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BUC E-Day Returns to CBU

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cbu_bucdayOver the past few years, “STEM education” has become the new buzz phrase, and the buzz is strong. Christian Brothers University (CBU) in Memphis held its first BUC E-Day last year with more than 50 students attending the event. A second event followed in October and again returns later this month. More students are expected to attend this event, which will be held on Saturday, October 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the school campus.

“The purpose of the event is to engage students in middle school to high school in STEM activities and to foster a love for STEM in them,” said CBU undergraduate student Trey McGinnis, who is studying Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics at the school. His father, Gene, is an Associate Professor and chair of the CBU Civil & Environmental Engineering department.

McGinnis is also a member of the Theta Tau colony, a national professional engineering fraternity, aimed at developing its members professionally and socially, which is hosting the event. The colony was established last year on the CBU campus and will eventually become a full chapter.

BUC E-Day will be a day full of hands-on competition experiments; demonstrations, and interaction with current CBU students and teachers. Students will also be able to compete individually or as a team in five different competitions: Egg Drop; CO2 Car; Balsa Tower and K’nex Bridge. There will be a number of demonstrations, including the bed of nails, which is also known as the “loop of death.”

“While we aim for students in the middle school range, we have had younger students compete. We will not turn away a student based on age. Competitions, such as the K’nex Bridge and Egg Drop, are especially compatible for younger participants,” said McGinnis.

McGinnis stressed the importance of more students becoming involved in the STEM field. He noted science, technology, engineering and mathematics are fields of the future.

“If we want hover cars, we need to invest in STEM,” said McGinnis who also works in the CBU IT department as a programmer analyst. “Computers, medicines, prosthetic devices, and many more objects that enable us to live and thrive and communicate and explore the world around us are tangible payoffs of someone investing in STEM. Through exploration of our curiosity and questioning the way things are done, we will be able to create some incredible things for the future.”

McGinnis said traditionally, electrical engineering has had the highest numbers for graduates at CBU, but recently the mechanical engineering classes have been larger. More men tend to pursue STEM careers than women and McGinnis hopes that will change.

“We need to encourage high performing students, especially women, to test the limits and research possibilities,” said McGinnis. “BUC E-Day will offer a lot to students and we hope they will appreciate not only the importance of engineering, but how much fun it can be! We’re trying to encourage students interested in engineering to pursue it. Who knows what we as a people can accomplish?”

You may register for Buc E-Day 2016. A fee applies only for competition and a food pass, otherwise admission is free. The fee to compete is $15, which includes lunch, and a food pass is only $5. Contact Trey at for more information.

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©2016 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher https://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

STEM Classes Now Open for Homeschoolers

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Picture courtesy of Memphis Bits, Bytes & Bots.

Picture courtesy of Memphis Bits, Bytes & Bots.

Introducing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) concepts into your school will be easier this year with the Homeschool Computer Courses offered by David Hirschfeld of Memphis Bits, Bytes & Bots. Students will learn about computers and robotics by studying computer applications, coding, stop motion movie making, video game creation and more. There will be two levels of courses, one which will be for upper elementary/middle school and the second for high school students.

David and his wife, Vesna, have worked with children and teenagers in some form of education for a number of years. Over the past 10 years, David has taught STEM courses to students in kindergarten through college. Last year, he offered a STEM-based class to homeschoolers, which was well received.

“My technology classes engage students in project-based activities that teach technology skills, problem solving, critical thinking and self-esteem,” said David Hirschfeld, who also owns the Memphis Bits, Bytes & Bots.

David has put together homeschool classes that will appeal to any child who has an interest in STEM activities and for those who are curious and want to learn more. The two levels of classes are each 90 minutes long and will continue over a 30-week period. All Classes begin on Tuesday, September 6, at Heartsong Church in Cordova.

