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4 September 1998, Volume 21, Number 16 |
Dr. George Seymour is about to conclude a two and a half year tenure as Navy liaison and web master for the San Diego Science Alliance (SDSA). SDSA is a networking, nonprofit organization consisting of representatives from San Diego's academic, business, educational, and governmental communities as well as other organizations. The SDSA is dedicated to supporting math and science literacy and education in grades K-12 within the greater San Diego area.Dr. Seymour was originally invited to join the group by a representative of the Naval Base. Shortly thereafter, by default, he became their web master. He has since added functional web design and content, as well as having responsibility for all updates and additions. He said that a new web master will take over this assignment and bring the web site to an even more advanced level. He also served as the Navy Liaison to the SDSA Board of Directors during that time."SDSA has become a visible and viable force in the K-12 community. Participating with the SDSA has been both fun and rewarding, and I appreciate SSC San Diego's support of my volunteer work," he said. He said that the organization has created some exciting things in the past few years. For example, they created a listing of local resources and programs for distribution to teachers through a resource catalog, a newsletter to announce community meetings, an Internet site, and a calendar of science-related events. The resource catalog is published both in hard copy and posted to their web site at www.sdsa.org/. The resource catalog is updated yearly."It was surprising to discover all of the resources that are available for teachers. The comprehensive SDSA catalog describes speakers and research kits in many scientific and math areas. In addition, their quarterly newsletter, also on-line, announces events of interest to school administrators, teachers, and students. SDSA provides annual partnership awards and organizes community events four times a year to inform the public about current efforts to support K-12 teachers and students," Dr. Seymour said.The Educational Technology Fair held this past January was a unique community event sponsored by the SDSA. It was held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and was the first of its kind in San Diego County. It was supported by all five local congressmen as a way to connect high school students to science and technology. During the one day fair convention-like booths were set up and hosted by local government and industry organizations representing their particular fields of science and technology. A few of the many major participants were SPAWAR, General Atomics, Qualcomm, Cubic, General Dynamics, and Caltrans. The students attending the convention were given assignments to select a technology area or field that interested them, interview the industry/government representative in that field, and write a brief report. The Educational Technology Fair was featured in the San Diego Union Tribune and on KPBS radio.Dr. Seymour said, "getting involved with local K-12 education in some format provides benefits for all of us." Reports on future SDSA community events will be published periodically in the Outlook.
Dr. George Seymour has been the Navy's representative to the SDSA.
During the one day Educational Technology Fair booths were set up and hosted by local government and industry representatives. Students from local schools chose a field that interested them, spoke to the representatives from that field, and wrote reports.
Photos courtesy of Dr. George Edw. Seymour
