EMETRO EDUCATION
Page 14
with Dr . Andrea May 2017
EMETRO EDUCATION
ROCKDALE COUNTY 4-H STUDENTS PLACE IN DISTRICT PROJECT ACHIEVEMENT COMPETITION
Public speaking is said to be the number one fear in America , but that is not the case for 70 Rockdale County 4-H ’ ers ! They have all recently competed in the 2017 4-H District Project Achievement competition , or DPA as 4-H ’ ers call it . DPA is the culminating event and competition for the year in 4-H .
These students did a tremendous amount of work to prepare by writing speeches , making posters , and practicing skills like cooking or performing arts . This year , DPA projects ranged from Jamaica to Alzheimer ’ s disease to a violin performance .
Of Rockdale County ’ s 70 competitors , spanning grades 4th through 12th , 44 placed in the top three for their category .
Specifically , 4th through 6th grade students prepared a five minute presentation on a topic of their choosing and presented it to a panel of judges in a room full of parents and peers .
Students grade 7th through 12th built on these skills by preparing a 10 minute speech to present to a panel of judges . Additionally , they worked year-round to prepare a portfolio , a resume-like document , which highlights their project work , as well as activities in the 4-H club for community service and leadership during the previous calendar year .
DPA is a very rigorous competition and whether or not students leave with a medal , they are sure to have learned something new from the experience . 94 % of the competing Rockdale County students stated that because of 4-H Project Achievement they are now more confident speaking in front of people .
Rockdale County 4-H would like to thank Snapping Shoals Electric Management Corporation for sponsoring this event and making it possible for increased participation .
For more information about Rockdale County 4-H , including summer activities , contact the Rockdale County UGA Extension office at 770-278-7373 , or visit 1400 Parker Road , Lobby A , Conyers , GA 30094 .
GEORGIA TECH HOSTS PEACHTREE ACADEMY FOR ANNUAL ROBOTICS EVENT
Georgia Tech hosted Peachtree Academy middle and high school students for their annual robotics event on Thursday , April 13th . It was a fun and interesting experience for the students , who were able to use the robots and interact with the development teams .
They learned about different robotics programs and how to develop them . They were able to experience the different levels of interaction that a robot can have with humans , and how much we already depend on robots in our everyday lives .
They were given a tour of the robotics labs on Georgia Tech ’ s campus and were able to see the advances in science and mathematics that are assisting robot development . Peachtree ’ s students were also able to talk to the PhD students about how they got where they were , what interested them about robotics , and really learn what it took to reach their goals .
ROCKDALE MAGNET SCHOOL AWARDED STEM RECERTIFICATION
Rockdale County Public Schools ( RCPS ) is proud to announce Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology ( RMSST ), the first high school in Georgia to receive STEM Certification , was awarded STEM recertification by the Georgia Department of Education . State School Superintendent Richard Woods presented RMSST with recertification in a recognition ceremony at RMSST .
“ We are proud of the continued excellence at the Rockdale Magnet School demonstrated by the teachers , students and leadership on an ongoing basis ,” said RCPS Superintendent Richard Autry . “ Maintaining and improving upon such a high level is an extraordinary achievement . Our district has two statecertified STEM programs – the Magnet program and STEM Academy at Memorial Middle – out of about 50 in the state . We are looking forward to adding the STEM Program at Honey Creek
Elementary to the growing list of state-certified STEM programs in Rockdale County Public Schools .”
“ Every day , the teachers and students at the Rockdale Magnet School demand nothing but the best of each other , and we are honored our hard work has been recognized ,” said RMSST Director Dr . Debra Arnold . “ We are committed to providing rigorous inquirybased learning , STEM instruction , project-based curricula and opportunities for our students to grow and explore STEM fields . This recertification is a testament to the rigor and depth of learning taking place at the Rockdale Magnet School .”
Highlights of RMSST ’ s application include three years of scientific research every student must complete and a senior scientific capstone experience . Students enter their research in a variety of national and international STEM competitions , challenges , and science and engineering fairs during their four years at the school . Additionally , most students participate in an intense internship with business partners that allow them to explore career options .
Last year ’ s seniors collectively received over $ 7.1 million in college scholarships . The school ’ s average ACT score was 27 out of a possible 36 , and the average SAT score was 1747 out of a possible 2400 .
RMSST , established in 2000 , was the first Georgia high school to receive STEM Certification on May 15 , 2012 . Certification is required every five years . STEM recertification is the result of a rigorous application by the school and a site visit by Georgia Department of Education officials who make a determination if the school meets the criteria set forth in the application process . Only about 40 percent of schools that apply for STEM Certification are approved , according to Georgia Department of Education officials .
Pictured left to right : Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology ( RMSST ) senior Nkima Stephenson , Rockdale County Public Schools Superintendent Richard Autry , RMSST senior Jordan Holmes , State School Superintendent Richard Woods , and RMSST Director Dr . Debra Arnold with the STEM recertification banner presented by Woods .