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 June is here, and so is the
start of summer vacation for many of our children and youth. Our kids, as do the
rest of us, need some time to kick back and relax. In addition, summer also
affords an opportunity to spend more creative time with our children and to help
encourage them to continue learning, but in a more informal setting. We can
visit museums and historical settings, whether in New Mexico or elsewhere, or
even take a trip to the library to learn more about the environment and what it
means to the weather, or even consider the bugs that crawl around in the
backyard. Older kids might get a kick out of picking out a favorite company's
stock price to follow over the summer and trying to figure out how the economy
plays into its fate and fortunes. Daily review of stock prices with a parent
requires math, observing trends, and reading charts.
Children are naturally
curious and we can tap into that, but we sometimes have to make a conscious
effort to focus attention on encouraging innovative thinking and learning that
will have a long-lasting value. Finding something that sparks the interests of
both parent and child might be the most difficult part. After that, it becomes
about enabling them to learn at their own pace. Who knows, as parents we might
end up learning some things too, if just about how our children's minds work
during this particular year of their development.
Highlighted in this issue
of Connections are a couple of opportunities for summer activities. Have a safe
and fun summer!
Kurt A.
Steinhaus
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| Partners improve nursing
curriculum |
An institutional agreement
between Los Alamos National Security LLC (LANL's contractor) and Northern New
Mexico College (NNMC) provides $50,000 a year for five years to improve and
expand NNMC's nursing curriculum. New Mexico, as is true in other states, has a
shortage of qualified nurses. The agreement provides for augmentation of faculty
salaries, to attract much needed instructional nursing talent, as well as for
curriculum development. Not only has the two-year Associate Degree in Nursing
program been modified, but beginning this fall, students can elect to pursue a
baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN).
In addition to providing a
degree previously unavailable at the college, the curriculum now includes
innovative coursework designed to incorporate western, eastern, indigenous, and
Hispanic approaches in healthcare to integrate experience within northern New
Mexico. These changes also help the college continue to work toward
accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc.
That accreditation includes a requirement that a minimum 25 percent of the
full-time faculty involved in the BSN program hold doctorate degrees.
For additional information,
visit the NNMC
website.
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| Robotics, rocketry, and tie
dye experience for local children |
In May, the Lab's Tribal
Relations Team successfully concluded its 2008 Robotics, Rocketry, and Tie Dye
Pueblo Education Outreach Project after conducting six hands-on science,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workshops for 596 students from
pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. More than 100 LANL and community
volunteers worked with students from San Ildefonso Day School, Tesuque Day
School, Cochiti Elementary School, Jemez Day School, San Diego Riverside School,
and Ohkay Owingeh Community School.
For more information,
contact the Tribal Relations Team at 888-691-6057.
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| Pancakes on the
Plaza |
Short-Order Cooking for
Long-Term Results
Annually, the United Way of
Santa Fe County hosts Pancakes on the Plaza, an all-breakfast, all-family,
all-out July 4th fiesta. With Pancakes on the Plaza, the United Way of Santa Fe
funds direct, effective solutions leading to lasting social change in the
community. Proceeds are invested in the Santa Fe Children's Project, an
innovative, comprehensive community program to improve children's success in
school and life.
For the past several years,
Los Alamos National Laboratory has been a major sponsor of this event and will
again join in on the fun at the Santa Fe Plaza. Activities that day include arts
and crafts, a car show, children's activities, and live music and entertainment.
Tickets for breakfast are $6 in advance and $7 on the day of the
event.
For more information about
Pancakes on the Plaza, go to the United
Way of Santa Fe County website.
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| MBA Program in Los
Alamos |
New Mexico State University
(NMSU) will conduct a two-year Master of Business Administration Program
beginning this fall. The courses will be held at LANL's Canyon School facility
on Fridays and Saturdays, but are also open to the public. The program is
designed to give students a solid background in the management-oriented aspects
of accounting, information systems, law, economics, finance, marketing,
operations, organizational behavior, and quantitative analysis.
The entire cost of the
program is $20,000, excluding books. To learn more about the program and the
application process, visit the NMSU website.
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| Sunday Science at the
Children's Museum |
Each Sunday, the Santa Fe
Children's Museum hosts "Sunday Science," where children learn, create, and
experiment in partnership with visiting scientists. Admission on most Sundays is
only $1 for New Mexico residents. This is just one of the many programs at the
museum that help children learn about their world. The museum is open Wednesday
through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For
more information on the museum and its programs, visit their website.
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| Soldiers' Angels Volunteer
Opportunity |
Over 200,000 international
volunteers provide letters, care packages, and comfort items to deployed
soldiers, as well as support for their families at home. Volunteers also provide
assistance to the wounded and comfort the families of the fallen. Soldiers'
Angels make a real difference in the lives of our soldiers and their loved ones.
Some of their special initiatives include Blankets of Belief, Angel Bakers, and
Adopt a Soldier.
Several Lab employees
support Soldiers' Angels, serving in many roles. Deborah Griego, a LANL
employee, coordinates the efforts of her co-workers and maintains a website
for New Mexico Soldiers' Angels.
For more information on the
local group, contact Griego at 667-3000 or sa_delight@yahoo.com via
email.
For additional information
on the national organization, visit this website.
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| KUDOS!
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Kudos
- Kudos to the Laboratory innovators who were recently recognized at the
Technology Transfer awards reception for participating in research that led to
patents, copyrights, licenses, research agreements, or had an impact on regional
needs.
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| Community Calendar
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