Join us STEM Teachers/Educators Night Out Event

 

This free event will include free pop/pizza provided by QCESC, a review of major STEM events calendar, an overview of host school's STEM program, and input from other schools attending the meeting. This is a great networking opportunity for sharing STEM successes and learning.

The calendar of major STEM events will be discussed, including:

• IL FLL Qualifier Event Dec 6-7
• IA FLL Qualifier Event. Dec 13-14
• Bridge Building Competition Feb 6-7
• Trebuchet Competition. Apr 10 (Tentative)
• Cardboard Boat Regatta. May 8 (Tentative)

A highlight will be tour of BHS's new Robotics program by Dan Drexler.

• As always we want representatives from the various schools to share their successes and plans for STEM events.

 

THIS WEEK
Thursday, November 6, 6:00 p.m. CST
Powerade Center, Brampton

Quad City Mallards vs. Brampton Beast

 

Friday, November 7, 6:00 p.m. CST

Powerade Center, Brampton

Quad City Mallards vs. Brampton Beast

Sunday, November 9, 1:00 p.m. CST

Powerade Center, Brampton

Quad City Mallards vs. Brampton Beast

LAST WEEK
Tuesday, October 28

Quad City 4 Rapid City 1

Friday, October 31

Cincinnati 3 Quad City 2

Saturday, November 1
Cincinnati 5 Quad City 4

Quad City
2-3-0-0, 4 points
tied 4^th place, Central Division
Coach: Terry Ruskowski

Brampton
0-3-1-0, 1 point
7^th place, Central Division
Coach: Brent Hughes

QUACK TRACKS
Cincy Sweep

The Mallards suffered back-to-back one-goal home losses to the Cincinnati Cyclones last weekend.  Those two games were the Mallards' first two match-ups with a club that, unlike the Mallards and the rest of the Central Division, is not new to the ECHL this season.

Best-of-Three

The Mallards started last week with a 4-1 win in Rapid City Tuesday.  That victory was the Mallards' second in a season-opening stretch of three consecutive tilts against the Rush.

 

Foxy

Justin Fox scored twice last Saturday- the first multiple goal game for a Mallard this season- and has collected four points (two goals and two assists) in his last three games to move into a tie for the team lead in goals (with Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel and Joe Perry) and points (with Dieude-Fauvel).  Fox also posted a plus-minus rating of +5 in his three games last week.

Rookie Run
Rookie Pearce Eviston has notched four assists in his last four games to take over the team lead.

 

On the Road

After playing four of their first five games at home the Mallards now play five straight games in Brampton, eight of their next 11 away from home and 14 of their next 18 on the road.

Home Sweet Home?

The Mallards dropped back-to-back home games last weekend and have lost three of their first four home games.

Firsts
Parker Milner made 28 saves while earning his first win as a Mallard and Evan Haney and Johnny Rogic picked up their first career points- assists for both- last Tuesday at Rapid City.  Last Friday against Cincinnati Logan Nelson played his first career game while Antti Pusa, Jani Hakanpaa and Mario Lamoureux made their Mallard debuts with Finns Pusa and Hakanpaa both scoring.

Two Hundred Seventy-Seventh

Kevin Baker scored his first Mallard goal- and the two hundred seventy-seventh of his career- last Tuesday in Rapid City.

History

Captain Darren McMillan moved past Andy Fermoyle into fifth place in team history by playing his two hundred seventy-sixth career game for the Mallards last Tuesday at Rapid City.

 

Special Teams

The Mallards gave up two goals on four Cincinnati power plays last Saturday after giving up just two goals in their first four games on 15 penalty kills.  The Mallards now rank twentieth in the ECHL in penalty killing (78.9 percent).  Justin Fox scored the Mallards' second power play goal of the season last Saturday.  The Mallards rank nineteenth on the man advantage (12.5 percent).

Best Shot
The Mallards outshot the Cyclones 31-27 last Saturday after being outshot in each of their first four games.  The Mallards rank twenty four in the league in shots per game (25.2) and twenty-fifth in shots allowed (32.0).

Head to Head

The Mallards went 7-3-3 against the Beast last season and posted a 4-1-1 record in Brampton.  After meeting the Beast in Brampton this Thursday and Friday and again next Sunday, the Mallards will head back to the Quad Cities and then make a return trip north of the border for games against the Beast on Friday, November 14 and Sunday, November 16.

Ins and Outs

Defenseman Jani Hakanpaa was reassigned to the Mallards from the AHL's Chicago Wolves by the NHL's St. Louis Blues last Thursday and then reassigned to the Wolves today...Forward Evan Haney was placed on the Mallards' reserve list last Thursday and then activated last Saturday when Forward Kevin Baker was moved to the reserve list...Forward Todd Fiddler returned to the Mallard line-up last Friday.  Fiddler missed last Tuesday night's win in Rapid City after being suspended one game for incurring a major penalty (kneeing) and game misconduct October 25 against Rapid City... Forwards Kyle Thomas, Garrett Vermeersch and Ben Woodley were released last Thursday... Forward Antti Pusa was activated from the reserve list last Thursday... Defenseman Nicholas Rioux signed a professional tryout agreement with the AHL's Iowa Wild last Wednesday...The Mallards acquired forward Mario Lamoureux from the Ontario Reign in exchange for future considerations last Tuesday.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES
Wednesday, November 19, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Tulsa Oilers
Four Tickets for $20; Postgame Party at T.G.I. Friday's
Fans can purchase four tickets to each Mallards Wednesday home game for just $20.  In addition, after each Wednesday home contest, fans can join the Mallards at T.G.I. Friday's on River Drive in Moline- adjacent to the iWireless Center- for a postgame party.

