Wednesday, March 30, 2011

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

Monday, March 28, 2011

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.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

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!

Friday, March 25, 2011

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

Thursday, March 24, 2011

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.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

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.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

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."

Friday, March 18, 2011

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>.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

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/

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

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:

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

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.

Friday, March 11, 2011

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.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

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

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

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.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

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.

Monday, March 7, 2011

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.

Friday, March 4, 2011

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.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

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

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

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