’s Board of Directors. As a child growing up in India, there was never any doubt in his mind that a college degree was his ticket out of Bombay. Consequently, Jalihal diligently pursued his formal education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bombay and a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Arkansas. His efforts served him very well; he is the senior vice president and managing director of Fidelity Information Services for Latin America and the Caribbean. His company serves 26 countries in the region.

Jalihal first heard about the EAST Initiative when Jerry Adams (President and CEO of Arkansas Research Alliance) mentioned the program during meetings of the Arkansas Academy of Computing.

In September of 2009, Adams approached him about joining EAST’s Board of Directors, and set up a meeting for him with Matt Dozier and Jerry Prince. “The concept of EAST was clearer to me following my meeting with Matt and Jerry,” he recalled, “but I wanted to see EAST in action, so I went to Forest Heights Junior High and talked to the students in their EAST program. They blew me away.

Students were leading the class. Their projects were their ideas, with the facilitator stepping in when asked to by the students.” But the true significance of EAST’s impact clicked into place for him the following year at the 2010 annual conference.

“The number of students who drew you in to their booth to talk about their projects with such confidence, and their ability to interact with adults was very impressive. They were comfortable and able to speak eloquently on stage. You just know these students are going to go places

Student employability is not Jalihal’s only objective. He believes that once employed, EAST students have the skill set to enact positive change within twenty-first century corporations. “EAST students are gogetters. They are not just differencemakers, they have the ability to change a company’s direction. Today’s organizations want employees to challenge management and ask questions. They want internal leaders who ask the company to try new things.”

Board’s chair, Jalihal’s plan to achieve this goal includes actively supporting EAST’s fundraising efforts with his physical presence and assistance in soliciting new funders for its programs. He sees the critical first step in securing these funds as spending more time in schools learning about EAST projects from the students who conceive and accomplish them. “EAST is growing now and stepping into EAST Core. It is not just an elective class, it will be more universal and competing with more programs. In order for us to be successful as we grow, we need more funds and I want to help find those funds.” he said. “I want to become extremely involved in everything EAST does, not just support and sponsorship.”

Jalihal views his position on the Board of Directors as a steward of the organization’s strategic plan, which in EAST’s case, means expanding EAST programs and philosophies to as many schools as possible. As the

Distinguishing EAST from other educational programs in place requires the organization to do a better job of educating those who are unfamiliar with its history and results. “We have a unique approach

no matter what line of work they choose. They will be able to find their way in to a company, which is very important. You have to be able to find your way in.”

to project based learning and it is up to us to spell it out and promote it,” Jalihal asserted with confidence. “I believe once we share our story with enough people, it simplifies our ability to grow.”

EAST is an opportunity that Jalihal also believes would have aided him in his professional development. “I think I would have grown as a person faster if I had been an EAST student,” he said.

“I came out of school with all of the education I needed, but with little interaction with the outside world.

I believe I would have progressed much more quickly if EAST had been part of my educational experience.”

Jalihal sees his contribution to EAST as one that serves communities as well as the students enrolled in its programs. “EAST is about educating students, and they are our future.

Educating them makes tomorrow brighter for all of us. It is the key part of all systems.”

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Facilitator Spotlight Millicent Sanders - Anderson & Kim Austin

Questions for EAST Facilitators:

Millicent Sanders - Anderson Kim Austin

Henderson Middle School

Greenbrier School

My favorite projects are the Hawk Fest and Haven of Rest Cemetery Mapping. Hawk Fest requires the kids to use every aspect of EAST, getting sponsors, creating activities, planning the schedules. The cemetery opened our kids to the wealth of knowledge.

Annual Veterans Day - Allow student to plan and create a huge event and see immediately the difference they made in their community. Also Mapping the Cemeteries - Seeing the project evolve and make a difference in those students’ career paths.

Please tell us your favorite thing about EAST in general.

EAST is a place where “any” student can be successful.

The family atmosphere - watching social cliques disappear.

Why do you support EAST?

I love the fact that EAST excites kids about learning.

It’s Innovative - An organization that strives to be current.

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

The EAST experience prepares students for careers in the 21st Century.

