tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-239420208796907972024-02-18T20:46:57.944-08:00Dr. Mandi SonnenbergWelcome to my weekly blog! How will you grow today?Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-35186033106632679552016-11-09T06:54:00.000-08:002016-11-09T06:54:45.105-08:00Hating This Whole Election? Shake It Out<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life is completely unpredictable. We have unlimited data, advanced technology and understand the science behind it all, but yet...you never know what is really going to happen. It's not the end, it's a new beginning. One that you may or may not want to start. No one has a choice to stay where we are.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's the beauty and privilege of life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life is not always happy. It can be extremely devastating at times, almost too much to bear. But, that's what keeps us growing, breathing life into us to try harder and overcome whatever obstacles we face. Often times it's someone else, we believe is causing all this unhappiness. We all have or have had bosses, friends, family, co -workers, neighbors who have been impossible to work with, live with or be around. Many times we don't have the option to just up and quit our jobs, not go to school or move away. That's life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe you voted for Hillary and are in despair or supporting Trump and are tired of all the political bashing. During this election aftermath, as many are doing, I'm looking at this from my parenting and educator's heart and here are three things I will keep in mind; try my hardest to model and discuss with my students (of all ages) and the children I parent (whether they are biological or not):</span><br />
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<li> <b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Failure is inevitable</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: </span><a href="http://www.ernweb.com/educational-research-articles/fear-of-failure-key-to-understanding-underachieving-students-psychological-study-says/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fear of failure is one of the main factors with underachieving children</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. We want all children to be educated so they can make good judgments, have self confidence and bring about change? Low self esteem does not discriminate across color, gender, culture or economic status. Let them understand and face failures. Whether your families' candidate won or loss there is a lesson here. Some one is always failing, and that someone is going to be you from time to time. It's a lesson, a way to improve and grow. Not to fear but to learn from. <i>When one person or party fails, reassure them, genuinely, that you understand their worry. You are going to want them to do that for you when you fail.</i></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Hate is not a way to move forward</b>: You know what hate does?<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/let-their-words-do-the-talking/201103/the-seven-stage-hate-model-the-psychopathology-hate"> It masks personal insecurities</a>. Yes, anger is a normal emotion, but it can be a deadly one. While you can't go through life happy 24/7, controlling your anger is what allows you o be happy. Aside from hate causing anxiety and stress, it can also cause heart disease, impair your immune system and lead to strokes. So who is winning now? The hater or the one being hated? When people want to talk about the election, the candidates, or anything else you may feel passionate about, find ways to calmly explain your viewpoint and have empathy for the other person across from you! We<i> boast equal rights, except when we don't equally agree with someone. Stop the hate.</i></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Social Media is NOT complete truth, EVER</b>: Does anyone believe in compromise anymore, or the middle ground? Social media has turned us into extremists. Politically, personally, professionally, all behind what we call the "<a href="http://bigthink.com/ideafeed/social-media-is-turning-us-into-thoughtless-political-extremists">echo chamber.</a>" It's fact: people act differently online then in person. Remind your children that what they see, is not always what they get and definitely not always what is real. What is real? Talking WITH others, having a PERSONAL conversation. We have lost the ability to listen and to give each wait time to understand what we all are truly saying. We wonder why kids can't read or understand? Because often times, <i>adults model this notion of getting half of the information and/or jumping to conclusions and dismissing all other opinions, thoughts and research.</i></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Want to raise a generation and live in a world who aren't quitters? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Fail and learn from it.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Want to be healthy and live a life you can enjoy and bring change? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Don't hate.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Want to be a real person who can carry on a conversation with someone who is not like you? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Stop believing everything you see, read and hear via the media.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What do we do now? Make a plan for ourselves, our families. Whether you voted for Hillary or Donald. This is life. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">OUR American Life. It will be much better when we can live it together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Shake It Out..."I like to keep my issues strong....then restart...hard to dance with a devil on your back so shake him off..." </i>Keep dancing!</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WbN0nX61rIs" width="560"></iframe>Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-34658693265019790922016-07-19T11:59:00.000-07:002016-07-19T16:05:18.430-07:00Peer Learning: With A Little Help From My Friends<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Connor remains purposely "hands off" and coaches the younger learners to figure it out as they learn together.</span></td></tr>
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problems and projects interesting</b>. It was often different from how I would look
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>They often question the process more than I would </b>and are a
lot more fluid in how they learn and approach things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Connor Aguilar</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thinking back to High School, I don't recall tutoring or volunteering to help kids. Perhaps, I was too consumed in my own life: sports, friends and school work. In defense, I don't even remember hearing about these opportunities. In college, there were a handful of times I volunteered, when asked or expected to because of my sorority or college courses I certainly wasn't asking about volunteering, and didn't even know about service learning projects. How embarrassing as I was seeking a future in education...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's embarrassing and yet enlightening. Enlightening because as I observe this current generation of millennials and now digital natives, I see them volunteering and doing more service than my generation talked about, let alone participated in. The media can often portray our younger generation as corrupt and consumed with themselves and their technology; yet, if you look closely enough you will see a completely different side. And if you don't, let them show you. Offer them ways to show you the side of serving others and what that looks like.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While <i>peer teaching</i> is not exactly a new way of teaching or learning, it certainly has been picking up popularity. But I prefer to support activities which involve <i>peer learning</i>. Why? Because when we teach others there is an instant role assignment. I'm the teacher, you are the student. When there is peer learning, we BOTH learn TOGETHER. Right away the stigma of an authoritative role is taken away and lines are blurred and crossed to see both sides of the learning taking place. According to a web article from Stanford, </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span>"<a href="https://web.stanford.edu/dept/CTL/Tomprof/postings/418.html">It is not a substitute for teaching and activities designed and conducted by staff members, but an important addition to the repertoire of teaching and learning activities that can enhance the quality of education</a>" (Boud, 2002).
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since little has been researched among K-12 students, last summer, <a href="https://www.rockhursths.edu/">Rockhurst High Schoo</a>l and the <a href="http://steam-studio.com/">STEAM Studio </a> teamed up. Greg Owsley (<a href="http://steam.rockhursths.edu/team/gregowsley/">Rockhurst High School STEAM Director</a>), JW Clark (<a href="http://steam.rockhursths.edu/team/jwclark/">Rockhurst High School STEAM Coordinator</a>) and I developed and conducted a research project involving RHS students and STEAM Studio K-8 participants to see what they could learn from each other. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary, the 16 RHS "coaches" (participants in the research project) chose this project as their service learning hours and came to the STEAM Studio twice a week to share knowledge they gained from their RHS classes (robotics and other classes) with almost a 100 (98 to be exact!) K-8 youth in the after school programs.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The RHS coaches approached every activity using this model with the K-8 youth at the STEAM Studio.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were invited to share our findings at the international conference,</span><a href="http://www.iste.org/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ISTE </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">this past month. Connor, Krishon, and Brion (Rockhurst High School students) along with a few STEAM Studio youth, our STEAM Studio Coordinator, Laine Eichenlaub, Greg, and myself spent two hours presenting and sharing the interesting and effective strategies we found from the 12 week research project. Here are some of those findings...</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Unlike other service projects in which the affect was direct and right now, STEAM Studio was <b>about giving kids skills that they could use for the rest of their lives</b>. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Krishon Harris</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What would you do if I sang out of tune?</b> Many times we worry about failing. It's natural, but such an incredible part of the learning process. We gave the RHS young men an hour long training of <a href="http://www.designthinkingforeducators.com/design-thinking/">Design Thinking</a> which is how we engage all our youth into each and every activity we do at the STEAM Studio. We discussed how to keep them focused and what to do if the STEAM Studio youth were to go off task. We realized from the RHS feedback that they would have liked more planning on the Design Thinking for the weekly activities, while they certainly did a great job engaging the younger learners! Every week I heard our young STEAM Studio kids get so excited to see which RHS volunteers where there. According to the data we compiled, 100% of the RHS students said they felt Design Thinking helped them share their knowledge with the younger students. </span>Design <a href="http://www.designthinkingforeducators.com/design-thinking/">Thinking is the confidence that everyone can be part of creating a more desirable future, and a process to take action when faced with a difficult challenge. That kind of optimism is well needed in education</a>.</span><div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I found this to be a really cool idea for teaching high schoolers how to teach and explain things like teachers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also found that the<b> kids seemed to be really interested in the topics provided and wanted to learn more</b>."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ethan Fetters</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song.</b> Motivation. How do we motivate humans to learn, to work, to do anything? There has to be an interest! One of the questions on the post-survey (at the end of the project) given to the RHS coaches was "how do you think you will made a difference?" Over 50% of them said they felt they made the most difference by raising interest in the areas of STEAM. What is interesting is that none of them thought this would happen when we asked them in the pre-survey (beginning of the project). This goes to show that they felt after they worked with the youth they definitely observed some sparks flying!</span></li>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found this project interesting because it provided an
environment in which <b>I could both learn from the kids and help them. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was <b>cool to see all of the different projects come to
life </b>with the resources in the STEAM Studio.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Mitchell Roberts</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Gonna try with a little help from my friends. </b>I'm happy to report that our RHS boys are coming back to try more activities and continue this research project for the 2016-2017 school year! This next time around we will be focusing on what the K-8 youth are learning and how they feel about learning from older peers as we also continue to track data from the high school students. This will enable us to find interesting and creative ways to motivate learners to not only learn STEAM content, but learn from each other.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> We do know that peer learning can facilitate friendships.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Friendships that increase confidence in both parties and motivation to learn...together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's get by with a little help from our friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">SPECIAL THANKS to:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The ISTE presenters: Greg Owsley: Teacher,
Rockhurst High School, Laine Eichelaub: STEAM Studio director, Connor Aguilar,
Brion Dennis, Krishon Harris, Rockhurst High School Students & Research
participants</span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Our crew who represented the Rockhurst High School/ STEAM Studio research project at the international technology in education conference in Denver, CO in June, 2016.</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">To our 16 new friends, the "young men for others" Rockhurst High School service learning/research project participants who worked with 98 STEAM Studio youth: </span></li>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt; width: 121pt;" width="162"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Brendan</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 121pt;" width="162"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Odrowski</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Brian </span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Medina</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Brion</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Dennis</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Connor </span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Aguilar</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Ethan</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Fetters</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Jacob</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bamesberger </span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Keaton</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Schieffer</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Krishon</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Harris</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Mitchell</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Roberts</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sam</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Lee</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sam</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Keitges</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Seth</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Harper</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sherlock</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gong</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Steven</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Madigan</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thomas</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Leggio </span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Ting</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gong</span></td>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sr3XHHMtrHw" width="560"></iframe></span>Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.comKansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.3067355 -95.874953200000007 39.8927175 -93.282180200000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-91780954130326986392016-06-15T07:49:00.001-07:002016-06-15T08:32:31.656-07:00Peace and Protect: Don't Back Down<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Our next generation is watching what is happening and they have questions, <br />most recently about the Orlando shooting. What do we say?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I use to think a two year old asked a lot of questions, but at least I knew the answers to them. As my kiddos get older I am finding that they ask more questions that I often don't know the answers to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most recently is this week, why did a man go into a dance club and shoot people? How come he was so mad? Did he know them? Am I going to get shot at my dance studio? Did he die? What happened to those families? Where did he get the gun?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a parent and educator, I have been through countless hours of safety training, have had experiences with lock downs, drills, and intruder alerts. I've had to research best practices about being proactive or reactive when there is danger. I have discussed with parents, teachers and students on how to handle scary situations and what to do to prevent them. However, nothing can fully prepare you for a school, church or club shooting. I do feel it is incredibly important that our youth feel safe: physically, emotionally, mentally and so on. We know that protecting them from harm and fostering peace in the classroom, community and especially at home is imperative.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How do both get taught together? When we protect others: we shield them, defend them, keep them from harm. It is an active role that requires one person to build a secure environment 24/7 which could involve some violent act. Teaching and promoting peace means to provide a calm, restful, and quiet place in a nonviolent way. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It appears to be utopian, ironic and impossible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But it is possible and here are some tips on how...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1. Take the time to talk:</b> Being proactive is very helpful when approaching difficult topics with kids. They may not ask questions, so letting them know what happened before they hear it elsewhere is ideal. It preps them for what could be the unknown. Depending on the ages of your kids or youth you are around, you will know how much to share. But, the bottom line is, let them know what is going on. They should hear it from a trusted adult they know, that first hand from another child or TV newscaster.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2. There ain't no easy way out...</b> Shootings, killings, act of violence are hard to explain and understand. Giving simple facts about what you know about the situation is key. The shooter was bullied, or mentally ill, perhaps on some drugs...whatever the situation. It's crazy and scary to kids to hear that someone randomly kills someone else. Limiting exposure to media is what many psychologists suggest. Research shows that kids often think the act is reoccurring when they watch it over through social media and it becomes a constant reminder that they may not be safe themselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Gonna stand my ground: </b>Every family has an opinion on gun control or freedom to bear arms. Every family has an opinion of what protection means for them or what peace means for others. Talk to your kids about how you feel and WHY. Explain to your kids that other families will have other opinions and WHY. Educating our youth on the issues and each side is how we can actually protect them and promote peace. Understanding and accepting different points of view is what actually can bring us together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>4. Stand me up at the gates of hell</b>: In this age of technology, we are exposed to many dangerous situations. Yet, many of us are closed off to what is really going on around us as we look down and are glued to our devices. Kids are no different. The shootings, the bullying, the violence and the stranger danger are sickening, saddening and down right psychotic. Keep reminding them to put their phones away, look around, be observant, talk to each other...be in the moment. Encourage them to notice any warning signs and report them immediately. Here are some helpful sites to get the conversation started:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Strangers: <a href="http://www.ncpc.org/topics/violent-crime-and-personal-safety/strangers">http://www.ncpc.org/topics/violent-crime-and-personal-safety/strangers</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bullying: <a href="https://www.stopbullying.gov/kids/">https://www.stopbullying.gov/kids/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shootings: <a href="https://www.kidpower.org/library/article/weapons-schools/">https://www.kidpower.org/library/article/weapons-schools/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>5. In a world that keeps on pushing me around:</b> Remind kids they are loved, remind them that even people that have different opinions need love, remind them that it's ok to stick up for themselves. Most importantly, keep reassuring them that you will do what you feel is right to protect them and keep them safe. We need to live out of love, not fear. <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/get-hardy/201208/are-you-living-chronic-worry-and-fear">Studies show fearful people</a> have anxiety, depression and personality disorders. <a href="http://www.mindfulnessmeditationinstitute.org/2012/07/12-qualities-of-an-enlightened-person/">Peaceful people</a><a href="https://www.kidpower.org/library/article/weapons-schools/"> </a>have a more fulfilled and enlightened life. They are more aware of the world and emotionally stable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is an opportunity to explain how your family can cope with and discuss these types of issues. It doesn't help to place blame on others nor draw attention to the person who committed the horrendous crime. It's an opportunity to feel sympathy for the victims and their families, to help your kids/students understand, or at least talk through their own concerns.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's raise our youth to be more aware of the world around them and find ways to protect and promote peace. Don't back down when it comes to helping our next generation.</span><br />
