DEPCO, LLC announces the purchase of Gears Educational Systems, LLC

Pittsburg, KS – September 22, 2011 - DEPCO, LLC, Pittsburg, KS, announced today that they have acquired Gears Educational Systems, LLC, Hanover, MA, and will move them to their Pittsburg, KS facilities. Gears Educational Systems is an innovator in providing hands-on engineering products to middle schools, high schools, and colleges. They differentiated themselves from competitors by offering robust products using industry-grade components. Gears products are designed and built to last for years in the classroom, resulting in better value. Their products are used in hundreds of high schools, colleges, and universities around the country. Gears Co-founder Michael Bastoni is a veteran educator that has direct classroom experience in STEM education. He uses this experience to develop kits that address the needs of students and teachers. In the mid-1990s, he began developing prototypes of the engineering kits that would evolve into our flagship product—GEARS Invention and Design System (IDS). GEARS-IDS was used as a trainer for his students so that they would be better prepared for regional and national engineering robotic competitions. His teams were very successful and won many top awards. More importantly, these students often continued their studies at engineering schools. Gears Co-founder, Mark Newby, has spent over twenty five years in the high-tech industry as an electro-mechanical sales engineer. He has worked closely with machinists, metal fabricators, electrical and mechanical engineers helping create and assist in the design of electro-mechanical products. Gears’ founders Mark and Mike incorporated in 2002 to refine and expand the Gears-IDS in order to share it with the educational marketplace. It was their intent for others to have similar, year-round engineering programs with all of the advantages and success that Mike and his students were experiencing in the classroom. Mark Newby says, "DEPCO's expansive warehousing and assembly facility will meet the needs of our growing customer base. This along with producing best in class online curriculum aligned to our products makes the acquisition ideal." “We are very excited to be able to add the Gears’ products to DEPCO product line. This gives us the ability to offer the most rugged and expansive mechatronic and robotic kits available to educators. We (DEPCO) continue to provide tools, not toys, to better train our students today to become the technicians and engineers of tomorrow” says Terry Graham, President of DEPCO, LLC. DEPCO intends to keep both Mark and Mike closely involved with sales and the development of new products to grow the already extensive product line. For more information about DEPCO and GEARS, please visit the following websites: www.depcollc.com www.gearseds.com

2011 ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo

November 17th through the 19th

There is so much to do and see at this 3 day workshop!

-Better understand expectations for learning presented by the Common Core State Standards and strategies for teachers.

-Speak with Ranesco about incorporating technology in your classroom

-How to increase enrollment, retention and graduation rates with the use of Millennials.

-Explore the skeletal system and diretional terms in muscle and bone morphology, as well as concepts that will lead into other body systems. Build human anatomy using clay and a specially designed skeletal model.

-Understanding of the National Business Administration Standards

-Awarness of how the changing environment affects what and how you teach, includin implications of STEM, post-millennial perspectives, technology and internet.

-Tour Linn State Community College and Cadaver's.

Sign up today! http://bit.ly/eajbzV

HOSA Scholarships

Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) is a national student organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education Division of ACTE. Their goals are to promote health care careers and improve the delivery of health care to everyone.

HOSA began in 1967 and has since then grown to nearly 120,000 members. Thanks to companies like DEPCO, LLC and other HOSA partners, HOSA will provide 53 members with scholarships totaling over $58,500 this year. HOSA's numerous qualified applicants prove that it makes a substantial impact on the lives of many young people and their career choices into the health care industry. DEPCO, LLC and Applied Technologies also assist the HOSA organization by providing education curriculum and hands-on equipment for student training. The educational products are correlated to the National Consortium for Health Science Education (NCHSE). More information on the products can be found at http://www.healthscienceeducation.com/index.htm.

This year, over 6,500 delegates, advisors, and guests will attend HOSA's 34th Annual National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California.

A full list of the scholarship recipients can be found at http://www.hosa.org/2011_scholarship_recipients.pdf.

Preschool Activities

There are many ways to keep preschool kids entertained, but are all of them educational?

The Block Academy, a developmentally-appropriate literacy curriculum for 3 to 6 years olds, is a curriculum which concentrates on the scientifically-proven concept that children learn in an assortment of ways by using all of their senses. It uses hands-on, experiential learning; sensory motor integration; and brain/skill development through the use of manipulatives by Mega Bloks.

Burden Free. Total content is provided for the educator. Not only a handful of activities, but every activity, procedure, and exercise is detailed for every hour of every day. This reduces the educator's preparation time, it provides continuity if an educator is absent, and it provides a flexible curriculum that can be used in entirety or with chosen elements.