Keeps education current. A new way of thinking. Constantly seeing growth…never boring.

How has EAST impacted you?

I love seeing my kids connect with adults who appreciate their skills and what they can do for them.

I love seeing the growth of my students.

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

Henderson is EAST. All the kids want to be in it. They love working on projects.

They are more confident, leaders, they value their success.

I hope we have grown to the point of needing more classes and impacting at least 60% of my school’s student body.

As a Founders winner.

I was recruited by my principal, Mr. Burton.

He said I had a good personality and I could sell it to the kids. Plus I like technology.

Needed a challenge.

Yes, if they are willing to think outside the box and let the students fail.

It’s challenging but more rewarding than they can imagine.

Yes, because it will bring out the strengths of any and every student.

It’s a confidence builder, challenging, 21st Century skills they need for better job opportunities.

Please tell us about your favorite EAST project.

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? PG. 18

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Sponsor Spotlight Acxiom

Connecting EAST to Business and Industry

llison Nicholas is one of a handful of people who may be counted among the EAST Initiative’s early adopters. She met Tim Stephenson in 1999, while helping design the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Engineering and Information Technology program. Formerly with ALLTEL, Nicholas was new to Acxiom’s College Recruiting and University Relations division, and she became curious about the man and the innovative educational program he championed.

Nicholas sought to satisfy her curiosity by attending the first EAST student demonstration for legislators at the Arkansas State Capitol that year and “fell in love” with the students. She quickly became a staunch advocate of EAST and her enthusiasm for students and their projects continues to grow more than a decade later. “EAST puts students first. I believed it then, but I believe it even more so now,” she said in a recent interview. “EAST students are innovators, free thinkers, and problem solvers. They are more prepared for the workforce and interacting with adults. They are respectful and know what to say. They are the next generation of entrepreneurs, and as importantly, intrapreneurs.”

When Nicholas returned from the project demonstration, she immediately requested to be named Acxiom’s liaison with the EAST Initiative.

“I believed EAST to be the perfect example of pipelining,” she explained. “We brought EAST students and facilitators in to Acxiom’s corporate environment. I made introductions with other corporations that I believed to be viable potential partners for EAST, and helped plan the first EAST conference.”

As with most early adopters, Nicholas considered EAST’s potential to positively impact students and communities to be obvious. “Tim (Stephenson) is a rock star,” she said. “His ability to have a vision and impart that vision to corporations, communities and the people he meets is amazing.” Yet, her many years

of experience in a corporate environment provided her with the awareness, if not the patience, to understand the difficulty in quantifying EAST’s contribution, a necessary step toward its expansion. Nicholas’ eyes well with tears that convey her passion for the program when she describes her hopes for EAST’s future, “EAST is what you hope education would be for every child. The staff and facilitators continue to recognize the value of each student in the program. I would love to see EAST concepts employed in every classroom in the nation, with every teacher and every student exposed to its pillars and philosophies.”

Nicholas’ many years as an EAST advocate provides her with many examples from which to choose when citing worthy endeavors accomplished by students. “I remember a group of students from the high school in Alpena who worked on a project inspired by the number of tourists injured while engaged in outdoor recreation in their area,” she recalled. “They worked with several state and local agencies, like the Game and Fish Commission to document the need, and eventually got the grant which built the heliport there that provides valuable lifesaving access to medical services.”

For many students, Nicholas believes that EAST is the vehicle by which they will navigate around obstacles created inherent in their geographic or economic circumstances. “I have seen such significant contributions from kids who came from limited rural communities who have gone on to succeed well beyond the traditional careers available in that community. I believe EAST kids are the future leaders of our country.”

“For EAST, Acxiom provides a strong connection to business and industry by articulating the skills necessary for a successful bridge to twenty-first century jobs.”

- Dr. Angela Kremers, senior director of corporate strategy at EAST

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Alumni Spotlight Tevin Wooten - Ryan L. Spring

Tevin Wooten

Ryan L. Spring

Class of 2010 - Camden Fairview High School

Class of 2006 - Mena High School

What have you been up to since high school?

I’m currently a sophomore (Broadcast Journalism Major) at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. I work as an undergraduate video assistant for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Please describe your education background: I was an active student in high school.

