Students around the world are discovering it's more fun to design a robot than it is to play with one - and having the hardest fun they've ever had!  FIRST Lego League (FLL), a national robotics program, has experienced dramatic growth since its inception in 1998.  In FLL, student teams design and program an autonomous robot using the Lego Mindstorms set and create a solution to a real-world scientific problem.  Teams compete in regional qualifiers by completing tasks with their robot on a thematic playing surface, then advance to state competitions and, if lucky, the World Festival (regions are selected by lottery for the World Festival). 

FLL helps young people discover the fun in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) as they work to solve real-world problems using robotics.  FLL participants are 50 percent more likely to attend college and twice as likely to major in science or engineering.  More than that, FLL fosters teamwork and leadership - the program has even coined several terms.  Dr. Woodie Flowers,FIRST National Advisor, created the term "Gracious Professionalism" - a way of doing things that emphasizes respect and that competition and mutual gain are not separate notions.  Actually, FLL teams don't "compete" - they participate in "Coopertition," displaying respect in the face of fierce competition and cooperating with each other.  A parent testimonial puts it best, that "being bright is not the same as leadership."

As the program grows, so does the impact.  FLL 2011 featured 19,800 teams from over 50 countries.  2011 regional qualifiers took place not only in the Quad Cities, but also Cedar Falls, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Ottumwa, Sioux City, Marshalltown, and Solon.  Rivermont Collegiate is eagerly jumping on board to expand the impact of FLL in the Quad Cities!  Due to success of the program in Rivermont 5^th grade last year, it has been expanded to 5^th - 8^th grade for 2012-13.  A dedicated room has been equipped with 9 computers and devoted to the robotics teams.  Last year, two teams of Rivermont 5^th graders competed at the regional qualifier at the Putnam, with one team bringing home the Core Values Inspiration Award.  Coaches Rachel Chamberlain and Leigh Ann Schroeder saw tremendous growth and maturity in the teams, not only learning new STEM skills, but demonstrating skills in teamwork, goal setting, compromise, and problem solving.  Due to huge student interest, students in 6^th - 8^th grade are now invited to join the fun - Rivermont will have four FLL teams this year.

"It's one thing to see a kid in college doing it, but to see 13, 14, 15, 16-year olds writing code, building robots, enthusiastic about life, mathematics, science, and engineering...20 years from now, these kids are the leaders of industry." -will.i.am, Frontman, The Black Eyed Peas  

   

Note: FLL season officially kicked off August 28^th.  The regional tournament in Davenport will be held Saturday, December 15^th at the Putnam Museum.  This year's theme is Senior Solutions - can FLL teams improve the quality of life for seniors by helping them continue to be independent, engaged, and connected in their communities?  For additional information on the FIRST LEGO League, visit www.FirstLegoLeague.org. 

Rivermont Collegiate, located in Bettendorf, is the Quad Cities' only private, independent college prep school for students in preschool through 12^th grade. 

For additional information on Rivermont, contact Rachel Chamberlain at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or chamberlain@rvmt.org.

Visit us on the web at www.rvmt.org!

(DES MOINES) -  Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and University of Northern Iowa President Ben Allen today announced a series of community conversations featuring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and economic development that will take place across the state in September and October.

The community conversations are designed seek feedback from Iowans about what priorities the Governor's STEM Advisory Council should focus on as the STEM initiative continues to build across Iowa.

"We are determined to provide Iowa's young people with engaging STEM education opportunities, no matter where they live," said Reynolds, co-chair of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council. "That will help assure more students are well equipped to be knowledgeable citizens and to someday begin college or career training prepared for success. It also will help assure a stronger STEM employee pipeline for Iowa's businesses and industries."

All parents, grandparents, educators, business and civic leaders, legislators and other Iowans are invited to attend the hour-long, town hall style meetings.

"We are in the process of rolling out STEM programs through our scale-up initiative and these community conversations are a way to foster STEM relationships between local businesses, the regional STEM networks and area schools," said Allen, co-chair of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council.

The Governor's STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership whose overarching goal is creating greater student achievement in STEM subjects and a stronger STEM workforce.

"STEM jobs are projected to be among the fastest growing and best paying. Iowa's economy also will benefit if more young people are ready for STEM jobs. Employers routinely tell us they have difficulty filling STEM jobs that pay well because applicants lack the right skill set," said Branstad.

