EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (Ed&WD)
COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
23 September 2015
Members Present: Angela Alban (Simetri/NCS), Prita Anhabra (CBCCFL), Dr. Mike
Armbruster (OCPS), Suzanne Bliss (University HS), CarolAnn Dykes (UCF), Lyn
Higgins (SCPS), Mike Kalaf (Synaptic Sparks), Keara Jones (P.E.C.), Scott Kidd, Fay
Leuzzi-Martin (Florida Robotics), Alan Lynch (OCPS), Danielle McNeely
(NAWCTSD), Dr. Kristy Murray (Summit Strategic Consulting), N.Y. Nathiri (PEC),
Jorge Nieves (Herzing Edu), Hank Okraski (NCS), Jeff Pridmore (STEM
Alliance),Abdul Siddiqui (PEOSTRI), Sunny Simmonds (NAWCTSD), Eileen Smith
(UCF), Lindsey Spalding (SCPS), Carol Tingley (OCPS), Paul Wahnish (SCPS), Jesse
Walker (SCPS), Lanny Wood (PLTW), Deb Yeagle (Plan- to- Win)
Meeting agenda is attached. (Attachment 1). Meeting minutes and presentations will be
posted on the NCS website:
www.simulationinformation.com
Activities and Discussions:
A. Status of Ed&WD Committee ActivitiesHank Okraski, Committee Chairman, called the meeting to order, conducted the
introductions and reported on the most recent activities of the committee, as follows:
 Donated 5 Oculus Rift 3D HMD’s to high schools & one middle school
 Plans for I/ITSEC STEM Booth include Golfview ES & M&S Certification
Information distribution
 Conducted beta test Certification Exams at 6 Orange and Seminole County
schools
 Certification approved by FL DoEd for CAPE funding
 M&S Framework/Standards approved by FLDoEd
 Certification Exam automation plans underway. Contract to be let in October.
 Certification Exam planned for State of Florida students in 2016:students in April
and teachers in January
 Curriculum Standards/Framework/Study Guide/Model Curriculum on NCS
website (www.simulationinformation. com) Go to Education.
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 Participated in Advisory Board(s), Crooms techFEST, ZORA STEM, Orlando
Tech, Hagerty HS
 Reviewed Lake County Public Schools Gaming, Simulation and Animation
(GSA) Standards. Team recognized by School Board.
 Provided M&S Support to Hillsborough County and Monroe Middle School in
Tampa
 Hall of Fame Solicitations & Program
 Provided 7 Scholarships to local high schools
B. M&S Certification Status
Deb Yeagle, President/CEO Plan to Win, and Chair of the NCS Sub-committee on
M&S Certification, brought the committee up to date with the following
accomplishments:
 Beta Program Completed (January – April 2015)
 6 Beta Schools Participated
 10 Teachers M&S Certified
 150 Student Applications Received
 97 Beta Exams Administered to Students
 72 Students Passed and are M&S Certified
 Certification approved by the Florida Department of Education for the 2015-2016
Career and Professional Education (CAPE) Funding List (June – August 2015)
 Ongoing Activities (May – Present)
 Automated system evaluation
 New exam question development
 Study guide updates
Expansion Plan Goals
 Expand Certification throughout State of Florida for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017
school years
 Procure and implement automated system
 Expand marketing to all school districts
 Increase size of question bank
 Enhanced study guide
 Key Milestones
 10/31 – Automated System
 11/27 – Marketing Material and Exam Questions
 11/30 – 12/3 – I/ITSEC
 1/4 – Final Study Guide
 Mid-Jan 2016 – Certification Exam for Teachers
 April 2016 – Certification Exam for Students
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Volunteers Needed
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Automated system implementation
Exam question development
Study Guide Refinements
Internship opportunities
C. M&S Curriculum/Framework/Standards and Hagerty High School
Implementation Status (Appendix A)
Lindsey Spalding, Seminole County Public Schools/Hagerty High School M&S
Coordinator, described “Building a Model for a Sustainable Modeling and Simulation
High School Program”, centered around the Hagerty HS Program of Emphasis. She
went on to describe student demographics for modeling and simulation at HHS. The
following milestones were presented:
Milestones
• 2013-2014
• Frameworks reorganized by SCPS and sent to DOE for approval
• First M & S Learning Lab established
• 3rd teacher attempt
• Student numbers doubled
• 2014-2015
• Frameworks approved by DOE!