I engaged in just about every activity I could. (Student Council, Band, Journalism, and, of course, EAST).

Please describe your career path: I plan on getting my masters, if not more, from the University of Arkansas.

After that I hope to have a full-time position with the Razorbacks or move to a high market area in television broadcasting.

How has EAST impacted your career and life?

EAST has done EVERYTHING for my life.

I honestly don’t know where I would be without it. I can say that everything that EAST taught me is used daily in my life. (Everyday choices, technology, mental thinking processes).

How did EAST teach you about leadership?

EAST truly helped me understand the values of a team and community.

I started a television station as a sophomore in high school, just as a project. I led that team through several award winning years.

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Why would you recommend EAST to a friend?

I would recommend EAST to a friend because it only makes you better as a person and as a member of a global

What have you been up to since high school?

I graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2011. After graduation, I was hired by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma as the GIS/GPS Specialist for

software issues. I worked with several students in and out of class to help raise the efficiency of learning.

community.

the Historic Preservation Department.

Why would you recommend EAST to a friend?

How does EAST impact the workforce / community?

Please describe your education background:

EAST provides the cornerstone of technical learning that many students today need to succeed.

EAST contributes to the workforce/ community through its technological impact. The technology is used in the everyday workforce and in professional jobs. Through EAST, a high school, middle school, or even an elementary school student is learning skills that impact the community and teach you how to help and better your community.

What words of wisdom would you share with current EAST students and facilitators?

Students: Current EAST students should know that EAST is at the forefront of education. However, it’s an alternative form of education, that can’t be learned through a textbook or taught. I would take every opportunity to grow through whatever comes your way.

Facilitators: As for facilitators, I wouldn’t force a project on a student. I would not rush the student for project completion. This is how the student grows; as a person, as a leader, as a member of society. More importantly, the student grows within himself/ herself. The personal growth matters upmost to the student.

I earned my degree in Anthropology with an emphasis in Native American Studies and Ethnobotany.

Please describe your career path: I was hired by the Choctaw Nation following graduation, and plan to help expand their GIS services.

How has EAST impacted your career and life?

EAST gave me the skills to succeed in a higher education environment. It allowed me to think outside the box to solve problems and expanded my cognitive thought in a spatial context. I believe without my spatial foundation I would not be as successful as I am today.

How did EAST teach you about leadership?

I was heavily involved in an ArcGIS project called the Mena 3D Visualization project. This project allowed me to work with digital elevation models and with the SketchUp extension. I coordinated with other students who specialized in creating 3D models in SketchUp. I was a system administrator in my class.

I had to solve hardware problems and

How does EAST impact the workforce / community?

Students are allowed to learn programs that are valuable in todays society. It will give the student that extra edge they need for their job interview or their college application.

While learning the software, the students are helping out in projects with local, state, and federal governments to benefit their community.

What words of wisdom would you share with current EAST students and facilitators?

Students: High School is a time of learning and development in a student’s life. Not everyone will be able to take something away from the classes they take. But I believe everyone can take away something from EAST. Facilitators: Every year is different, there are good times and not so good times. But always remember, while you may be struggling, there is always that one student whose life you will change. I am that student, I thank you for working so hard and dedicating so much time to allow me to succeed as I do today.

Get ready. We are calling all

EAST Alumni

Join us on Facebook & together we can change the world.

“See you at EAST Conference!”

Visit our breakout session or booth to see how you can be a part of the EAST Alumni.

www.facebook.com/EASTalumni

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Project Profiles (AR) Storm Shelter - (OK) STAD Project

EAST @ Vilonia Builds a Shelter From the Storm On April 25, 2011, a tornado ravaged the town of Vilonia, Arkansas. Five people were killed, and National Guard rescuers estimated the number of missing persons to locate through a house-to-house search to be between 50 and 60. A storm damage assessment determined that the tornado was one to two miles wide at its base, and cut a path through the community that was three miles wide and 15 miles long. In the process, 60 homes were completely destroyed, with 252 structures sustaining affected damage. Those in the community who survived the storm suffered an emotional impact that will last for years, if not the rest of their lives. For students enrolled in EAST, the twister provided an opportunity to be part of a solution that would protect their loved ones and their community from a similar fate in the future.

