GEAR UP PROGRAM POHNPEI CAMPUS July, 2011 Volume 1, Issue 2 GEAR UP ENGINEERING SUMMER SCHOOL

The Generation of Engineers?

After seeing what engineering design process and happened this put it into practice by creating A man powered coconut grinder summer, GEAR UP team is innovative bridges, tunnels and convinced that it will raise a simple machines from LEGOs. Inside the newsletter: group of future engineers The students took the challenge who will lead the way in home and created designs from The Generation of Engi- 1p. this technologically ad- locally available materials. As a neers? vanced world. Throughout result, students assembled Student Challenges: Engi- 1p. June and July, GEAR UP bridges, tunnels and houses neering Designs conducted its engineering from wood, pipes, palm tree summer school in its 6 tar- leaves and other resources. GEAR UP Students Excited 2p. “Beam Bridge” presentation get schools: Awak, Kolonia, The students listened to engi- Feedback from GEAR UP 2p. Nett, Ohmine, Saladak, and neering presentations and inter- Teachers Sekere. LEGOs were lead- acted with engineers from a ing the curriculum, as an number of fields including: GEAR UP Personnel is 3p. experimental education Happy civil, renewable energy-related; tool. The curriculum electrical, mechanical engineer- Big Support from Engineer- 3p. strengthened math and ing, and more. ing Specialists physics background; built vocabulary in the engineer- On field trips, students discov- Donations 4p ing field; and raised interest ered engineering-related courses in the various engineering at Pohnpei campus and how Want to know how to professions available on they get energy from the Power build a bridge? Coconut Pohnpei. GEAR UP 7th Plant in Nanponmal. tree climber or coconut graders learned about the grinder? - Ask GEAR UP students. Learning about engineering processes Student challenges : Engineering designs

At the end of each session, students raised to “The Greeks” group from Nett/Kolonia “Egyptians” group from Nett/Kolonia the challenge by indicating engineering issues session brought up an idea and built a man presented a school design of stairs and in Pohnpei and proposing creative solutions. powered coconut grinder that would be ramp that would help students in wheel One of the groups from Ohmine/Sekere ses- environmentally friendly and improve daily chairs to get to the classrooms. sion proposed to connect Sokehs island to routine. One of the groups from Awak/Saladak Dekehtik by a “beam bridge”. The group de- “Archemedes” group from Nett/Kolonia session built a pinwheel from LEGOs scribed the size of the bridge, compression and session built coconut tree climber that and explained that it was a prototype tension, the materials that were used, and fi- would help to get coconuts easy. for a wind mill that could produce nancial plan. wind power. P a g e 2 GEAR UP ENGINEERING SUMMER Volume 1, Issue 2

GEAR UP Students Are Excited... “A lot of new things! Great Rico Setik, Nett School: lot of new things. I learned because I made new friends Opportunity! New “Oh, wow...many things to about new places. I learned from Awak School.” friends!” - GEAR UP say about the summer what engineering is about.” students Bryan Steven, Ohmine School: camp: first, I learned about Nerissa Syne, Sekere “I learned how to build small simple machines using School: “Summer camp machines using LEGOs...It LEGOs; second, it was fun gave me a great opportunity was fun and I enjoyed getting because I made new to meet new friends and, to know other kids and other friends from Kolonia most important, I loved teachers from Sekere.” school; third, I am moti- working on the LEGOs...It Terell Elanzo, Kolonia School: vated to do the best I can was fun and exciting.” to improve my grades “Summer camp was fun and I when I get to 8th grade.” Joyce Albert, Saladak enjoyed it. I learned new things School: “I learned new and understood what engineer- Kleopatra Villagomez, things about engineering. ing means. I also made new Awak School: “I learned a Summer camp was fun friends from Nett School.”

Feedback from GEAR UP Teachers Awak/Saladak students building structures and simple machines with LEGOs teach lessons on engineering, espe- not only achieve enlightenment? cially using LEGOs.” but also had fun during their learn- ing. The strategies that were ap- Jimmy Gallen, Kolonia, and Altrick- plied during the summer camp son Likor, Nett, Arsenio Wilson, brought out the students’ interest Nett: “We really liked the fact that we in learning so I was really im- put two different schools and stu- pressed. I applaud the GEAR UP dents with different backgrounds Program for engaging our students together to work and study because in quality learning.” students got to experience it before entering high school where they Steven Joel, Kolonia, and Henerigo would meet different students. The Dadius, Nett: “This is our first time students made new friends and got an to experience summer camp in understanding of what engineers do. Pohnpei. The “hands-on” ap- They seemed to be very happy, curi- proach—students building with ous and excited when working with LEGOs—was the most effective LEGOs. ” tool. Some students who are not