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Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com0Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.3067355 -95.874953200000007 39.8927175 -93.282180200000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-82550588900529719012016-01-15T00:50:00.001-08:002016-01-16T05:48:08.986-08:00Sister Act: What A Week In A Convent With Nuns Taught Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are called to serve others. Sometimes it's comes at the most challenging times, other times it's actually perfect timing.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My mission trip to Philly was both.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a professor at <a href="http://ww2.rockhurst.edu/">Rockhurst University</a>, I am blessed with the opportunities to participate and lead <a href="http://www.rockhurst.edu/campus-ministry/service-immersion-trips/">service immersion trips</a>. Serving over winter break provides me the opportunity to be away when I am not teaching, my kids are in school during the day and there's not much action during the wintry mix of early January. However, it does fall on the first week my kiddos are back in their routine, courses need to be organized for the semester, and the aftermath of Christmas is in high gear.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Helping others is never convenient. It's just not. If it was, everyone would do it. Serving others is a calling, it's done with out the expectation of reciprocation. I flew to Philly thinking I would be serving the homeless and helping in the urban Catholic schools, what I experienced with 9 students and my fellow faculty companion was much more than I could have anticipated.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I went, and stayed in a convent with a group of nuns for a week. What does that look like?</span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">NOT THIS</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It actually looks like this...</span><br>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m_2QcUX-al9E1aw5G9u8vuv-Gt9y2xcnMJu8GX_duq6LdQ6TxZfX1u1AsUkYBnE6efn4GXXAbc33lt6s4w1QYUoj4u3SIcUVNjFGYsALsuQKXIpBKK3uKgtk_9saWKPbx4uUADnLPZ0/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m_2QcUX-al9E1aw5G9u8vuv-Gt9y2xcnMJu8GX_duq6LdQ6TxZfX1u1AsUkYBnE6efn4GXXAbc33lt6s4w1QYUoj4u3SIcUVNjFGYsALsuQKXIpBKK3uKgtk_9saWKPbx4uUADnLPZ0/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our last supper serving at a homeless community center in Camden, NJ.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>Here are 8 lessons I learned from my week with the <a href="http://ssjphila.org/new/">Sisters of St. Joseph in Chestnut Hill</a>. A group of soldiers who carry out their mission daily without reservation or judgement about those they serve or those who choose not to serve.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. <b>Let go of judgement you don't know you have</b>. This is powerful. I had thoughts floating around in my head about the homeless, until I sat down and talked to them. Looked them in the eye and saw what they were sharing...from their soul.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. <b>We shame so many people without getting to know them.</b> That person who is on welfare, that person who lives in the multi-million dollar house, it's all relative. We tend to look at others without really seeing who they are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. <b>Acting is not always about doing something- most often it's about listening</b>, We don't listen, deeply. We hear people but do you listen to what they are really saying? How often do we take the time to really listen to someone, without thinking about offering our thoughts or thinking about what we are going to say back?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. <b>Meet people where they are- not where you think they should be</b>. Every adult is responsible for their own life. If you are in their life, you are there to support them and to accompany them on their journey. Not to give them a road map, but to show them their options of routes to take. Some take longer than others, there's the chance of getting lost along the way, but usually they will find their way back. Perhaps you are the gas in their tank.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. <b>Try to greet everyone with a smile.</b> This is so cliche' but if you do it for a day, you will feel like you are walking on cloud nine. It only takes a second and it will change their day... more so, yours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6. <b>Quit searching for love. It's there. See it.</b> I'm not expert on love, but I've learned from my week with Sister Jules, Sister Celeste, Sister Rita and Sister Michelle (and many other of my Sistas) that it is there. RIGHT.IN.FRONT.OF.YOUR.FACE. It may not be pretty, but what a rewarding feeling, to love and experience love unconditionally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7. <b>Don't help. Serve. </b>No one is a superhero. Quit trying to be one. When you help someone, there's this feeling of paying back. You changed my tire, you took my kids for an afternoon, you covered lunch, I'll pay ya back....no no no. Serve people with humility- no strings attached. It all shakes out the way it should in the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8. <b>Cross boundaries. Do things that blow your mind.</b> How many times do you go beyond your comfort zone? Yeah, that's what I thought. In a world of instant gratification we need to challenge ourselves to be patient, to be risk takers, to let our excitement be our passion. You live once, try something new, try helping someone new.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I may not be converting to be a nun, but I am converted. After my week with a house full of nuns, I'm learning to let go of judgments, trying to live more simple, being mindful of my actions and reaching out to those who need it most, no matter their economical status. It will be a daily challenge, but one I am excited to act on because of my new Sisters.</span><br>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Turn your magic on. Make someone feel alive.</span></b><br>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Get someone through their adventure of life, </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">without judgement, without expecting something back.</span></b><br>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sing it Coldplay!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Special thanks to:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Sister Jules, Sister Michelle, and Sister Celeste, who accompanied us daily and put up with our questions, lousy Monopoly game tactics, and card playing sharkness! You saw the good in us and daily loved us, reminded us to mindful of our actions, to "see" others, and gave us "treats!". You changed our lives forever though God's love.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sister Rita- Personally, you forever changed my thinking about serving others with your witness and straightforward, yet loving attitude. You opened my eyes to what it <u>really</u> means to serve, hold people accountable and share kindness to all, no matter what.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sister Delores, Sister Jane, Sister Linda: what you accomplish daily in your ministries is beyond amazing. The passion, humbleness, dedication and soul you put into every task you do, no matter how small it may seem was and is an inspiration to all of us.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Notable Nine: Abigail, Angie, Clare, Emily, Grey, Leanna, Nellie, Nicole, and Peter- So many memories and quality time together. I am awe of the sacrifice you took to service a week of your time, the happiness you shared constantly with others and each other, but more than anything, your sweet souls that will continue to serve in the ways you are called to do so. Thank you for one of the most memorable weeks of my life!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kenneth Mellard: Thank you for driving us all over Philly and Jersey and being there for us each and every day. I enjoyed being your co-pilot even though geography is obviously not my strength. Your insight and thoughtful reflection was appreciated and makes me beyond grateful that I was lucky enough to take this journey with you and those who's paths we crossed.</span></li>
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</div>Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-49084743728157156082015-09-15T20:56:00.002-07:002015-09-16T18:38:08.979-07:00Helping Others: No Need To Go Out Of Your Way<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.<br>Ronald Reagan</td></tr>
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We've all been in a time of need. Maybe you just needed a ride somewhere, some extra cash, a piece of advice, a place to crash or a supportive hug. Every single soul out there has needed something at sometime from someone who didn't have to give you anything.</div>
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But he or she did. Why?<br>
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The other day I was on campus outside grading (one of my favorite things to do...not really). It was such a beautiful day so there were students everywhere soaking it all in. Such a positive buzz all around. I overheard a student shout out to a friend, "hey! I need your help, can I get a ride to Ashley's house?" To which the other student replied, "I can't right now." I saw the desperation in the requester's face, but then the another girl standing there said, "I can! It's on my way."<br>
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For some reason it got me thinking about helping others and volunteering. I feel as though sometimes there seems to be two extremes when being asked for help: overwhelmed or excited. It's hard to say no, but on the other hand we need to say no at times. Generally speaking, we want to pay it forward, go out of our way, do what's right for the greater good.<br>
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What if we were just honest. Instead of indirectly, or directly making someone else feel like we are going out of our way, we just responded with: "you're on my way" or "I can't right now".<br>
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If you think about it in the big picture, no one should volunteer or help others out of guilt or pressure. You do it because it makes you feel good, and it should!<br>
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What? Isn't that selfish?<br>
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Nope, ask yourself, "where am I going?" When you think of where you are with your life and you think about ways to add a positive energy to that, where do you see yourself? Helping others because you want to grow, learn something new, connect with someone, and want to increase your chance of happiness as you help someone else find happiness results in a win-win for both parties. It's not selfish. It goes beyond being nice, it's seeing the bigger picture. <br>
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It makes sense then to serve someone or an organization who in return serves you in some psychological, emotional, or spiritual way. They can teach you about a different aspect of life or maybe open your eyes to seeing something a different way. It can be a one time shot, or long term commitment. The choice is yours. There's nothing wrong with picking a time or place based on an area of yourself hat is lacking. Life is short, spend your time wisely!<br>
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If someone feels as though they are "going out of their way" to help someone else, than maybe they should just stay where they are. Keep opening your mind to new avenues of volunteering, serving others and let others help/serve you. <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2012/04/04/why-helping-others-makes-us-happy">It leads to a healthier life, happiness and higher self- esteem</a>.<br>
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"There is no separation between inner and outer, self and other. Tending to ourselves, we tend to the world. Tending the world, we tend to ourselves.</b>" </div><div><i>The Wise Heart</i> by Jack Kornfield.<br>
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At the STEAM Studio, we rely on different types of volunteers. As a non profit with a mission of inspiring kids of all ages to be interesting and engaged in the area of STEAM, that can sometimes be challenging. It amazes me at the flow of people we have helping. We always can use more (so please jump in if you wish!) but we have volunteers who return consistently without anyone requiring them to do so. These same volunteers also serve others outside of the STEAM Studio. Here's what some of these RU college students had to say about just that...<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHuEr-CpIk2LNCA0c87W5Ew7a70azwF6DkIho4e577EDvZoAwBnlD9f0M-veZFci2qP4BQ2XZOJa_ibQPI26hVHWOM2DzqMFUprVCoUY8zJyexS3Rwi5sF20G9z0TIj2bXsS4aWd6H9w/s640/blogger-image--44729960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHuEr-CpIk2LNCA0c87W5Ew7a70azwF6DkIho4e577EDvZoAwBnlD9f0M-veZFci2qP4BQ2XZOJa_ibQPI26hVHWOM2DzqMFUprVCoUY8zJyexS3Rwi5sF20G9z0TIj2bXsS4aWd6H9w/s200/blogger-image--44729960.jpg" width="157"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alli W. on volunteering with a wild group of first grade girls' soccer team, "I am thankful for the opportunity to work these girls. It's been amazing experience getting to know them. Each one is different which makes it so fun to be around them and watch them interact."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrpVzuFWMoilPh2zXhMkJdNq_d9_3dVldJDGt7ctTMG95u5fJDfeOdLri4RePV2I_Jzg0ZvE8O9mbzxeWAwFZ20EFP_xscm0mSWOto7UwXWeUzFo6jbm6Xer_1qRUatVbyAnyOTqW6G0/s640/blogger-image--1439516856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrpVzuFWMoilPh2zXhMkJdNq_d9_3dVldJDGt7ctTMG95u5fJDfeOdLri4RePV2I_Jzg0ZvE8O9mbzxeWAwFZ20EFP_xscm0mSWOto7UwXWeUzFo6jbm6Xer_1qRUatVbyAnyOTqW6G0/s200/blogger-image--1439516856.jpg" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mitch F. on serving others from Uganda to the STEAM Studio, "I learn an immense amounts of things from working with different kinds of kids and people. I also learn more about myself and how to be more understanding of others lives and the some struggles people go through." </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqomz-gSnj9esCtAgUaGVbWJ9DX_KR2E7-B0SdHuW7wdIodkZ1-PQ1hZ7KTQhvi1f1ND8xfUa2kYU7YUvryt3SxvDcnyPKne9GalbmcV8uESJb6zX0adZDrI5SRBdpPcyFIPsGoHFa1k/s640/blogger-image--1756168799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqomz-gSnj9esCtAgUaGVbWJ9DX_KR2E7-B0SdHuW7wdIodkZ1-PQ1hZ7KTQhvi1f1ND8xfUa2kYU7YUvryt3SxvDcnyPKne9GalbmcV8uESJb6zX0adZDrI5SRBdpPcyFIPsGoHFa1k/s200/blogger-image--1756168799.jpg" width="100"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jamison W. on also volunteering at the STEAM Studio and coaching young girls in soccer, "I help because I enjoy being there for them and helping the little ones. It's what I love to do!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuC2Zchwj2ukR-JO5qKXGdc4uXXVfZGu-cils_G950TcZXwxmV3-fy7u8K6IE_8uQ61oxOiGZOB3Q-L3cmKaZLg93aBhAfl9bbkXb6Thk59J2VHtRrwsOLpzpiLhzaNx0iPfgq7JX8eoE/s640/blogger-image-1943746212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuC2Zchwj2ukR-JO5qKXGdc4uXXVfZGu-cils_G950TcZXwxmV3-fy7u8K6IE_8uQ61oxOiGZOB3Q-L3cmKaZLg93aBhAfl9bbkXb6Thk59J2VHtRrwsOLpzpiLhzaNx0iPfgq7JX8eoE/s200/blogger-image-1943746212.jpg" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laine E., our new STEAM Studio Coach/Volunteer Coordinator on what she enjoys about helping others," Supporting creativity and inspriing students to explore new areas is what I love doing. We have support from professionals and STEAM coaches which helps us all achieve."</td></tr>
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<b>Next time you volunteer or help someone and they respond with, </b><br>
<b>"thanks for going out of your way", </b><br>
<b>why don't you say, </b></div>
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<b>"thank <i>you</i> for getting <i>me</i> on my way."</b></div>
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We all need somebody to lean on...
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Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com4Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-8469312859043261522015-08-19T19:43:00.002-07:002015-08-20T07:07:32.376-07:00Is This Wise? STRAIGHT OUTta TRUTH<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhV0bAII0BRCM-j181p-OHCipgsyT7abTAEHzipzeDBMtyCfVQVC1xCjBTGTr8C8CUqnTZ6jG5RJVoLZgygbekPElpBx0s6NqbzD_5bjeu9gOns2oFb7N_oSghzCbADkQgnwhqL5g320/s1600/straight+outta+compton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhV0bAII0BRCM-j181p-OHCipgsyT7abTAEHzipzeDBMtyCfVQVC1xCjBTGTr8C8CUqnTZ6jG5RJVoLZgygbekPElpBx0s6NqbzD_5bjeu9gOns2oFb7N_oSghzCbADkQgnwhqL5g320/s1600/straight+outta+compton.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/ice-cube-on-n-w-as-reality-rap-and-straight-outta-compton-movie-20150415">"<span style="line-height: 107%;">I
wanted to show </span></a><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/ice-cube-on-n-w-as-reality-rap-and-straight-outta-compton-movie-20150415">what was happening in our lives at the time </a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/ice-cube-on-n-w-as-reality-rap-and-straight-outta-compton-movie-20150415"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">that made us make music like that".~ Dr. Dre</span></a></div>
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I have loved hip hop music, my whole life. Well, maybe not my whole life, pretty sure I wasn't shouting out "Rapper's Delight" by <a href="http://www.oldschoolhiphop.com/artists/emcees/sugarhillgang.htm">The Sugar Hill Gang</a> in preschool. However, I have always been intrigued by the beat and the artists' portrayal of their life experiences delivered in a unique lyrical way. In high school and college, there was the mix tape marathons of <a href="http://www.biography.com/people/tupac-shakur-206528">2Pac</a>, <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/beastie-boys/biography">Beastie Boys</a>, <a href="http://www.biography.com/people/biggie-smalls-20866735">Biggie Smalls</a>, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/artists/biz-markie/biography/">Biz Markie</a>, <a href="http://www.biography.com/people/dr-dre-507628">Dr. Dre</a>, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/artists/geto-boys/biography/">Ghetto Boys</a>, <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/ice-cube/biography">Ice Cube</a>, <a href="http://www.lifetimetv.co.uk/biography/biography-ll-cool-j">L.L. Cool, J</a>, <a href="http://www.missy-elliott.com/">Missy Elliot</a>, <a href="http://www.allmusic.com/artist/nwa-mn0000314793/biography">NWA</a>, <a href="http://www.biography.com/people/snoop-dogg-197052">Snoop Dogg</a>, <a href="http://www.biography.com/people/groups/tlc">TLC</a>, just to name a few. My friends would laugh because I could recite every single word to every single song, but couldn't remember where I put my keys. I enjoy learning about that "world", their experiences, their quest for understanding what life is about to them and I'm impressed at how raw they are about it all.<br />
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Naturally, I went and saw the movie "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyoew4T74_w">Straight Outta Compton</a>", which has already made $60 million (and only took $29 million to make). It's based on the rap group, N.W.A. from the late 80's which was comprised of five musicians from the most dangerous streets in the country at that time. I couldn't help but think about how wise these group of young men were when they first came into the limelight.<br />
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Wise? These "thugs", "gangstas", "police haters", pretty much the opposite of what many would consider role models. Yep. Let's be clear, I respect the law and feel everyone else should to. That's not what the focus is here. I agree, they did not go about voicing their opinions in the most gentle way. What they did do was courageously share their experiences; crude and debatable, without worrying about how others were going to judge them. I'm sure there are some embellishments to what and how things went down, but they were on a mission to uncover and reflect on some real and uncomfortable situations. It forced people to discover the truth.<br />
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Discovery of truth. How often do we take to time really discover the truth? Social media, sources via Google, continuous gossip, endless generalizations and so on provide us with many "masked" truths, as I would call them. These perceptions lead us to believe any information we hear or see, which somehow convinces us that we are the wise ones.<br />
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Not true.<br />
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This year's <a href="http://www.rockhurst.edu/about/mission-and-ministry/core-values/">core value</a> focus at <a href="http://ww2.rockhurst.edu/">Rockhurst University</a> is wisdom. Have you ever googled wisdom? These are images you will see pop up and what I think about them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiYSelqqnBLSA70r3_zuGnwD0cvkuiUT1xTcDqyIpIQMQAihYJNjDnPxV-9KVm5EBmfYFUGVucupj_mPa7I7L35A-XYLVbmmq-a1iMzs1VXehLM38Lb5ny9g-UoMvL_nULTL0w7nyKaM/s1600/wisdom22012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiYSelqqnBLSA70r3_zuGnwD0cvkuiUT1xTcDqyIpIQMQAihYJNjDnPxV-9KVm5EBmfYFUGVucupj_mPa7I7L35A-XYLVbmmq-a1iMzs1VXehLM38Lb5ny9g-UoMvL_nULTL0w7nyKaM/s320/wisdom22012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nope: Acquiring all kinds of information from digital devices <br />(or knowing how to use technology) does not make you wise.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5252wMEwlceys0v6OmOCDF1ioZOCHJb1GZskoUMN9GXJZA-P63QZUsALrELjLN7hRBevMUbr-RyfRE02bmEflWRGXRogHIXUZipDhFjCiNDtJQG4vRlNmXCAN1MZ7m3jgvmGsWAWN6I/s1600/knowledge3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5252wMEwlceys0v6OmOCDF1ioZOCHJb1GZskoUMN9GXJZA-P63QZUsALrELjLN7hRBevMUbr-RyfRE02bmEflWRGXRogHIXUZipDhFjCiNDtJQG4vRlNmXCAN1MZ7m3jgvmGsWAWN6I/s320/knowledge3.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Think again: Being the smartest person in the room <br />(or the one with the most academic degrees) does not make you wise.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKqDARRIw8e-DmknSfy43xQCIOIy-ADQ8IGIxRoN0ih1qOVxLPNcldjEsxjTI9oPdL1HKaZ8InO5bvrxnQ757Deyhhp8Y_ExKINshlEhvHOYjTCleDVDMlsA64EQSYFvVBcQoE0wdpxY/s1600/Dove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKqDARRIw8e-DmknSfy43xQCIOIy-ADQ8IGIxRoN0ih1qOVxLPNcldjEsxjTI9oPdL1HKaZ8InO5bvrxnQ757Deyhhp8Y_ExKINshlEhvHOYjTCleDVDMlsA64EQSYFvVBcQoE0wdpxY/s320/Dove.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Not true: Experiencing a spiritual movement or seeing a dove from Heaven <br />(although that would be really cool) does not make you wise.</span></td></tr>
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According to Jesuit Priest, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/29/world/americas/rev-dean-brackley-65-dies-moved-to-el-salvador-after-massacre.html?_r=0">Father Dean Brackley</a>, one should focus on the big questions. He says,</div>
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<i>Wisdom, not mere information, is the goal of education. </i></div>
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<i>Discovering truth requires reason, rooted in experience and practice nourished by contemplation...and imagination. </i></div>
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<i>Only such, engages the whole person which produces wisdom.</i></div>
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At Rockhurst U, we are trained, we reflect, we teach, and we reflect (yes, reflect and reflect and reflect) on the <a href="http://www.loyolajesuit.org/IPP.htm">Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm</a> which seeks to produce wisdom, it flows like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsvLfGej-dnlaqTVp9kcWjzYIY_2EGniWWLyCCYwB6ZlI95iZnmpv4lC-8zAgJ6JiU2w3kf2cXlYcsPtSK-tJtutryRdemYiu0j-E2rqkh7eZ_0QJ33EAqzICQVjGqEmRLekYvhM-rsk/s1600/iggyChart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsvLfGej-dnlaqTVp9kcWjzYIY_2EGniWWLyCCYwB6ZlI95iZnmpv4lC-8zAgJ6JiU2w3kf2cXlYcsPtSK-tJtutryRdemYiu0j-E2rqkh7eZ_0QJ33EAqzICQVjGqEmRLekYvhM-rsk/s320/iggyChart.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Let's face it, our world complicates things. It's up to us to simply search for the truth and focus on how it can help us solve important questions. Father Brackley explains those important questions as, "... the drama around us, injustice and liberation, good and evil, grace and sin..."</div>
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Someone once told me <i>truth can cause controversy, but controversy isn't always the truth</i>. At first, I was like, "what?!" As I have thought about that over the years, I think it boils down to this: information comes at us and people react by instantly raising questions, making judgments and either expressing feelings of happiness or anger. It's how we react to these pieces of information that makes us wise, not smart. Take the time, if you really care, to find the truth in it all.<br />
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Everyone has a story, everyone is on a journey. Sing (or rap) your song and be thoughtful how you respond to what you see or hear. Thanks to technology, we live in a fishbowl. But, sometimes that fishbowl is is there to make you think: a) the fish is dying because of some purposely placed contaminated water, or b)it is happily living in Utopia surrounded by perfect plastic trees and colored rocks. Which is true? It's for you to discover, which makes YOU all the wiser. <br />
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Maybe this was the song that triggered my love for hip hop?<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b6gD_CwF5YM" width="425"></iframe>
Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com5Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-14599781314681526572015-07-28T22:16:00.001-07:002015-07-29T14:16:55.979-07:00It's Not You, It's Me...Actually It's Technology<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wcmj3Ze_XCbNeeg3ZQFVAiRCsKmviz47N1QNEvN-G8oYwkeHNk3xDp_jJctzJdfbzI6TYGPDByhiHJelP0r60jB5nVEMN5eSSjV_vVL4woPDonysHIaKnSAtcZfFumoOrlX7Ox1pBCI/s1600/too+much+technology+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wcmj3Ze_XCbNeeg3ZQFVAiRCsKmviz47N1QNEvN-G8oYwkeHNk3xDp_jJctzJdfbzI6TYGPDByhiHJelP0r60jB5nVEMN5eSSjV_vVL4woPDonysHIaKnSAtcZfFumoOrlX7Ox1pBCI/s320/too+much+technology+2.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are born with a brain not a power cord.</td></tr>
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It's so easy to blame others...other things. Yes, I'm guilty too.<br>
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Everyday I read a post, hear a comment, analyze research or engage in some sort of debate about how technology is impacting (ruining) our society. The good, the bad and the ugly. You want the truth? It's OUR fault. We are to blame.<br>
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Don't shoot the messenger.</div>
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When I was a teacher some parents would say, <i>well you don't have kids so you don't understand</i>. Now I have kids and some parents say, well, <i>you don't have teenagers so you don't understand</i>. As a professor, I sometimes hear, <i>you're not in college you don't know how hard it is to unplug</i>. Here's what I do understand and always believe. Humans, not technology have the real power. </div>
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We say things like, "If it weren't for technology, I wouldn't have ____________ (insert something you did that you now regret)." That's like saying, if I didn't have a car I wouldn't have gotten a speeding ticket, if I didn't have a mouth I wouldn't have made that mean comment. Technology is a THING, it's not human. You own technology, it doesn't own you. Now that we have all these great gadgets and devices, it is so easy to let it overcome our lives. I get it! Teaching technology courses and striving to inspire others to use technology effectively opens your eyes, <i>wide</i>.<br>
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Here are five helpful tips I have found through my teaching experiences and research:<br>
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1. <b>Turn it OFF</b>: Honestly for health and happiness reasons, it should enhance your life. There are certainly health concerns and connections to depression when it comes to using technology. Regarding solutions on how to scale back the use of technology from kids to adults: check out these three great websites with essential, intelligent info.<br>
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<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.lookout.com/resources/reports/smartphone-family-guide">Tweens & Teens: Cell Phone Use and Solutions</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.natcom.org/CommCurrentsArticle.aspx?id=3156">Mobile Devices and Relationships</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.commonsensemedia.org/">Common Sense Media</a></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAC_ios4lf3Hh-eZqjKCiznIxDcWdlV0JlW29U4GPpNnDC8U-uAZWRpXA6xbtYukS53YEsskoB9ZmA_G_F9S_0Jnm94BRiW7j5OtWwUKkf_MGT7PTar6OOpFdJlve0rHPMb85HM01MDI/s1600/digital-dinner-date.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAC_ios4lf3Hh-eZqjKCiznIxDcWdlV0JlW29U4GPpNnDC8U-uAZWRpXA6xbtYukS53YEsskoB9ZmA_G_F9S_0Jnm94BRiW7j5OtWwUKkf_MGT7PTar6OOpFdJlve0rHPMb85HM01MDI/s320/digital-dinner-date.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No more digital dinners.</td></tr>
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2. <b>Don't hurry me</b>: Really the only question you should ask yourself: "Does it save me time or waste my time?" Sure, there is always a learning curve, but in the end it should make you more efficient, not looking for a new job, a new friend, a new family...a new life. I also know that people expect an immediate response. I learned a great strategy at a workshop awhile back that if you are just upfront with people about the fact that you cannot always illicit a quick response, they will get it. Instead of constantly apologizing, "I'm sorry it took so long to get back with you." Try letting them know it will take you a day or two to respond (if that's feasible). Unless you are an emergency vehicle or coffee maker, you don't have to be instant. What will your <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylsnappconner/2013/08/16/why-every-organization-needs-a-standard-response-time-policy/">response time</a> be?<br>
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3. <b>Have fun with it</b>: Truth is, technology is amazing! It's only getting "smarter". Smart audio, smart video, smart wearables, smart connections...the list goes on. We have seen things already in our short life span that others have only dreamed about. Enjoy it, find ways to use it to keep that positive platform progressing. It is also imperative we know how to use technology. Our world depends on it. We need to be skilled on how to effectively use it and communicate with it.<br>
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4. <b>Find the balance</b>: We all have this balance scale deep inside us, our soul. If we listen closely, we know what's really important and we will seek ways to make time for that.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5aM0vSrKu2wjA1tbS1e1JouYDzDcRmu_PbEntxOdd_NLtkDbNqLh_qCRwAn87NRRbMjttFnkxIV_pUhfoC-D6rN8USgQw_yk75iBDBIZ9XJIbZ7svF05-KRON5fNqSM8d5CiMyoS-4w/s1600/meaning+of+life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5aM0vSrKu2wjA1tbS1e1JouYDzDcRmu_PbEntxOdd_NLtkDbNqLh_qCRwAn87NRRbMjttFnkxIV_pUhfoC-D6rN8USgQw_yk75iBDBIZ9XJIbZ7svF05-KRON5fNqSM8d5CiMyoS-4w/s1600/meaning+of+life.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find what really is meaningful to you. You can't Google that.</td></tr>
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5. <b>Watch out for broken glass</b>: Would you ever just walk on broken glass? No, you know it's going to damage your feet, or make the mess worse. Just as simple as you know that there are situations you need to avoid when using technology. Help someone else avoid that digital broken glass. It could be a tip, a helpful link, a website, an app, a piece of advice that has helped you with technology use. Our lives are cycles of learning and growing. We make mistakes, we learn from them. If we don't, hopefully we have someone who calls us out on them. If not, you have to help yourself. We need technology to live, sometimes as much as we need food to live, a job to live. BUT, we don't let food run our lives, we try not to let our jobs run our lives and we certainly shouldn't let technology run our lives.<br>
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Someday, probably in our lifetime, <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/02/13/386000092/internet-pioneer-warns-our-era-could-become-the-digital-dark-ages">there will be a digital blackout</a>. It shouldn't worry you, it should give you peace, hope or at least excitement. A day (or week) without technology perhaps would give us more time to to look up and out at all the amazing people and things right in front of us.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4op6-G_fIfhEYBcGr-rZKDovi_WIgd9y0UZ-19fB1xPbcMFZlE_vXXCsR0u2hrfhxLNfWrNYNT7KMBz0EC-oombnyUmK3ZctLCz-ROriwzWoicF09z_uJJbdkLYKHPrXNmzoep-OV5g/s1600/too+much+technology.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4op6-G_fIfhEYBcGr-rZKDovi_WIgd9y0UZ-19fB1xPbcMFZlE_vXXCsR0u2hrfhxLNfWrNYNT7KMBz0EC-oombnyUmK3ZctLCz-ROriwzWoicF09z_uJJbdkLYKHPrXNmzoep-OV5g/s200/too+much+technology.jpg" width="168"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe you don't love wine or smooching but everyone loves dancing in the moonlight.</td></tr>
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Enjoy Toploader's rendition of King Harvest's "Dancing in the Moonlight". It's a supernatural delight.<br>
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Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com0Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-17176225109400700462015-07-01T02:53:00.001-07:002015-07-01T03:04:13.620-07:00Why Today Will NOT Be "Burn the American Flag" For Me<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDhJWdaiYYnSMD7DotHw_cySZiGwSeSiQ2I8lfWGBaFAW5OZ5mQBDVsq2_2DSUGKnwPqrgJkXtjUZvEh1YWwkc75wMhyphenhyphen8ysBcuaHj4lGvg8y3e7HEO3ICwon8JHEZNYcM5HEHl8t4U6M/s1600/flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDhJWdaiYYnSMD7DotHw_cySZiGwSeSiQ2I8lfWGBaFAW5OZ5mQBDVsq2_2DSUGKnwPqrgJkXtjUZvEh1YWwkc75wMhyphenhyphen8ysBcuaHj4lGvg8y3e7HEO3ICwon8JHEZNYcM5HEHl8t4U6M/s320/flag.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My flag flying outside my house symbolizing my gratitude to be an American citizen. <br>
Despite all of the hatred and hardships, we are given much freedom and many choices.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>Lots of talk about different types of flags in America lately. People taking them down, putting them up, burning them, stomping on them, selling them, buying them, or just ignoring them. There's no doubt about the injustice many Americans face on a daily basis. As we work through these important issues, I feel we need to be reminded that we still live in a great country which gives us many freedoms. Our American flag is a symbol of these freedoms.<br>
<br>
In case you haven't heard...today is "Burn the American Flag"...in America .<br>
<br>
Declared by a group of activists (American citizens at that) who apparently think by burning the American flag they can disarm the NYPD. I'm not going to talk about their reasoning or try to rationalize their motives. If you really care to give them more attention, Google it. I learned a long time ago that changing people's minds is impossible. People change their own minds, usually by calmly listening to or reading about a different perspective explained through simple reasoning.<div><br><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Here is a short, simple, yet powerful list of reasons for not burning the American flag today (or ever) which are connected to the freedoms we all have, no matter what race, gender or socio-economic class you are labeled:</span><div>
<br>
The freedom to love.<br>
<br>
The freedom to have children or not.<br>
<br>
The freedom to raise our children the way we feel is the best way to raise them.<br>
<br>
The freedom to love our children and others as much as we wish.<br>
<br>
The freedom to choose who we want to be friends with and who we do not.<br>
<br>
The freedom to sit on a friends' back patio and talk about something that we are sad about, or better yet, laugh all night long.<br>
<br>
The freedom to keep our bodies healthy and our minds open.<br>
<br>
The freedom to rock out to our favorite tunes.<br>
<br>
The freedom to earn a free education.<br>
<br>
The freedom to have a job.<br>
<br>
The freedom buy something, to own something.<br>
<br>
The freedom to dance.<br>
<br>
The freedom to be wild, weird, quiet, loud, calm, crazy, unique, funny, classy, sassy, strong, weak, proud, humble...whoever you are.<br>
<br>
The freedom to play.<br>
<br>
The freedom to make mistakes.<br>
<br>
The freedom to get outta town.<br>
<br>
The freedom to practice any religion we choose.<br>
<br>
The freedom to kick back and have a few beers.<br>
<br>
The freedom to vote for any political party we decide at every election.<br>
<br>
The freedom to dress anyway we desire.<br>
<br>
The freedom to call our loved ones and catch up.<br>
<br>
The freedom to celebrate.<br>
<br>
The freedom to marry anyone, anywhere.<br>
<br>
The freedom to help a stranger or a stranger help you.<br>
<br>
The freedom to change our minds about what we think.<br>
<br>
<br>
These all come with sacrifice, made by each and every one of us. They also come with great service to our nation: made by my grandpa, my dad, my uncle, my friends and people who don't even have a clue who I am, but care enough to protect me. </div><div><br></div><div>America is not perfect. We live here by choice, understanding that while we have the freedom to confront oppression, we are responsible for honoring our country. Burning a symbol <i>of</i> our freedom extinguishes the respect <i>for</i> our freedom.<br>
<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>So if a group of activists want to declare today </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"Burn The American Flag" day... </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>then I declare it </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"Don't Burn the American Flag" day!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Happy July 4th--Fly your flag high and proud!</b><br>
<b><br></b>
<b><br></b>
<b><br></b><b> "</b>You might have to walk the fine line, you might take the
hard line…and somewhere on the way, you might find out who you are. I live in America, help me out."<br>
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</div></div>Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com1Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-35931879021904197852015-06-12T10:35:00.001-07:002015-06-12T14:24:20.068-07:00Kick That Cookie Cutter Kit To the Curb!<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2jQdyfETXFyf-uFdZ-tDSKLzvbbIORm_iJ2lTYic5bLJ4w3mL26h2NDdoGHQsGm9exXRms_72HzvnWTdcLTICWDRNUvnRT0KeJ6FOPYS4aM_k0YSyxH1RYVFxOX4P7cRDU1wpW1K9yU/s1600/tumblr_n5m96rBOg41tc0fz5o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2jQdyfETXFyf-uFdZ-tDSKLzvbbIORm_iJ2lTYic5bLJ4w3mL26h2NDdoGHQsGm9exXRms_72HzvnWTdcLTICWDRNUvnRT0KeJ6FOPYS4aM_k0YSyxH1RYVFxOX4P7cRDU1wpW1K9yU/s320/tumblr_n5m96rBOg41tc0fz5o1_500.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Think outside the box, or just throw the box away!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
Sometimes it's difficult as a parent or teacher to come up with ways for kids to be creative. Even Pinterest can either be overwhelming or annoying. So, we default to buying kits for our kids to open <i>up the box</i>, follow the directions <i>on the box</i> (or in the box) and build something from the materials <i>in the box</i>...anything to keep them learning and having fun.<br>
<br>
But is this really the way to go? Is this helping them be creative and thinking <i>outside</i> the box?<br>
<br>
These days kids have endless energy and seemed to be endlessly consumed with technology and/or sports. How can we channel that energy into something meaningful that can give their mind a break from their normal schedules? Excite them to try something new, or to look at something a different way?<br>
<br>
The writing is on the wall when we think of what the future holds for our kids, the digital natives. Going green, inspiring the entrepreneur, balancing the use of technology, fixing or improving the way things are manufactured; ultimately, finding ways for them to think outside the box to improve our world. Obviously, this doesn't happen over night. Honestly, at the end of the day, we want our kids to be happy, to be confident, to be good citizens, right?<br>
<br>
Well, this summer, my intern, Thomas Holmes (a junior high student at Pembroke Hill School) and I have been researching solar robotic kits. We started with this because they are important to our future, they are very trendy right now with schools and clubs, and the buzz around town is that they don't work!<br>
<br>
Three kits we reviewed:<br>
<br>
1. <a href="http://www.elenco.com/product/productdetails/solar=MzA=/edu38006=MTM2">Eco Science</a>- opened this box and found that we were missing the solar panel. Kinda hard to make a solar panel robot with out, um, the solar panel!<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYcCHMoQh9LEEipOv6W1FKe5DpJGWvXUxRE1CjhZQAaPrwXuK9L-D6DUPCsKdc_AZsoORYJSkmNTgLnrWPkHyxFDOALfEEw9TYeg29SRHkYD-ZGHdphC5s0CIxD5WVxX0sAv6Dn37ai4/s1600/need+solar+panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYcCHMoQh9LEEipOv6W1FKe5DpJGWvXUxRE1CjhZQAaPrwXuK9L-D6DUPCsKdc_AZsoORYJSkmNTgLnrWPkHyxFDOALfEEw9TYeg29SRHkYD-ZGHdphC5s0CIxD5WVxX0sAv6Dn37ai4/s200/need+solar+panel.jpg" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Including the solar panel in the solar panel kit would have been helpful!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
2. <a href="http://www.owirobot.com/products/6-in-1-Educational-Solar-Kit.html">OWI/Solar Kit</a>- this kit was bought with the intention of exciting kids to be creative in that they could build "6 in 1" different solar robotics. Well, thanks to the plastic "break off" pieces, we couldn't use the wheels for any of the projects, AT ALL. When you break off the pieces, you are left with jagged edges. Wheels don't roll that well with jagged, edges, in case you couldn't figure that out.<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzsG8XnaIXZbjN6Wyct4nUIZtUsUiAjm-L5ekgMAfc2ftby8rN0lpW-ZK5MtFR-Y9zMj1w9QC0tJK29PrFHdFt6ncszwSUIxUEFXg5N7bc88gYGFbR1QOA6dVMyxu1pM4_q61fMQ6ucY/s1600/boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzsG8XnaIXZbjN6Wyct4nUIZtUsUiAjm-L5ekgMAfc2ftby8rN0lpW-ZK5MtFR-Y9zMj1w9QC0tJK29PrFHdFt6ncszwSUIxUEFXg5N7bc88gYGFbR1QOA6dVMyxu1pM4_q61fMQ6ucY/s200/boat.jpg" width="150"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had to tape together the wires to make them work <br>
and doesn't look anything like the picture on the box.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPukKYay-YPiQBMkUKlGU19DmUKuaktFJnYcXTNJlnFkbIPV4pnpxrz7Sx2iqb2hfV4JupojsqHc0LTEvAM1az58UQINFlQgiLtCqMPy8JQmQGxMQhXeHdipv_pcMUJW8wW3yUzhppJ4/s1600/jagged+edges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPukKYay-YPiQBMkUKlGU19DmUKuaktFJnYcXTNJlnFkbIPV4pnpxrz7Sx2iqb2hfV4JupojsqHc0LTEvAM1az58UQINFlQgiLtCqMPy8JQmQGxMQhXeHdipv_pcMUJW8wW3yUzhppJ4/s200/jagged+edges.jpg" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In case you didn't know, <br>
jagged wheels don't roll.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
3. <a href="http://www.teachersource.com/product/green-science-kits/energy">Green Science</a>- a little better... actually not. We got further along with building the robot, because we had all the parts and the parts were individual (no breaking apart plastic pieces), but, there are still issues with each of the two kits.<br>
<br>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65OgxRtAV3ShHijNOkX5u60qYrETE-x6PELT4lzOqHTNUoGV88N3-pwNc0W0FdQaSRLnifuq4ADfY1ERcX2ORi7tnoc7h24WFUFxdTbKLN1m2TMqhqOo6DGP3oRSpNJzsh9nIaONnV8k/s1600/rover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65OgxRtAV3ShHijNOkX5u60qYrETE-x6PELT4lzOqHTNUoGV88N3-pwNc0W0FdQaSRLnifuq4ADfY1ERcX2ORi7tnoc7h24WFUFxdTbKLN1m2TMqhqOo6DGP3oRSpNJzsh9nIaONnV8k/s200/rover.jpg" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what it is suppose to look like.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxk58LFIRD8NbLeX7GRs__QXSCezb58uXYQsJX3kcItFE2TuEuzW72XJeN3Fs_1CE-YKTLbJwCJyjnOmQcnivEOt3yGOm8b6xjuSwTKIPNMJ5kxBeOB3yOUQueNmby8G39qKl-wDLURA/s1600/rover2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxk58LFIRD8NbLeX7GRs__QXSCezb58uXYQsJX3kcItFE2TuEuzW72XJeN3Fs_1CE-YKTLbJwCJyjnOmQcnivEOt3yGOm8b6xjuSwTKIPNMJ5kxBeOB3yOUQueNmby8G39qKl-wDLURA/s200/rover2.jpg" width="190"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what it really looked like and needed <br>
extra materials not listed on the box.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
Here is Thomas' critique of both:<br>
<ul>
<li>Rover <span id="docs-internal-guid-c6b82d94-e899-74e1-0137-9689fb2533d1"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Motor works well in lamplight and sunlight instantly but wheels do not have enough traction to run on anything but the desk. The rover shuts down as soon as it exits the lamplight. Does not have a very high speed and is unstable. The can serves no purpose but seems to slow it down because of weight and aerodynamics. There is an optional body shell but it is only a waste of time. Children would enjoy building this but would be disappointed in the results and need at least one older person helping. Over all I would keep looking for a better product. </i></span><i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> However if the wheels could be given some traction it would more than likely work outside and go on until it wasn't under direct light. I tried rubber bands over the wheels a possible solution to adding traction, but do not work. Perhaps glue could be applied around the wheels? One plus about this kit is that there is an engine cover which the robot does not have. This will help to keep any dirt, water, etc out of the engine to maintain it's </i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 11.5657138824463px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>functionality.</i></span></span></div>
</span></li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_X-e6h2DKn0Lb95k3D5lj5moojeX3gAjHfb0GeO4jgM74lKgY2GGf8Bv206trRwrxLzi1lHiIFXNQbLsjCOR6YYWW58Gd1yLGcP4zGBdWk_79yNE6iw3-k-QYzR80G_9FJ4eh-8yU7w/s1600/robot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_X-e6h2DKn0Lb95k3D5lj5moojeX3gAjHfb0GeO4jgM74lKgY2GGf8Bv206trRwrxLzi1lHiIFXNQbLsjCOR6YYWW58Gd1yLGcP4zGBdWk_79yNE6iw3-k-QYzR80G_9FJ4eh-8yU7w/s200/robot.jpg" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, not even close to what it really looks like.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zLT0f0zoreom1TAxFszQ8blhfniPfbtOyHQnDoPlrfdID9zBlhdm2VhWlzYJUYoYoDXvsfMLix5U0woy9lMs-FeYWM-YqpaVWOZLeBJzatuzAqpfgiGcmY_ghnYIPmtupG4P6xf2yzo/s1600/robot2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zLT0f0zoreom1TAxFszQ8blhfniPfbtOyHQnDoPlrfdID9zBlhdm2VhWlzYJUYoYoDXvsfMLix5U0woy9lMs-FeYWM-YqpaVWOZLeBJzatuzAqpfgiGcmY_ghnYIPmtupG4P6xf2yzo/s200/robot2.jpg" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not exactly a dinosaur robot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<ul>
<li>Robot: <span id="docs-internal-guid-c6b82d94-e8b3-d158-1754-0854c2928319"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Highly difficult to build even for an older child. It does not work very well and the engine is not protected from dust and other such things. More durable than the rover but overall not better. Very slow and arms are dead weight on the almost over encumbered </i></span></span></li>
</ul>
<br>
<br>
These kits are just examples of a bigger issue: QUALITY. There seems to be a lack in the quality of materials, the quality of marketing, the quality of instructions and the overall quality of inspiring creativity.<br>
<br>
If you do buy kits for your kids, keep these three things in mind:<br>
<ol>
<li><b>Research the kit before you buy it or at least read all the fine print on the box</b>. Many times there will be (in the smallest font possible) a list of materials you need to purchase in addition to the kit to get the project going. False advertising and misleading pictures are popular with kits that don't work</li>
<li><b>Prep your kid for what may happen with the kit</b>. It may not work. If it does work as planned ask them how they could improve it.</li>
<li><b>Have them put the project together in a different way</b>. Inspire them to think outside the box and add more materials to the kit or avoid the useless materials included. </li>
</ol>
<br>
At the STEAM Studio this summer and fall Thomas and his team of kids will build our own Solar Energy Robotic products to test and then sell. They won't be kits but bundled activities in which kids will have the basic pieces they need (motor with wire, solar panel, screws, pieces to build the frame) then ideas for them to build out their own robot, rover, or something new from there. We have partnered with <a href="http://brightergy.com/">Brightergy</a>, they are providing us with the 3D printer (to create the needed parts) and solar panels.<br>
<br>
It's always been our vision for kids who come to our <a href="http://www.gouldevans.com/outreach/steam-studio">STEAM Studio</a> to: research, design, create, build, and manufacture QUALITY ideas which then become a reality. This is just one project which is moving us in that direction. <br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Think of ways to avoid raising cookie cutter kids,</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>instead encourage them to be their own individual selves!</b></div>
<br>
<br>
Sing it girl! You don't have to always follow the written instructions...think about the unwritten.<br>
