National Center for Simulation

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

13 November 2013

Members Present: Larry Brinson (HVS), Wynn Davis (Full Sail University), Dr. Doug Dobson (Lou Frey Institute), Perry Dunn (ATT), Kevin Gouvia (SCPS), Mac Griffith (Boy Scouts of America), Lyn Higgins (SCPS), Scott Kidd (AGNISTEM), Shane Lord (BrunoWhite), Pamela Nabors (Workforce Central Florida), N.Y. Nathiri (PEC), Hank Okraski (NCS), Kelli Plumley (Cubic), Dr. Elaine Raybourn (DoD ADL), Sunny Simmonds (NAWCTSD),Terry Sylvester (Secure Health Systems), Dr. Cap Jadonath (OCPS), Terry Kohl (Cubic), Jesse Walker (SCPS), Colleen Wittmuss (Legoland), Lanny Wood (OCPS), Deb Yeagle (A-T Solutions)

Meeting agenda is attached. Meeting minutes and presentations will be posted on the NCS website:

www.simulationinformation.com

Activities and Discussions:

A.  Status of Ed&WD Committee Activities

Hank Okraski, Committee Chairman, reported on the most recent activities of the committee. As highlights: conducted a successful Teachers Seminar at Lockheed Martin in September 2013, attended by 50 teachers and educators. Participated in the Lou Frey Symposium M&S offering middle school and high school students opportunities to operate several engaging simulations. The future calls for an emphasis on our Certification Program and a new and exciting “M&S Center of Excellence” at the Orange County Convention Center. We are being assisted by Orlando Tech in the conceptualization of the dedicated space. We continue to visit schools and talk to students about M&S.

B.Congressman Lou Frey Institute and Symposium

Dr. Doug Dobson briefly described the successful LFI Symposium held in late September at the University of Central Florida. It featured Modeling and Simulation. Approximately 450 students attended and learned about the wide variety of careers available in modeling and simulation. Further, several companies demonstrated their simulations and allowed the students to operate them. These ranged from flight simulators to medical applications. The Orlando Sentinel featured the symposium in more than one article. Dr. Dobson went on to describe the functions of the LFI in curriculum writing and other activities with a focus on “civics”. The need for Civics simulation was expressed.

C. NCS M&S Certification Program

Hank Okraski and Pamela Nabors of Workforce Central Florida spent an appreciable amount of time in presenting and discussing the planned M&S Certification Program for high school students. This will be the flagship certification program in M&S within the nation. The general NCS model for the workforce pipeline was explained in detail and the certification process was outlined by Pamela Nabors. She also explained the Career and Professional Education Act (CAPE) to the group. Certification examination questions are being compiled by Lyn Higgins, Lyman HS, with the assistance of NAWCTSD. Several actions are necessary to move the program to implementation; the first being an overall plan that would include a policy, objectives, procedures, etc. A subcommittee of volunteers was formed to develop the plan. It included the following individuals:

Dr. Elaine Raybourn, ( ADL Co-Lab Orlando)

Ms Kelli Plumley, (Cubic Corporation)

Mr Kevin Gouvia, (SCPS)

Dr. Cap Jadonath, (OCPS)

Mr. Sylvester Terry, (Secure Health Systems)

Ms Deb Yeagle, (A-T Solutions) Sub Committee Chairperson

We will be working very closely with Workforce Central Florida (Ms Pam Nabors) in developing the certification plan. We look forward to and appreciate guidance from her office.

Our objective is to have a draft Certification Plan by 15 January 2014. It will be briefed to the NCS Board of Directors later in January.

D.  Introducing STEM to Eatonville

Ms N.Y. Nathiri of the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community (PEC) described the initiatives to bring STEM education to the students in and around Eatonville, Florida. Eatonville is the oldest city in the US with an African American heritage and we at NCS support their planned STEM programs.

N.Y. Nathiri's requested funds and in-kind assistance to make their ZORA ! STEM Conference a success. Through programs like this, we can begin to excite minorities and females about STEM-based careers like modeling and simulation, and hopefully move them in that direction. Please contact N.Y. Nathiri directly to help financially and/or provide assistance as appropriate with in-kind help.. She mentioned, specifically, that they would like to have young engineers or other professionals talk about what they do in M&S.

E. High School STEM/Simulation Program

Paul Ackerman of East River High School could not attend the meeting but his presentation is attached (on the website).

E.  Boy Scouts STEM Outreach

Mac Griffith, STEM Program Executive, Boy Scouts of America- Central Florida Council, briefed the committee on the STEM and Nova awards program. THE BSA developed the Nova Awards program to excite and expand a sense of wonder in our Scouts. By working with an adult counselor or mentor, the various modules allow them to explore the basic principles of STEM and discover how much fun and fascinating STEM can be. There are also Supernova awards for those who enjoy a super challenge. For more information, go to the website: www.scouting,org/stem.

Mac Griffith is seeking help in implementing the program and would like to include tours of local industry as a part of the STEM program. Lockheed Martin has been contacted to assist with the BSA tours.

F.  New Business

There was no new business. However, at the request of Dr. Flash Gorgon, information on the ITEA Scholarship was provided the committee members in advance of the meeting.

NCS will have a booth in the STEM Pavilion that will be occupied by Orlando Tech.

1