performing well academically were Students, Teachers and GEAR UP team after Kolonia/Nett summer session. Dayson Talley, Kolonia: “What I liked very active in using “hands on”. most about the summer camp is the We felt it encouraged learning and Benrita Petrus, Sekere, and Beaumina Soswa, Awak: “The summer camp interest of students regarding the new creative thinking. We also liked was a great experience for us. We learned so much so as the students. The things they learned about structures friendships developed and students interactions between teachers and students were excellent. The summer and simple machines.” ability to communicate with each camp also made us think of incorporating technology into our daily lesson Taylor William, Ohmine: “This pro- other during the program.” plans to make them interesting for students. It was awesome!” gram helped me a lot. I also trained Yasuhiro Kudo, Ohmine School, Trinitina Henry, Kolonia: “I was really impressed by the student presenta- students in many ways concerning and Johnnyber Hairens: “We liked tions on the last day. They really impressed us by making such designs that structures/simple machines. At the the organization. It created ways we never seen before. The best thing was that students really enjoyed end of the summer camp I could for students and teachers to com- working together and also working with the LEGOs.” see—students benefited from this municate and learn from one an- summer camp.” other. It has been effective for both Aliksa Johnyboy, Kolonia, Paul Cantero, Ohmine, Alexander Ponapart, Delbertson Rodriguez, Ohmine: “The students and teachers. We also Dennis Rosario, and Dagger Soulik, Nett: “The summer camp was very liked the fact that both slow and interesting and also challenging at the same time. We did learn many things summer camp presentations were most spectacular. The students did quick learners benefited from the from the teachers, specialists and students. It was our first time to actually summer camp.” GEAR UP ENGINEERING SUMMER Volume 1, Issue 2 P a g e 3

is doing a good job in GEAR UP Personnel is Happy! unlocking the potential of its participants. This was Amber Ham, Education Spe- an excellent opportunity to evident during the summer cialist: “I knew that the GEAR learn and interact with students program closing activities. UP teachers and students and colleagues. I enjoyed see- In watching the students’ would rise to the challenge this ing the students being moti- presentations, I felt so summer. It was amazing to see vated and engaged in this grateful that we are able to staff working together and learning environment (Go offer these children six students developing innovative LEGOS!)” years of educational oppor- machines and structures. The tunities and mentoring. I am confi- Student built tunnel from grass day of challenges was a reward- Nora Kriauzaite, Program dent that the GEAR UP will bring ing experience for all. I still get Director: “It was fascinating to brighter and better future for these chills up my arms when I think hear teenagers discussing engi- children.” back to the last day of camp.” neering challenges and propos- Morehna Santos, Students Ser- ing solutions, even financial vices Specialist: “GEAR UP plans! That part was most re- summer camp 2011 was one- warding for me. I trust that we of- a- kind...unique in its ap- are raising some excellent engi- neers.” proach and exciting for the students! My experience at Penny Weilbacher, Pohnpei summer camp was great, I had Campus Director: “GEAR UP Big Support from Engineering Specialists Mr. Luke Dragovich, US Navy Engineer explains tension GEAR UP is very lucky to were excited to hear educa- have such an eclectic group tional and inspirational of engineers on Pohnpei. speeches of engineers! The “Engineers solve Teachers and students alike students can now explain human problems! You were unsure of engineering what engineers do in their want to solve human and what it meant. It was daily routine; what they had problems? - You need to become an engineer! enjoyable for them to learn to study to become engi- - Engineers-presenters from current professionals neers; and what opportuni- from both Pohnpei and ties exist within the engi- around the world. As a re- neering field. sult, students and teacher

Mr. Gardner Edgar, Chair of Trade and Technology Division at Pohnpei Some Fun…. Campus, explains electrical engineering

Although it rained and poured, students, teachers, and com- munity members jived to the jazz, funk, and blues sounds created by the acoustic Navy Band. Students were amazed to see brass instruments in- cluding the saxophone, trum- pet, trombone, and tuba. US Navy plays for GEAR UP students at Ohmine Mr. Emanuele Taibi, Energy Specialist at SPC, explains renewable energy. GEAR UP Program GEAR UP is a 6-year US Department of Education funded program. The main goal of the GEAR UP is to assist 410 low-income students improve their academic skills and strengthen their motivation so that they com- COM-FSM Pohnpei Campus P.O. Box 614 plete elementary school, enroll in high school, and with Kolonia, Pohnpei much support and assistance, enter a postsecondary FM 96941 education institution. The program targets six elemen- Phone: 320-3795 tary schools in Pohnpei, FSM: Awak, Saladak, Sekere, Fax: 320-3799 Kolonia, Nett and Ohmine. GEAR UP began February th 2011 and enrolled 410 7 graders in all of the 6 target schools. The program will continue providing support services including but not limited to counseling, aca- demic, recreation, and career awareness to the same students until they complete their senior year of school.

Parents donations for GEAR UP summer school Student Homework: Houses from branches and paper Our great appreciation for donations and support for GEAR UP summer camp to: Etscheit Enterprises Melyann Malarme, Praise Santos, First Aid FSM Telecommunications Officers, Micronesian Red Cross Society FSM Petroleum Corporation Gardner Edgar, Chair of Trade and Tech- nology Division, COM-FSM Pohnpei Bank of FSM Campus Ace Office Supplies Richard Kulat, Driver, COM-FSM Pohnpei Arts & Crafts Pohnpei Campus Pohnpei Port Authority Feliciano Perman, General Manager, Pohnpei Utilities Corporation Pohnpei Public Library Student incentive ceremony Dackson Solomon, Pohnpei Utilities Cor- Do It Best poration Blue Nile Luke Dragovich, Engineer, Pacific Part- True Value nership Team GEAR UP Parents Phillip Baranowski, Builder, Pacific Part- nership Team Whitney Hoot, World Teach Volunteer Carlos Geronimo, Civil Engineer, TC&I, Amanda Korell, Peace Corps Volunteer FSM National Government Maureen Curtin, World Teach Volunteer Gary Wiggins, Engineer-Contracting Offi- Sizue Yoma, Micronesia Red Cross Society cer, TC&I, FSM National Government Morgan David, HIV/AIDS Officer, Mi- Emanuele Taibi, Energy Specialist, Secre- cronesia Red Cross Society tariat of the Pacific Community Some of the donations for student incentives.