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<br>Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com3Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-84668390509781906182015-05-27T07:23:00.000-07:002015-05-28T05:52:47.722-07:00Running Out Of Gas? Tesla Takes Charge<div><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are you along for the ride?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just love road trips. Get some good tunes on, roll down the windows and enjoy the ride. Probably has more to do with my fear of flying than anything else, but I'm one of many that spend quite a bit of time in my car. Ever think about how much time you spend driving around?According to <a href="http://www.ssa.gov/planners/lifeexpectancy.html">Social Security</a>, the average life expectancy overall is about 85 years old, do you know how much of your life you spend in your car?</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://distractify.com/jake-heppner/astounding-facts-about-how-we-actually-spend-our-time/">4.3 years</a>. If you do the math on distance and time, you could literally drive to the moon and back THREE times during that span.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">When we think about how much time we all spend in our cars, we can't avoid the conversation of what it is doing to our environment. </span><a href="http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/effects-of-oil-spills.php">Oil spills</a>, gasoline prices, <a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/controversy-over-shells-oil-exploration-in-arctic-continues/">off shore drilling</a>, painful politics, <a href="http://www.yourformula.eu/internalposts/exhaust-gases-what-impact-on-health/">air pollution from exhaust fumes</a>, overall destruction to our Mother Nature...just a few of the consequences related to driving an automobile. Sure, we share rides, carpool, utilize public transportation, walk or ride more bi<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">kes when we can, but the bottom line is: most people rely on their <i>cars</i> to get them where they need to go.</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">How is the car being creatively crafted to combat these consequences?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Two years ago I was invited to mentor one of the <a href="http://www.rockhurst.edu/">Rockhurst University</a> <a href="http://www.yourformula.eu/internalposts/exhaust-gases-what-impact-on-health/">Helzeburg School of Management </a>capstone projects. The topic was conquering the digital divide and looking at the future classroom space. This semester long project with over a dozen undergraduate students had a profound impact on the development and opening of the<a href="http://www.gouldevans.com/outreach/steam-studio"> STEAM Studio</a>. One of lead students on the project, Hunter Johnston, and I have kept in touch discussing that capstone project and the importance of it. </span>Now that Hunter is back in KC opening up the <a href="http://www.teslamotors.com/findus#/bounds/39.356662,-94.38552199999998,38.827176,-94.765917?search=store,service,supercharger,destination%20charger&place=kansascitymanchester">Tesla store</a>, he reached out to me about forming a partnership.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I asked "why Tesla Motors? His reply, "we build from the ground up."</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This instantly caught my attention. How often are we concerned that our youth are not building or improving products? </span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Hunter went onto further explain, "kids should have the opportunity to explore what really excites them, that is something I had to do on my own. The STEAM Studio provides this opportunity and I want to support that endeavor. From a STEAM aspect, there is a part of our company that has every single element of that acronym. There are tons of innovative science, technology, engineering, art and math going into what we do at Tesla." </span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Specific activities which will be implemented at the STEAM Studio would include (but not be limited to) a challenging car project through 3D printing and designing of future models.Improving the <a href="http://my.teslamotors.com/models/design">design studio</a> options available through Tesla while thinking outside the box.There is a quite a bit which goes into interior design of the car, picking out which fabrics and colors go together from the dashboard to the trunk. I've always wished there was an easy accessible places to put my purse, aside from the floor or passenger eat. Guess what? Tesla's got it! With more women in the software area of motor designing, Tesla's done an incredible job of hiring and engaging women in different areas of the company. In fact, Hunter's, counterpart who taught him everything he knows thus far about the the business, is a woman.</span></span><br>
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Hunter contributes his involvement with Tesla to his Jesuit Education. He explains that his Rockhurst University courses taught him over and over to take a problem, observe it from a different angle and uncover a different way to improve it. He said that there is "no book" for what they are doing and through Rockhurst University, he learned to take risks, become a leader, and because of his diverse courses, he learned to approach challenges head on. He says he "preaches service leadership" throughout his interactions with everyone he meets and works with at Tesla. <a href="http://www.leadershipnow.com/service.html">Service leadership</a> meaning, looking for ways to be innovative, to serve others by finding ways this car cannot only help the environment but those actually driving the car. Choosing to serve the community, the regions, the nation over self-interest. Tesla cars are built to last, not built to break down. The engineers and designers must never sleep because many, in the media, are coining this car as "tomorrow's car, today." This doesn't just happen overnight, it takes drive and constant evolution from what our world thinks of the automobile industry.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that's not all folks...</span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not only is <a href="http://www.teslamotors.com/about">Tesla CEO Elon Musk </a>finding ways to free our world of gasoline guzzling cars through the electric eccentric driving machines, he's sharing how he's doing it. Get on the bandwagon!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some basic highlights for owning a Tesla, coming straight at you:</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. <b>The right-of-way</b>: There are no cars on the car lot, no wasted materials, no one trying to talk you into a deal. What you see is what you get. Since each clean energy car is made from your direct order, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20width=%22420%22%20height=%22315%22%20src=%22https://www.youtube.com/embed/5UWRypqz5-o%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E">you get it your way</a>. You get to pick out which model, and every aspect that matters to you; paint, roof, mirrors, interior, exterior, extra gear, and other options that catch your eye. How is this different from other dealerships where you order cars? This one (as Hunter said prior) is built from the ground up, just like when someone makes you something from scratch. It's made especially with you mind, only you.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. <b>On the road again</b>: When was the last time you drove a car that you really enjoyed? Not only will you be supporting the zero emissions movement and lower air pollution, you can find free charging stations and Tesla is known for it's low depreciation, federal tax credits, and <a href="http://www.teslamotors.com/customer-stories/zero-emissions-zero-cost">little maintenance needed on all its models</a>. Plus, the 17 inch touch screen allows for easy access and is safe as you can give voice commands for what you are looking for as you drive. Think of a big iPad that can find just about anything you need in and out of the car. Plus, you get updates to keep your car current, AND it comes with amazing <a href="http://www.teslamotors.com/models">autopilot features</a>! Who wouldn't want to take this for a spin?</span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tesla motors takes the fear out of being a driver and passenger and returns us to the joy of the ride.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. <b>Life without a dipstick</b>: No need to change the oil or pump up, so less stress on you, as the Tesla owner. <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/16/aaa-car-ownership-costs/2070397/">USA Today reports that it costs about $10,000 a year to own a car</a>. Yep. Why? Increased gas prices and maintenance are the main reasons. Not your problems when you own a Telsa. It all seems perfect, right? Well, there is the issue of keeping your electric car, well, energized. Aside from your own charging station and battery, you need to charge your ride after about 300 miles. But no reason to apply the brakes, Telsa just announced that they have over <a href="http://www.teslamotors.com/blog">2,000 supercharger stations across the country</a> and are constantly adding more.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. <b>Yield sign ahead</b>: As with any new product, machine, or invention, there is some controversy. Tesla has been in the news and courts over the issue of selling cars which, some feel do not follow the state requirements for selling cars. Since Tesla is not franchised and sells direct to the consumer, there have been lawsuits from several states citing franchise laws. Obviously dealerships feel the best way to serve customers is through a showroom with an adjacent service and maintenance facility, rather than factory direct. You can read more about this issue driving motor companies to court <a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/11/09/164736569/car-dealers-sue-tesla-citing-state-franchise-laws">here</a>. The bottom line is, they are an American company, selling American cars with more American parts than any other vehicle out there. You decide.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. <b>You've got the green light</b>: Tesla is not some overnight company who just popped up with this incredible machine. Tesla Motors was founded in 2003 and has received a 5 star safety ranking while being the fastest car out there (0 to 60 in just over 3 seconds). Not to mention, the motor is named after <a href="http://www.biography.com/people/nikola-tesla-9504443">Nikola Tesla</a>, the first engineer who pioneered this invention 100 years ago. While the initial sticker price may be holding you back, after you have done your own research you will realize that this car practically pays for itself over the long haul.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've only scratched the surface on some of the amazing parts of this new set of wheels, find out more yourself at: <a href="http://www.teslamotors.com/">http://www.teslamotors.com/</a></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the STEAM Studio, we are looking forward to what this forward thinking, futuristic company can teach us and what our kids can learn from the revolutionary way to approach car sales and new model of auto design. But, more importantly, <b>be inspired to find exciting ways to be green and grow</b>.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">###Special thanks to Tesla Motors and <a href="http://www.kansas.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/carrie-rengers/article10482665.html">Hunter Johnston</a> for sharing your expertise and igniting projects and passion for learning and building for a better tomorrow with STEAM Studio.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Like a true nature's child...get your motor running...head out on the highway... " Go a little wild and check out Tesla.</span><br>
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Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com6Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-71576243082026994252015-05-08T10:22:00.000-07:002015-05-08T10:39:40.135-07:00Am I Wrong? A Mom's Promise To Get It Right<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The writing is on the wall.</td></tr>
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I hate working out. Ok, hate is a strong word, I do not like to workout. But, I try to everyday. Why would I want to do something almost everyday I don't like? Because I need to. Lately I have been going to <a href="http://www.healthhousekc.com/">Health House</a> and I feel as though I am going to die during the class! It never seems to get any easier. However, after, I benefit from a boost in my spirit, release of frustration and peace of mind that I am doing something healthy. I feel a little less guilty about chugging a Starbucks latte, eating some peanut M & M's and having an occasional glass of wine.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This will be the only blog about my workout. :)</td></tr>
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Another way I like to treat myself is to pop over to <a href="http://www.tloft.net/">T.Loft</a> for a protein smoothie. The other day I ran over sweaty and became a little annoyed as there was a line (and of course I was in a hurry). I had left my phone in the car, so I started looking around and noticed a gigantic scripture hanging on the wall. It's weird how you can see something over and over or pass by it several times and never really notice it. I decided to read it while I was waiting...<br>
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...and my heart skipped a beat.<br>
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Rewind back to when my youngest was born. This baby did not sleep through the night for the first year of her existence. At around 10 pm, it was party central in her crib. I had just returned to work, had a 3 & 2 year old at home and was trying hard to keep up with life. Mike and I would try to split up the night time duties, but that was taking a toll on us as well. I had experienced a miscarriage before I became pregnant with her, so I was thankful for this little bundle and that she was healthy. But, I was really struggling in my daily life and being a happy healthy mommy.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My nocturnal baby, too cool to sleep at night.</td></tr>
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Not really a self-help gal, but one night when Janie and I were hanging out watching an Oprah rerun at around 2 am, there was a segment about positive thinking. This motivational quote from <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/27700.Christian_D_Larson">Christian Larson</a> was mentioned and after I read it, I was touched. It soon became a mantra for me. I carried it around with me for almost two years and then one day it got misplaced.<br>
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Until this week. The enormous hanging on the wall at T. Loft was staring at me. Almost yelling at me in black and white bold letters... Larson's words. The ones that got me through sleepless nights and crabby days. It was if God was reminding me about a promise we can make ourselves.<br>
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Reflecting about Mother's Day and Larson's words prompts these ideas: sometimes waiting in line is a good thing. It forces me to take a few minutes and be still. Working out is very important to my body and mind. I need to be thankful that I am able to do so. Bonding late nights with my daughter taught me patience and that finding ways to restore my soul in difficult times is imperative.<br>
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So here it is (I have bolded my favorite lines):<br>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/189796-promise-yourself-to-be-so-strong-that-nothing-can-disturb">Promise Yourself </a><br>
by Christian Larson (1922)<br>
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To be so strong that nothing<br>
can disturb your peace of mind.<br>
To <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">talk health, happiness, and prosperity</span></b><br>
to every person you meet.<br>
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To <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">make all your friends feel<br>
that there is something in them</span></b><br>
To look at the sunny side of everything<br>
and make your optimism come true.<br>
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To think only the best, to work only for the best,<br>
and to expect only the best.<br>
To be just as <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">enthusiastic about the success of others</span></b><br>
as you are about your own.<br>
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To forget the mistakes of the past<br>
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.<br>
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times<br>
and <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">give every living creature you meet a smile</span></b>.<br>
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To give so much time to the improvement of yourself<br>
that you have <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">no time to criticize others</span></b>.<br>
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,<br>
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.<br>
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To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,<br>
not in loud words but great deeds.<br>
To <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">live in faith</span></b> that the whole world is on your side<br>
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This pretty much sums it up for me. I hope you find a piece of it that touches you, please feel free to share with a mom on Mother's Day. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think Mr. Larson nailed it. Moms are very busy people, but spiritual beings who should promise to take care of themselves not only physically, but mentally. </div>
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<b>Thanks so all the incredible mommies out there who strive to get it right!</b></div>
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One of my fav songs by Nico & Vinz. I think they are right on: “<span style="color: #b45f06;">Am I wrong for thinking out the box from where I stay? If
one thing I know, I'll fall but I'll grow. I'm walking down this road of mine, this road that I call home…”</span><br>
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Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com5Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-16724047142609009252015-04-28T22:40:00.000-07:002015-04-28T23:38:07.973-07:00Letting Go: A Dead End or A New Route?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnzakCdBTyYPIpI8cb6P8BA_4LIiMkLRUCoHQ68cXm7Fp-SiIk7VKA9PEKDpt_uB8At236vJj3QXWHjIwQEvGDHK1eDlTcAgnTlXbzV8SGcOY0ET3hyphenhyphenhcX4VIfFPlRoDloeB-8cps3Ig/s1600/cross-roads.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnzakCdBTyYPIpI8cb6P8BA_4LIiMkLRUCoHQ68cXm7Fp-SiIk7VKA9PEKDpt_uB8At236vJj3QXWHjIwQEvGDHK1eDlTcAgnTlXbzV8SGcOY0ET3hyphenhyphenhcX4VIfFPlRoDloeB-8cps3Ig/s1600/cross-roads.jpeg" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes you need to get there on your own, without GPS.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">End of a game, end of a book, end of the day, end of the spring, end of the semester, end of the school year, end of a good time...</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As they say, all good things must come to an end. Why is that? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday, the <a href="http://www.gouldevans.com/outreach/steam-studio">STEAM Studio</a> held an educator round table - principals, teachers, directors and other educators came to learn more about what we do at the studio and we learned more about what their students need.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One point that was made is that it's hard to let go. Letting go of the comfortable curriculum, the usual routine, old resources, and the traditional teaching we've used in our schools for the last century. Sure, new methods and practices are being implemented all over our great city. However, when you walk into a typical classroom, it looks very similar to what most of us sat through in our schooling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When thinking about the bigger picture, outside of education, what are we preparing this next generation for if we cannot expect them to move forward and try new things. How is this possible if we, their teachers, their mentors, cannot move on? </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In our world this last week, there has been an earthquake, riots, drama, and disaster. When does the day end and the healing begin? When do we stop grasping onto a situation and start walking away? When something ends, how do we move onto a new beginning?</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your brain has a lot to do with it.</span><br>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>New Pathways</u></b>: Do you take the road less traveled, or the same street to the same place everyday? For example, you might decide to pick up a new sport that you've been
meaning to for the last 5 years. As you study and practice the new sport, neurons housed in that area of your brain would send electrical
messengers to the cell's center (soma) where ultimately new <a href="http://www.whatisneuroplasticity.com/pathways.php">neural pathways</a>
begin to be formed to acquire and store the understandings of the sport. <b>The more we repeat
something and use that portion of the brain in a focused way, the more new neural
pathways might develop in your brain</b>. These new pathways become stronger the more they are used, causing the likelihood of new <b>long-term connections and memories</b>. It is possible to teach an old dog new tricks!</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Your Mindset</b></u>: Again, it really comes down to a science. One of my favorite researchers and authors, <a href="https://web.stanford.edu/dept/psychology/cgi-bin/drupalm/cdweck">Dr. Carol S. Dweck</a>, penned the book, "Mindset, The New Psychology of Success." I love this <a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/01/29/carol-dweck-mindset/">quote </a>from her book:</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"I’ve seen so many people with this one consuming goal of
proving themselves — in the classroom, in their careers, and in their
relationships. Every situation calls for a confirmation of their intelligence,
personality, or character. </i><i><b>Why waste time proving over and over how great you are, when
you could be getting better?</b> Why hide deficiencies instead of overcoming them? <b>The passion for stretching yourself and
sticking to it, even (or especially) when it’s not going well, is the hallmark
of the growth mindset.</b> Our research has shown when we teach people the
growth mindset, with its focus on development, these ideas about challenge and
effort follow."</i></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>No Regrets</u></b>: According to <a href="http://www.livescience.com/19788-regrets-healthy-aging.html">Dr. Stefanie Brassen, a researcher at University Medical Center</a> in Germany, letting go of regret helps us live a longer and healthier life. By not looking back and wondering "what might have been", we are able to look forward and make better choices as we live our lives. She noted that a common trait in older healthy adults was their positive outlook on life and being relaxed regarding their past. It's common to make mistakes in life, so the moral of the story here is to go easy on yourself and keep on!</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Changing Habits</u></b>: Obviously if you want to move forward you will have to form a new habit to replace the old. Quitting cold turkey is hard, and sometimes it's more of not letting go quickly but making that transition slowly. I recently read the Pulitzer award winning, New York Times reporter, <a href="http://charlesduhigg.com/">Charles Duhigg's book, "Power of Habit</a>". He writes about how habits are formed and how they can be changed:</span></li>
</ul>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"First, there is a cue, a trigger that tells your brain
to go into automatic mode and which habit to use. Then there is the routine,
which can be physical or mental or emotional. Finally, there is a reward,
which helps your brain figure out if this particular loop is worth remembering
for the future. To change a habit, there's a <a href="http://charlesduhigg.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/A-guide-to-changing-habits.pdf">framework</a> to follow: identify the routine, experiment with rewards, isolate the
cue, and have a plan."</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It doesn't happen overnight, it's a process. So whether you are trying a new way of teaching, picking up a new sport, or trying to see things in a new light; know that creating new habits and breaking old ones require some thought and time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's hard to let go, especially of someone, something who holds a very special</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">place in your heart and/ or mind. Hopefully realizing the science behind it can help you move on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One way to look at it, I guess, is that it is </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>not the end of the road, but the beginning of a new journey</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Coldplay sings, "Nobody said it was easy..." a great song to add to your playlist. </span></div>
