KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: National Guard Tour Comes to Hall High School

National Guard Tour Comes to Hall High School

Interactive Mobile Learning Center to support the country's "Educate to Innovate" campaign
Arlington, VA (November 8, 2010) – In support of "Educate to Innovate" and to raise the math and
science literacy of the nation, the Army National Guard is bringing its new, interactive Mobile Learning
Center (MLC) to Hall High School November 29 through December 2. The MLC, which tours high-schools
and armories throughout the country, will focus on technology while exploring energy efficiency and
alternative energy sources through engaging and highly interactive math and science experiences. The
goal of the visit is to further interest students at Hall High School in math and science, and educate them
on the many career opportunities in these fields.
"The National Guard's Mobile Learning Center program brings an exciting new dimension to learning and
teaching," said Colonel Diana Craun, Division Chief of the National Guard Bureau - Education, Incentive &
Employment division. "The National Guard is devoted to communities and schools like Hall High School,
and to ensuring that our children are prepared to meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive
global workforce. The Mobile Learning Center will bring educational opportunities and fun experiences
directly to the students at Hall High School so they are best prepared for a bright future."
The mobile tour's vehicle, "The Energy Lab", is a fully mobile 63' Rapid Deployment Vehicle that
transforms into an interactive, remote classroom filled with educational, fun and inspiring learning tools
that will encourage high-school students and kids to participate in and excel at science and math. On
board the trailer is a 24-seat theater with a powerful sound and lighting system that will provide an
enhanced multimedia learning experience while introducing students to the platform of energy and
environment. Off board the 27'x27' tent contains four separate interactive exhibits focusing on the four
elements: earth, water, wind and fire.
In 2009, President Obama launched "Educate to Innovate", an initiative designed to improve the
participation and performance of America's students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM). The MLC will support the development of STEM education standards across the country and
encourage kids to stay in school, study, and graduate.
While the United States boasts great schools, excellent teachers, and successful students, there are also
troubling signs that, overall, our students should be doing better in math and science. In the 2006
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) comparison, American students ranked 21st out
of 30 in science literacy among students from developed countries, and 25th out of 30 in math literacy.
On the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) math tests, 4th graders showed no
signs of progress for the first time in years, and 8th graders tallied only modest evidence of progress.
The MLC began its tour on September 30 during a kick-off event in Washington, DC. The MLC will visit
communities in GA, AL, TN, MS, LA, TX, NM, AZ, NV & CA. This route targets schools with below average
2009 8th Grade NAEP scores in both math and science.
For those communities and schools the MLC does not visit, there will be STEM-related education resources
available online (www.NATIONALGUARD.com/energylab) to students, parents and educators. Tools
include pull down teacher's guides, experiments and resources pertaining to the Energy Lab.
Onsite interviews are available, and media representatives are invited to tour the MLC from 8:45AM –
3:45PM.
Additional Highlights from the Mobile Learning Center
EARTH
This interactive game allows players to extract oil, gas and coal from the Earth in an effort to produce an
electrical output. As each player advances further into the future, it becomes more challenging to save the
environment and adapt to Earth's increasing population.
SOLAR (fire)
Players will interact with simulated solar panels to challenge themselves to generate enough power to
supply as many homes as possible for one day. Players must overcome stormy weather conditions to
continue to provide power and earn points.
WIND
Players take on the role of a farmer that must choose the most favorable conditions for wind turbines
based on location and arrangement in order to maximize power. Players experiment with the various
options to build wind turbine farms that are more efficient than fellow farmers (players).
WATER
This interactive experience allows players to use a balance board to rock back and forth to produce waves
that will increase electrical output. Players learn about the various types of waves and locations that are
optimal for the generation of wave energy. As players advance, they must brave stormy seas in order to
continue producing electricity and earning points to win.
Energytown
The Mobile Learning Center campaign will also emphasize the collaborative work of the students via
Energytown, a tracking method that shows how successful students have been in meeting the challenge of
harnessing energy from their four interactive stations. These results will be tracked class to class, school
to school, city to city and state to state creating a competitive spirit to the program.
About the Army National Guard – The Army National Guard (ARNG) is one component of the Army
(which consists of the Active Army, the Army National Guard and the Army Reserves). The Army National
Guard is composed primarily of traditional Guardsmen—civilians who serve their country, state and
community on a part-time basis (usually one weekend each month and two weeks during the summer.)
Each state, territory and the District of Columbia has its own National Guard, as provided for by the
Constitution of the United States.
About Educate to Innovate - President Obama's Educate to Innovate campaign is a nationwide effort to
help reach the administration's goal of moving American students from the middle to the top of the pack
in science and math achievement over the next decade. Launched in November, 2009, Educate to
Innovate is designed to improve the participation and performance of America's students in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This campaign includes efforts not only from the
Federal Government but also from leading companies, foundations, non-profits, and science and
engineering societies to work with young people across America to excel in science and math. This
nationwide effort includes over $260 million in public-private investments.
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