Smart Board
Education news and events
ASPEN SCHOOL CELEBRATES NEW TRACK AND FIELD
The public is invited to attend a ribboncutting ceremony for Aspen Community Magnet School’s new track and field at 9:30 a.m. Monday. The new track and synthetic turf athletic field will serve students from Aspen, Eldorado Community School and Gonzales Community School. The district invested some $1.4 million into the field, which is expected to save the district about three million gallons of water every year. All attendees for the event should check in at the front office of the school, located at 450 La Madera St., off Agua Fría Street.
ROTC CADETS LAUNCH TESTS DURING ECLIPSE
Students from Santa Fe High School’s Juniorand atmosphericROTC helium program balloondata will duringto launch collect Monday’sa video highaltitude solar computer-predictioneclipse. The students model willto determineuse a the balloon’s flight path and landing zone with a target burst altitude of 98,000 feet. The students will use a computer program to track the balloon’s journey. A summary analysis of data and video will be sent to NASA at Montana State University. In addition, the students will meet with other schools from around New Mexico to compare and share collected data on Friday, Aug. 25. The time and location of the launch will be determined by Monday’s weather conditions, but those interesting in viewing the launch or learning more can call Jeff Gephart at 505-470-6197.
BOARD HOLDS STUDY SESSION
Santa Fe Public Schools’ board of education holds its next study session at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, at the district’s Educational Services Center, 610 Alta Vista St. Though the agenda for the meeting is not yet set, the board is slated to discuss a process for replacing school board member Linda Trujillo, who is stepping down in December. Though her term ends in February 2019, Trujillo is leaving to concentrate on her duties as a member of the state’s House of Representatives. Visit www.sfps.info and click on the Board of Education link to learn more.
UNM PROVIDING HEARING TESTS AND AIDS
The University of New Mexico’s Department of Speech and Hearing Services has initiated a program to provide hearing aids for students, staff members, faculty and alumni who need them. Members of those groups can get a complete hearing test at the center at the reduced price of $25 for students, $45 for faculty and staff members and $50 for alumni. If tests show a hearing loss or problem, the center can provide assistive listening devices. Testing takes place at the center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Call 505-277-0443 or 505277-4453 for more information and to make an appointment.
HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES NEW MATH INITIATIVE
New Mexico Highlands University has begun a new mathematics initiative, funded by a $2.9 million United States Department of Education grant, to help prepare students to perform better in both math and science. Among the components of the new program is a 25-computer math lab and additional support for students who want to become math teachers.
“The top priority for this grant is to increase the number of undeserved students who graduate from Highlands with a STEM degree in science, technology, engineering or math,” said Edward Martinez, vice president of strategic enrollment management at the college and lead researcher for the grant. “We know that math tends to be a big barrier for our students, with approximately 83 percent in the last 10 years needing to take a developmental algebra class that becomes a gateway for these STEM students.”