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Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com1Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-6307176262255239062015-04-20T21:15:00.000-07:002015-04-20T21:28:20.197-07:00High Speed Sleuth: Quick To Judge or Just the Facts?<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You may think you are a cool digital detective, but <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080240/mediaindex"> Magnum P. I.</a> was on fire!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time of year brings new hires, retirement announcements, rounds of interviews and updated placements. Some are surprising, others are needed, many are bittersweet. When someone is being replaced in a company, school, organization or church, sparks of interest ignite with the need to find out more. Who is this person coming in? Why is another leaving? What impact will that leave on me?</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In our world of light speed access to all kinds of information, we have a wide open portal filled with endless virtual file cabinets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is Googling a person the most effective way to get the facts you need? Are they fact or fiction? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's the first thing you do when you want to know more about someone? Be honest!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Ask that person</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Ask someone who knows them?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Google it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This isn't confession, so keep your answer to yourself. However, if we were completely honest, we would say that we first Google a question we have. It makes sense. Easy, usually reliable, you get to see a pic, find out other things about them that maybe you weren't even searching for. We have created a society of digital detectives. Move over <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0988045/">Sherlock Holmes</a>, <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bf/ND1tsotoc.JPG">Nancy Drew</a>, <a href="http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140518185358/logopedia/images/b/b9/Cagney_and_lacey_cast_24173l.jpg">Cagney & Lacey</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099422/">Dick Tracy</a>, and <a href="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTY0MjE1MzA1OF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwOTk1OTk5._V1_SX640_SY720_.jpg">Kojack</a>...everyone with a Wi-Fi signal has a P.I. badge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, we Google, then we make (often times, jump) to conclusions about what we see, hear or read. It's human nature, we are curious people! Here are some points to consider when you are sleuthing:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. <b>Is there a logical fallacy? </b> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/15-everyday-facts-that-are-totally-wrong-2011-8#want-to-drop-more-science-18">We know now there are some "facts" which are not true</a>, even if at the time they seem completely logical. The Earth is not flat, Pluto is not a planet, dropping a penny from the Empire State Building is not deadly, you cannot get warts from toads, and Bruce Jenner is no longer a man (actually, that one is still under debate, I can't keep up). Everyday new information is uncovered and people are sometimes wrong. Don't believe every fact you find.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. <b>Who's your eyewitness?</b> Nothing seems to get past Google or does it? How amazing that we have this free, quick and exciting research assistant at our fingertips? A<a href="http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2012/08/02/accuracy-of-medical-information-on-the-internet/"> recent study found that about 50% of medical information searchers googled was inaccurate</a>. I don't know about you, but that doesn't make me feel comfortable when it comes to my health and other topics I'm asking Siri about. There are many different <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5845900/how-to-use-the-internet-to-investigate-your-next-date-co-worker-or-new-friend-to-ensure-theyre-not-crazy">"people search engines" out there for you to find (for free) information</a>, obviously some are going to have misleading material. Have you ever Googled yourself? I do from time to time, and I have all kinds of aliases because I have a nickname and a married name, so sometimes it will state that I am either 29, 40 or 51 (I'll take age 29). According to <a href="http://www.spokeo.com/Mandi+Sonnenberg">Spokeo</a>, there are 46 different females named "Mandi Sonnenberg" in the US today. I guess I am not so unique or original after all! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. <b>The third degree?</b> If you want to know something about about someone, how about just asking them? Are they approachable or near you to do so? There's always email, Facetime, texting or old-school talking on the phone. The best way to get to know someone is to spend time with them. Using social media doesn't count as getting to know someone. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember a few years ago during the spring season, one of our students was graduating to be a teacher and she was job searching.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The principal from one of the potential schools she was interviewing looked up her Facebook page and quickly made some negative assumptions about her. When she wasn't asked back for an interview, she asked the principal why and he explained that her Facebook page was not a representation of the type of teacher they wanted at their school. After some more conversation with our student, the principal realized he had looked up the wrong girl with the same name!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. <b>Testimonial evidence? </b> We all live in this fishbowl, swimming around, hoping to get a little privacy by hiding behind our plastic plant ornament or hiding under a rock here and there. Yet, our business is not always <i>our own</i> business. Life happens. Kids get in trouble, couples get divorced, someone's financial situation changes, pictures are posted on Bragbook (I mean Facebook) and people start talking. Documents located via the intetnet and social media can be deceiving and misrepresent anyone or anything. Here is a good read about <a href="http://www.brasstackthinking.com/4-reasons-the-social-media-industry-has-a-credibility-problem/">why social media has a credibility problem</a>. This doesn't mean that social media and internet searches can't be helpful, they can! It can be a great starting point to diving deeper into what you need to find. The point is, a picture doesn't always mean a thousand words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. <b>What's your motive?</b> When it comes to hiring and firing, out with old and in with the new, we tend to get a little nervous. Change is HARD. Really hard. When children are involved, or if your job is at jeopardy, or there is a new hire as a boss, educator, leader, or whatever change agent is coming, this naturally raises a level of concern. It's understandable to find out what you can about someone who is entering your life in some personal or professional capacity. </span><a href="http://www.cnet.com/how-to/5-tips-for-finding-anything-about-anyone-online/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some tips for finding anyone, anything online</a> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and <a href="http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/the-35-best-google-search-tips-and-tricks/">Google search tips</a>. You wanna make sure your reasons for gathering more information are solid and you have others around you who can help you go through the material to see different angles . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone has the right to their own opinions and, thanks to our technological advancements, we have the right to search for important information. Being cautiously concerned sometimes is imperative when it involves the safety of our children and families and/or the prosperity of an organization or company we are invested. But, the process doesn't begin and end there; using our brains and reflecting on the accuracy of the information takes time. How about less interrogation and more interest in the whole person. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Let's slow down, reflect on what we are searching and </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>hopefully we will find what we are really looking for.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two of my favorite detectives were Tubbs and Crockett, who can forget Miami Vice!? Here's the theme song you can play while you are searching for clues.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wwlEbU3YEy8" width="560"></iframe>
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Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com3Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-62547134295789474832015-04-15T07:58:00.000-07:002015-04-15T07:58:56.017-07:00Apple's New Wearable: Watch Out!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtlIZL_mmm_71Z11oaZ1mA1Ls6pYwEITGRE9MSVmO8l50cgpRm6govXB5-F-AKbJwYnfr-5E3S1zB1-m3OOd9MYvDlAt6iv7tz1t6PiOka5LzZxRDHFN_Mag1DUkTrUBfsEe2b1B8HWg/s1600/apple-watch-6_1+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtlIZL_mmm_71Z11oaZ1mA1Ls6pYwEITGRE9MSVmO8l50cgpRm6govXB5-F-AKbJwYnfr-5E3S1zB1-m3OOd9MYvDlAt6iv7tz1t6PiOka5LzZxRDHFN_Mag1DUkTrUBfsEe2b1B8HWg/s1600/apple-watch-6_1+(1).jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What do you really want at your fingertips?</td></tr>
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I remember when I was in junior high and I got my first <a href="http://www.thedoseofreality.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SwatchesBaby.jpg">Swatch watch</a>, equipped with a guard, and <a href="https://auctionata.com/s/58/swatch-watch-collection">inter-changeable bands </a>to mix and match any outfit. I thought I was so big time. However, I'll never forget my dad saying, "It's rude to keep looking at your watch when you're with others."<br />
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Um, whaaat? Obviously, he had not seen THIS watch. This watch was trendy, the latest and greatest. Even though I couldn't really see the actual time through the overlapping rubber guards, I enjoyed looking at it on my wrist and was beyond excited to wear it at all times. It wasn't even digital!<br />
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Now we have the <a href="http://www.apple.com/watch/">Apple Watch</a>.<br />
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Any<i>time</i>, literally, any... <i>time</i> you want to be up and up on what is happening, there it is.<br />
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Here is what I can share through recent research and little bit of common sense on why you may want to pass on this arm candy, well, ok, wrist candy...<br />
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<ul>
<li><b>Price</b>: Let's just get down to the question everyone wants to know, how much is this gonna cost me? The prices range from $349 to over $15,000 (that's right not $1,500, but $15K!) Is style that important to you?</li>
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<li><b>Style</b>: There are three main styles to choose from, Apple Watch Sport, Apple Watch, and Apple Watch Edition. Obviously the <a href="http://store.apple.com/us/buy-watch/apple-watch-sport">Apple Watch Sport</a> is least expensive. Available in 10 different models with a variety of band colors (white, blue, green, pink and black). The <a href="http://store.apple.com/us/buy-watch/apple-watch">Apple Watch</a> is middle of the road; available in 20 different models including a stainless steel face with options of a sports band, leather or buckle loop, link bracelet or milanese link option in a variety of colors. Lastly, the <a href="https://www.apple.com/watch/apple-watch-edition/">Apple Watch Edition</a>, the more Rolex version including 8 models with 18 karat gold also including different choices for band colors which stylishly gives you limitless access. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Access</b>: The options are timeless here. You have 24/7 access to apps. It works very much like your Apple phone. All you have to do is move your wrist and it comes alive. It gives you a small tap when you receive a notification. Directly on the watch face, you can swipe "up" to view small glances of content you view the most, then swipe "down" to see missed notifications. No need to wind this watch, but you do still have what they call a <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-watch-takes-the-digital-crown/">digital crown</a> which looks like that nob you use to wind. You can roll the digital crown to see more information you are swiping, zoom in, call on Siri, and view more apps. <a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/133176-what-is-force-touch-apple-s-haptic-feedback-technology-explained">Force touch</a> is another innovative resource on this phone. It avoids more buttons on the display and allows you to delete messages, end sessions, and navigate to other apps. Will you be one of the masses wearing it?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Stats</b>: In 2011, it was reported that <a href="https://today.yougov.com/news/2011/05/05/brother-do-you-have-time/">60% of 18-34 year olds were using their phones as a watch</a>. Now it's estimated at <a href="http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2014/tech-styles-are-consumers-really-interested-in-wearing-tech-on-their-sleeves.html">nearly half of men and women are likely to show off a digital wearable</a> which doubles as a timepiece. With <a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/">90% of adults owning a smartphone</a>, it makes perfect sense for a wearable clock to be next best thing. But is it healthy?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Health</b>: There is a new feature accompanying Apple Watch, called <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150413005325/en/HealthTap-Reveals-DocNow-App-Apple-Watch-Healthcare#.VSykKvnF-rO">Health Tap</a>. Let's say you are hungry and want a quick ride, not only will your Apple watch (aka, Siri) help you find a special local place like <a href="http://governorstumpys.com/menu/#capital">Governor Stumpy's</a> which serves a variety of delicious options, but it can give you nutrition data about what you are consuming. Health Tap, will also provide you with helpful knowledge from over 68,000 licensed doctors. Other features and apps include the ability to set pill reminders, monitor your heart rate, and track your total body movement as you investigate other aspects of your life.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Life</b>: I think back to my dad, who always has this way of saying something that seems so straightforward and simplistic, yet ends up having a bigger meaning. Over the years, we all have been in meetings, where someone was checking their watch, then it migrated to checking their laptop, then their phone and now it's back the watch. When, in all honesty, it would be nice for them to just <i>check out the person they are with</i>! If you are a person who has self control and you know that you won't be constantly looking at your watch, then do it. Go get that digital wearable!</li>
</ul>
But, unlike our mobile phones, we can't put THIS watch away. It's on us, tethered to our body, so unless you take it off....you are connected to everything, except maybe the one you are with.<br />
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And, it doesn't have those unforgettable guards like the Swatch watch. Maybe that's what Apple needs to add, guards to keep people from wasting time constantly looking DOWN, and instead... keep them looking UP.</div>
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It's yours 4.24.15 (you can pre-order, too). Set your alarm...or not. Are you part of the cure...or the disease?</div>
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Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com3Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-80677081071743115752015-04-07T21:30:00.000-07:002015-04-08T05:11:25.734-07:00Our Society's Obsession with STEM/STEAM: Crazy or Critical?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPs7jfygzdkq2K4gNbcj_e0gDr1rSafmpciP4UASNN-C02xOfxf2MYcrt-qRYNBtJ1u-5HGM5F-FxdWsWTXUNa4OGR-TrTTjBERyjUvlZTn0Vs7ivcjbfnqdsKcFXu5nNZlIvb4_UfrGg/s1600/crazy+scientist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPs7jfygzdkq2K4gNbcj_e0gDr1rSafmpciP4UASNN-C02xOfxf2MYcrt-qRYNBtJ1u-5HGM5F-FxdWsWTXUNa4OGR-TrTTjBERyjUvlZTn0Vs7ivcjbfnqdsKcFXu5nNZlIvb4_UfrGg/s1600/crazy+scientist.jpg" height="221" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You ask someone to draw a picture of what a scientist looks like and you will most likely get something like this.</td></tr>
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A few weeks ago <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/">The Washington Post</a> published an article regarding the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-stem-wont-make-us-successful/2015/03/26/5f4604f2-d2a5-11e4-ab77-9646eea6a4c7_story.html">STEM obsession in America as being dangerous</a>. Every time we turn a corner, we see the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) /STEAM (insert Arts) bandwagon making it's way down the educational highway. But, on the shoulder of the road, are those who may not be motivated by those acronyms. The article reminds us that we need Psychology, Communication, Art History, English, and Music majors (just to name a few). We need also need those who may forgo college, Manufacturers, Entrepreneurs, Builders, Farmers, Ranchers and others.<br>
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What we need more than anything? <i>Kids who know how to</i> <i>think for themselves</i> and problem solve.<br>
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There are several important areas I have learned when creating, developing and sustaining STEM/STEAM initiatives to support thinkers; not just consumers or doers, not just scientists, techies or artists, but makers of meaning.<br>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(listed alphabetically, not by priority)</span><br>
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1. <b>Double Entry Reflections</b>: It's not enough to just experience a new activity, we need to reflect on what is going on. <a href="http://www1.lpssonline.com/uploads/DoubleEntryReadingLog.pdf">Double entry journals</a> do just that. By simply folding a piece of paper in half you now have created a front and back way to express learning. The left side can be used to write down facts (from the research or reading), what they are learning as they go through the activity, the right side is meant for reflection. For example, on the left side, the student can answer the question, " What did you find challenging?", then on the right side, "Explain why you found it challenging or different." No need for multiple choice tests or scary assessments, have them keep this working document to share their understanding and thirst for more.<br>
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2. <b>Expertise and Involvement</b>: There is not one person out there that could possibly know everything about science, or technology, or math, or art or engineering, especially how to integrate these pieces together. Network, email, and text people who are educated and experienced in different content areas. Invite them in to volunteer their time to share and teach what they know (even if it is just an hour). No presentations...participation! Students are exposed to presentations and power points way too often. At the <a href="http://www.gouldevans.com/outreach/steam-studio">STEAM Studio</a>, we have called on high school students (<a href="http://parseprofessor.blogspot.com/2015/03/krishon-man-with-plan.html">like our own Krishon</a>), college pre-service teachers, and other talented volunteers (<a href="http://parseprofessor.blogspot.com/2015/02/kindergarten-king-artist-john-bukaty.html">the amazing artist John Bukaty</a>) to share what they know in a platform that allows to work with the kids, not tell them, show them and learn from them.<br>
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3. <b>Keep Em Interested</b>: Despite grant money, initial interest and the whole STEM excitement, reports show that many students are not finishing STEM education programs. <a href="http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/many-students-starting-stem-education-arent-finishing-040715.html">One of the main reasons</a> is that they lose interest. Learning is no different than other areas of your life; relationships, hobbies, travel...you enjoy being involved with someone or something because there is something different, exciting, memorable and worth learning more about. They key to getting kids to start what they finish, in regards to STEM/STEAM programs, find what really interests <i>them</i> and build a project or activity around that.<br>
<br>4.<b> Multiple Opportunities</b>: Teachers and parents cannot do it all. There is mandated curriculum which must be taught, a social and family life which is essential to growing, and opportunities needed to inspire life long learning. After school clubs are a great way to extend enrichment activities while integrating fun and individualized attention beyond the bell. <a href="http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/after_out.cfm">Research shows there are significant benefits</a>, beyond academics, for participants in after school programs. However, many programs only offer one topic, one project or one way to be involved. STEM/STEAM programming should offer multiple ways to learn and multiple ways to participate through multiple topics.<br>
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5. <b>No Recipes</b>: I'm not saying that anything goes, but we need to get away from structured lesson planning, standardization and assessing our students to death. Design Thinking allows learners to be explorers. We want them to think for themselves, to be risk takers, to fail then try again, to succeed and evolve their project, to seek improvement in what they are doing. This is the essence of <a href="http://www.designthinkingforeducators.com/">Design Thinking</a> which is the core of what we do at the STEAM Studio.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfM4kv-weLUngDi51VP7CIh01h_Z4NnOYR1VSB7lokwH-TeIRTQhsZfV4oGJEdZhegwoQ_zYtYWKpwzuCwtSk_3qrIflc82YAAbIqazE3ucryfO2nLUmTvBEAEqKZra7i8w3sLwgasKc/s1600/design+thinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfM4kv-weLUngDi51VP7CIh01h_Z4NnOYR1VSB7lokwH-TeIRTQhsZfV4oGJEdZhegwoQ_zYtYWKpwzuCwtSk_3qrIflc82YAAbIqazE3ucryfO2nLUmTvBEAEqKZra7i8w3sLwgasKc/s1600/design+thinking.jpg" height="273" width="320"></a></div>
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Are STEM/STEAM programs crazy or critical? It depends on the vision and mission of the initiative or program. If it is to follow the masses, deliver content through rote memory, standardized testing and push out incredibly boring material, then it is <i>crazy</i>. Facilitating the mad scientist image ingrained in many of our youth will deter them from such a program. However, if you build, develop and evolve a program which focuses on individual talents, interests, interdisciplinary learning to raise confidence in the areas of STEM/STEAM, then you have a <i>critical </i>calling for the next generation.<br>
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I remember one of the first movies that made science look fun: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090305/">Weird Science</a>. You don't need to be <i>blinded by science</i>, or STEM/STEAM, it can open your eyes to all different types of ways to have fun and learn.<br>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="334" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/70051022" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br>
<a href="https://vimeo.com/70051022">Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user19454554">Mad Hatter</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br>
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<br>Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com3Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-5417477091063426612015-03-30T21:41:00.002-07:002015-03-30T21:41:23.932-07:00Volunteering: What's the Big Deal?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kU_9WSInwqNdB1mRCRSDS1-M-kAvScNZD5RFtJUaNAEcdyXA3wrU9ldLKoHPwnCMKNmPD-Dv88VT9tmm1jvGd906FpISqRPR8tLqZgeborisH2nKbiltuondP7jUsWLXsz_4Df0aJx0/s1600/dr.+seuss.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kU_9WSInwqNdB1mRCRSDS1-M-kAvScNZD5RFtJUaNAEcdyXA3wrU9ldLKoHPwnCMKNmPD-Dv88VT9tmm1jvGd906FpISqRPR8tLqZgeborisH2nKbiltuondP7jUsWLXsz_4Df0aJx0/s1600/dr.+seuss.png" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seems like everyone needs volunteers these days. As someone
with kids in school, college students to fulfill service hours for my courses,
and running a nonprofit which survives on volunteers, I am constantly in need
or being needed to volunteer. We live in a busy world with busy people.