Comprehensive. It is truly comprehensive as it incorporates science, math, music, physical activity, arts and crafts, character development, snacks and recipes, and weekly parent newsletters.

Flexible. The curriculum allows for a flexible schedule for all-day and half-day programs. The educator may use as little or as much they choose. There are enough resources and activities to plan for a 10 to 12 month program period.

Sensory Integration. Facilitates the developing brain by using information from all senses. MindBuild provides daily sensory integration activities to enhance brain development. This approach also reaches out to children with learning disabilities who have difficulty with sensory integration.

For more information: http://www.blockacademy.net

STEM Education Explained

Since 2001, the acronym, STEM, stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This approach to teaching incorporates technology and engineering into mathematics and science, implementing a "meta-discipline." This provides students with problem-solving, discovery, exploratory learning, and requires students to actively engage a situation to find its solution. Overall, this application was designed to promote effective and relevant connections between STEM classroom content and STEM career pathways, thus providing learning opportunities for students and provides teachers with a resource where they can access highly effective content and related support materials to consolidate into their curriculum.

College-level academics is now being taught in high schools with encouragement from the STEM approach. According to studies all students benefit from the STEM program because it teaches independent innovation and allows students to explore greater depths of all of the subjects by utilizing the skills learned; these skills are going to be required in order for today's students to be tomorrow's global leaders. Today almost all employers require employees to have an understanding of critical-thinking while also working cohesively in groups and independently.

Recently, there has been a drop in students majoring in science or technology related fields. Many say this is due to lack of preparation in high school classes. The National Science Foundation says that around 80% of jobs created in the upcoming decade will require some type of math and science skills. So that the US doesn't suffer as a whole when a majority of baby boomers retire, a balance will need to be created to encourage more students to achieve in their academic environment.

For products centralizing around STEM Education for your classroom check out: http://www.depcollc.com

Where have all the math and science students gone?

According to a recent CNN documentary, American students rank 17th in science and 25th in math. The documentary, that airs May 21st, follows three high school students involved in a national robotics competition. Schools use robotics and other hands on learning to get students more involved in the math and science industries. Educators and industry leaders are worried about the future of careers in these areas as well as engineering and technology in general. Qualified applicants for these jobs are getting harder and harder to find.

The "Don't Fail Me: Education in America" documentary follows the students' preparation and competition at the FIRST Robotics Competition that was held in St. Louis, Missouri on April 27-30, 2011. A similar competition will be held in Kansas City June 19 - June 24 in Kansas City, MO. The SkillsUSA conference will be the 47th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC). It is expected that more than 15,000 students, teachers and business partners will participate.

This particular conference doesn’t only focus on math and science. Students can showcase their knowledge in 96 different trades that vary from electronics and computer-aided drafting to culinary arts and broadcast news production.

Contests are run with the help of industry and trade associations such as Depco LLC. The competitions are coordinated by these same industrial organizations. Many technological vendors will attend and be on display.

The week-long event will be open to the public and free of charge.

You can read more on CNN's documentary, "Don't Fail Me: Education in America," at the following link.

http://bit.ly/iOK6t4 #cnn

History of Technology in Education

Curriculum is changing and so is the way educators teach. Today there are computers in nearly every school and classroom. Many educational facilities are even encouraging teachers to be more creative and innovative in how they teach with the use of programs such as Dimension's 3D printers, Mobile Skill trailers that bring the classroom to you, and CAD software such as Mastercam, SolidWorks, and SoftPlan.

Technology in the classroom began in the 1950s to promote science, technology, and math. The National Defense Education Act was created which provided financial support for technological advancements. The Vocational Education Act came after and gave money to individual states to help the integration of new technology into schools. During the mid-60s mainframes and minicomputers were sent to a handful of schools due to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Apple computers were introduced in 1975 and the PC closely followed. The 1990s brought multimedia computers into use in the school system. The internet, introduced in 1996, has become a growing worldwide sensation ever since especially in the educational world.

Introduction to Autodesk Civil 3D

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011 - THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2011
Moberly Area Community College
101 College Ave.
Moberly, MO 65270
8:30am – 4:00pm each day
Career Center Building, C28

Needing Civil Engineering design training? A DEPCO, LLC Certified Autodesk trainer can get you started on the right path!

AutoCAD® Civil 3D® software is a Building Information Modeling (BIM) solution for civil engineering design and documentation. Civil 3D is designed for civil engineers, drafters, designers, and technicians working on transportation design, land development, and water projects. Stay coordinated and explore design options, analyze project performance, and deliver consistent, higher-quality documentation—all within a familiar AutoCAD® software environment.

