Political Activism "Dean's Homework"

[falconmaster]

Thanks Allan, I knew you would help me out!

[N7UJJ]

I'm not really politically savy, but I would think that state congressmen might be more recptive to high school students inviting them to the regional competitions or to speak at a meeting/presentation. I think writng to your representitives may do some real good.

Like fund raising, not much may happen at first. It may not be until they hear about your team or FIRST the third or fourth time that they start to notice.

I think this year we are going to make appointments with our reps and visit them. Cna't hurt.

[Andrew Schuetze]

The post by the student from the Robonauts 118 as well as the idea that students should invite elected officials to competitions sparked the following idea in my head.

What if the government class at FIRST schools had a project whereby they wrote letters to their congressmen as a lesson in civic responsibility? I ran this idea by my principal who is a good reality check for me in regards to school protocol. Here is what she said,

"Andrew -

Fine and a good idea as long as students are able to explore all aspects of the issue and write their true opinion. Don't want us to be accused of putting words in their mouth to promote a political agenda."

This is good advice and causes me to ponder how does one develop a writing prompt such that it does not lead the class to a single point of view or even that they need to have a point of view on a subject?

Here is my first take at such a prompt.

America has traditionally been a leader in the creation of new technology and it's application. What kinds of programs or curriculum should the public education system have in place at every school such that America remains a leader in this area?

Provide as much detail as possible that will help define and outline a proposal that you submit to your elected State officials, as well as your elected national representatives.

[Pavan Dave]

I got this message from my Rep. At least I tried, and I will keep talking to my Rep about this to try and get something done.

Thank you for taking the time to write my office regarding your interest in establishing robotics teams in Texas public schools. I appreciate your interest in this subject. However, the decision of whether to create a robotics team in one made by state and local officials. I encourage you to contact your Texas state representatives and your local school board with your comments on this issue.

I am doing everything I can at the federal level to ensure that local control over education is maintained. Please do not hesitate to contact me again with questions or concerns.

[RoboMom]

http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
One-pager in NEMO resources on "How To Contact Your Elected Officials"

[Wetzel]

Originally Posted by Pavan

I got this message from my Rep. At least I tried, and I will keep talking to my Rep about this to try and get something done.

Which rep did that? That is a quick response for a non totally form letter response. Kudos to them!

Wetzel

[chris31]

Can people post the letters that they have sent. Im curriuos what all you said and how you said it.

[KelliV]

Here is my suggestion...
E-mail letters instead of writing them!
When I went to DC this year we got to see all the letters that are sent to my representatives. They were all gross and mangeled becuase of all the sterilizing that needs to be done. My representative said it is best to e-mail him (as well as all of the other representatives) becuase it is easy to read and not all mangeled and cut.
They also reply quicker to e-mail than to handwritten letters.
I got an answer from Senator Obama that I sent for Student Government in around a week or so for my e-mail compared to my three weeks for the letter.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Wetzel

Which rep did that? That is a quick response for a non totally form letter response. Kudos to them!

Wetzel

I was thinking the same thing when I read Pavan's post - about the quick, positive response he received, and then yesterday (Friday), I received a response from Senator Cornyn.
http://cornyn.senate.gov/

It was supportive and positive. With Kick Off today, I thought maybe I'd wait 'til next week and post in here and suggest what you just did, Wetzel. Thank you for your observations and encouragement!

[Pavan Dave]

Originally Posted by Jane

I was thinking the same thing when I read Pavan's post - about the quick, positive response he received, and then yesterday (Friday), I received a response from Senator Cornyn.
http://cornyn.senate.gov/

It was supportive and positive. With Kick Off today, I thought maybe next week I'd wait and post in here and suggest what you just did, Wetzel. Thank you for your observations!

Yes it was positive but in my opinion because he sent me one as well. I think it is a copy and paste because it's topic is mostly Technology Education, but at least that is supporting the idea of FIRST by getting Technology more help.

This is my response.

Thank you for contacting me about technology in the classroom. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this issue.

A quality education system helps strengthen our society by instilling in our youth a strong foundation that will help them learn and succeed as citizens and individuals. Although government programs can never replace loving parents and a strong community, every child deserves the advantage achieved through a first-class education. Well-trained teachers are a vital step toward our goal of ensuring that all children have the opportunity to gain the mathematics and science skills necessary for success in the global marketplace.

As you may know, the No Child Left Behind Act (P.L. 107-110) reauthorized the U.S. Department of Education Math and Science Partnerships (MSP) programs to continue preparing prospective teachers to use technology in their classrooms. MSP programs were funded at $178.6 million and $182.2 million, respectively, in Fiscal Years 2005 and 2006, a $3.6 million increase in funding. In addition, the National Science Foundation also administers teacher-oriented programs and activities designed to improve math and science partnerships.

I believe career and technical education are important building blocks that increase America’s competitiveness in a global economy—translating into workforce development here at home. Our nation is a prosperous one, and it continues on a path of strong economic growth. Important to this growth are the workforce training initiatives that allow us to train new workers by equipping them with valuable skills required for success in today’s market.

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-332) provides an important source of federal funding for vocational education and establishes an academic, vocational, and technical framework that effectively channels secondary and postsecondary students into vocational and technical education programs. Senator Michael Enzi introduced the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act (S. 250) on February 1, 2005. You will be happy to know that I supported S. 250 when it was brought before the full Senate for consideration on March 10, 2005. The measure passed by a vote of 99–0. It is important to note that the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act included approximately $1.3 billion for the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education programs in FY 2006.

I appreciate having the opportunity to represent the interests of Texans in the United States Senate, and you may be certain that I will keep your views in mind as the Senate considers future funding for math and science education. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Pavan

Yes it was positive but in my opinion because he sent me one as well. I think it is a copy and paste because it's topic is mostly Technology Education, but at least that is supporting the idea of FIRST by getting Technology more help.

This is my response.

Yup, that was it.
Maybe it is something we can build on.
Thanks for posting the response, Pavan!

Jane

[Protronie]

Even though I not officially on a team I've sent Howard Coble a email and link to the First website hes been a good friend to NC in the state house.
Don't forget the local levels either. I've a buddy on the country commissioners that I'm meeting with after church tomorrow... got a video tape of todays kick off for him to see. Hope nobody sues me for copyright infringement.
Anyhow if the country and give 25k for a pop warner football team I think they might be good for a few bucks.

[Kris Verdeyen]

I'd like to be there when someone explains Ramp and Roll to Ted Stevens (R-AK). "You see, Senator, you can think of this game as a series of tubes..."

[chris31]

Originally Posted by Kris Verdeyen

I'd like to be there when someone explains Ramp and Roll to Ted Stevens (R-AK). "You see, Senator, you can think of this game as a series of tubes..."

Nice sig. lol

[Pavan Dave]

My battle plan is, if you hit high, you don't have to hit as many people. Meaning that if we got both senators of Texas to talk in Washington, maybe the other officials in Texas will see and follow along. But someone, whose name I shall not mention, said, "Politicians are a bunch of lazy, greedy fools," and if that is the case they might pay as much attention to anyone but themselves and their peers at that level of government so maybe I will have to talk to all of them in one fashion or another.

Pavan.