Technology has catapulted us into light speeds of tight schedules. There seems to be "no time" for many to do
much of anything outside taking care of themselves, or their families and working. Is it
possible to let loose and make the time to serve others? Why should we?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/volunteering-may-be-good-for-body-and-mind-201306266428">Research shows us that volunteering can combat depression,lower blood pressure, increase those "feel good" hormones and decrease stress.</a> All without popping a pill and it's free! But, where does volunteering take us?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are all on our own journeys. Journeys that lead us many
different places. People enter and exit your life to
bring meaning and awareness about the world around you. Sometimes if we just let go, take the time to help out someone in need, we find that we are not only having a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/terri-cole/volunteering-health_b_2189477.html">positive impact on others...but, also on ourselves</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is called volunteering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This weekend at the <a href="http://www.gouldevans.com/outreach/steam-studio">STEAM Studio</a>, I was once again reminded of how helping out someone you may or may not know can have a lasting impression. We hosted an incredibly
bright group of youth through the <a href="http://haloworldwide.org/">HALO Foundation</a>. These teenagers are currently homeless,
yet their positive attitudes and excitement to explore were not only exciting to
watch, but rewarding to work with. They learned new skills through coding/programming, and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">how to express their creativity by </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">designing their own dream room.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpx35gAN9kZcJn7IanMBdLIREs4MoxBJ02a7IbsVAtJ5qfI-S5sJWRmsrLteREdIxz5iT6SJV0cVxyroQvGNGdv5bV-P9y5SEr7jYnfeXIgl5RVFmufbLvRmlB4xkdZ25jpP26vPd6ZJA/s1600/dream+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpx35gAN9kZcJn7IanMBdLIREs4MoxBJ02a7IbsVAtJ5qfI-S5sJWRmsrLteREdIxz5iT6SJV0cVxyroQvGNGdv5bV-P9y5SEr7jYnfeXIgl5RVFmufbLvRmlB4xkdZ25jpP26vPd6ZJA/s1600/dream+room.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are what some of the
volunteers had to say and points we were reminded of throughout our time together:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Open Up </b> </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I always enjoy working with HALO, because the kids have so
many experiences that I didn't have at that age and their views and experiences
of the world are quite different from my own. Getting to share how we
think about design and architecture felt like opening them up (as brief as it
was) to another tool for their toolkit. It was really a treat to see
their imaginations run and discover how 'dope' a space could
be." Grace Phillips, Gould Evans Architect<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfzxok0JpKVkn8U7oV7ALRywKDou0J3DH1EqPlez238G8_MB8qA7M3vWdxUlzLFriBHuFmW69qIX6bxCiMIs2gqQwfqwWI13SKi6XZ1x_W92S3GTUd6c6wZhhLV4to6fzkTXlPolLbuI/s1600/halo+computer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfzxok0JpKVkn8U7oV7ALRywKDou0J3DH1EqPlez238G8_MB8qA7M3vWdxUlzLFriBHuFmW69qIX6bxCiMIs2gqQwfqwWI13SKi6XZ1x_W92S3GTUd6c6wZhhLV4to6fzkTXlPolLbuI/s1600/halo+computer.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Just Come </b></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"When I showed up to volunteer at the STEAM studio yesterday, I thought I would be buddying up with a teenager to practice coding. However, when less students showed up than expected, I was given a new task. There was a need to organize the closet of materials that the students use for projects, and I happily accepted the challenge. Organization has always been important to me, because I think that having things in neat order can make any life challenge seem more manageable. A clean and uncluttered space allows me to clear my mind and breathe a little easier. Part of teaching will be remaining flexible, and my volunteer experience helped me put that into practice." Trang Bui, Kappa Delta Pi Member, Department of Education Graduate Student</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Someone May Surprise You</b> </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"They were engaged with something they didn't know how
to do (coding and sketching) and the glimpse of the vulnerability spoke to me
deeper than anything else. Seeing them be uncomfortable or unsure of
themselves but putting themselves out there with strangers was impressive.
While none showed enthusiasm at the start, I was thrilled with the amount of
times I heard "this is dope". Luckily, I know that is a
compliment! What I also appreciated was one young man being excited to
earn a certificate after 1 hour of coding and wanted to share it on Facebook.
I'm glad sharing something academic that he was successful at proved to
be worthwhile." Jana Burnside, Department of Education Graduate Student, Rockhurst University</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrR6WhIPlKuDNZqyLJ0TGsMbOS6kMXspf1oswFVD9JVH6xWa6XpXaO818jpJyoEEJatB8R681jdt5Up7o9yLcin8GZIutJYjiwZnPAVKftfbz4WLkskJIJkRO3s8RK9pg0XBnMtK55C9c/s1600/halo+studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrR6WhIPlKuDNZqyLJ0TGsMbOS6kMXspf1oswFVD9JVH6xWa6XpXaO818jpJyoEEJatB8R681jdt5Up7o9yLcin8GZIutJYjiwZnPAVKftfbz4WLkskJIJkRO3s8RK9pg0XBnMtK55C9c/s1600/halo+studio.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Grateful and Not Taken for Granted</b></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"In hindsight, there was great poignancy in these kids’ ideas, drawing dream rooms that are at once very removed from their day to day existence, and at the same time, extremely indicative of the fears and struggles that they face on a day to day basis. We have to remind ourselves what it must be like to be in their shoes, having woken up that morning in a homeless shelter. We all felt very connected during the event, but thinking more deeply about their ideas tells us how far apart our existences really are. We all need to be thankful for our blessings." David Reid, Gould Evans Architect and Designer of the STEAM Studio</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After our new friends left the STEAM studio, Aubony
Chalfant, a HALO Center Facilitator explained that she had a hard time
convincing them to come that morning. She said this was typical of teenagers
when encouraging them to try new things. But, she shared that none of them
wanted to leave and asked when they could come back. We all agreed that we didn’t want to them to leave either, and look forward to being together again.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Volunteering may take you next door, across town or to
another country. Whatever you are chosen to do, whoever you choose to be with, no matter how big or how small, volunteering benefits both parties. It's not a formula, it's a feeling. You will walk away
with a healthier attitude, a more open mind and making a difference in someone's
life...especially your own. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It's a big deal.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"We all need somebody to lean on..."</b></span></div>
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<br />Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-17516324787963596312015-03-22T21:06:00.001-07:002015-03-22T21:06:36.327-07:00LENT: How YOU Doin'?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkejFhgcskkLNVpTNXZJZv_4QLst0h-9WmB7XzkD9z9x6l9crevRw43BE368_-s2buX8xDJTpb7Rl6MRvj2fSZLmUaTfSS2tNHbW0DarBX1cE88u0IcHeVNf-L_0qip_VYYdleSGS4-s/s1600/how+you+doin2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkejFhgcskkLNVpTNXZJZv_4QLst0h-9WmB7XzkD9z9x6l9crevRw43BE368_-s2buX8xDJTpb7Rl6MRvj2fSZLmUaTfSS2tNHbW0DarBX1cE88u0IcHeVNf-L_0qip_VYYdleSGS4-s/s1600/how+you+doin2.gif" height="190" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all enjoy our "Friends" who can help us laugh, support us and keep us stress free.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Who doesn't love <a href="http://friends.wikia.com/wiki/Joey_Tribbiani">Joey</a>? He makes everyone laugh! Laughter is good for the soul. In fact, the Bible reads that "<a href="http://www.openbible.info/topics/humor_and_laughter">A glad heart makes a cheerful face</a>," Proverbs 15:13. Have you laughed this past week during Lent?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of Lent...how you doin'? How's your Lenten promise going? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />I hope this last part of Lent finds you free of stress, full of life,laughter and love for this season of renewal and growth, and above all, closer to God. But, we all know that springtime can also bring about some stress: busy schedules, Spring Break, Easter, new sports seasons, new interests and the end of school in clear view with summer in a blink of eye. Not to mention the daily texts, emails, phone calls, posts, and other mobile device distractions which can impede our Lent promise. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sorry, if I just stressed you out.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/rembrandts/illbethereforyouthemefromfriends.html">"So, no one told you that life was gonna be this way..."</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stress. We all have it. Some more than others. How can we cope and avoid it? <a href="http://www.chaneymed.com/Doctor.htm">Dr. Amanda Chaney</a>, a licensed, board-certified naturopathic physician who owns, <a href="http://www.chaneymed.com/">Chaney Integrative Family Medicine</a> and is the <a href="http://www.clubwoodside.com/wellness_chaney.php">Wellness Director</a> at <a href="http://www.clubwoodside.com/">Woodside Heath and Tennis Club</a>, recently published an article about stress management. When I contacted her to ask for permission to publish her talented insight, she was thrilled to share her words of wisdom about this foe of ours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. Chaney explains, "Stress is an internal state, not an external one. There is no stress 'out there' in the world. Stress is in our thoughts <i>about</i> the world out there. If we ever hope to actually reduce our experience of stress in a lasting way, it can only be by changing how we think about our world."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Dr. Chaney's Tips to Manage Stress:</u></b></span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Talk about it, or write it out, what's worrying you: </b>One way to become more aware of your thoughts is to observe your stream of consciousness as you think about a stressful situation. Do not suppress any thoughts: instead just let them run their course while you watch them and write them down when they occur.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Speak a stress-free language:</b> People who handle stress well tend to employ what stress experts call an "optimistic explanatory style." They don't beat themselves up when things don't work out in their favor. Replace the word "expect" with "hope." Expectations can only be used for those things over which you have the greatest personal control. You can expect to quench your thirst with a drink of water. You cannot expect to get the job you just interviewed for. You can hope to get it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Don't be so serious:</b> There's nothing like anxiety to annihilate your sense of humor. Remember that it's impossible to feel stressed when you're hunched over with the giggles.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Once a day, get away:</b> When you're having a hell of a day--good or bad--checking out for 10-15 minutes can be revitalizing. Find a place where you can be alone (definitely ditch the cell phone) and wipe the slate clean for a few minutes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Identify at least one good thing that happened today: </b>It's a scenario played out every evening all over the country: come home from work and start venting to your spouse or roommate about your day. Instead of creating a negative atmosphere the minute you walk in the door, try starting off the evening with your family or friends exchanging good news. Something good happens every day!</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFXCXxa57jxPVDorP7XXXrkTTCiSeybTrqrHg1XHgrukRjKT4udorFWTTzqkXANaHAosyyUFhgexHjR893ILaowl4Pvo5qfOKNzv8yySAex-P71k1Or4WjNpsRUjRWjHhPwTn8RjCs0c/s1600/quotes-by-the-wonderful-audrey-hepburn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFXCXxa57jxPVDorP7XXXrkTTCiSeybTrqrHg1XHgrukRjKT4udorFWTTzqkXANaHAosyyUFhgexHjR893ILaowl4Pvo5qfOKNzv8yySAex-P71k1Or4WjNpsRUjRWjHhPwTn8RjCs0c/s1600/quotes-by-the-wonderful-audrey-hepburn.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Amen, Sister!</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Lent season and beyond: Don't stress, find a reason to <b><i>laugh</i></b>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's free medicine. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three journal apps that can help with Dr. Chaney's first and last tips.</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imoodjournal-mood-journal/id517952128?mt=8">iMoodJournal</a>- </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This cool app is an ultimate mood journal, personal diary and charting too; It will help you discover the cause of your ups and downs and help you see insightful info into yourself.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/step-personal-smart-journal/id600715233?mt=8">Step Journal</a>- Want to know yourself better? You can customize your dashboard and record events of your life. Choose activities you want to keep track on and Step Journal will keep it private. Or if you want to share excerpts from your journal you can easily do so through Facebook, Twitter, or Foursquare.</span></li>
<li><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/everyday-timeline-personal/id550004524?mt=8" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyday Timeline</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This app is a smart personal journal with photos, videos, maps calendar, checkins, tagging, search, etc. It can import your activities from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Foursquare. It backs up to Dropbox, Evernote or Email. It can work offline and sych automatically. It has a great feature “Blast from the Past” which allows you to remember what you were doing a year ago. Other details included in description and reviews.</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who are the most stressed and why? <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/10/work-stress-jobs-americans_n_3053428.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/10/work-stress-jobs-americans_n_3053428.html</a></span></li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>SPECIAL THANKS to Dr. Amanda Chaney for sharing her wisdom about stress management and keeping us healthy: mind, body and spirit!</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Here's some Uncle Kracker, who reminds us how natural, free and easy it is to smile.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com0Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-14952418985014482152015-03-09T22:30:00.000-07:002015-04-08T09:01:47.642-07:00Girly Girls: Let Them Be<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSOM9gXMNitgFeuG3KNihi2Lp1BDOlMqQF73m4q38Akz0Cm3JdxVrc_lIk4xvUYKNN73YPRdiVPktMI9AHFG8FyHPHwCpkvXljuXAWzcusGIPqVxQXkRPMQLRUkzbploe2bxIKm9JB0s/s1600/girly_girl_and_tomboy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSOM9gXMNitgFeuG3KNihi2Lp1BDOlMqQF73m4q38Akz0Cm3JdxVrc_lIk4xvUYKNN73YPRdiVPktMI9AHFG8FyHPHwCpkvXljuXAWzcusGIPqVxQXkRPMQLRUkzbploe2bxIKm9JB0s/s1600/girly_girl_and_tomboy.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's stop worrying about if she is a tomboy or a girly girl and focus on letting her be... <br />
confident, genuine, happy and inspired to learn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's already starting...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Mom, is pink a stupid color?" Um, what? That is the question my second grade daughter asked me the other day. So, I asked her why she would think that. She started explaining that a few girls said pinkish colors were stupid and so was looking all fancy and "girly." I asked her if she liked those colors and looking fancy sometimes. Without skipping a beat, she said, "Yes! Of course I do." </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then my youngest daughter, piped in, "I don't!" We know she likes to wear blue and green, playing outside and get dirty. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's interesting, she's so confident acting more like a "boy" (some would call it). Yet, my older daughter is already questioning her choices in colors and clothes because they are more like a "girl."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the STEAM Studio, we have been creating a balance, for all types of girls through our different programs. One of the clubs we offer: STEAM Club for Girls, is always favorite, it fills up very quickly. In fact, <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article9583079.html#/tabPane=tabs-b0710947-1-1">Kansas City Star wrote a fantastic article about us</a>. My hope and dream is that these girls grow up to enter the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. But, you know why they come? It's the art and designing piece.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two startling facts: </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Looking back to 1984, women represented 37 percent of all
computer science graduates, and today, that number is 12 percent. Both of these
trends are bad for women and minorities, who are at risk of being left out of
the best opportunities, and bad for our economy as a whole. It’s
well-documented that diversity of thinking breeds creativity, which we sorely
need during this time of change." -<a href="http://www.usnews.com/news/stem-solutions/articles/2014/05/05/getting-girls-to-study-stem-its-about-more-than-just-making-science-cool">U.S. News</a></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Government efforts to entice female students into science
and engineering courses have failed. Data from <a href="https://www.ucas.com/corporate/data-and-analysis">UCAS</a> reveals 87 per cent of new
computer science undergraduates and 85 per cent of new engineering students are
male." - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/women-stem-shortage-redux-chris-phillips">Chris Phillips, Information and Research Director</a></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's going on? Why is it still difficult to encourage girls to get excited about STEM? Because they need the "A", from <a href="http://stemtosteam.org/">STEM to STEAM</a>. Girls enjoy expressing themselves, being social (in many different ways). Many enjoy crafts, building and making things. Yet, often STEM programs are developed and the curriculum is written by men. Perhaps, these men have the best intentions, but do they know what it's like to be a girl?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Technology, science, engineering and math can be scary to both sexes, but rarely do we see companies and developers catering to the needs and wants of girls. Sometimes when companies do come out with a product which could encourage and inspire girls into these areas at a young age, they are slammed. Remember the <a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/01/18/145397007/gender-controversy-stacks-up-against-lego-friends">"Lego Friends" controversy</a>. People were coming from all angles, ridiculing Lego for making it so "pink" and "pretty." SO WHAT? There are many girls who would love to build a pink cafe out of legos and guess what? They can now! I have one daughter who enjoys the Lego Friends series and my other daughter continues to play with her brother's Star Wars and action heros legos. Does that mean one is right and the other is wrong?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enjoy dressing up for work. I will wear high heels until my feet give out. Working out is an event I look forward to everyday. Does that make me materialistic? Image conscious?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I buy and wear dresses in feminine colors, because I like them, not trying to make a statement. High heels usually come in fun and unusual styles, which interest me. If I didn't work out I would go crazy. I do it because it allows me to release stress and try to remain as healthy as I can. I'm a girly girl who teaches science and technology courses in higher education. I am a girly girl who geeks out over learning how things work and experimenting. What I wear and what colors I like don't define if I am interested in science, technology, math or engineering. My brain decides that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When did pink become stupid? When did being a "girly girl" become bad? You know what encourages girls to enter STEM careers? Confidence, motivation, encouragement, hard work and the opportunity to do so, not their favorite color or what they wear. It's important to offer activities which reach out to all girls, those who want to engage in designing and engineering more crafty products and those who would rather dig in the dirt or learn how to code. Those interests even overlap,so why not offer it all? What is not encouraging is telling a girl she needs to be less girly or less boyish. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Let's not make it a matter of looks or colors, but a matter of brains and what they would like to do with those brains.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've seen the laughs, the smiles, the risk taking and the determination when working on the projects related to STEAM through the eyes of our future women. Therefore, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will continue to research, talk with girls and find ways to promote our STEAM programs for them <b>all</b>. I know it's important; as a science and technology educator, as a woman, as a mom, and as a girly girl. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It's a subject <i><u>we</u></i> need to deal with. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>You can bet <i style="text-decoration: underline;">I</i> will put on my big girl panties and deal with it, </b></span></div>
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May we raise up girls who feel strong. Listen to this beautiful song by the Celtic Women, who sing "You Raise Me Up". </div>
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Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com0Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-8062332368996249582015-03-05T04:30:00.000-08:002015-03-05T04:33:45.155-08:00Krishon: The Man With The Plan<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcWKMYcFw8YDjRXTFffeYJPxKxCaq-Lvfq5qNLd7J6dGL976enXUN0heJbx_2JYFHihFucKtRIbAaIoDTPapNQoj4dU53s9_5aoPrB2cfeTF7SFOSaQL5p0Ti2R_S-bInrfePaVyvtgg/s1600/krishon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcWKMYcFw8YDjRXTFffeYJPxKxCaq-Lvfq5qNLd7J6dGL976enXUN0heJbx_2JYFHihFucKtRIbAaIoDTPapNQoj4dU53s9_5aoPrB2cfeTF7SFOSaQL5p0Ti2R_S-bInrfePaVyvtgg/s1600/krishon.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Krishon is always on the move...helping others.</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the <a href="http://www.gouldevans.com/outreach/steam-studio">STEAM Studio</a>, we expect and pray for helpful, motivated and professional volunteers. When I say pray, I mean it. We service kids, K-8 who demand and need our undivided attention. We are specialized in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. These volunteers just don't fall from the sky...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or do they?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's be honest, as much as I enjoy teaching kids that come through the STEAM Studio and as much as I hope they enjoy being there, they aren't there to see me. They are there to have fun and learn, through hands on activities in the wide open spaces which inspire them to design, create, and evolve their ideas and projects. These kids love working with high school and college students because these relationships are unique and exciting to them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About two months ago, I had contacted Brandon Jones, a friend and teacher at <a href="https://www.rockhursths.edu/">Rockhurst High School</a> to interview some potential high school young men who could successfully support and develop the coding, programming, designing and risk taking curriculum at the STEAM Studio with me. But more importantly, be role models, be "men for others" and bring out the best in the future generation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He connected me with Krishon Harris, a freshman at RHS. I have been in awe at how much sincere effort Krishon has put in with every single student he has worked with during the after school clubs. Beyond his hours at the STEAM Studio, he researches and practices with new technology he knows the group is interested in without me even asking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kids look forward to seeing him each week. He exhibits calm demeanor when there are technical issues and many questions, and responds thoughtfully to everyone. If he doesn't know the answer he figures it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is Krishon-here is his plan for helping others.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How I Got Here</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"I am so interested in technology because technology is always there to fix problems or give assistance, even if not necessary. I'm young, so I am always fixing technology, which has helped me become interested in tech."</i></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paying it Forward</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I like that when volunteering at STEAM Studio I get to help kids learn stuff that I had to figure out myself through trial and error as a child. </i></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You Rang?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>At the Rockhurst High School Tech Desk, I help students with their iPads, meaning if any problems arise, I help figure them figure it out. I also read and experiment with the iMacs during free times. I am most advanced in handheld devices, identifying computer parts, and troubleshooting Windows and Mac computers. I have no experience in computer engineering but have read enough to be able to figure out. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Straight Talk: I Don't Know It All.. ( what kid in high school admits that?)