Register

Introduction to Autodesk Revit Architecture

MONDAY, JULY 18, 2011 - TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2011
Moberly Area Community College

101 College Ave.
Moberly, MO 65270
8:30am – 4:00pm each day
Career Center Building, Room C28

Needing Architecture design training? A DEPCO, LLC Certified Autodesk trainer can get you started on the right path!

Autodesk Revit Architecture software works the way architects and designers think, so you can develop higher-quality, more accurate architectural designs. Built for Building Information Modeling (BIM), Autodesk Revit Architecture helps you capture and analyze concepts and maintain your vision through design, documentation, and construction. Make more informed decisions with information-rich models to support sustainable design, construction planning, and fabrication. Automatic updates keep your designs and documentation coordinated and more reliable.


Register

State ACTE Conference

Ruidoso, New Mexico
June 7th-9th

Career and technical education is about helping students, workers and lifelong learners of all ages fulfill their working potential.  Help students as they prepare for the world before them with DEPCO, LLC sales reps.

Technology Grants for Your School

School budget tight? Want to get more money for those NAO's or the newest CAD software such as Mastercam or SolidWorks? With the Perkin's Loans being cut for this upcoming school year, many schools are in need of financial backing. The links below will help guide you to grants that with help to supply your school with the equipment to help your student's excel.

Grants, Grants, Grants!

http://technologygrantnews.com/technology-funding.html
Technology Grant News provides updates about grant and resource opportunities as they come available. This 15 year-old site gives information on technology grants, free technology resources, technology partnerships, strategic alliances and technology advancement for your organization.

http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/edgrants.html
This link will take you to the Department of Education's official site. There are several technology grants that are awaiting to be applied for.

http://www.vernier.com/grants/fulllist.html
Vernier has 7 grants that can award up to $3,000. As well as providing a guide to write a grant, other sources such as information on the No Child Left Behind Act and Do-It-Yourself Projects are available on the site.

http://www.fundsnetservices.com/educ01.htm
Many educational and school grants can be found here! Take your pick to receive more money for technological academics from businesses, private donors, and foundations.

http://grants.gov/
Find and apply for federal grants directly from this site. Grants.gov is a storehouse for information over 1,000 grant programs and provides access to approximately $500 billion in annual awards.

Writing Center
http://www.us-government-grants.net/article_info.php/articles_id/32
Provides colleges & universities, K-12 schools, non-profit organizations, churches, fire and police departments, emergency medical service agencies, cities and towns with practical tools and reliable resources to apply for and receive technology educational grants.They have expertise in writing technology educational grants.

One of the best sites for learning about federal grants is www.fedgrants.gov. Anyone can sign up to receive free daily e-mails announcing federal grant opportunities, the lead federal agency that provides diabetes grants is the U.S. There are 26 federal grant-making agencies listed on this website with hyperlinks to numerous opportunities for grants.

Building Blocks with the Department of Education

The Department of Education was created in 1980 by various federal agencies coming together. Their mission includes promoting scholarly achievement and groundwork for universal challenges by having students excel with an educational experience. To accomplish this task, the department plays a leadership role in the national debate over improving the amount of increasing knowledge in schools. This group effort generates guidelines for financial aid, gathers information on America's schools, gains awareness of educational matters, and displays equal access to education. Education, in the U.S., is primarily a state and local responsibility. These organizations create schools, develop curriculum, and establish the set requirements for enrollment and commencement.

Currently, the Department of Education is focusing on reforming the curriculum taught in schools and President Obama is becoming increasingly concerned with learning at a lower grade level. Studies and documentations show that what a child learns when they are younger helps them develop as they increase in age. The department is therefore focusing on advancing "the health, social, emotional, and educational outcomes for young children from birth through 3rd grade y enhancing the quality of early learning programs and increasing the access to high quality early learning programs especially for young children at risk for school failure."

To help with a prime concern in the United States, DEPCO, LLC is dedicated to improving children's literacy in unique ways including Secret Codes and The Block Academy, which are both specially developed curriculums for Kindergarten and Pre-School aged children. These programs help to initiate science, music, arts and crafts, math, physical activity, and character development in the younger generation. DEPCO is passionate about education and their enthusiasm is projected through their projects. This company maintains an innovative, student-driven focus using important concepts such as sensory integration, phonemic and print awareness and much more. Learning retention is maximized through incorporating hands-on activities that are not only educational, but enjoyable.

DEPCO, LLC: Interactive Modular Learning: Curriculum:Technology:Early Childhood. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. .

U.S. Department of Education. Web. 15 Apr. 2011.

