FALL 2019 NEWSLETTER
APPLIED MATH, SCIENCE, AND ENGINEERING (AMSE) INSTITUTE
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Preparing the next generation of Christian STEM innovators
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The 2019-20 school year is well underway, and students are already experiencing a season of partnership and exploration as our program managers and mentors strive to challenge AMSE students beyond their own expectations. Interest in AMSE Institute programs is at an all-time high, and our team is working diligently to keep up with the demand for quality, engaging STEM programs for our students.
This year, we added two new after school programs in the high school, Agri-Tech and Digital Experience/Esports. In junior high, an after school Drone program launches on October 8th, and at the elementary school, a newly formed after school Math Team has begun preparing for their first competition in November. The number of high school students served increased this year by offering both semester and yearlong options for select programs.
I, along with the AMSE teachers and staff, look forward to growing with you as a community with continued new initiatives and opportunities as we work together to ensure all students become innovators, educators, leaders, and learners of the 21st century!
In His Service,
Danny Kim
Vice President & Director
K-12 Applied Math, Science, & Engineering (AMSE) Institute
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QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE SPEAKER SERIES
XPRIZE EXTRAVAGANZA!
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Open to All VCS Families
FRIDAY | OCTOBER 11, 2019
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Conservatory Hall
Join us for an exciting evening celebrating VCS and XPRIZE!
Featured Guests: Anousheh Ansari – XPRIZE CEO
Celebrate the Ocean Quest Team’s achievement
Learn about VCS’s advancements in underwater exploration
Watch a sneak peek of the next documentary
Hear the announcement of VCS’s next XPRIZE competition
Hearty appetizers and desserts available
The evening is FREE, but space is limited. Advanced registration required.
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SATURDAY | NOVEMBER 16, 2019
8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Valley Christian Schools
VCHS
will host its first
QuestHacks
, a
12 hour, student-run, entrepreneurship themed hackathon
, supported by BEI and AMSE Institute and organized by both business and STEM-minded students. QuestHacks' mission is to
provide aspiring coders and entrepreneurs with better opportunities, so they can take their project to the next level
. QuestHacks’ goal is to help students create and develop technological ideas that can potentially change the world. This event is open to all VCHS and select local high schools to inspire students
to
use their talents to create change.
QuestHacks includes:
·
Workshops and speaker keynotes
- Topics on software development and entrepreneurship
·
$40K+
in prizes (tech tools, gadgets, software, mentorship)
·
Networking opportunities
with like-minded students and industry leaders
·
Complimentary meals
including breakfast, lunch, and dinner
·
Presentation opportunity
for students on product development & use
VCHS QuestHacks
event is
FREE
for all students. Register by November 9th.
Event Sponsors:
Palo Alto Networks, Google, Wolfram Alpha, Digital Ocean, Balsamiq, Sketch, MakeSchool, ISACA, ChallengeRocket, AoPS, Bugsee, CloudSploit, Shawee, Magoosh, Sashido, Desmos, Omni Group, Clerky, Sticker Giant, and Corsair.
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Presenting, the 2019/20 AMSE Honors Fellows! Students chosen for this highly selective program are currently serving as AMSE leaders and ambassadors and have the distinct honor of participating in internships and specialized research and development projects in areas such as the XPRIZE leadership team, International Space Station Internships, and Quest Incubator Internships.
Ansel Austin
Michael Crotty
Mihir Kasmalkar
Micah Kim
Allison Lam
Atti Lau
Hunter Liu
Martin Liu
Janet Qian
Derek Tan
Vittal Thirumalai
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ALEX GU - FIRST PRIZE
AT
KANGAROO MATH CAMP
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Congratulations to VCHS 10th grader
Alex Gu
who was awarded "
First Prize
" in both the main mathematical competition and the continuous mathematical competition for participants of the International Kangaroo Camp in Zakopane, Poland.
Alex was one of the top 10 students in the United States selected to attend the
Math Kangaroo Competition
this past summer. More than 100 winners from US and European countries including Germany, France, and Ukraine participated in this camp. During the camp, they had daily math classes and lectures from university professors, hiked to various Polish mountains, and visited the world heritage salt mines in Wieliczka and the beautiful historic city of Krakow. The camp also held math competitions, where Alex won first place in both continuous math competition and main math competition.