</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I have yet to learn a coding language and therefore coding is definitely a category I am learning more about. I predict that in the future, teachers will use technology to have lessons and videos to help students outside of school and students can help each other.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Krishon is the real deal, the type of volunteer and role model you hope to appear in your organization. He doesn't fly by the seat of his pants, he always has a plan to help others. <i>He motivates the kids he works with to soar and see their potential as he shows his own.</i> I'm thankful God sent him to the STEAM Studio.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Believe in yourself and you can help others fly!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite U2 songs "If God Will Send His Angels" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="0" src="//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xj1j8" width="0"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xrtme4_u2-if-god-will-send-his-angels-97_music" target="_blank">U2 ~ "If God Will Send His Angels" '97</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/seasonwitch" target="_blank">seasonwitch</a></i>Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com1Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-82459278039870290002015-02-24T22:17:00.001-08:002015-02-24T22:23:03.068-08:00From Trojans to Ransom Notes: Protect Yourself!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't let this Trojan Horse come in and attack your protected work.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember the Greek mythology story about the Trojan Horse? During the Trojan War, Greek soldiers hid inside the Trojan Horse to trick the Trojans into letting them inside their city walls. Well, it worked and there was destruction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hidden dangers still occur today in our digital society only with what is called a Trojan-ransom virus (<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/mmpc/shared/ransomware.aspx">ransomware</a>) which infects your computer, through files, data, programs. Once you've been hit, here is no way to retrieve all your important information unless you have the encryption key. How do you get that encryption key?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You guessed it, by paying a ransom. Typically, it's $100, sometimes more. Obviously there is no way of knowing if the cyber criminals will actually release the key to you. Usually there is a timer which pops up and counts down the hours, minutes until your files are lost forever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This type of reoccurring infection is nothing new. Sure, there are new viruses which pop up and have different algorithms associated with them all the time, but this type of illegal electronic activity has been going on for awhile. It still surprises me when I hear about friends, students, and colleagues being infected because it can be avoided easily. If your computer has been attacked you will need to <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2084002/how-to-rescue-your-pc-from-ransomware.html">remove it</a> or seek professional help. Honestly, many times there is no way of retrieving the lost files. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What can you do? Use common sense and be proactive. You may have heard these types of tips before, so review and remember!</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Make sure you have <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372364,00.asp">anti-virus software </a>on your computer</b>. Duh. There are many households which do not purchase anti-virus software, or don't install it properly or don't keep it updated. This is important! You wash your hands all the time, don't you? Doesn't take that long, neither does keeping your anti-virus program current by running the updates.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Don't open email attachments or click on website links that you are unsure about</b>. Again, common sense, but this is one of the fastest ways to spread a virus and people keep doing it. Just like you wouldn't open your door to some unusual stranger or share openly private information with someone you don't know or trust, don't open or share anything you are suspicious of.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Block the <a href="https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95472?hl=en">pop-ups</a></b>! They are annoying anyways. Sure, some of them are from advertisers, but many contain malicious codes that when clicked take you to a corrupt link. You're not going to win $1 million by clicking on that pop-up, so don't do it.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Use a firewall</b>. If you don't know what that means, here's a basic explanation: a network or program which inhibits or blocks unauthorized access to your computer whether you have a <a href="http://www.howtogeek.com/205108/your-mac%E2%80%99s-firewall-is-off-by-default-do-you-need-to-enable-it/">Mac</a> or <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/firewalls-using.aspx">Windows system</a>.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Back it up, back it up! </b>There are many ways you can back up your important files, data, etc. You can use programs such a <a href="https://www.google.com/drive/">Google Drive</a>, external hard drives and <a href="https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-us/">One Drive</a>. Beware of Dropbox and programs like <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/">Dropbox</a>,it is not completely protected from viruses either. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Don't download anything </b>(programs, files, emails, etc) unless you are absolutely sure it is safe. No need for further explanation, right?</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Protect yourself and don't spread any viruses!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still curious how it works, check out this video.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You think you have some bad habits? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Probably don't even compare to these boys.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What are you giving up for Lent? How did you choose? Gotta plan?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did you know that the word Lent literally means <i>springtime</i>? An obvious time for growth and renewal. As Catholics, we view Lent as a time of breaking bad habits and giving up something. What if we started something new? Perhaps starting a good habit? A way to better ourselves and reconnect with God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are all human. We make mistakes. We try to correct them, then get discouraged by our own failures at doing so. During Lent we are encouraged to: break bad habits as we decide to give up something in our life which is not healthy (spiritually or physically), this then enables us to sacrifice ourselves to God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's difficult to give something up, especially something you have really enjoyed and loved. This has a different meaning for everyone. Reflecting on our lives and taking a deeper look inside, we know what we must give up. Many times it's right there in front of us and </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">there's not even a reason to over analyze it</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Yet, there's that voice inside our heads which reminds us the importance of 'live and learn'. Allowing ourselves the freedom to live life, live in the moment, live and appreciate those around us. So are bad habits </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bad </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">or can we use them to teach us something </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">good</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When you give up something, there is the feeling of loss. Replacing it with something positive seems the most logical, but can be overlooked. I think too often we overextend what we can promise and sacrifice to God and others. He is a loving God and he wants us to be our best. So, think about what you want to sacrifice, be realistic. How do you want to grow as person? Change is difficult, so focus more on forming good habits instead of the bad habits that drive you crazy. And you know what? If you mess up, there's a new day tomorrow.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFWC_6pXfXiXmdnGmG6QVFl70RLeKRFzolt9W7PVVkEvlIuX8_ECCVInPNGdQDTIijsEl9hFjfX8OyKoOBtoC4QEaZB8onC6TrxKZCT2OPFQdbIl_p_7XDHD1h5Tc42Ag-SHVleKyCEk/s1600/person+than+yesterday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFWC_6pXfXiXmdnGmG6QVFl70RLeKRFzolt9W7PVVkEvlIuX8_ECCVInPNGdQDTIijsEl9hFjfX8OyKoOBtoC4QEaZB8onC6TrxKZCT2OPFQdbIl_p_7XDHD1h5Tc42Ag-SHVleKyCEk/s1600/person+than+yesterday.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The journey of life.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perhaps you are this Christian who believes, personally, it is better to focus on forming good habits rather than breaking bad ones. Huh? Isn't that what happens when you break a bad habit, you transform it into a good habit? Not necessarily. It's all how you approach the issue. Lean towards taking a positive spin on the whole experience. I saw this quote awhile back and it's stuck with me.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.guideposts.org/prayer/5-things-take-lent"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Lent isn't always forbidding us of some pleasure; it can be an opportunity to seek the pleasure of God's love for our lives."</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sacrifice doesn't have to mean giving up something we must have, but a way of bringing more goodness to our lives. Perhaps spending more time reflecting alone, or focusing on having more quality time with your family, thinking about volunteering with those in need. You will have to sacrifice what you would normally spend your time doing if you want to spend more time with your family or volunteering. For example, you might sacrifice your favorite TV show so you could play a family game once a week or sacrifice extra sleep to get up early and volunteer at a soup kitchen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This notion of forming a good habit or two has always made more sense to me.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After reflecting about it, I have decided to form a good habit of reading an inspirational quote via</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-lent-app/id816385116?mt=8" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lent App</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> from the Bible each morning or at dinner with my kids. I'm hoping to spark some great convo with them about God and what the Bible can teach us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Growing up, my mom and dad would read "<a href="http://odb.org/about/">Our Daily Bread</a>" at breakfast or dinner. I remember this little booklet filled with short personal stories from Christians and Bible verses for each day. Sometimes my parents would read the whole short story, sometimes just read the scripture verse. Some days we would talk about it, other days nothing was said, I'm assuming to let me think about it on my own. Which, looking back, I did more often than I realized. I'm inspired by quotes and short stories of other people's lives. The good, the bad and the ugly. I think it's fascinating how some people will let you in, even for a snapshot of their life journey as they share how they have grown as a person... as a Christian. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Share your story, help those around you, especially during Lent. It might just turn into a habit, a good one! I think we forget how a simple smile, a genuine pep talk or even a warm hug can make all the difference. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a great deal we can learn from each other about God. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wish you all the best on your journey this Lent season. Whatever path you choose: to sacrifice in breaking a bad habit or focusing on forming a good one, remember it is all about feeling God's love and sharing that love with others.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiSakvz3RLALjUW8AOg0BIIWUCv2AzPM0PKgQJvKHKjeTJ3HBLklN4TccbFAHiCD4TKmPCDXsScuQ3QHDBJl_1WMC648qCbHAwJz6W1jm-hFGjtcW3aJ9-YMfu_1fueJWwcIjkJ0bqhU/s1600/lent+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiSakvz3RLALjUW8AOg0BIIWUCv2AzPM0PKgQJvKHKjeTJ3HBLklN4TccbFAHiCD4TKmPCDXsScuQ3QHDBJl_1WMC648qCbHAwJz6W1jm-hFGjtcW3aJ9-YMfu_1fueJWwcIjkJ0bqhU/s1600/lent+pic.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Lord has your back! Be a light for others and let them be a light for you.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some helpful apps and websites for Lent:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lenten Magnificat Companion: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lenten-magnificat-companion/id816958514?mt=8">https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lenten-magnificat-companion/id816958514?mt=8</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reflections for Lent Daily 2014: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/reflections-for-lent-daily/id814966904?mt=8">https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/reflections-for-lent-daily/id814966904?mt=8</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Lent App: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-lent-app/id816385116?mt=8">https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-lent-app/id816385116?mt=8</a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/3-easy-steps-to-breaking-bad-habits?page=1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 Steps to Breaking a Bad Habit</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonselk/2013/04/15/habit-formation-the-21-day-myth/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forming Good Habits & the Myth That It Takes 21 Days</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amctv.com/shows/breaking-bad" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breaking Bad Website, if you are a fan</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whether you are a rap fan or not,<a href="http://www.biography.com/people/tupac-shakur-206528"> 2Pac</a> (Tupac Shakur) lyrically had some interesting things to say:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"It's time for us as a people to start makin' some changes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's change the way we eat, let's change the way we live</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and let's change the way we treat each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You see the old way wasn't working so it's on us to do</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">what we gotta do, to survive...."</span></div>
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Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com4Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-38721690967457457862015-02-11T19:17:00.000-08:002015-02-11T19:17:06.293-08:00Kindergarten King: Artist John Bukaty Creates A Buzz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvQl_ZohLyxD-byW5MzHatLXwVNvYI4PtQoZ1Nab9M41Kfz7Pa-DFbK9tPSbZMD38N2tpjNdT32r54tgPhdkvvBkQuX7ySxAQBx2tm-7SDe1VkeBebfaK0r8e81dEKhG5_MKJY0OFWfY/s1600/Bukaty+K+teacher+of+the+year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvQl_ZohLyxD-byW5MzHatLXwVNvYI4PtQoZ1Nab9M41Kfz7Pa-DFbK9tPSbZMD38N2tpjNdT32r54tgPhdkvvBkQuX7ySxAQBx2tm-7SDe1VkeBebfaK0r8e81dEKhG5_MKJY0OFWfY/s1600/Bukaty+K+teacher+of+the+year.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How would you respond if you were asked to work with 42 Kindergartners on an activity over the course of an hour?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A. "You talking to me?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">B. "I'm allergic to children under 6."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">C. "Oh....thanks for asking, but I have this...um, thing...I have to do."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">D. Run for the hills.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exactly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exactly the opposite of what the incredibly talented, <a href="http://www.johnbukaty.com/">New Orleans Artist John Bukaty</a> did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, I contacted Mr. Bukaty to pick his talented creative brain about integrating more art into the science, technology, math and engineering aspect of STEAM. Obviously, I'm not an artist, but I have had success reaching out to other professionals in the areas of STEM, so thought I would see what he could offer. We spent about an hour or two on the phone over the course of a few weeks. He shared great ideas, direct insight and helpful tips for ways we could weave the arts into our program more naturally, effectively at the STEAM Studio. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We talked about exposing kids to the big picture of art. Expression. Confidence. Creativity. Vision. Integrating the science and math beyond it would come. He suggested exposing them to <a href="http://www.sacred-geometry.com/">Sacred Geometry</a>. I was excited! Most kids love shapes, but you mention the word geometry and they quickly fade away. How cool to show them the math beyond some incredible ways to design patterns, review symmetry, and introduce hexagonal figures, <a href="http://harmonicresolution.com/Toroidal%20Space.htm">toroids</a>, <a href="http://fractalfoundation.org/resources/what-are-fractals/">fractals</a>, and 3-D imagery in a variety of ways. Nature, all natural.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the end of one of our conversations he said, "I would love to come help when I'm in town." Little did he know I would quickly take him up on that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Friday, 42 Kindergartners buzzed into the STEAM Studio for three hours. They came in like a swarm to the STEAM Studio, all excited and ready for some action. We had four stations for them fly around to throughout their time. Originally, I had asked John to come by for about an hour. I thought he would get his fill, and more, in about that time. But, he did what most would not have done...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Came early, stayed late.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When he arrived, we set up a slide show of his paintings to give the kids some ideas and examples of what they could do. He spend time explaining his thought process when creating art and what it meant to him. After the slide show, he continued on and not in the typical presenter fashion, more like the Kindergarten fashion.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-Tw1EV3e3e921STI7xVO8L7oQ_W-qodC1Cuo_0f8QkwT2ohXFafl6BJhktARWSol1pxyLsm6hnZ8FxHI1atVIjV5855MFuQSjxfhUZAS8hOLif84QJd-KPRVxSSL3ZOmmN5TjEEdbVY/s1600/bukaty+on+knees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-Tw1EV3e3e921STI7xVO8L7oQ_W-qodC1Cuo_0f8QkwT2ohXFafl6BJhktARWSol1pxyLsm6hnZ8FxHI1atVIjV5855MFuQSjxfhUZAS8hOLif84QJd-KPRVxSSL3ZOmmN5TjEEdbVY/s1600/bukaty+on+knees.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He got down on their level.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He raised their confidence by giving them ideas on how to do more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He gave them positive feedback.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinINL6-M5_cUmsvC67EINooynq1FBfHQIrfeBpxXTtDcISBgdWYm7wiqrh6AElS23DN9Qn36vlcCFRCRkBVLG-Dflx4yABjt75J7w2R5cdlI7alJm62QbMkaWhuhE5mGxHyxCkibTShJw/s1600/Bukaty.+just+chilling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinINL6-M5_cUmsvC67EINooynq1FBfHQIrfeBpxXTtDcISBgdWYm7wiqrh6AElS23DN9Qn36vlcCFRCRkBVLG-Dflx4yABjt75J7w2R5cdlI7alJm62QbMkaWhuhE5mGxHyxCkibTShJw/s1600/Bukaty.+just+chilling.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He give them hugs, high fives and chilled with them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He modeled for them, but encouraged them to do their own thing.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6wrU_bOXHB_NBoUUvgAM0AdR4h6wgZR7Nb952tmrjHr09V2UoGRRlfC_omj1i-gNY0rQk5x8T_iqxH3mTG6zOdOmNw-WLJN2ksAX8lYFLshgL6TzlsgwqM5qlgrQ2_V-El41fIdfazA/s1600/Bukaty.manwithaplan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6wrU_bOXHB_NBoUUvgAM0AdR4h6wgZR7Nb952tmrjHr09V2UoGRRlfC_omj1i-gNY0rQk5x8T_iqxH3mTG6zOdOmNw-WLJN2ksAX8lYFLshgL6TzlsgwqM5qlgrQ2_V-El41fIdfazA/s1600/Bukaty.manwithaplan.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He got out of their way</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He showed them how to have fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What did they do?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They buzzed around, like busy bees do, they were humming, collecting what they needed, moving to their own beat and making their own honey...their own sweet art.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing I have realized since the opening of the STEAM Studio, the importance of finding the right professionals related to the areas of STEAM to share their expertise and talent. Artist John Bukaty not only shared his time and talent, he shared his heart to this swarm of Kindergartners. He planted a seed. A seed that will grow, blossom into a flower, only to attract more busy bees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please check out John Bukaty's one of kind art pieces and support him! Go visit his studio in New Orleans, a great reason to take a trip to the French Quarter ~ Mardi Gras is around the corner!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.johnbukaty.com/">http://www.johnbukaty.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John Bukaty made the Terminator look like a "girly man"...here's a clip from the unforgettable Kindergarten Cop.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tO4X8_c80kg" width="560"></iframe>Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com0Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-56631983893617214562015-02-04T09:35:00.004-08:002015-02-04T09:35:59.870-08:00Cavern Technologies: Digital Age Batcave<div class="MsoPlainText">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmCPyaQF9QwFB2hgzlVTxKE4BK_C0ZE7EfA2wE58RRaBwNmOM35dnxnnRjIbZuBXsTsA1SKn9G3pVYDVZmTCMdxy9Xrx-GnUAPMfgy5EWhIHm_TXH2b9dp8zyohUGyATsJYkmbIJ-r3k/s1600/batmobile.jpg" height="202" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cavern Technologies take the word "Batcave" to a whole new level!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmCPyaQF9QwFB2hgzlVTxKE4BK_C0ZE7EfA2wE58RRaBwNmOM35dnxnnRjIbZuBXsTsA1SKn9G3pVYDVZmTCMdxy9Xrx-GnUAPMfgy5EWhIHm_TXH2b9dp8zyohUGyATsJYkmbIJ-r3k/s1600/batmobile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You don't have to live in Gotham City to experience the technological advancements in keeping the city safe from jokers who want to steal your data. At <a href="http://caverntechnologies.com/">Cavern Technologies</a>, KC has their own modern day <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSaDPc1Cs5U">Batman</a>, <a href="http://caverntechnologies.com/uncategorized/cavern-president-john-clune-selected-ingrams-40-40-kansas-city">John Clune</a>, who is focused on protecting and securing the most important information out there. I had the pleasure of visiting this underground futuristic environment recently. Here are the amazing things I learned about this incredible company...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"Bam Pow Zap!"</span></b></td></tr>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Why underground? Is this something sweeping the
country? How and why does this set you apart? <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Under 125 feet of limestone in Lenexa Kansas is the beating
heart of the silicone prairie. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over 100 of the country’s leading banks, hospitals, law
firms, and technology companies run their highly sophisticated mission critical
data center operations from what was once a limestone mine. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cavern Technologies was founded in 2007 by John Clune his
father Pete Clune Jr.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Located in a 3M square foot Energy Star Rated, GSA approved
underground at 95<sup>th</sup> and Renner, Cavern has become the largest Data
Center Colocation provider in the Midwest with 125,000 square feet of purpose
built, state-of-the-art Data Center space. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> John’s vision was to
design and build the most secure, reliable, efficient infrastructure possible,
and give customers the peace of mind of knowing their Data Center is protected
and connected with all the cooling and electric redundancies to handle any
scenario, including a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/zombie-apocalypse/">Zombie Apocalypse</a>. Beyond protection from Zombies, Tornadoes and Ice Storms of
the Midwest, customers come to Cavern for their low cost, abundant and reliable
power through <a href="http://www.kcpl.com/">KCP&L</a>, and the multitude of telecom network providers that connect
Kansas City at light speed to the rest of the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The planets must align for an Underground Data Center to
work. <a href="http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/rock-strata-definition-lesson-quiz.html">Rock strata</a> must be stable, and a
safe distance from fault lines. Locations must be above the flood plains close
to an urban core and have access to abundant power from multiple
substations. Redundant bandwidth
providers must be built into the facility, and enter the location from multiple
entrances. Other large players in the underground Data Center Space are Iron
Mountain in Pennsylvania, and Green Mountain Data Center in Norway.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cavern’s specialty in the market is giving customers private
data center suites</b>. While most
colocation tenants are expecting huge, anonymous, cage filled rooms, Cavern
gives their customers (large and small) their own custom room, with their own 4
walls, their own biometric access controls and surveillance cameras.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"Holy cooling caverns, Batman!"</span></b></td></tr>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>How specifically is better for the
environment?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With an ambient temperature of 68 degrees, Cavern’s
cooling systems have a distinct advantage over cooling systems that are
battling the extremes of weather (-10 to 100+).