Course descriptions from David Hirschfeld

Upper Elementary/Middle School Class
The Upper Elementary/Middle School technology class, which is for students ages 10-13, will use both PC laptops and tablets to explore and learn a variety of digital topics that will include Lego Mindstorm NXT robotics; computer programming using Scratch and Alice; stop motion movie making; Internet and computer safety; video game creation and more. This class is for homeschool students 10-13 years of age and is offered 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

High School Class
The High School technology class will focus on the basics of the computer applications of word

Picture courtesy of Memphis Bits, Bytes & Bots.

Picture courtesy of Memphis Bits, Bytes & Bots.

processing, spreadsheet and slide presentation. It will also include robotics; introduction to the Javascript program language; intro to HTML/CSS (making webpages); Internet and computer safety; video game creation and more. This class is for homeschool students 14-17 years of age and is offered from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“STEM encompasses a vast array of subjects that fall into each of those terms. Colleges and universities look for students who have experience and interest in STEM subjects,” said Hirschfeld. “Occupations in STEM-related careers are some of the fastest growing and best paid of the 21st century, and they often have the greatest potential for job growth.”

Registration for both classes is for the entire school year and is $400 per class. The fee includes all of the materials and equipment, which are provided by the instructor. Payment is required to register, but may be made in three installments. You may also pay in full when registering. A sibling discount is available for families registering two or more students -10 percent off the total cost for a second student, 15 percent off for the third or more and you may mix/match classes.

You may register your child by e-mailing David. Please include the following:

1) The first and last name of your child
2) Your child’s age
3) The name of the class(es) for which you are registering
4) The payment method you choose.
5) Your contact e-mail address and telephone number

You may also call (901) 685-6701 for more information. There is limited space remaining in the in the Upper Elementary/Middle School Class, so do not delay! Contact David by Monday, September 5, to reserve your space.

STEM Homeschool Classes, held at Heartsong Church, 800 North Houston Levee Road, Cordova, 38018
Upper Elementary/Middle School Class, Tuesdays, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
High School Class, Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

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©2016 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher https://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

CBU to Hold Aspiring Engineers Workshop

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cbu_aspiring_engineers250Christian Brothers University (CBU) has a strong School of Engineering (600 East Parkway South, Memphis 38104). The university continues to promote an interest in the field in young people through the workshops and programs it offers throughout the year. This summer, CBU is holding the Aspiring Engineers Workshop that is geared towards rising freshman through rising senior high school students. The three-day hands-on program is for students who have a strong interest in math and science.

There are four engineering majors offered through CBU’s School of Engineering; Chemical/Biochemical, Electrical/Computer, Civil/Environmental and Mechanical. Workshop participants will learn about each of those areas from guest speakers in the fields and through hands-on engineering experiments. The tentative schedule for the week is the following:

Picture courtesy of CBU.

Picture courtesy of CBU.

Mechanical Engineering
Monday, July 11
Instructor: Dr. Paul Shiue
8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. Intro to Mechanical Engineering
9 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Propeller Demonstration
10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Thermodynamics and Fluids
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Lunch and Guest Speaker

Chemical Engineering
Instructor: Dr. Randel Price
12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Intro to Chemical Engineering
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Process Safety
1:15 p.m. – 2 p.m. Smiles and Stoichiometry
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Snack and Guest Speaker

Picture courtesy of CBU.

Picture courtesy of CBU.

Tuesday, July 12
Electrical/Computer Engineering
Instructor: Dr. Divya Choudary
8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. Intro to Electrical/Computer Engineering
9 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Robot Car
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Lunch and Guest Speaker

Civil Engineering
Instructor: Dr. Andrew Assadollahi
12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Intro to Civil Engineering
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. K’NEX Activity
1:15 p.m. – 2 p.m. Lab Demonstrations
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Snack and Guest Speaker

Wednesday, July 13
Engineering Wrap-up
9 a.m. – 10 a.m. CBU Campus Tour
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Student Panel Discussion
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Cookout and Swimming Party

Picture courtesy of CBU.