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EAST facilitator Erin Rappold was at home with a three-year-old toddler, 10-month-old baby, and one-week-old infant when the tornado barreled through Vilonia. “It touched down a half-mile from my house. I waited with my children in a safe room in our house,” she recalled. “My husband watched it pass. Our home escaped damage, but my husband stayed out into the night helping those who were not so fortunate.” Rappold was not yet an EAST facilitator at the time, she took over the position when school resumed in the fall. Once she became familiar with the pillars of EAST, she realized that the program offered a great opportunity for her students to be part of a project that would improve safety for others, and help them heal from the experience in the process. She offered her suggestion to EAST students and four of them – Kyle, Jake, Ashlin and Noah –

I watched as the storm blew down trees. It was crazy.” After the tornado passed, he went out to try to help others. His home near Simpson Road escaped damage, but a neighbor living in a trailer down the road wasn’t so lucky. “Her trailer was rolled three times, and she was thrown out of it.” Kyle’s family went without power for a week following the storm. “You couldn’t drive around or ride a bike,” he said. “You had to [walk to] pick up water, food, and other supplies.”

Ashlin was at her home when the storm hit. “We don’t have a safe room, so I hid in a closet for about an hour.

My dad is a firefighter, so he left to help with rescue efforts.” She lives just outside of Vilonia, so a couple of anxious days passed before she was allowed to enter the town to check on friends who were surveying damage to their homes.

Noah was at his home near Conway when the tornado struck. He first became aware of the severity of its damage by reading his friends’ posts on Facebook. At first, he didn’t think it was that bad; but as hours passed, he learned just how devastating the damage was in the small, rural community.

Jake was at his home, and went to the home of a family friend with a safe house when the warnings sounded.

While his home escaped damage, he spent several frustrating hours trying to contact a friend on the road.

Landlines were downed by the storm and demands on the town’s cell towers overwhelmed the system, rendering his cell phone useless for phone calls and texts. Fortunately, Jake’s friend turned up safe the next day.

All four students and their facilitator were inspired by the way the community rallied to assist victims of the storm, and yet, nearly two years later, remnants of its damage remain to remind them of its terror and destruction. Brush piles of fallen trees scatter the landscape, presenting a fire hazard during the drought days of summer. Nightmares and fear of thunder torment survivors quickening their pulse with every threatening forecast. These physical and emotional reminders inspired Rappold’s students to tackle, and conquer, the daunting challenge to literally shelter their community from future storms by providing a safe room that can house up to 1248 people, or nearly 1/3 of the town’s population.

Photo by: Mark Humphrey, The Associated Press

Video of Tornado Click to view Video of Tornado Damage Click to view quickly embraced her idea and began the complex process of learning the design software and FEMA requirements necessary to build an on-campus storm shelter for Vilonia.

Kyle was the project manager and “architect” on the project. He was at home when the storm started.

“My mom told me to head to our family’s landlord for cover when the weather worsened,” he recalled.

“I experienced and survived hurricanes in Texas.

Jake likes to design and build things, and is big brother to a five-year-old sister who is haunted to this day by her memories of the storm. He assumed the project manager role for the group, tackling the safe room’s precise design and measurements. His most complex task required him to learn the software for the project, Archicad.

“I worked on the design for 12 weeks before handing it over to my EAST facilitator to evaluate my plan,” he said.

“The rooms had to be exact, and the doors had to be drawn by hand.” Noah assisted Jake throughout the design process, and found the professional-grade software equally challenging, but also conquerable. The students wanted a pitched roof for the structure, and Ashlin devoted her time to ensuring its inclusion. Kyle provided the Internet research to learn the fire codes and specifications dictated by FEMA to guide the group along the way.

Nabholz Construction was the contractor and construction company that implemented the students’ designs, and on the rainy, cold day in December of 2012 when they handed its keys to the school, they had nothing but praise for the students and teacher who partnered with them in the project. “They made my job a lot easier,” said Lance Wright, Nabholz’s project manager. “The end result is that Vilonia now has the Cadillac of safe rooms in the state.” Perry McGinty, Nabholz’s superintendent for the job, lives in Conway and played baseball on the field nearby. “The tilt panels on the wall weigh 60,000 lbs. a piece, and the doors are filled with concrete,” he said.

