TM

...where students ...where students assemble a model assemble a model

of a computer of a computer that is big enough that is big enough to walk through...to walk through...

Is More Than A Field Trip...Is More Than A Field Trip...

Let's Build a Computer allows students to assemble a model of a computer that is big enough to stand inside! Students spend about two hours assembling the inside and outside of a computer - only the model and components are 12 times their normal sizes!

Participants receive a hands-on primer about what makes a computer work. In the process, learn about safety, teamwork, careers, and why all school subjects are important in an age of technology.

By the way, the computer model can be disassembled in about twenty minutes so it can be ready to be built over and over again!

Provides...Provides...The bigger-than-life model computer with cpu, monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.

All necessary tools and equipment

On-site training and media materials

Classroom preview curriculum

Certificates of completion

Kids' magazines to take home

The Site/Sponsor Provides...The Site/Sponsor Provides...A physical location

The students

The "lead engineer"

Pre-curriculum,

4 pages

Post-curriculum,

8 pages

How Did This Project Get How Did This Project Get Started?Started?

Ribs

Timing is right

Makes sense for all involved•Community•Business•Education

Fits my background

What Got Me Started?What Got Me Started?

Lucky me:

•Choices

•New math

•Back to basics

•Not a born mathematician

•Careers sum up life and work experiences

•The perfect career…several times

……where are we where are we planning for this planning for this project to go?project to go?

Operational PlanOperational Plan

Develop business planDevelop business plan•Set up corporation / define roles / acquire Set up corporation / define roles / acquire trademarkstrademarks•Develop paper, write curriculum, build Develop paper, write curriculum, build prototypeprototype•Market the product and the companyMarket the product and the company•Start in Texas / go national in year twoStart in Texas / go national in year two•Build on history with a high-tech twistBuild on history with a high-tech twist•Market to collegesMarket to colleges•Approach applicable corporations for cross-Approach applicable corporations for cross-marketingmarketing•Make a deal with a college systemMake a deal with a college system•Be strict with the budgetBe strict with the budget•Position ourselves for future businessPosition ourselves for future business•Have a back-up planHave a back-up plan

Have a Great Have a Great Partner !Partner !

Strategic/Tactical PlansStrategic/Tactical PlansVisionVision

Although the acquisition of knowledge is the result of many variables, the environment in which a student learns is often thought to be the most influential factor in the determination of student success.

To that end, there exists a need to establish a company that will provide for the availability of a program that enhances students' academic, technical, and workplace knowledge and skills within a contextual-learning environment. The company shall be chartered under the name of Cutting Edge Education, LLC.

Strategic/Tactical PlansStrategic/Tactical PlansMissionMission

The company, Cutting Edge Education, LLC, shall provide for the establishment and development of a program at appropriate educational sites that shall give students the opportunity to experience an academic, hands-on learning activity that provides an environment.

This opportunity shall be conducive to the fostering of academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and citizenship.

The program shall be called Let’s Build A Computer!.

Strategic/Tactical PlansStrategic/Tactical PlansStrategic PlanStrategic Plan

The following strategic growth elements shall be followed so as to guide the LBAC’s long-range viability:

Organizational Growth and Development• management, financial, & employee resources

Project Growth and Development• operational, curricular, & fund-raising activities

Concept Growth and Development• name recognition, public relations, & media- paid advertising

Strategic/Tactical PlansStrategic/Tactical PlansTactical PlanTactical Plan

All immediate operational needs of the program shall support the strategic growth elements.

Goals StructureGoals Structure

Appropriate goals, objectives, and related activities shall be structured to ensure the success of the program. All are available for the pre-curriculum, the demonstration project, and the kids’ magazine.

What Makes a LBAC Site What Makes a LBAC Site Successful?Successful?The following factors are critical to the success of a host site for a Let’s Build A Computer project:

•Providing proper emphasis on the needs and demands of the college as a sponsor;

•Placing the project in a community college where workforce development issues and the importance of corporate partnerships are understood;

•Finding a permanent venue and the right facilitator for the project at the chosen site;

•Providing a quality program, materials, and support with an emphasis on customer service;

What Makes a LBAC Site What Makes a LBAC Site Successful?Successful?•Providing proper training for the facilitator;

•Maintaining good communication between the Let’s Build A Computer staff, the site contact, and the state and local partners;

•Understanding the dynamics of the host institution and its bureaucracy; and,

•Providing periodic feedback for all involved to promote the idea of continuous and ongoing improvement.

What Makes a LBAC Site What Makes a LBAC Site Successful?Successful?

Let’s Build A Computer recognizes that these factors are vital to the success of the project and the College’s return on its investment.

Let’s Build A Computer is committed to implementing these initiatives and sharing results with the College staff and board.

Howard College Specifics...Howard College Specifics...Let’s Build A Computer provides a set, basic format but is flexible enough to meet the individual needs of individual college campuses. We will:

•Provide the program twice each week of the Fall and Spring semesters;

•Offer the program to all fifth-grade students in our service area;

•Have refreshments during the demonstration;

Howard College Specifics...Howard College Specifics...•Provide a free t-shirt and certificate to each student;

•Use the project as an orientation for students at our deaf campus (SWCID);

•Use the project as a component of our summer college for kids;

•Use the project for staff development; and,

•Try to involve high school students and faculty whenever possible.

Advantages for Colleges as Advantages for Colleges as Sites...Sites...An increase in the following would also be expected as a result of placing the Let’s Build A Computer project on a college campus:

•Positive, on-campus educational experiences for students and parents, teachers, the College, and community partners;

•Interaction and marketing opportunities for the College with local business and industry partners;

•Opportunities for the College to involve local governmental and community leaders with constituents by bringing them together with the college administration, faculty, staff, and other participants;

Advantages for Colleges as Advantages for Colleges as Sites...Sites...•Effective partnerships among the College and other workforce and economic development groups;

•Positive educational media/PR for the College, the site, and other partners;

•Community involvement and awareness for the College;

•Opportunities for local governmental and community leaders to participate in leadership and communications training;

•Demonstrations taught by college, educational professionals;

Advantages for Colleges as Advantages for Colleges as Sites...Sites...•Demonstrations that help students better understand the importance of mathematics, English, science, social studies, art, and physical education in real world situations as a result of being located in a college setting;

•Opportunities to talk with students about staying in school, off drugs, and out of trouble during a visit to a college campus;

•Hands-on, contextual learning experiences for the participants as they work in a future learning environment;

Advantages for Colleges as Advantages for Colleges as Sites...Sites...•Relationships with the school districts in or near the identified urban or rural community who are always happy to get their students to participate in events on a college campus; and,

•Elements that may be used as part of another college event such as an open house, adult continuing education program, "kid's college," etc., thereby, stretching the impact of the sponsorship.

The Bottom Line - LBAC The Bottom Line - LBAC Promotes...Promotes...•A world-class, contextual, learning project for students in grades 4+ that emphasizes a high-tech academic education

•A positive experience learning about math, science, communications, physics, etc. while on a college campus ( or other learning site )

•The perfect opportunity to talk with students about staying in school, off drugs, and out of gangs

•A positive attitude about the world of work and hope for the future

•A way to help "close the gaps" between school and college

Questions?Questions?