• 2nd M&S Learning Lab built
• Beta Exam for Certification
• 76% student pass rate
• 2015-2016
• Certification exam approved by DOE
• 1 teacher /182 students
• Challenged by a lack of teachers
D. Mid Florida Tech (MFT) Launch Site (Appendix B- go to)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ppmgszphcjogtqi/NCS%20Presentation2.pptx?dl=0
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Alan Lynch, Mid Florida Tech, described the most interesting and innovative
undertaking at MFT in the area of modeling and simulation . He outlined four basic
areas:
The 3D Animation Technology program prepares students to enter the simulation
and digital media industry as production assistants, modelers, texture artists, riggers,
animators, and motion capture technicians. Graduates of this program play a key role
in creating the realism and story driven aspects of a simulation or animation.
Students will learn from industry experienced professionals the skills and techniques
used in animation production. Using the latest 3D animation technology, students
will produce professional results faster and will build a complete portfolio of credited
work upon completion of the program.
The Gaming, Simulation & Animation (GSA) Visual Design program prepares
students to enter the simulation and game industry as production designers, modelers,
texture artists, riggers, and animators. Graduates of this program play a key role in
creating the realism of a simulation or game. Students will learn from industry
experienced professionals the skills and techniques used in visual asset creation.
Using the latest visual design technology, students will produce professional results
faster and will build a complete portfolio of credited work upon completion of the
program.
The GSA Audio/Video Effects program prepares students to enter the simulation and
game industry as audio, video and visual effects technicians. Graduates of this
program play a key role in creating the realism of a simulation or game. Students will
learn from industry experienced professionals the skills and techniques used in visual
and audio asset creation. Using the latest visual and audio software and hardware,
students will produce professional results faster and will build a complete portfolio of
credited work upon completion of the program.
The GSA Programming program prepares students to enter the simulation and game
industry as software programming technicians. Graduates of this program play a key role
by bringing the visual and audio assets into the game engine and assigning the
functionality to complete the simulation product. Students will learn from industry
experienced professionals the skills and techniques used in computer programming
including languages and game engine platforms. Using industry standard programming
languages, students will produce a number of finished simulations and will build a
complete portfolio of credited work upon completion of the program.
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E. Simulation Summit.
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Angela Alban , SIMETRI President and CEO and NCS Board Chairperson, reported on
the success of the Orange County/NCS Simulation Summit held at the Orange County
Convention Center. Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the National Center for Simulation (NCS)
hosted the first-ever Florida Simulation Summit on Sept. 16 to highlight the state’s multibillion dollar simulation industry and help identify opportunities for businesses to
diversify and commercialize simulation.
The Summit’s impressive brain trust included simulation experts on topics ranging from
entertainment, medical, education, transportation and emerging technologies such as
cyber, energy and manufacturing. Summit panelists included speakers from Universal
Orlando, the University of Central Florida, EA Sports, Space Florida, Simetri, Limbitless
Solutions, Orange County Public Schools, Lockheed Martin Commercial Flight Training,
Raytheon Co. and Duke Energy. Students from Orange and Seminole Counties attended
and demonstrated robotic technology.
Owing to the large turnout and interest expressed, plans are underway for a second
summit event next year. Next year’s program will most likely include technology
demonstrations.
F. PEO STRI Internships/Robotics (Appendix C)
Abdul Siddiqui, PEO STRI, discussed the most significant STEM programs the Army
has underway locally. These initiatives include mentorships, internships, projectbased learning and projecting success. He also announced the formation of “RoboKnights”, a group of five local high schools who will , as a team, be competing in the
First Robotics competition.
G. STEM Alliance of Central Florida (Appendix D)
Jeff Pridmore, Executive Director of STEM Alliance of Central Florida, discussed the
organization, its goals, focus, programs and plans as follows:
– Goal – Achieve the critical mass to make a real difference in STEM
– “One stop shopping” for STEM education initiatives
– Link Education and Industry with scalable STEM programs/ projects
– Create a sustainable and scalable funding and support ecosystem
• Focus
– STEM Workforce/ student preparation – Responsible for “content” and
projects -- in-class projects, lectures, industry outreach, student
competitions, etc.
