Activities, STEM

Some days will be too cold or too hot for outdoor activities, but mentors and mentees still can learn and play online as well as prepare for outside activities when the weather is clement.

A perennial favorite for everyone is National Geographic--for kids or adults!
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/


For high school:
From the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), more challenging but perhaps appropriate for high school--or for mentors in need of a serious challenge:  http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm
Excerpt:  http://ocw.mit.edu/high-school/for-students/
"Check out videos of competitions at MIT like the Solar Decathlon. Ever see a bullet smash through a rose dipped in nitrogen? Check out the Strobe Project Laboratory. Studying for the Physics AP exam? Watch an MIT professor explain pendulums by swinging across his classroom."

Back to younger age groups:
Education and training opportunities from the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy vary; a few are below. Some websites cost money to join, but most are free.  Typically, interactive websites offered by museums and zoos are highly informative and produced well.  This may lead you to investigate other museum and zoo sites.
http://uscenterforcitizendiplomacy.org/pages/stem

Subcategory:  Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)

The United Nations Cyberschoolbus allows choice of country groupings and then different classifications such as economically developing, Nordic Council, etc.
http://cyberschoolbus.un.org/infonation3/menu/advanced.asp

The Boston Museum's "Ancient Egypt: Science & Technology"
Among other tools, online you can plan your own afterlife.  The pharoah allows a certain amount of money; when you search for possible tombs, embalming, etc., you learn the different types and the costs.  Of course, you are keeping a budget online, too, and you cannot charge it!
http://legacy.mos.org/quest/

The British Museum:  "Ancient Egypt"
http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/menu.html

From the Globe Program:  http://www.globe.gov/teaching-and-learning/e-training
Example:  Observing, Describing and Identifying Clouds
http://www.globe.gov/documents/348614/353086/atla-idclouds.pdf

"GoNorth!" focuses on the Artic. 
http://www.polarhusky.com/

"In Search of the Ways of Knowing Trail"
Virtual trip through the African rain forest
http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/pagegen/wok/index_f4.html

'Why emphasize education?

Mentors encourage their mentees.  Graduating from high school and seeking post-secondary training are goals which a mentor can help a mentee chart and achieve.  Use freely the points below.

 Learnit Educational Community  Useful resources for a better education.

 The Importance of Education

As early as kindergarten, your parents may have been reminding you about the importance of education and the reasons why you should wake up early to go to school. In the end, your parents know best. One of the key roles of getting educated is to gain knowledge of things you won’t be able to discover otherwise.

Although education can come in various forms, such as self-study, homeschooling, and traditional school-based programs, they are all important to one’s personal development. This article explains the importance of education for young kids, teenagers, college students and even professionals.

Benefits of Preschool Education
Preschools, nursery schooling, or infant education is given to children from month-old to five years old, depending on local educational standards. Contrary to popular belief that preschools only teach social skills to kids through playtime, preschools may have one or two teaching methods used (such as Waldorf, Montessori, Head Start, The Creative Curriculum, High Scope, Bank Street, Reggio Emilia, High Reach Learning, and Forest kindergartens, among others. All of these teaching methods provide students with:   

• Educational gain – Numerous studies and surveys have shown that kids who attended preschool had better results when given standardized tests and increase their chances of success in school. More than 5 studies have demonstrated these findings, one of which stating that four graders who attended preschool earlier passed math assessments and literacy tests with higher grades than their classmates who skipped preschool.
• Social learning – An important aspect of preschool education is it allows kids to socialize with other kids of the same age. This helps young kids express emotions verbally and develop a sense of humor, learn basic rules and routines, show independence, and play well with other children to encourage collaborative learning.
• Develop advanced skills – Children who had preschool education developed advanced skills in important areas such as problem solving, group-based learning, following directions and communication, among others.
• Reduce chances of failure, teen pregnancies and committing crimes as adults – Different studies have shown that children who attend preschool perform more effectively in regular classes and avoid failing grade levels. Another study done in North Carolina suggested that those who had preschool education had lower rates of teen pregnancy. Based on U.S. crime rates, adults who went to preschool when they were young had fewer and less severe crimes committed as adults.