“When the sirens sound, the doors open for 30 minutes to allow the community access to the shelter.”

These EAST students used a frightening experience as inspiration to contribute to a solution that will protect lives. In the process, they gained valuable knowledge of technology that will enhance the forecast for their future, too. It looks like blue skies and sunny days for all of them, no matter what the weatherman says.

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STAD Project Indian Capital Technology Center

A

t the beginning of the school year, Indian Capital Technology Center EAST student, Morgan Kimble, had a passion to complete a project that would educate high school students about the dangers of texting and driving, and she did just that.

Kimble’s project, Stop Texting and Driving (S.T.A.D.), took on a life of its own and became so much more than even she imagined. “Morgan’s fire for this project was fueled by the loss of her best friend, Candice, when an 18-year-old college bound young man hit her in a head-on collision that killed Candice instantly,” reports Jodi Keith, facilitator for EAST @ ICTC. Kimble created a presentation to educate students about how dangerous texting and driving really is and to show the impact that these types of accidents have, not only on the victims and their families, but also how they affect the lives of those who choose to text and drive. Kimble and her partner, Cheyenne Spencer, also created a short PSA to go along with the presentation.

Kimble presented her project to her EAST class at Indian Capital, traveled to local area high schools to present to 10th and 11th graders and presented to local church youth groups. The first week of May, Central High School, a rural school lying just outside Sallisaw, was going to do a texting and driving assembly for 7th thru 12th graders at their school. “As part of the assembly, they had asked Candice’s mom to be their main speaker, but she had to cancel two days prior and asked Morgan to step up to the plate and take on the keynote speaker role,” said Keith. Morgan presented her project to

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the largest crowd she had ever faced. It was a little emotional for her, but she performed like a champ.”

The program also included a memorial slideshow of Candice, her mother’s account of the last few hours of Candice’s life leading up to the wreck, and other fond memories of Candice by some of her closest friends. At the close of the assembly, Central’s Student Council had coordinated with local law enforcement and emergency personnel to perform a mock wreck scenario of a texting and driving accident.

EAST @ ICTC student Danielle Reiss, an aspiring film director, was given the director/producer role and captured the entire presentation and mock wreck on video. Back in the EAST classroom, Reiss worked with EAST assistant facilitator, Joshua Dees, to put together a very dramatic and moving video of the day’s events.

Kimble’s S.T.A.D. project was given the award for EAST Outstanding Community Project at Indian Capital’s year-end awards ceremony. “This project really shows what EAST is all about. The students worked together to tackle a tough subject and to educate not only their peers, but also themselves about how dangerous texting and driving is,” said Keith.

“Many of our students have pledged not to text and drive after being a part of this great and far-reaching project. I commend Morgan for her desire to make this project happen and to do something positive with something very negative in her life.”

Tech Tips from the EAST Initiative Technical Support Group

Technical Problem in your Classroom?

010101100

EAST Technical Support

Help Ticket

010101100

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.

Click here to open a new help ticket EAST QUARTERLY

PG. 25

Geek Speak

Technical Support Spotlight - Leap Motion

Technical Support: Issue Spotlight.

To: EAST Technical Support From: Student Ticket: We noticed a few months ago that any new user that logged into a workstation took upwards of 5 minutes to login. After they had logged into that workstation once, the slow login would go away. However, if they logged into a machine that they haven’t logged into before, the slow login returned. We didn’t think much of it until this morning—now no one can log in. When we attempt to log in, it says “there are no logon servers to service your logon request.” When we log in with local accounts, we can still access the Internet.

We are running Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 on our server and Windows 7 Professional SP1 x64 on our workstations. Help!!!

Troubleshooting Tips for Server Connectivity Issues: 1.

Make sure your server is powered on, and that you can log in to the server. If it’s off, you won’t be able to log in! Also check to make sure that any network cables plugged into the server show a good link/connected status.

2.

Check all of your networking equipment. If applicable, check any routers, switches, and other networking equipment for power loss or error lights.