The following STEM Community Conversation events are open to the public:

Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012

9:30 a.m. Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds and President Allen hold Tama County STEM Community Conversation

Reinig Center

1007 Prospect Dr.

Toledo, IA

11:30 a.m. Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds and President Allen hold Black Hawk County STEM Community Conversation

University of Northern Iowa - Center for Energy and Environmental Education - Main Lobby

1227 W 27^th St.

Cedar Falls, IA

Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012

9 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds hold Greene County STEM Community Conversation

Greene County Community Center

204 W Harrison St.

Jefferson, IA

10:30 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds hold Boone County STEM Community Conversation

DMACC Boone Campus - Auditorium

1125 Hancock Dr.

Boone, IA

12:30 p.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds hold Marshall County STEM Community Conversation

Emerson Innovation Center, Fisher Technology

301 S 1^st Ave.

Marshalltown, IA

Monday, Sept. 17, 2012

10 a.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds and President Allen hold Polk County STEM Community Conversation

Drake Legal Clinic Courtroom

2400 University Ave.

Des Moines, IA

1:30 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds holds Warren County STEM Community Conversation

Simpson College - McNeil Hall - Pioneer Conference Room

701 North C St.

Indianola, IA

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012

1:30 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds and President Allen hold Union County STEM Community Conversation

Southwestern Community College - Instructional Center Room 180

1501 W Townline St.

Creston, IA

4 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds and President Allen hold Taylor County STEM Community Conversation

Bedford High School - Auditorium

906 Penn St.

Bedford, IA

Friday, Oct. 5, 2012

9 a.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds holds Emmet County STEM Community Conversation

Iowa Lakes Community College - Wind Energy Facility

2021 7^th Ave. S

Estherville, IA

2 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds holds Webster County STEM Community Conversation

Iowa Central Community College - Bioscience and Health Services Auditorium (BHS105)

330 Ave. M

Fort Dodge, IA

Monday, Oct. 8, 2012

12:30 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds holds Muscatine County STEM Community Conversation

Muscatine Community Schools Administrative Center - Conference Room

2900 Mulberry Ave.

Muscatine, IA

3:30 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds holds Des Moines County STEM Community Conversation

Greater Burlington Partnership - Winegard Board Room

610 N 4^th St., Suite 200

Burlington, IA

Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012

2 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds holds Linn County STEM Community Conversation

The Hotel at Kirkwood Community College - Ballroom

7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW

Cedar Rapids, IA

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Skip-a-Long Child Development Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible care to all children, staff at the center regularly participate in training opportunities and continuing education. Today the staff at this center have reached a milestone!

EVERY staff member at the Rock Island Skip-a-Long Campus now holds a CDA (Child Development Associate) Credential! This means all staff who nurture and teach our children at this site are Teacher Qualified.

According to The Council for Professional Recognition, "The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ is based on a core set of competency standards, which guide early care professionals as they work toward becoming qualified teachers of young children. The Council works to ensure that the nationally-transferable CDA is a credible and valid credential, recognized by the profession as a vital part of professional development."

We are very grateful and thankful for our dedicated staff who work to ensure excellence and quality in our child care center. Please celebrate this achievement with us, because it means that when you put your trust in Skip-a-Long to care for your child you can be assured that he or she is receiving the best care available from an organization whose mission is to provide "high-quality accessible child development services where learning is fun!"

New Standards Ensure Students are Offered Healthier, More Nutritious Foods in the Lunch Line

WASHINGTON, August 29, 2012 - Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon today announced that America's students will see healthier and more nutritious foods in the cafeteria as they return to school this year. The new nutrition standards for school meals, implemented as a result of the historic Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, will help to combat child hunger and obesity and improve the health and nutrition of the nation's children.

"Improving the nutrition of school meals is an important investment in the future of America's children," said Concannon. "We know that healthy food plays a vital role in strengthening a child's body and mind and the healthier school meals will help to ensure our children can learn, grow, and reach their full potential."

Starting this school year, schools will phase in the nutrition standards over a three-year period. Schools will focus on changes in the lunches in the first year, with most changes in breakfast to take place in future years. The new meal standards:

-          Ensure students are offered both fruits and vegetables every day of the week;

-          Substantially increase offerings of whole grain-rich foods and low-fat milk or fat-free milk varieties;

-          Limit calories based on the age of children being served to ensure proper portion size; and

-          Focus on reducing the amounts of saturated fat, trans fats and sodium.

The new meal requirements are raising standards for the first time in more than fifteen years and improving the health and nutrition of nearly 32 million kids that participate in school meal programs every school day. The healthier school meals are a key component of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which was championed by the First Lady as part of her Let's Move! campaign and signed into law by President Obama.

Watch a special back to school welcome video from First Lady Michelle Obama.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including school meals programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit www.fns.usda.gov for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs. To learn about the meal standards, go to www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday.

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