Helping with Learning Disabilities

The CARRD is a nonprofit devoted to helping individuals with reading difficulties/dyslexia and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) become competent readers. Children who have reading difficulties are at risk of dropping out of school, poor self-esteem, substance abuse and a disproportionate percentage are involved in the welfare and criminal justice systems as adults. The future of a child with reading difficulties seems to be very bleak in our society that requires good reading. Reading difficulties are a social as well as an academic problem!

The CARRD has been privately funded for the past five years. Last Thursday the organization learned that their private donor would not be able to support the CARRD next year. CARRD was very fortunate to have had this financial support, as it has allowed us to grow tremendously. However, the organization does not want to lose our momentum, so they are asking for your help. In order for the organization to realize their vision for CARRD, they are asking you to make a gift to sustain our current operations and allow us to reach the next level of service to children and adults.

Although it's a very small organization, they have helped many. Since it was created, the CARRD has assessed nearly 5,000 and provided treatment to approximately 1,600 individuals, most of whom were children. We will be losing both of our paid positions. We need to, at the very least, save our Director of Operations. This position is absolutely critical to the CARRD’s success.

If you can, please make a donation, regardless of size, and forward this message to individuals who you believe would be interested in supporting the CARRD. Collectively, you can make a difference!


How to make a donation:

You can go to either of these links [both have 501(c)3 tax-exempt status so that your donation can be deducted from your taxes]:

http://carrdinc.org/donate.html or https://go.pittstate.edu/givenow

Or send a check to:

CARRD, Inc.
215 West Adams
Pittsburg, KS 66762-5133

(please specify CARRD on your check or online)

What is the CARRD?
The CARRD is a university-based research and service center. We provide research-based assessment and remedial programs to individuals who have reading difficulties/dyslexia and/or ADHD. Our services are provided at a very reduced cost that is based on family income (http://carrdinc.org/parents.html). Many of our families pay very little or nothing. The assessment and remediation is performed by trained and supervised Pittsburg State University students. Assessment and remediation are individualized for each child and conducted according to research-based practices for this discipline.

The CARRD was created in 1996 after a decade of research. The research from the CARRD has been published in the most prestigious scientific journals in reading difficulties/dyslexia and child development and has been presented at national-level conferences (http://www.carrdinc.org/research.html).

For much more information regarding the CARRD, please visit www.pittstate.edu/carrd or the outreach arm of the CARRD at www.CARRDInc.org.

RoboCup 2011

Aldebaran Robotics and FESTO are pleased to sponsor an event bringing robotic researchers together July 5th-11th to watch as their humanoid robots play soccer! Spectators are encouraged to come to Istanbul and watch the robots compete. Junior students will also have their very own competition.

This research team is hoping to have a team ready to play a human team by 2050 and win!

Interested? Register today or even watch a demonstration!
http://www.robocup2011.org/en/

Perkins's Grants Shouldn't be Cut

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education (CTE) Act provides federal funding, dispersed through each state, to be used in educational facilities. This program was put into action in order to concentrate efforts of high schools and community colleges into developing services, activities, and curriculum that incorporate technical instruction.

April 14, 2011, a fiscal bill was passed that cut funding by $140.2 million for several Perkins programs. This reduction included completely eliminating all funding for CTE programs during the 2011-2012 school year, essentially ending the decades long program.

Cutting the CTE program not only affects students but it also affects businesses, communities, and the future of this country. Career and Technical Education programs are "necessary to rebuild the economy and secure a successful high-skilled workforce." Innovative programs that inspire students to get excited about and excel in different fields will be lost. What will happen when the next generation fails to participate in growing and emerging industries?

As negotiations over the 2012 federal budget begin, we need to fight for the Perkins programs, as well as for oher educational support programs, so that CTE programs aren't lost in the economic shuffle.





Jamie. "Congress Cuts Perkins." ACTE Online. 14 Apr. 2011. Web. 19 Apr. 2011. .
"Perkins Grant." CSN - Home. Web. 20 Apr. 2011. .

Oklahoma SkillsUSA 2011

DEPCO, LLC will have two trainers that are a part of National SKILLS, Mechanical Systems and Motor Controls, at the Oklahoma SkillsUSA event on May 2nd hosted in Tulsa. DEPCO and FESTO will be hosting part of the Mechatronics Competition with Rod Murphy and Bill White judging.

More Questions? http://www.okcareertech.org/skillsusa/

Classroom of the Future

The role of technology in the classroom is growing daily from grading systems to educational learning software. The benefits are endless.

Classroom technology integration helps students absorb the material. Many classrooms are now set up with a projector, for example, that allows the visual learners to see what the teacher is lecturing about and at the same time gives verbal learners an advantage. Educational technology supplements class curriculum, like with the use of DEPCO Studio. Technology doesn't have to benefit just students. When teachers are not instructing they have students conducting research papers where they have the use of the internet.