 

Friday, November 21, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Rapid City Rush

$1 Dog/$1 Beer Friday presented by 97X and MetroLINK
Fans again this season will enjoy $1 hot dogs and beers from iWireless Center concession stands during all Friday home games.  97X will follow in the spirit of the evening by presenting hot dog-themed intermission entertainment.

Saturday, November 22, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Rapid City Rush

Lighting on the Commons

Fans who attend Lighting on the Commons on John Deere Commons just before the Mallards' game against the Rush will receive a free youth ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket to that Mallards tilt.

 

ON THE AIR
Fox Sports Radio 1230 is the radio home of Mallards Hockey Presented by Genesis Power Sports Performance.  Mallards games broadcast on AM 1230 also stream live online at www.wfxn.net.  A limited number of Mallards games will not air on Fox Sports Radio 1230 due to conflicts with University of Illinois basketball and football and Green Bay Packer football.  ECHL-TV pay-per-view video webcasts and free audio webcasts of all Mallards games are also available at myqcmallards.net.

TICKETS
Single Game Tickets
Single game tickets for all Mallards regular season contests are now available.  Fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.com for more information about tickets.  Single game tickets are also available at the iWireless Center box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through www.ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

Group Tickets
Groups of at least ten receive savings off the walk-up price and a host of group benefits.Mallards group tickets are a great fit for youth organizations, friends, co-workers, family groups, religious groups, school functions and business events.  For more group ticket information, fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.com.

-### Quad City Mallards ### -

PELLA, (11/03/2014)(readMedia)-- If you were to ask Melissa Ketcham '15 what she's thinking about during a lecture, she might respond, "Video games." While this may not be a relevant subject for most academic departments, Ketcham's computer science major has provided her with the tools to turn her childhood love of video games into a potential career.

Ketcham, a senior from Muscatine, Iowa, discovered her love for computer science during her freshman year. "I had never heard of the field until I came to Central," said Ketcham. "My advisor, Dr. Fyfe, a professor of computer science, had me take his introductory class because it was required for my math major. I absolutely loved it."

Ketcham's appreciation for computer science didn't stop there. She said all of Central's computer science professors challenged her and helped her develop a passion for the field.

As a female in a male-dominated field, Ketcham's story isn't typical. According to a National Science Foundation report published in 2012, only 18.2% of college students in the computer science field are female.

"Being a woman in a man's field is always mentioned," said Ketcham. "At Central, I haven't really faced any problems with it, but there are studies and articles all of the time about the need for women in computer science."

In her senior year, Ketcham said her computer science professors continue to challenge her. "You can tell they care about what they are teaching," said Ketcham, "and they also know what they're talking about. The professors have had a huge influence on me."

With her professors' encouragement, Ketcham decided to participate in a computer science Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) this past summer through the National Science Foundation. Similar to internships, REUs allow students from smaller colleges to go to bigger schools over the summer to get research experience in a field of their choice. "I knew that I wanted to see whether or not I wanted to go to grad school, and doing the research would be a great way to do that," said Ketcham.

Ketcham completed her REU at North Carolina State University. There, she created computer programs for the university, such as an online tool professors can use to grade assignments. Her biggest project involved working with one of her favorite things: video games. By using Minecraft, a popular video game, Ketcham and other researchers wanted to teach middle school students how to code.

After her summer research experience, Ketcham said she hopes to work in software design for a small company after graduating from Central. This involves creating the programs and tools designers use to create video games.

"Part of me has always wanted to work on video games," said Ketcham. "It was a childhood dream, and I'm finally in a field where it's applicable."

Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to the education of 1,500 undergraduate students. Founded in 1853, the college is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America and NCAA Division III athletics. Central is a recognized leader in study abroad as a result of its international, residential programs. The college is located in Pella, Iowa, a thriving community of 10,000 two minutes from the state's largest lake and 40 minutes southeast of Des Moines. Learn more at www.central.edu

SPRINGFIELD, IL (11/03/2014)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois Army National Guard Soldier and pianist Capt. Ian Gindes of Urbana, Illinois, played a Salute to Veterans performance, a series of patriotic works in honor of members of the armed services at the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, Nov. 2.

"A lot of servicemen and women have been through things that I cannot explain. Many have been in combat," said Gindes. "I hope that the music helps them understand what our American culture is."

Gindes played at a concert in honor of all servicemembers during American music month. He regularly performs for veterans and has performed at the Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition, as well as Carnegie Hall in New York performing multiple challenging masterpieces.

"I've known him for several years and he is a very talented fellow. It's wonderful that he does these concerts," said Dr. Reid Alexander, professor of music at the University of Illinois, School of Music and Gindes' academic advisor. "I think it's wonderful that he is taking the time to put this together on top of everything else he has to do. I am very proud of him."

In addition to playing the piano for 28 years, Gindes enlisted in the California Army National Guard before transferring to the Illinois Army National Guard in 2004. He commissioned as an officer in 2007 and serves as the personnel officer for the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation in Peoria, Illinois.

Gindes joined the Guard as a way to give back to his country. In addition to his responsibilities as a commissioned officer, he used his talent to raise money for military families and victims of terrorism.

"It is very important to me to give back and use my talent for those families in need of relief," said Gindes. "I think the performance went very well, the emotional parts came out and the heart was there. It was very sentimental."

Gindes said he wanted the veterans to take away a reminiscent cleansing of the soul from the performance.

"I think it's a fantastic, wonderful, unique, beautiful thing he's doing," said Kris Becker, international award winning composer and pianist. "I like how it combines service to our country with a certain segment of our culture. I think it's a neat combination."