Picture courtesy of CBU.

If you think your child would be interested in attending the workshop, submit the application as soon as possible. The deadline for application submission is Friday, June 24 and there are only 40 spaces. available. The 2016 Aspiring Engineers Workshop is $40 per student and will be held Monday and Tuesday, July 11-12 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13. Call program coordinator Dr. Andrew Assadollahi, E.I., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (901) 321-4154 or e-mail for more information. You may also contact the heads of the other departments:

Dr. Paul Shiue, Department of Mechanical Engineering, e-mail , (901) 321-3424
Dr. Divya Choudhary, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, e-mail, (901) 321-3427
Dr. Randel Price, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, e-mail, (901) 321-3412

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©2015-2016 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher https://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

CBU Offers Spring S.T.E.M. Workshop for Girls

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cbu_stem01The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) chapter on the Christian Brothers University (CBU) campus is offering a free spring S.T.E.M. workshop for girls in sixth through twelfth grades. The focus will be on Electrical Engineering and Chemical Engineering and give girls a better understanding of S.T.E.M. programs and careers in those fields. The organization hosted a fall workshop last year that was student-led by CBU SWE, undergraduate sophomores Yuliana Luna and Georgina Johns. Both students are involved again with the spring workshop that will be held on Thursday, February 25 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the campus.

Although Yuliana and Georgina both knew they had an interest in engineering, they agree that girls attending the workshop do not have to be already interested in the field. The workshop will provide an opportunity for girls to learn more about both areas of engineering that offer so many possibilities and are often not pursued by females. Their goal is to encourage girls to consider engineering, or any S.T.E.M. program, when it comes to choosing a course of study and career.

Two workshops will be held on the day, with one for sixth through eighth graders and a second for ninth through twelfth graders. There will be discussions, demonstrations and hands-on opportunities. Let your S.T.E.M. confident daughter learn more about her area of interest. Also, encourage your daughter who may not have any interest in the S.T.E.M. areas to attend the workshop, so she may learn more about what “she knows she already doesn’t like”. After the workshop, she will definitely know either way.

You may register online. E-mail Yuliana Luna or e-mail Georgina Johns for more information.

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©2016 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher https://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

Get Physical and Be Creative at Schilling Farms YMCA

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Swimming fun at the YMCA at Schilling Farms during Homeschool PE. Picture courtesy of the YMCA at Schilling Farms.

Swimming fun at the YMCA at Schilling Farms during Homeschool PE. Picture courtesy of the YMCA at Schilling Farms.

Helping children burn off high energy steam during the cold winter months is sometimes difficult, but the YMCA at Schilling Farms (1185 Schilling Boulevard, East, 38017) in Collierville has the answer for homeschool families. Homeschool PE and Homeschool Art return next month giving your child an outlet for creativity and physical education. You do not have to be a member to participate in the classes, but members do receive a registration discount for both programs.

Homeschool Art will be offered on Thursdays for children five through 15 years old. Sherri Baldwin will teach the class that focuses on drawing, mixed medium and watercolor painting. Classes begin February 4 and run through March 17. Two sessions will be offered for children, ages five through eight, from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. and for children, ages nine through 15, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Supplies are provided for the classes. This class will satisfy an art requirement.

Homeschool PE will be offered on Wednesdays for children five through 12 years old. Children will enjoy exercise in the gym and in the water through the SPLASH program, which is land and water-based learning of water safety skills. The first three sessions will be held in the gym and the class will next move to the water for the last four sessions. The program will finish with a pool party. Classes will be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tennis shoes and a swim suit are required and goggles are recommended. This class will satisfy a physical education requirement.

Register by Monday, January 25, which is the deadline before the fee increases, for both programs. Early registration is $35 for YMCA members and $50 for non-members. There is a price discount for additional children in the same family. Call Tish Lewis at (901) 850-9622 for more information.