When discussing issues related about educational technology, one must mention the opportunities of students learning in the classroom with the software and tools used in the workplace giving them an advantage. Other rewards provided by technology can include editing of assignments, providing educational information form scholarly sources, communication (create a class pen pal in a far away county that you are studying), and motivating students since they generally find the use and advances of technology stimulating.

Technology Integration

Implementing technology in the classroom has been a long time coming ever since the evolution of technology has started to progress in the world around us. More and more we see children learning with technology and being able to comprehend a better understanding from hands on experience and research. Education through technology is becoming a way of life.

Technology in schools is present with internet in the classrooms, DEPCO Studio, and even smartboards, among other things. There are an infinite number of programs out there today that emphasize technology in instruction in whatever the curriculum might focus on. Business, Marketing, and IT, Building Trades, Family and Consumer Sciences, Graphic Communications, Manufacturing and Pre-Engineering, Science and many other Career Exploration programs are now able to incorporate technology in the classroom.

I believe that using technology in the classroom will better benefit these children of tomorrow for a better learning environment and eventually influence them to become more knowledgeable about what equipment they may use in their jobs in the future.

SkillsUSA National Conference Promo

Skills USA is a national competition serving more than 307,000 high school and college students and professional members enrolled in training programs like technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations.

Technical Training Aids

Interested in an educational humanoid robot for your classroom?

Vice President, Travis Coon, will be in Georgia the week of April 18th doing sales calls and presentations with Technical Training Aids. They will be displaying the NAO Robot and answer any questions that may arise.

Want a quick glimpse of DEPCO, LLC products beforehand?
http://www.depcollc.com

OCCA in Del City, OK

A representative will be attending the Oklahoma Child Care Association (OCCA) Conference at First Southern April 15th and 16th. DEPCO will be displaying The Block Academy Curriculum at this preschool conference.

The Oklahoma Child Care Association is a professional trade association focusing on the needs of licensed, private childhood care and education programs. As an alliance of care and education professionals and owners, OCCA's Affiliate NCCA holds a singular position in the United States as the only organization representing the specific interests of the licensed, private childhood care and education community.

For more information contact Jennifer McCord at 800-580-4181 or email occa@att.net. Website is www.oklahomachildcareassociation.com.

NAO Open House

The popular humanoid robot, NAO, is having an open house to welcome him to his new home in Boston, MA!

Aldebaran Robotics, an American subsidiary to enhance customer service and presence in the American market, is hosting two days of hands-on workshops as well as round-table discussions with prominent experts in the field of humanoid robotics and its applications during National Robotics Week. You will have the pleasure to meet the founder and CEO of ALDEBARAN Robotics, M.Bruno Maisonnier.

Save the date :
- April 11th from 12pm to 7pm in our Boston Office.
- April 12th from 12pm to 7pm in Chicago Museum of Science.

To confirm attendance, you can simply contact atran@aldebararan-robotics.com and say “YES” if you want to attend (indicate the name of the attendees and the university). The participation is free!

From Textbooks to Digital in the Classroom

"Curriculum must allow students to be at the center of their education with the teacher actively facilitating and orchestrating real student learning."

Tech and Learning recently put out a blog by Michael Gorman that discusses trading the traditional textbook to a more technology integrated classroom. Saying this will open the doors to a curriculum that is more "alive, relevant, rich, engaging, rigorous, and timely." Now that the world is living in the digital age, our schools and classrooms should too.

Michael makes 10 points about turning classrooms tech savvy. Saying schools need to be equipped with the accurate infrastructure and technology to deliver core content. The textbook cannot be the sole resource at a student's disposal but their gateway to an open source. A digital classroom would connect students to places outside the school, including their homes, the community, and the world. A technology based classroom would let the teachers learn along with kids as they explore what is fast becoming our world. Teachers would be able to plan engaging learning activities that innovate.

Now that you have read about what might be the classrooms of the future, check out DEPCO Studio, an all-encompassing, online education tool that delivers enriched media content and tests while also offering all your lab management needs. Scheduling, test-taking, record keeping, and messaging organizes classrooms and communication between students and teachers in a simple, systematic approach (http://www.depcollc.com/Products/modules/online-curriculum.aspx). This allows teachers to take charge of their classroom in that same technological way that would stimulate the students as well as incorporate the technologies being used today outside of the classroom.

http://www.techlearning.com/blogs/37490

HOSA Conference

HOSA is a national student organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Technology Education (HSTE) Division of ACTE. HOSA's two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA's goal is to encourage all health occupation's instructors and students to join and be actively involved in the HSTE-HOSA Partnership. The 2011 Leadership Conference is at the Doubletree Hotel in Reid Park in Tucson, AZ, Arizona on April 7th and 8th.