Photo: 
John M. Mungia straightens his mortar board...http://photoblog.statesman.com/2009/05

 

Importance of Primary Education

Primary or elementary education is the first several years of a child’s formal education. Some schools or countries require up to 7 years of structured primary schooling, while others consist of 5 or 6 years. Children attend primary schooling at age 5 or 6. Some educators believe the elementary levels are the most important part of a person’s educational background. Here’s why:
 

• Basic Educational Foundation – Children learn about the basics skills, such as reading and writing, as well as the concepts of language, math, science and culture, among other subjects.
• Develop Life Skills – Many of the important life lessons are taught in primary education. Children learn about choosing right from wrong, how to set and reach goals, how to appreciate diversity, make good decisions and develop social skills and a solid moral character.
• Gain resources and opportunities – Attending a school allows children to be part of a community and get access to the libraries and computer courses, bands and chorus, sports facilities, school counselors, and lab rooms, among others. These resources are particularly important to kids of poorer families who would not have access to these opportunities if they were not in school.
• Prepare for Adulthood – Some children get jobs after taking primary education. Although this won’t be enough to find a good-paying job, having basic education makes the process of employment a bit easier. In addition, kids who value education become great contributors to society as adults.

 Advantages of Secondary Education

In most educational systems, secondary education occurs during a child’s adolescence. It is also known as middle school or high school, depending on the system and country. In Canada and the United States, primary and secondary education is known together as K-12 education. In New Zealand and other countries, grades 1-13 are used. The purpose of secondary education include preparing teens for higher education (or college), providing them with common knowledge, or training them directly for a profession. Regardless of institution, kids who attend secondary education reap these benefits:
 

• Social Benefits – Although social skills are developed since a child attends preschool and primary school, getting secondary education is important to a teenager’s development of interpersonal communication skills. Since adolescence can be a trying time for teens, having friends at school to relate at this age is extremely important.
• Employment stability – A U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics study found that full-time adult workers who hold a GED or high school diploma are 37% less likely to be unemployed compared to those with less education. This is because many employers prefer to hire people with high school education since they have developed career skills and work habits to prepare them for the workforce.
• Better Salary – Those with a high school diploma earn an average of $555/week (or over $8,500 a year), compared to high school dropout workers who earn about $400/week.
• Entry to College, University and Continuing Education programs – A GED or high school diploma helps students seek higher education in college, university or other special schools.

A side note: It is a common misconception that a GED (General Educational Development) is equivalent to a high school diploma, but be aware that the GED exam is not a direct alternative to a high school diploma, even if they are usually grouped together. The GED exam includes 5 parts – social studies, mathematics, science, writing skills and interpreting literature. If you pass this exam, you will not earn a high school diploma, but a GED certificate. While many HR managers look at GED holders as high school graduates, not all colleges accept applications with only a GED certificate.

 

Importance of Higher Education

Higher education is also called post-secondary or tertiary education. It is a non-compulsory educational level taken after high school. The term “higher education” may include studies in colleges, universities, vocational schools and graduate (postgraduate level) schools that results in obtaining a diploma, certificate or academic degrees. Regardless of what career path a student prefers to take, completing tertiary education provides the following benefits:
 

• Skills and Overall Development – Even if tertiary school students take different subjects as majors, they all develop necessary skills in communication, reflection, tolerance and reasoning, which are important in solving future problems in their personal and professional lives. The availability of extracurricular activities in colleges helps in molding an individual’s personality and character. Students who live in campus (and are separated from their families for the first time) usually develop independence that cannot be gained elsewhere.
• High Income – College graduates earn nearly twice as much compared to their salaries in jobs taken as high school graduates. In comparison with workers without college degrees, those with undergraduate degrees earn around 25% more, those with master’s degree earn up to 45% more and those with doctoral degrees earn up to 70% more. If you compute an adult’s working life, the average lifetime earning of high school graduate workers is $1.5 million, a bachelor’s degree holder $2.7 million, a master’s degree holder $3.2 million and a doctoral degree holder $4.5 million.
• Gain Practical Experience focused on Chosen Fields – Since college programs provide lessons focused in one’s major, getting a degree in a particular field could open doors to careers you want. Employers usually hire a person with educational background related to the company’s industry, since certifications or diplomas serve as proof that you were taught practical skills needed for that field.
• Networking – College exposes students with hundreds of different people each day. Many college graduates believe that networking is one of the top benefits of getting tertiary education because the contacts they made in college usually help them find entry-level jobs.

