CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB

NEXT Meeting (The Read House)_____________________________________________

Monday, September 20, 2004, noon, The Read House, Continental Room

Topic: “Georgia Water Issues” - Napoleon (Nap) Caldwell, Senior Planning & Policy Advisor, Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Nap Caldwell will discuss issues regarding general water supply for public use in the state of Georgia. Mr. Caldwell advises the EPD Director and Assistant Director on water resources policy matters such as interstate water allocations negotiations, regional water supply strategies, coastal groundwater management, water supply permitting, water conservation, and drought management strategies. He is EPD’s liaison with the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District and has been with EPD for more than 20 years.

Invocation/Pledge Chair: Larry Hoenig

Menu: not available

OUR PREVIOUS MEETING________________________________________________

Topic: “Soddy Daisy High School’s Engineering and Technology Academy” - Joel Laney

Mr. Joel Laney, the Engineering and Technology Academy Coordinator at Soddy Daisy High School, discussed the Engineering and Technology Academy program.

Mr. Laney introduced Mr. Robert Smith, Principal at Soddy Daisy High School. Soddy Daisy High School (SDHS) has about 1600 students, has the highest average test scores in the Hamilton County system, and has some of the highest test scores in the state and nation. It is a quality high school focused on academic success. The Hamilton County Schools District is implementing academies at high schools across the system. Red Bank High School already has a successful medical academy and Central High School has a business and technology academy.

Sequoyah Nuclear Plant is the largest employer in the Soddy Daisy area, is an educational partner with SDHS, and is an engineering-based enterprise. Through data collected from surveys, students have expressed an interest in an academy closely aligned with engineering. Therefore, it was a natural fit for SDHS to have and engineering and technology academy. A curriculum called Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is being used by other high schools with engineering academies and after visits to several high schools across the nation and in Tennessee who are using the PLTW curriculum, SDHS decided to infuse that curriculum into the academy. In addition, UTC is the lead university in Tennessee for PLTW. Schools must increase student achievement, graduation rates, prepare students for further studies, and meet the needs of the community. An engineering based curriculum can do this. Currently, there are 93 students enrolled in the academy and they expect it to grow to 250 by next year.

Mr. Laney came to the Engineers Club to seek advice, guidance, and support from the engineering community. He is requesting help placing students in engineering related part-time jobs. He is seeking places for class visits. He is asking for supplies, equipment, and desks. The Carnegie Grant pays for planning but cannot buy supplies, equipment, or building renovations. Fortunately, Hamilton County Perkins funds paid for computers, the PLTW curriculum, and some equipment. Mr. Laney invited the CEC for a tour of the facilities after they are complete and Tiffany Gibby suggested that a fifth Monday tour would be appropriate.

FUTURE MONDAY MEETINGS_____________________________________________

September 27: “DARPA Challenge” - Abe Mishler, UTC

October TBD: Fusion Technology - ORNL

November 15: Nanotechnology - ORNL

TBD: “Nuclear Proliferation and Security: Keeping us safe at home and abroad” - ORNL

WHERE WE MEET _______________________________________________________

We meet at The Read House, and lunch is $11. Parking is free at the Days Inn across MLK Blvd. but you’ll need a note in your windshield that you’re with the Engineers’ Club. Valet parking (by AAA, the manager of the Read House Hotel parking garage) is $3 for lunch events. The Read House Hotel garage entrance is now on Broad Street.

QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS? ______________________________________________

If you have any questions or suggestions about program items please call Tiffany Gibby at 423-751-3168 or email her at tjgibby@tva.gov. You can find references to other Chattanooga Engineers Club members at our web site: www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org.