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VCHS MAKERS - EDITOR'S CHOICE
AT BAY AREA MAKER FAIRE
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Students in the VCHS Makers Club participated in the Bay Area Makers Faire last May. Their booth gained the attention of many faire attendees, as well as faire officials, earning them the coveted Editor's Choice ribbon. Congratulations to all who participated!
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VITTAL THIRUMALAI
SCVMA MATH AWARD
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AMSE Fellow
Vittal Thirumalai
was honored at the Santa Clara Valley Math Associate Annual Awards Banquet this past spring and awarded the "
Outstanding Student of the Year
" award. Vittal was selected as one of three high school students in the county who received this prestigious award. Well done, Vittal!
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THIS...IS OCEAN DISCOVERY!
MBARI PLATFORM LAUNCHED
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In partnership with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), Valley Christian Schools’
Research & Development Department
made history on July 16, 2019 when they launched the first permanently submerged remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 890 meters down to the bottom of the Monterey Bay.
VCS plans to open up access to the deep ocean for young students both here and around the world, allowing them to participate in unique experiments and activities. VCS led the way in pioneering student experiments on the International Space Station, and now, a new world under the sea awaits exploration.
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ROBOTICS STUDENTS TOUR TESLA
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Students from the VCHS Robotics program recently toured the TESLA factory in Fremont, California. The tour began in front of a large photo of Elon Musk's car that was shot into space and covered an overview of
Tesla's history and their connection with SpaceX
.
On tour, students
were able to see nearly 5.3 million square feet of offices and manufacturing facilities and witnessed numerous self-automated robotic arms and expansive machinery throughout the factory. Students were impressed by the efficiency of the facility. After the tour, students spent their last hour demonstrating their FRC Robot to a team of TESLA engineers. They fielded questions from two different groups of employees and were encouraged by the interest in their robot.
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INTRODUCING THE
DIGITAL EXPERIENCE INTIATIVE
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The AMSE Institute, Athletic Department, and Conservatory recently introduced the
Digital Experience Initiative
or “Digi-X” at Valley Christian High School (VCHS), bringing students into the world of architecture and development of simulation environments for emerging technologies, including the gaming industry, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality. The first opportunity for students to get involved launched this week with
90 students participating
in the newly created
Esports Program.
It is the first program offered under the umbrella of the Digi-X Initiative. Plans for future expansion of Digi-X include game art, game design, game development, programming, digital storytelling, casting, and broadcasting.
The Esports Program is designed to create a safe environment for students interested in participating in organized, multiplayer video game competitions between individuals and/or teams in the
High School Esports League
(HSEL). The VCHS Esports Program will focus on the positive development of Esports by providing a structured, competitive, high-level high school program that will allow VCHS gamers to connect with each other and with other high school gamers locally, around the country, and all over the world.
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HIGH SCHOOL MATH TEAM
MENTORS ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
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Twenty students from Valley Christian Elementary School are members of the newly formed VCES Math Team. Under the guidance of their advisor, Mrs. Frieberg, High School Math Team members are providing mentorship, instruction, and competition preparation to this team of eager fourth and fifth-grade students.
Interest in math is at an all-time high! This year, a record 101 students are participating on the high school team!
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SYNOPSYS SCIENCE FAIR
GENERAL INFORMATION MEETING
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WEDNESDAY OR FRIDAY | OCTOBER 9 OR 11, 2019
LUNCHTIME | E126
All interested students who plan to participate in the Synopsys Science Fair this year should attend one of the general information meetings next week - Wednesday or Friday - at lunchtime in Mr. Vander Veen's room (E126) .
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The AMSE offices have moved! We are now located on the first floor of the gym building near the Guidance Counselor's hallway. Please stop by and visit us!
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AMSE REQUIREMENTS REMINDER
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It is important for AMSE Honors and AMSE Artist Honors students to be purposeful in fulfilling their AMSE Institute requirements. Please take time to review the standards for courses, program participation, and research project.
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Synopsys Science Fair Meeting
Wednesday & Friday | October 9 & 11, 2019 | Lunch | E126
XPRIZE Extravaganza
Friday | October 11, 2019 | VCS Conservatory
Rocketry Program Launch
Saturday | October 19, 2019 | Helm, CA
Math League Competition (VCS Hosted)
Elementary | Junior High | High School
Saturday | November 9, 2019 | VCS
QuestHacks
Saturday | November 16, 2019 | VCS
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See what's happening on our social sites:
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If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:8-10
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