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©2015 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher https://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

Save the Date: Rhodes College ‘Live Close, Feel Far’

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save_date_rhodes_college

Rhodes College in Memphis invites high school students to Live Close, Feel Far, which will be held on its campus, Monday, January 25 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The program was designed by Memphis area high school students, who graduated and now attend Rhodes College. They share their perspective on the college experience and the benefits of attending a local college while still getting that far-from-home experience. This is an event for both students and parents featuring faculty, staff and parent panels. Save the Date and make plans to attend the evening that will be informative and a lot of fun.

Register online or e-mail or call (901) 843-3700 or (800) 844-5969 for more information.

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©2015 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher https://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

UT Martin Somerville offers two opportunities to improve ACT scores

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utm_act_prepIf you have a high school student, taking the ACT is probably somewhere on their academic schedule now or in the near future. The UT Martin Somerville campus is offering high school juniors and seniors two opportunities, a one-day workshop and a three-week review, that are geared towards helping them prepare for taking the ACT test.

The three-week review will cover English, reading and math, along with tips for taking tests. One subject will be covered each class meeting with a grammar review for English; practice passages and other tested skills for reading and exercises for building core math concepts and strategy skills to improve performance. English will be covered November 7; reading on November 14 and math on November 21. Students are expected to attend all three weeks.

The one-day workshop will cover all three subjects to help students prepare for the exam.
If your student has already taken the ACT, they can still benefit from both of these instructional events. Students are able to take the ACT exam more than once and may choose which score in each subject they want to use when applying for scholarships and college admission (see other benefits of taking the ACT). Attending the workshop or review could lead to your child testing higher.

The ACT test will be offered again on Saturday, December 12 with a registration deadline of Friday, November 6, 2015. See more test dates.

Three-week Review
Dates: Saturdays, November 7, 14 and 21, 2015
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Registration Fee: $79
Location: Fayette-Ware High School, Somerville,

One-day Workshop
Date: Thursday, December 3, 2015
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Location: UT-Martin Somerville Operations in the Career Center, 121 West Court Square, Somerville,
Registration Fee: $30 per student

Registration may be done online or by calling (731) 881-7080 or (800) 482-5199.

UT Martin Jackson
If you live near the UT Martin Jackson Center (3031 U.S. 45 Bypass, Jackson, 38305), there will be two one-day sessions offered on Saturday, December 5: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The fee is $30. Call (731) 425-9277 for more information.

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©2015 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher https://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

Introduce your child to art at Freed-Hardeman University

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after_school_artFreed-Hardeman University in Henderson is offering a free After School Art session for children, ages five to 11. The program is offered through its Department of Fine Arts to provide community children the opportunity to experience and create art. Children will be introduced to a variety of materials and media during the sessions. The last class in the series is Thursday, November 5 from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Your child did not have to attend the previous sessions in the series to participate in the last class meeting.

If you believe your child may have an interest in participating, call Audrey Robertson at (731) 989-6632 or e-mail Barbara England for more information. Classes will be held in the Bulliner-Clayton Visual Arts Center, East 2nd Street, Henderson 38340.

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©2015 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher https://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

MTSU to hold Preview Day for prospective students

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mtsu_preview_dayIf your child is considering Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) as one on their college choices, make plans for them to attend Preview Day. Students and their families are invited for a day on the campus on Saturday, November 7 to learn about the university offerings.

Preview Day will be 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with a full day planned for visiting guests. While on campus, students will be able to visit two academic colleges on campus. Students will be able to speak to faculty in their area of study interest. There will be presentations from different school departments and the opportunity to meet a number of faculty and staff members. Campus tours will be held and student affairs will be on hand to answer questions about student life and more at MTSU.

High school juniors and seniors, transfer students and graduate studies students are encouraged to attend Preview Day, but all interested students and their families are welcome. Call (615) 898-5670 or e-mail [email protected] for more information. Registration is now open.

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©2015 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher https://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

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