3.

If your server is powered on and you still can’t log in from a workstation, log in to your server, go to Start / Run /, type in CMD and hit Enter.

Type in ipconfig /all and look for something called an IP Address or IPv4 Address. Take note of the IP address listed. Now run the same command from one of your workstations, and this time note the first address listed for the DNS Address. You can still log in to the workstation by using the local computer’s user account. This would have been the user account set up when the computers were first installed. The first DNS address on the workstation should match the IP Address of your EAST server. If there are differences, it may mean you need to assign Static DNS on all of your workstations. You can view the tutorial on this on the EAST website: http://eastinitiative.org/tutorialssupport/ Tutorial.aspx?Id=163. Alternatively, if you have a router in your setup, you could change the DHCP network settings in the router to pass out the correct network settings to all of your workstations.

4.

If there doesn’t seem to be any DNS configuration issues on your workstations/ network and your server is powered on and appears to be connected to the network, try to

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ping your server from one of your workstations—first by its IP address, then by its Fully Qualified Domain Name or FQDN. Using the instructions in Tip 3, run an ipconfig /all on your server to determine its IP address. Next, from a workstation, go to Start - Run, type in CMD and hit Enter, then type in ping 192.168.2.2 where 192.168.2.2 is the IP address of your server. If you get successful replies, it means your server is connected to the network— see Figure 1.

5.

If you don’t get any replies, it means the server at the IP address you specified wasn’t available—see Figure 2. If this is the case, check the physical connections to the server and swap the network cable just to make sure it isn’t a bad cable. You might also try a different network jack if one is available. Re-run the ping test by IP to see if that fixes the issue. You must be able to ping the server by its IP Address before ping testing by FQDN.

6.

Once you can ping by IP Address, you need to make sure you can ping the server by its FQDN. You can determine this from your server by going to Start/Programs/Administrative Tools/Active Directory Domains and Trusts. In the left pane of the Active Directory Domains and Trusts window, look at the text in brackets next to the Title. It is highlighted in blue in Figure 3 below. The FQDN in this example is eastserver.east.program.

7.

After determining this, go to a workstation and get back to the command prompt, and type ping eastserver.east. program. You should see replies come back from the server’s IP Address, which in this case is 192.168.2.2 (see Figure 4 below for example). If you do not see replies come back, it means there is a DNS configuration issue which would require further investigation and troubleshooting. Contact the TSG for further assistance as DNS configurations can vary widely by school.

“Leap” into the New Year with Leap Motion.

Technology never stops advancing. It seems that every time we turn around, something new and exciting is being released. Over the last decade, we have seen smartphones, tablets, and smaller laptops. What’s next? How about something that you don’t even have to touch? This is the concept of Leap Motion. This new product focuses on gesture-based interaction. Instead of touching a screen, you simply wave your hand in front of it. All of this is made possible by the Leap Motion controller.

This controller is a small aluminum device that is about the size of an iPod. Inside the device, lives sensors, LEDs, and a CPU that allows all of the magic to take place.

Plugging the device into your computer gives you 8 cubic feet of 3D interaction space.

Inside this interaction space, the Leap Motion controller will recognize your 10 fingers as input devices. However, you can also use other objects in the space such as a paintbrush or a pencil, all without touching the screen. Imagine being able to scroll through a long documeng with just a flick of the wrist.

Leap Motion has also started the Leap Motion Developer Program for aspiring software developers. You can apply to get a development controller unit, and start playing with the Software Development Kit (SDK) at www.leapmotion.com/developers. If you enjoy software development, you can even get your app published in the Leap Motion App Store. This store will contain all of the apps that will work with the Leap Motion controller.

A few things that the Leap Motion controller will let you do in your EAST classroom are: • • • • •

Basic controls for you computer (click, grab, scroll) Create artwork without using a stylus Interact with 3D modeling software Interact with maps and other spatial data Develop your own apps for Leap Motion

The Leap Motion is one of the most talked about products unveiled at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) earlier in 2013.

The Leap Motion controller is now available for pre-order at www.leapmotion.com for $69.99. Controllers are expected to start shipping in early 2013.

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