Continuing Education Professionals Conference, April 2011

DEPCO, LLC will be at the Continuing Educational Professionals Conference at York Technical College on April 13th and 14th in South Carolina. The Mobile SKILL Trailer will be showcased with Mechatronics Training Equipment:

-Motor Controls
-Mechanical Systems
-Pneumatics
-Automated Material Handling
-Flexible Manufacturing System
-4 FESTO MPS (Modular Production Stations)
-CNC Equipment
-Dimension 3D Printer
-NAO Robot

Hope to see you there!

SkillsUSA in North and South Carolina

Starting March 30th and ending April 1st, the SkillsUSA State Competition will be in North Carolina. To find out more about DEPCO products in-between watching the events, visit with Carolina Training Associates (http://www.carolinatraining.com/).

Our DEPCO Regional Sales Manager, Travis Coon, will be present at the state competitions for South Carolina on April 1st. He will be acting as the Technical Chair for the Engineering Technology Competition as well as rooting on teams from across the state.

SkillsUSA Ohio Conference

The Ohio Conference is scheduled for April 28-29th at the Columbus Fairgrounds.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. SkillsUSA helps each student excel.

Join Rob Smith as he explores with everyone how DEPCO, LLC's products are second to none in the education field and help students as they reach for their dreams in the knowledge that they have practiced with what is used in the "real world."

Say "No" to Uniform Curriculum

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) are currently pushing for a common curriculum across the board with "rich, common curriculum content, along with resources to support successfully teaching all students to mastery." 

Yes, teaching the basics is important but inspiring creativity and imagination in kids is important too.  For a broader curriculum check out products produced by DEPCO, LLC for a new way of teaching preschool and on through secondary institutions.

"Tom Vander Ark: I Want an Uncommon Curriculum." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web. 09 Mar. 2011. <http://huff.to/hEARqq>.

Future of 3D

The electronic world is turning to a future evolving around 3D graphics and effects.  Sports, movies, and television are all starting to become supported by a 3D format that will soon be in homes world-wide.  Shortly even Star Wars and Wimbledon will be projected in 3D.

Interested in the future of 3D?  Want to be part of it?  Get started now on your own 3D software.  A great investment for the future and looks great on your resume.  Try company product's such as Applied Ideas, Autodesk, Mastercam, SolidWorks and SoftPlan. 

http://www.depcollc.com/products/software/cad/

Free Mechatronics Conference at Bradley University

Free Mechatronics/CIM Seminar

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2011

Bradley University - Morgan Hall - Engr. Building

1501 West Bradley Ave.

Peoria, IL

9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Room 306)

DEPCO, LLC, along with Festo Corporation, a corporation manufacturing automated process control equipment and production systems, will be presenting a Mechatronics/CIM seminar for the administration, faculty, and students of the Engineering/Manufacturing Departments of Bradley University.

The Mechatronics/CIM presentation will explain the synergistic combination of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics, information technology, and systems thinking utilized in the design of products and automation processes. The seminar will cover the following topical areas:

1. Overview of Mechatronics
2. PLC Training
3. Logic Control of Automation Process used in CIM
4. Practical Mechatronics/CIM Applications
5. Mobile Robotics

As part of the seminar, DEPCO, LLC will have their Mobile SKILL Lab on display until 4:00p.m. The Mobile SKILL Lab will have equipment on hand to demonstrate CNC Mill/Lathe Applications, Flexible Manufacturing System/CIM; Epilog Laser, engraving technology; DEPCO Design Suite, engineering design programs and applications; industrial hydraulics; industrial pneumatics; industrial motor controls; mechanical systems; and automated material handling applications. DEPCO, LLC and Festo specialize in Industrial Engineering/Maintenance Training equipment and curriculum.

Contact Information:

Contact Event Coordinator

Register

Oklahoma TSA

The first American Technology Student Association, which today involves over 14,500 high school students in just the state of Oklahoma, was held 25 years ago.

“TSA today provides students the opportunity for personal growth, leadership skill development and hands-on experiences featuring a wide variety of high-tech career fields,” Bowers, the state adviser since 1990, said. 

Conferences focus on preparing teens to cope with technological changes, to build leadership, and explore leadership with written tests and compete in over 30 events which range from technology problem solving and computer applications to desktop publishing and dragster racing.

This year's conference is April 26th through the 28th in Stillwell, OK.