Benefits of Education to Society

It is not just the student and his/her family who receives the benefits of education. The society and economy also profits when people receive higher education and begin to receive better salaries. Here are the top advantages of education to society:

 

• Educated Individuals make Good Citizens – Several studies and history has shown that people who are educated rarely commit crimes. If they do, the crimes are less severe than criminals without an educational background commit. Many adults who have completed high school levels are usually devoted to their families and join community, religious or philanthropic activities.
• Tax and Government Assistance – High school graduates tend to pay taxes on time. A study conducted by the Ohio Economics Center for Education and Research suggests that high school graduates require less assistance than kids who were not able to attend secondary school or dropped out of high school.
• Trained Professionals – Adults with certificates or diplomas in higher education become an important source of trained professionals for a country’s economy.

Education is important to any individual for his/her professional and personal life. The higher level of education a person obtains, the greater chances he/she will lead a financially stable life.

"The Importance of Education" from Nortel LeaniT                                                                                       Written by the admin
http://www.nortellearnit.org/education/the-importance-of-education/

  Photos:  Pinterest.com 

December Activities

MetroFamily is an outstanding resource all year for activities for children and adults together.  The December 2012 issue features a calendar on which you can click for a day's happenings.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com

http://www.metrofamilymagazine.com/Calendar/

For a group or pair road trip, read the article entitled "Exploring Oklahoma and Beyond, Regional Holiday Fun."  For example, Broken Arrow's Rhema Bible Church has been accumulating lights to display for 30 years.  The Castle of Muskogee also provides light displays and a petting zoo among other amusements.  Claremore's Shepherd's Cross has a Christmas program, and Adair offers the Christmas Train.  Many other Oklahoma towns such as Chickasha, Enid, Guthrie, and Yukon host special holiday events or displays. 

Downtown in December, November 23-December 31, involves ice skating, snow tubing, holiday lights, etc.  www.DowntownInDecember.com 

Tulsa celebrates Winterfest from November 23, 2012 - January 6, 2013.  http://www.visittulsa.com/events/11/calendar





More Christmas light display information: http://okc.about.com/od/attractionsandevents/tp/topholidaylight.htm

Local colleges, universities and high schools often have musicals and plays all year.  Consider requesting early a group rate or donated tickets for a your nonprofit mentoring group. 

INACTIVITY at any age is harmful.  After glancing through the article below, share what physical activities you and your mentee or a group of mentors and mentees can do during the winter.

http://fitbie.msn.com/2012/09/25/report-childhood-inactivity-epidemic-worse-we-thought?blog_cat=625

Career Exploration for Mentors & Mentees

Career exploration should begin far before ninth grade when grades "count" for graduation and both choice of and performance in classes matter for the future.

Photo:  A few years ago, an Oklahoma City oilman and member of the Kiwanis Club of Oklahoma City hosted a trip for an OKCPS Key Club to one of his rigs to learn about careers in the oil industry.  Other club members hosted tours of a bank and a large law firm.  Mentoring groups can arrange similar career-oriented outtings, and mentors can take mentees to work.

Mentors can expose youths to so many careers via the internet, but hands-on activities and onsite visits to businesses and facilities are also helpful.  For example, a mentor can discuss aeronautics with kites, weather, balsa wood model airplanes, and other related subjects in addition to viewing an airshow, going inside a plane in a museum, watching , etc.

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses really are essential for males and females.  Mentees who are behind in math and science need encouragement and tutoring so they graduate with more choices.  STEM classes build on fundamentals so these blocks must be mastered beginning in elementary school and continuing through high school.  Leave no mentee behind!

Shawnee United Way board member Michael Shaw, a businessman, tells about career mentoring in a Tulsa school.  One of his students wanted to be a vet, but when Michael mentioned the number of years of education required, the student was not interested.  Michael suggested becoming a vet tech.  Upon research, that career, even if only a launching pad for another career or vet school, met the criterion of a reasonable amount of extra education while working with animals. 

All of the links below are launching pads for enlightenment and discussion.