– Teacher Professional Development – Augmenting existing teacher
capacity and improving STEM readiness of graduating teachers
– Community - Community awareness and involvement in STEM
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H. Central Florida STEM Education Council (CFSEC)
Carol Ann Dykes, Director of the CFSEC, outlined the near-term plans for the
organization as follows:
The 6th annual DiSTI Duffer will be held 10 Oct (www.distiduffer.org). Every dollar
raised in sponsorships, donations and player registrations is used by the Council to
support information learning experiences for teachers and students. In past years
funds have gone to the Central Florida YMCA for scholarships to their STEM after
school programs, the Sea Perch program, scholarships at local high schools, and a
project-based learning workshop for 50+ teachers each year at I/ITSEC. Our goal this
year is to raise $15k.
The next meeting of the Council will be 23 Oct focused on STEM in
Manufacturing. It will be held at Mid-Florida Tech and feature manufacturing education
programs in the community as well as local manufacturing companies- all sharing the
STEM skills needed and career paths available in manufacturing.
The Council has fully assumed responsibility for managing the Teacher Workshop
and STEM Pavilion at I/ITSEC. We have secured some additional space for the Pavilion
this year and will be able to showcase 24-26 organizations impacting STEM education in
the community. The Workshop will provide Project-Based Learning instruction for 70
Title 1 middle school teachers from 6 counties. The week of I/ITSEC will also be
proclaimed “STEM Week in Orange County” by Mayor Teresa Jacobs in a ceremony on
Wednesday, 2 December 2015.
I. I/ITSEC Student/Teacher Activities (Appendix E)
Dr. Kristy Murray, in her role of coordinator of I/ITSEC student/teacher activities,
discussed the overwhelming response to the invitation for student attendance at
I/ITSEC. ( Students and teachers are invited to tour the exhibits on the Thursday of
I/ITSEC). Every effort is made to approve the applications from the many schools
applying, however, this year, the quota was filled very early. Dr. Murray indicated
that 987 students will be attending this year.
Dr. Murray indicated that there may be new programs forthcoming such as
scholarships and internships. Announcements are forthcoming.
J. stemCONNECT/techPATH
Eileen Smith, Director of the E2i Creative Studio at IST, gave the committee an overview
of a new STEM program opportunity developed and administered by The Corridor’s
TechPath arm. The new program, stemCONNECT, digitally connects middle and high
school classrooms with experts in various STEM fields across Central Florida. This
program is available to the 23-county service area of The Corridor (formerly known as
the Florida High Tech Corridor Council) and is a FREE PROGRAM.
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For more information on the program, visit the website athttp://flstemconnect.com. This
is an opportunity for both teachers and experts! For teachers, they can register into the
system, which gives them the ability to request speakers on certain topics pertinent to
their curriculum activities. For experts, they can register into the system, which allows
the stemCONNECT team to pair them with classrooms.
To see two archived video sessions of this program, one on robotic surgery and one on
medical simulation, visit this link http://flstemconnect.com/Content/sessionsearch.aspx.
This is an excellent program that helps to build the bridges from classroom to career.
Meeting adjourned at 5:30 PM
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EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MEETING
Wednesday, 23 September 2015, 3:15 PM
Partnership II Building, (Room 209), 3100 Technology Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826
AGENDA
TOPIC
Introductions (5)
Committee Activities/ Status (15)
M&S Certification Status (10)
Curriculum/Framework (10)
Mid Florida Tech- Launch Site (20)
Simulation Summit Results (15)
PEO STRI Internship/Robotics (15)
STEM Alliance Introduction (10)
Central Florida STEM Activities (10)
I/ITSEC Student/Teachers Activities (10)
stemCONNECT/techPATH (10)
New Business (5)
FACILITATOR
Hank Okraski (NCS Board)
Deb Yeagle (Plan To Win)
Lindsey Spalding (Hagerty HS)
Alan Lynch (MFT/OCPS)
Angela Alban (Chair, NCS Board)
Abdul Siddiqui (PEO STRI)
Jeff Pridmore (STEM Alliance)
CarolAnn Dykes (UCF/CFSEC)
Dr. Kristy Murray (NDIA/NTSA)
Eileen Smith (FHTCC/techPATH)
Attachment 1- Meeting Agenda
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