Learn More About DEPCO Studio

DEPCO Studio is an all-encompassing, online education tool that delivers enriched media content and tests while also offering all of your lab management needs. Scheduling, test taking, record keeping, and messaging organizes classrooms and communication between students and instructors in a simple, systematic approach.

DEPCO, LLC’s curriculum including Science; Business, Marketing, and IT; Career Explorations; Family and Consumer Science; and Industrial Automation and Pre-Engineering, or customized content and new courses, is compatible with DEPCO Studio.

Topics that will be covered:
- User Interface and Navigation
- Creating/Modifying Instructor and Student Records
- Scheduling and Reporting
- Curriculum Development and Delivery
- Testing
- and many other features!

Every 3rd Thursday of the month, DEPCO host a webinar for those wanting to get the most out of DEPCO Studio.  Please register for the DEPCO Studio webinar to save your opportunity to view the demonstration and to have questions answered by developers of the software.

Contact Information:

Contact Event Coordinator

Register for the Webinar

Kansas SKILLS USA Mechatronics Contest

Contestants must understand this new industrial discipline and the complex systems it encompasses, including mechanical, fluid power, and controls domain. 

Competitors work in teams with skill levels which include pneumatic technology, electrical and electronics systems, mechanical systems, and general automation techniques and practices.  Within a competition three events are held to measure skill in the manufacturing industry.  Along with a comprehensive written test, students must be able to assemble, adjust and test an automated machine system, troubleshoot and repair a faulty machine system.  The elements within the contest have been designed to be as realistic as possible. 

Hosted personally at yours truly's home base, the Skills USA Mechatronics Contest.

April 8th

DEPCO, LLC Pittsburg, KS

Renewable Energy Workshop

Located at Johnson County Community College on April 1st.  Let DEPCO, LLC show what they have when teaching alternative resource, like solar installation and wind and solar energy.

NAO Robot Helps Autistic Child

 Just recently an inspiring story transpired about a young girl named Eden and an educational humanoid robot named Kaspar. Eden lives in Stevenage, England where she is afraid to be touched by others.  Eden is autistic.  Once a week the NAO robot is brought into Eden's preschool for about ten minutes where, when touched, the robot can produce human characteristics.  After spending time with Kaspar, Eden now hugs everyone.

"Robot Helps Autistic Kids." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web. 09 Mar. 2011. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/09/robot-helps-autistic-kids_n_833321.html>.

Would you like this story to occur in your classroom?  NAO by Aldebran Robotics is the robot for you.  To find out more contact sales@depcollc.com or check out http://bit.ly/eCj2cs.

Kansas TSA State Conference

The purpose of this conference is designed to provide  Kansas TSA members and advisers the opportunity to compete at career exploratory level to showcase their skill sets they have acquired throughout the year. 

Join us as we attend the Kansas TSA (Technology Student Association) State Conference at the Webster Conference Center in Salina, KS.  Items such as atlernative fuel sources, production of human-like robots, and intrusive surveillance will  be discussed. 

Please join DEPCO, LLC as we demonstrate our humanoid robot for educatioin, the NAO, created by Aldebaran Robotics.

OCHEA -->Ohio Continuing Higher Education Association

Driving Excellence Through Innovation

OCHEA, a non-for-profit organization, has many keynote speakers throughout March 24th and 25th as they tell of their contribution and dedication to Ohio's education.  DEPCO, LLC sales representative, Rob Smith, will be there to also share with you DEPCO's passion for education and how we thrive to increase student knowledge with the technology of today.

President Visits DEPCO, LLC School

Currently President Obama is focusing on restructuring the No Child Left Behind Act, developed by the President serving before him, George W. Bush.  To promote educational reform, the President and former Florida governor, Jeb Bush, visited Miami Central High School on Friday, March 4th.

Miami Central has recently replaced the principal and several members of their staff and in response students' grades have soared, including a 60% increase in math and 40% in writing.  It even improved the school's graduation rate.

International Technology & Engineering Educators Association

The ITEEA conference is being hosted in Minneapolis, MN, March 24-26, 2011.  DEPCO, LLC will be at booth 416 demonstrating what our products can do for you and your students to stimulate their STEM education.  Furthermore we will have our educational humanoid robot, NAO, set up doing demonstrations.  For more information contact sales@depcollc.com.

Kansas HOSA Conference

March 30th-April 1st

Help your students form leadership and motivation for the career they love.  Let DEPCO, LLC show how our products work to intrigue the minds of young individuals and create knowledge and experience.

MAESP Spring Conference

March 12-14, 2011
Tan-Tar-A
Osage Beach, MO

   So many amazing speakers!
+ So many exhibits!                
   So much to learn!