Consider Decisions Made in High School
http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-3198-College-Internships-First-Jobs-How-high-school-decisions-can-affect-your-career/?SiteId=cbmsn43198&sc_extcmp=JS_3198_advice

Work Schedules to Discuss: What Kinds of Shifts Exist
http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-3214-Job-Info-and-Trends-Whats-the-right-work-schedule-for-you/?SiteId=cbmsn43214&sc_extcmp=JS_3214_advice

I Love Anthropology; However, Can I Make a Living for a Family as an Anthropologist?
http://money.msn.com/personal-finance/10-worst-majors-for-your-career

STEM
http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-3191-Job-Info-and-Trends-Jobs-that-are-innovative-and-in-demand/?SiteId=cbmsn43191&sc_extcmp=JS_3191_advice

If Salaries Matter I
http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-3129-Salaries-Promotions-11-jobs-that-pay-55000-a-year/?SiteId=cbmsn43129&sc_extcmp=JS_3129_advice

If Salaries Matter II
http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-3159-Salaries-Promotions-9-jobs-that-pay-95000-a-year/?SiteId=cbmsn43159&sc_extcmp=JS_3159_advice
http://www.salary.com/8-jobs-youll-love-pay-50000/

Oklahoma City Included
http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-3183-Job-Info-and-Trends-Markets-with-the-best-post-recession-job-growth-and-occupations-making-a-comeback/?SiteId=cbmsn43183&sc_extcmp=JS_3183_advice

Who Knew a Prosthodontist Can Make $55.43 an Hour? 
http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-3194-Job-Info-and-Trends-9-jobs-with-a-high-percentage-of-under-35-workers/?SiteId=cbmsn43194&sc_extcmp=JS_3194_advice

From Survey Researchers to Glaziers to Therapist to Medical Secretaries...
http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-3088-Salaries-Promotions-10-jobs-that-pay-35000-a-year/?SiteId=cbmsnhp43088&sc_extcmp=JS_3088_home1

SandRidge Santa Run 2012

We salute Oklahoma businesses that support communities around the state, especially those which sponsor and participate in youth mentoring programs.

SandRidge Energy, based in Oklahoma City, champions youth mentoring in two Oklahoma City Public Schools but also through the Mentoring Project, which it encouraged to relocate in Oklahoma City. 

Photo: http://runsanta.com/ 

December 4, 2012

"SandRidge Santa Run to benefit The Mentoring Project"

The Edmond Sun

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahomans are invited to get in the holiday spirit and get moving with the annual SandRidge Santa Run in downtown Oklahoma City Dec. 8. The certified 5K starts at 9 a.m., and the one-mile Fun Run begins at 9:30 a.m. for runners of all ages. Children 8 years and younger may participate in the Kids’ Dash with Santa, which begins at 10 a.m. All runs begin and end at Leadership Square, 211 N. Robinson. The SandRidge Santa Run is part of the Downtown in December activities.

This year’s event will also include a warm-up with Rumble the Bison and the Thunder Girls. The top three male and female finishers in the 5K will win cash prizes. The top three male and female finishers in each 5-year age bracket will receive a medal.

Registered 5K runners who dress up in holiday costumes may qualify for the Costume Contest. After the race, the SandRidge Santa Run panel of judges will award $500 to the first place winner, $300 to second place and $200 to third place.

Proceeds from the event will benefit The Mentoring Project (TMP), an advocacy and training organization which is rewriting the fatherless story through mentoring. Through church and business trainings and national mentor recruitment, TMP creates and sustains life-changing relationships.

“The mission of The Mentoring Project is something that is very important to us at SandRidge Energy,” said Greg Dewey, vice president of communications and community relations at SandRidge. “We believe it’s essential that all kids, especially those growing up in vulnerable situations, have a positive influence in their lives to set a good example and encourage them to dream positive dreams and work hard to achieve them.”

The Mentoring Project launched its Oklahoma City office on Friday, Nov. 16, with best-selling author Bob Goff. TMP is conducting mentor trainings and recruiting events throughout the spring of 2013.

“We’re thrilled to stand with Tom Ward and SandRidge to help the hundreds of fatherless OKC youth who need positive role models in their lives,” said John Sowers, president of The Mentoring Project. “It’s our joy to see mentors rewriting the fatherless story: keeping youth in schools and out of gangs, away from drugs or ending up on the streets or in prison.”

Registration fees for the 5k are $40 and $20 for the Fun Run, which includes a race shirt. A Fun Run Family Pack is available for up to five people of any age at a cost of $75, which includes race shirts. The Kid’s Dash is free, but only children 8 years and younger may participate. Pre-registration is preferred.

Registrations will be accepted on race day between 7-8:30 a.m., but participants are encouraged to register in advance at www.downtownindecember.com/SandRidgeSantaRun.aspx.

http://www.edmondsun.com/local/x1752043752/SandRidge-Santa-Run-to-benefit-The-Mentoring-Project