Sunday, August 28, 2016

4 AVHS E3 STEM Students Drafted by local companies for IT internships.

The Genesys Works program held its annual draft day event where students who successfully completed an intense 8 week training program were drafted by local companies for paid internships during their senior year of high school.  AVHS students were drafted by Ecolabs, Thomson Reuters and Uponor.  Congratulations to Devon Ek, Jashawn Pryor, Yasmin Hirsi, Sulekha Kilas

Thank you to Ecolabs, Thomson Reuters and Uponor for supporting our AVHS students through this wonderful program!






E3 STEM students explore health care careers at Augustana Regent at Burnsville this summer.

A group of E3 STEM students from AVHS were able to take coursework leading to their certified nursing assistant certification at Dakota County Technical College.  They then were invited to explore health care careers at Augustana Regent of Burnsville through tours, job shadows and interviews.  It was a wonderful experience for our young Eagles that may lead to employment as certified nursing assistants part-time while still in high school.  Thank you Augustana! 






AVHS Fab Lab Drone project propels interest in STEM careers! 


This little drone engineering and built in our AVHS Fab Lab by Dalton Turner can fly at over 60mph!  This was Dalton's project in our "How to Make Almost Anything" Fab Lab course this past spring.  He came in recently to use the vinyl cutter to create his signature logo sticker for the center of the drone.  


This project is the perfect example of how the Fab Lab is being utilized to help ignite an interest in STEM careers.  Dalton is now interested in aerospace engineering.  He has been racing his drone in competitions around the area this summer.  


Wednesday, June 22, 2016

AVHS Iron Maidens FIRST Tech Challenge Team lobbies in Washington DC for STEM Education

The Iron Maidens FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics team spent the last few days in Washington DC working with other teams from around the country to lobby for support STEM education.  
Iron Maidens and others lobbying Senator Franken to provide more support for STEM education.


Iron Maidens presenting at the Department of Labor.

All dressed up and ready to lobby at the capitol.

Iron Maidens working with other FIRST teams to prepare for their lobbying campaign.


FIRST teams dressed, prepped and ready to lobby their senators and congressmen.

Big moment for the Iron Maidens.  Meeting FIRST founder Dean Kamen

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

E3 STEM Students earn paid summer internships

Five E3 STEM students celebrate the announcement of their 
paid summer internships with Superintendent Jane Berenz. Left to right... 
Punnaro Koy - Lockheed Martin (Programming)
Kegan Hackett - MN Department of Transportation (Engineering)
Reyna Sanchez - Thomson Reuters (Programming)
Nikhil Shahi - Thomson Reuters (Programming)
Atalanta Stoeke - Land O' Lakes (Programming)


Friday, May 27, 2016

Senator Greg Clausen presents Senate Resolution No. 329 Honoring the Iron Maidens

Senator Greg Clausen came to AVHS on May 26 to present the Iron Maidens FIRST Tech Challenge team with Senate Resolution Number 329 which honors the team for its tremendous efforts in connecting with their community to promote STEM.  
Thank you Senator Clausen for your wonderful support of these young Eagles!  
Read the resolutions below.   Follow the Iron Maidens on Twitter  
Support the Iron Maidens through their Gofundme page
S.R. No. 320, as introduced: 89th Legislative Session (2015-2016) Posted on May 20, 2016
1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring the Apple Valley High School Iron Maidens on receiving the 
1.3World Championship Connect Award.
1.4WHEREAS, the FIRST program seeks to develop and advance Science, Technology, 
1.5Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education; and 
1.6WHEREAS, the Apple Valley High School Iron Maidens, a FIRST Tech Challenge 
1.7robotics team comprised of six Apple Valley High School 10th-graders, qualified for the FIRST 
1.8World Championships in St. Louis in late April; and 
1.9WHEREAS, the team received the World Championship Connect Award, which honors a 
1.10team that the judges deem the best in the world at providing outreach to promote STEM in 
1.11their community; and 
1.12WHEREAS, one of the team's biggest events this summer will be to join other FIRST 
1.13robotics teams in Washington, DC on June 18–22, 2016, at a National Advocacy Conference 
1.14established to lobby United States senators and members of Congress to advocate for STEM 
1.15initiatives; and 
1.16WHEREAS, the team's specific goals for the trip include: 
1.17• building stronger communication skills and gaining self confidence by learning first-hand 
1.18from United States senators and members of Congress;
1.19• making a difference on a national level by increasing awareness of STEM;
1.20• gaining the motivation to promote STEM on a broader level and understand important 
1.21issues impacting STEM fields;
1.22• bridging the relationship between STEM and the federal government;
1.23• networking with important individuals regarding the values and skills the team cares 
1.24about; and
1.25• having fun while also making an impact for others; and
1.26NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it 
1.27congratulates the Apple Valley High School Iron Maidens on receiving the World Championship 
1.28Connect Award, and extends best wishes to them in their future events.
1.29BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an 
1.30enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the 
1.31Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the Apple Valley 
1.32High School Iron Maidens.
1.33
1.34
1.35
JoAnne M. Zoff
Secretary of the Senate
Thomas M. Bakk
Chair, Senate Committee on
Rules and Administration
1.36
1.37
Greg D. Clausen
State Senator, District 57

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Iron Maidens interview with Jordanna Green on WCCO Radio

Great press coverage of the amazing season the AVHS Iron Maidens have had continued on May 24 with an Interview on WCCO Radio by Jordanna Green.  
You can listen to an archived version of this interview  - HERE.  
Find the segment entitled - 

5-24-16 - The Jordana Green Show - 10 PM.  You can also download the segment using the arrow button to the left.