Customers typically see a 30% saving on their cooling costs. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With an adaptive reuse of underground space Cavern does
not take up space on surface. Cavern is
one of the few data centers in the world with trees, grass and deer on their
roof.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"Riddle me this..."</span></b></td></tr>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>I'm obsessed with the finger and face
recognition, how does that work? Why is it important? <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Every face has numerous, distinguishable landmarks, the
different peaks and valleys that make up facial features. Each human face has
approximately 80 nodal points. Some of these measured by the </span><a href="http://www.ex-sight.com/technology.htm" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Facial RecognitionTechnology</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> are:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Distance between the eyes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Width of the nose</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Depth of the eye sockets</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The shape of the cheekbones</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The length of the jaw line</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These nodal points are measured creating a numerical code,
called a </span><a href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/12/13/apple-invention-uses-faceprints-to-identify-people-objects" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">faceprint</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, representing the face in the database. “ </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cavern’s customers have multiple options for access control
of their private data environment. Some customers utilize thumbprint
biometrics, retina scanners or facial recognition. By o</span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nly having approved
personnel with access to their private data is essential </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for insuring the
integrity of their private Data Center’s integrity.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "<span style="color: blue;">To the Batcave!"</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Is this future? How do you know? What is to
be learned, tech wise about how you operate in this unique way.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Technological advances drive the evolution of the Data
Center. <a href="http://www.mooreslaw.org/">Moore’s Law </a>states that
processing speeds and data densities should double every two years. While footprints have shrunk, the power and
cooling needs have grown as our creation of data reaches mind boggling
proportions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eric Schmidt of Google stated an astounding statistic. <span lang="EN">“Every two days now we create as much
information as we did from the dawn of civilization up until 2003. That’s
something like five Exabyte of data.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are still in the early years of the Data Center. (Although some teenager, tinkering in her
garage could change the world of data storage as we know by discovering a way
to put all the data in the world onto something the size of a dime.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cavern is bullish about the future. They are not everything for everybody, but
instead <b>focus on becoming the facilities partners for the most technically
savvy customers who want to manage and grow their IT resources in house</b>. More
and more companies are getting out of the construction business or selling
their data centers and moving their private clouds to colocation facilities and
sometimes moving their cloud underground.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The Batsignal goes on, he shows up."</span></b></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. How do you give back to the community?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Corporate citizenship is important at Cavern. <b>Giving Back is Key</b>. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of the organizations that Cavern Supports on an ongoing basis </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">include: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children's Mercy, Ozanam, Bishop </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sullivan, Spofford¹s Horse Power Program, <a href="http://firefoundation.org/">F.I.R.E.</a>, <a href="http://www.scls.org/home.aspx">Sisters of Charity in Leavenworth</a>, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Father Waris's Romero Community Home Building Initiative in El </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salvador, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and <a href="http://www.cristoreykc.org/work_study">Cristo Rey Corporate Work Study Program</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The planets have aligned for Cavern, and John. Beyond the well designed and built infrastructure, John continues to see amazing annual growth by giving his customer’s world class customer service, and never compromising on his mantra of “Operational Excellence.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The proof is etched in stone: In his 8</b></span><b><sup style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> year in business, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cavern has 100% uptime and 100% client retention</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></b></div>
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See for yourself what Cavern Technologies is all about:</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YqFxZe10B_c?list=PLO9BflYggt19PvC2VxNYrAEH8DqC7kAI5" width="560"></iframe>Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com1Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-19375581198228591802015-01-26T20:30:00.000-08:002015-01-27T20:15:08.563-08:00Keeping it Real: Why I Send My Kids to Catholic Schools<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFC8zwV3EteLtlLfJEXi3eBAU6FsB8Pec7-9II9QEfE2wV2yFvvH0gIZQnTyEAw-WL7BXxIAn6GpQMqX6bv8N32AHi3IGH1Zc-mn4tnWQpN13qugCG7aBEdP4_rMa-CcIjcoCTH-b8Xas/s1600/hand+teamwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFC8zwV3EteLtlLfJEXi3eBAU6FsB8Pec7-9II9QEfE2wV2yFvvH0gIZQnTyEAw-WL7BXxIAn6GpQMqX6bv8N32AHi3IGH1Zc-mn4tnWQpN13qugCG7aBEdP4_rMa-CcIjcoCTH-b8Xas/s1600/hand+teamwork.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's give a hand to ALL of our exceptional schools!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week is <a href="https://www.ncea.org/our-services/catholic-schools-week" target="_blank">Catholic Schools Week</a> so naturally I want to promote the faith based education program my kids benefit from in the Catholic preschool and elementary schools they attend. However, I think it's an appropriate time to address some assumptions and generalizations often made about which schools parents decide to send their children to and which schools are the best.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I attended a public high school (<a href="http://rolla.k12.mo.us/schools/rolla_high_school/" target="_blank">Go Rolla Bulldogs</a>!) and had a rich educational experience full of teachers I loved, friends who cared, and coaches who supported me. I sat in class with peers who, like me, were trying to figure out their way through each day. We may have looked and acted different because we came from diverse backgrounds and family lives, but we were there for the same reason. Sure, there were disagreements, different groups of people who hung out, however when you're from a tight community there's always someone around to give you a hand and help you out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went to a public university (<a href="http://missouri.edu/" target="_blank">Go MU Tigers</a>!) I never once felt like just another number, even though that is what I heard happens when you go to a public university. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Professors do know when you are not in class!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I experienced college life with old friends and met new friends while having some incredible times.There were endless opportunities at MU. I was lucky enough to work with professors who pushed me outside my comfort zone. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made mistakes and learned from them to grow as a person.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I taught in a public school in St. Louis (<a href="http://go.lindberghschools.ws/lindberghhs" target="_blank">Go Lindbergh Flyers</a>!) where each day brought many gifts because the students in my classes came from the neighborhood and East St. Louis through the Voluntary Transfer Program. Many of them were from low SES homes with parents who sent them on that bus everyday hoping for a better future. My wise principal told me the first week I began, "You have to believe that all parents want the best for their kids." Even though I didn't have kids at the time, this really stuck with me. I had to remind myself of her message on days when parents wouldn't return my phone calls or my students came unprepared. But I was humbled by the fact that these parents trusted me, day in and day out to do everything I could for their child. What were they thinking?! The students were onto me. They challenged me, frustrated me, laughed with me (and probably at me), best of all they hugged me or gave me a high five at the end of each day. All of them taught me to work hard and they made me a better teacher. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was an administrator in a public school in a St. Louis suburb (<a href="http://www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/kehrsmill/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Go Kehrs Mill Knights</a>) where I worked alongside teachers who dedicated their lives to making a difference in each and every child's life. I watched them learn new teaching methods through differentiating instruction, skipping lunch to figure out their new technology tools or help students, staying after school to finish up lesson planning, preparing for the next day and what that may bring. Some teachers left, many stayed as there were trying days, but we grew into a family. Looking back, there was always support and love from kids, parents and educators.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through all my public education involvement, I witnessed hardworking teachers, dedicated students, caring families, many amazing resources and community teamwork. So why do I send my kids to Catholic Schools?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because it is the right fit for <i>our</i> family. Because Catholic schools offer the same loving, dedicated, caring, challenging and educational experiences I had in public schools.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't think I need to tell you more than that. I don't think anyone needs to explain why they send their kids to a particular school. I've learned through all my educational experiences the incredible importance of supporting what you feel is right for <i>your</i> kids AND supporting what your friends feel is right for<i> their </i>kids. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do I think my kids' schools are better than other schools out there? I'm going to keep it real and say, No. Not because I don't think my kids' schools are amazing, they are. However, we are fortunate to have many amazing schools we can be proud of in the KC metro area. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, we live in a city with a struggling school district. While we strive to solve that, we have to remain vigilant about keeping all our schools systems alive and thriving. I love that we have a variety of schools in KC: public, city, suburban, rural, catholic, private, charter, home school, large and small which are committed in meeting the increasingly diverse needs of all our kids. Are there issues in each school? Yes. As parents, teachers and community members we have a civil and moral responsibility to creatively come together, research, and support solutions that are in the best interest of the students.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which school is the right choice for your family? Don't ask me, ask yourself. Keep it real. Send your kids to the school you feel is right for them and support the schools around your community. All schools need positive feedback. All schools need to give every student a high quality education. All schools can do this, if we stick together and do our own part, whatever that means for your family. We need to keep all types of schools open and focus on the number one reason they are in existence: <i>to educate the whole child in every child</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm proud of <i>my</i> kids' school (<a href="https://www.visitation.org/visitation-school" target="_blank">Go Vis Shamrocks!</a>) and, you know what? I am proud of <i>your</i> kids' school too because we all want what is best for our children.</span><br />
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<br />Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com1Kansas City, MO, USA39.0997265 -94.5785667000000138.310999 -95.8694602 39.888454 -93.287673200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23942020879690797.post-28058694071109461462015-01-21T21:43:00.001-08:002015-01-21T21:43:13.708-08:00New Semester + New Activities and Partnerships = New Excitement @ the STEAM Studio!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6DI89gcnNSOnaoYNrOYWTDokbSFOVkYc9QxOeNQdx08KibPwr2Kem49-zFhlSIco_4s2mYxN3zFeCQUHetXMZxryESfDH0prE-GJeccXn-hOyPWwgXG-4I3ycgNDUDG3ZhVAS-h1UD8/s1600/neweinstein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6DI89gcnNSOnaoYNrOYWTDokbSFOVkYc9QxOeNQdx08KibPwr2Kem49-zFhlSIco_4s2mYxN3zFeCQUHetXMZxryESfDH0prE-GJeccXn-hOyPWwgXG-4I3ycgNDUDG3ZhVAS-h1UD8/s1600/neweinstein.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://einstein.biz/biography.php">Einstein</a>, who failed over and over and yet brought us so many new things. <br />His passion for social justice is one of my favorite things about him.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">STEAM Studio Clubs and Activities start back up next week. As we continue on with the projects we developed for the STEAM Studio this past semester, I'm thrilled to share our new partnerships, new activities, and the overall new exciting things taking place in our STEAM Studio this new semester!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>This week's spotlight is on...</i></b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://brightergy.com/">Brightergy</a>- One exciting addition to our curriculum comes from the company Brightergy. Locally owned, their headquarters are in Kansas City which they have successfully expanded to other states. I learned about them from my children's school as the school facility has taken measures to be more environmentally and economically efficient. I was impressed by their vision and looked them up only to find one of my former students, Alizabeth Reynolds, is the Brighterschools Program Manager. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">We will start partnering with them this semester. Ali has
this to say about the curriculum:</span></li>
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<li><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">BrighterClassroom is a hands-on, inquiry-based, energy
education program that brings energy alive in the classroom! This curriculum is
designed to educate students on topics ranging from understanding energy
efficiency to discovering how a photovoltaic cell works. BrighterClassroom
takes advantage of the environmental changes happening around us by turning
them into learning opportunities with real, direct applicability to students’
lives. </i></li>
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<li><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">BrighterClassroom has been implemented in over 400 schools across Missouri. Our
goal is to take this program beyond Brightergy clients to a national audience.
We know technology is going to continue to advance in the classroom; we also
know our environment is going to continue to evolve. Students need be exposed
to up-to-date, enriching material and in support of that we have a vision for
BrighterClassroom. We will be expanding and revamping this program into an
interactive, web-based curriculum that will be engaging and exciting for all
grade levels. Throughout this process our objective will stay the same: to
empower teachers and students with the knowledge, tools, resources, and
strategies they need to create a greener, healthier climate for years to
come.</i></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Here's an </span><a href="http://brightergy.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014_IntroBrighterClassroom.pdf" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">example</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">To learn more about Brightergy: please visit </span><a href="http://brightergy.com/about-us/contact/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">http://brightergy.com/about-us/contact/</a></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coming up...</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Manufacturing Education</u></b>- Michele Nash-Hoff, president
of ElectroFab Sales, a manufacturers' sales rep firm <a href="http://www.industryweek.com/software-amp-systems/first-saving-american-manufacturing">wrote</a>:
"The American people have a choice to make. We can either accept the continued
destruction of America's industrial base and allow all the gains achieved by
America's industrial workers to be wiped out to compete with Third-World labor.
Or, we can choose to secure a future for American industry and our industrial
workers." Our kids are constantly consuming something, what better
way to <b>build</b> their confidence and <b>build</b> a better nation by giving them
opportunities to <b>build</b> something which will have a positive impact on our
society. Emphasis will be placed on developing their manufacturing skills. Learning by doing builds confidence and connects different pathways of knowledge.</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fxv83NlB3DMGbTNxcycNom_OA7ayd01fDJd1XToT71xsYLxZj-ZUTmqBZsDeJwvu43e-VNb5yctIYXvxKFKEwlfISLT1APLvKqSwzK9EOR9TE19Xiu2UFVPpq5ahqn1lUSZ1L1qW44s/s1600/newbuilding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fxv83NlB3DMGbTNxcycNom_OA7ayd01fDJd1XToT71xsYLxZj-ZUTmqBZsDeJwvu43e-VNb5yctIYXvxKFKEwlfISLT1APLvKqSwzK9EOR9TE19Xiu2UFVPpq5ahqn1lUSZ1L1qW44s/s1600/newbuilding.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Getting dirty is fun, just ask one of my favorite men <a href="http://mikerowe.com/about-mike/bio/">Mike Rowe</a>! <br />Let's teach our kids the joy of building more and consuming less</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> while using some elbow grease and grit.</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>3D Printing</u></b>- Thanks to numerous donations from private donors will be able to purchase our first 3D printer this spring. Offering kids the opportunity to design and develop products to print out then put to use in their daily lives and the lives of others is a team effort which will be taught and facilitated in the STEAM Studio.</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpShmPGR_n_iLdwrQnQw5lNeeKOJ4Srilk-HbeEKDqzyq7MVQFB_1t3tdZ2V7jkPpc-VGTvifgAxx8Y-SqhYZ4HzvDzSNstyVss0ocASaIY1ZE42xyTl2ua3pCviLDJmN-ivhEjN9W_Y/s1600/newpablopicasso-quote-800x390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpShmPGR_n_iLdwrQnQw5lNeeKOJ4Srilk-HbeEKDqzyq7MVQFB_1t3tdZ2V7jkPpc-VGTvifgAxx8Y-SqhYZ4HzvDzSNstyVss0ocASaIY1ZE42xyTl2ua3pCviLDJmN-ivhEjN9W_Y/s1600/newpablopicasso-quote-800x390.jpg" height="156" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">My man <a href="http://www.biography.com/people/pablo-picasso-9440021#early-life-and-education">Pablo</a>, the definition of experimentation and innovation in art... and beyond.</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Inviting local artists in</u></b>- Through the <a href="http://www.rockhurst.edu/academics/undergraduate/majors/communication-fine-arts/overview/">Art Department at Rockhurst University</a> and connections through the community, local artists will be selected and invited in to share the math, science, engineering and incredibly interesting ways art can bring out not only expression, but intelligence, failure, success and creativity in many ways.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Robotics</u></b>- We applied and have been awarded a grant from <a href="http://www.vml.com/">VML</a> to purchase our first robotics kit this spring to offer an unique <a href="http://www.kcfirst.org/">First Robotics</a> program which was founded here in KC. We are extremely grateful to VML and the <a href="http://www.rockhurst.edu/academics/undergraduate/majors/engineering-computing-program/overview/">Rockhurst University Engineering students </a>who will be volunteering to help facilitate this program.</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBTkZ2t_zSvQ1lOrjaQW6ftIGN0CryS5har0P2PdLu07ZiGw62A5Qr_79oMYWji4QUIJuRChejpRMXigQrGVC12a6KVNe7B2ji0Rt9cc0Rrzqx0Scij38jNXHAWnzAPWPisX-vFjw9t4/s1600/newmariecurie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBTkZ2t_zSvQ1lOrjaQW6ftIGN0CryS5har0P2PdLu07ZiGw62A5Qr_79oMYWji4QUIJuRChejpRMXigQrGVC12a6KVNe7B2ji0Rt9cc0Rrzqx0Scij38jNXHAWnzAPWPisX-vFjw9t4/s1600/newmariecurie.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Wonder woman <a href="http://www.biography.com/people/marie-curie-9263538">Marie Curie</a>. <br />Rejected by a university because she was a woman, first woman to win a <a href="http://www.nobelprize.org/">Nobel prize</a> in chemistry. <br />First person to win a Nobel prizes in chemistry and physics</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Getting more girls into STEAM</b>- We will begin next week by launching a STEAM Club for Girls for the first five week session. We also have formed a partnership with <a href="http://www.stteresasacademy.org/">St. Teresa's Academy</a>. STA girls will be coming over to volunteer and STEAM Studio will be an option for juniors and seniors to complete their capstone service project.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>New Partnering Schools and Organizations</b>- Collaboration with <a href="http://stannpv.eduk12.net/">St. Ann's Catholic School</a>, <a href="http://www.hcskcmo.com/">Holy Cross Catholic School</a>, <a href="http://www.showmekcschools.org/elementary-schools/charter-schools/alta-vista-elementary-academia-de-ninos/">Academia de Ninos Charter School</a>, and <a href="http://haloworldwide.org/domestic/">Halo Foundation</a> (specifically the KC area youth) to provide enriching special events and activities, as well as, inspire and energize STEAM initiatives for these groups of kids. We are also strategically looking to expand out to other schools in the Westport area.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">None of this would be possible without the support of the <a href="http://www.rockhurst.edu/">Rockhurst University</a> students and faculty. Rockhurst University students volunteer their talent and time to the STEAM Studio through <a href="http://www.rockhurst.edu/center-service-learning/overview/">service learning projects</a>. This offers real-world application and stimulating community connections to the lives of the STEAM Studio participants and to RU students.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Find some time to do something you love. If you know of a company who would love to support the STEAM Studio, or know of someone who would love to volunteer their time, please contact me. This video captures the amount of time we have to do just that.
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Dr. Mandi Sonnenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217626594127604192noreply@blogger.com2