MAESP Schedule of Events

National Robotics Challange

Join NCR advisers and students as they complete in the Education Foundation's National Robotics Challenge April 14, 15, and 16, 2011.  NCR's mission?  To provide robotics competitions that will foster an environment where students can develop the creativity, engineering, problem-solving and leadership skills they will need in the world of tomorrow.  To date they have been setting up these competitions since 1986 differentiating themselves by creating a contest that students can participate in all the way up all through college at low costs.

The National Robotics Challenge offers twelve robotics contests.

DEPCO's sales representative, Rob Smith, will be available to answer your questions about DEPCO's products.

• Thursday - 11:00am - 5:00pm
• Friday - 10:00am - 8:00pm
• Saturday - Finals! - 9:00am -Noon

VEX Robotic Competition

Interested in robotic competition?  VEX is holding a qualifier event this Friday at Marion Technical College in
Ohio.  There are many prizes in store for the winner.  So join DEPCO, LLC sales rep, Rob Smith, as we root on the competitors.

Young Years @ Tan-Tar-A

Take Action:  A Brighter Future for All Children

The Young Years conference is an opportunity to network with other early childhood professionals and gather new ideas from your peers.

This year's conference has several headliners including Denise Fleming, the award-winning children's book author & illustrator, Jim Gill, an author and children's music play director, Sharon Krull, an early childhood educator with over 20 years experience, and Dr. Alvin Poussaint, a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Join our DEPCO, LLC sales force as we celebrate the children of tomorrow with the Lake of the Ozarks.

Visit Young Years Website

Edibon Presentation

Located at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, Edibon will present a multitude of topics pertaining to Edibon's industrial training equipment designed for secondary level and on up to university level educational markets.  Help your students learn industrial automation and pre-engineering using equipment that professionals do.  This presentation is from 2 to 3:30pm in room 260 with parking in the Grant Street Parking Garage across the street from the union.

Edibon has been supplying teaching trainers and curriculum for over 30 years and consist of more than 2000 Technical Teaching Units and 1800 different Software Packages in most technical areas, including:  Physics, Electronics, Communications, Electricity, Energy, Systems & Automatics, Mechanics & Materials, Fluid Mechanics, Aerodynamics, Thermodynamics & Thermotechnics, Process Controls, Chemical Engineering, Food & Water Technologies, and Environment Technologies.

Conference for Oklahoma Kindergarten Teachers

This conference is geared toward what kindergarten teachers actually want to learn, located in Norman, OK on February 24th-25th.  While you are at the conference meet up with DEPCO, LLC representatives, Bill White and Phyllis Rutledge, as they explain the benefits of DEPCO, LLC's kindergarten curriculum, Secret Codes, and learning activities for the younger students.  Extend your learning and also your kindergarten student's by joining DEPCO, LLC at this conference to make your classroom a success.


http://www.sde.com/teacher-conferences/details.asp?id=1144

Achievement Gap

Coming from the Chicago Midwest Regional Achievement Gap Conference, DEPCO, LLC, displays, along with other instructors, how and what programs are working to achieve items such as student success and closing the achievement gap.

From the comfort of your computer you can watch as DEPCO, LLC presents the methods they have developed by partnering with educational facilities in after-school programs, alternative programs, technology labs, and workforce development facilities in order to close the achievement gap utilizing 21st Century Skills.  http://uwgb.scholarlab.com/

Aldebaran NAO Robot Developer Program

Deciding to give open range to 200 leading developers around the world, Aldebaran Robotics, is sending invites to those with top online robot blogs and forums to be included with their NAO Developer Program.

Developers that are selected for this robotic opportunity will recieve access to the advancements found in humanoid robotics technology, their own NAO robot (not available to the general public), the complete suite of sofware used for NAO development, access to the NAO Developer Program website which has many functions, tools, and tips, access to the Aldebaran Robotics source code, and early access to the NAO store.

If you think you are up to the challenge and would want to find out what you would be involved with in this experience look at their Robotic Dreams website and if you are interested in this opportunity put in your invitation recommendation at Robots Dreams NAO Developer Program Invitation.

There's not many spots left so hurry!

"NAO Humanoid Robot Developer Program by Invitation Only." Robots Dreams. Web. 11 Feb. 2011. <http://www.robots-dreams.com/2010/11/nao-humanoid-robot-developer-program-by-invitation-only.html>.

DEPCO, LLC Teacher Saves Choking Boy

We are very proud of sixth grade teacher, Kelly Cesaretti, when she saved a studen't life during lunch.  When she saw Jose Martinez-Correa looking paniced and only able to use nonverbal signs of communication, reacted by immediatly performing the Heimlich.  For more information:  http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/romeoville-lukancic-middle-school-choke-113649599.html.