PIP News
AB PIP STEM Thanks the Concord Consortium
Thanks to Chad Dorsey, President & CEO of
The Concord Consortium in Concord, Massachusetts for his presentation at the recent AB PIP STEM meeting on February 15, 2013. View Chad's slides for Using Technology to Teach Scientific and Engineering Practices including this list of best practices:
Asking questions/defining problems
Developing and using models
Planning and carrying out investigations
Analyzing and interpreting data
Using mathematics and computational thinking
Constructing explanations/designing solutions
Engaging in argument from evidence
Obtaining, evaluating, communicating information
Acton Becomes a Green Community
Congratulations to Acton for Achieving Green Community Status. PIP supports the science behind green technology and concepts of Reduce/Recycle/Reuse. Last June, PIP donated reusable/recyclable Preserveware plates for the ABRHS teacher's appreciation luncheon. Read about the science behind the 3 R's, Reduce/Recycle/Reuse.
Discover STEM Beacon Thank You
Thank you to the Beacon for supporting AB PIP DiscoverSTEM2011 event by posting our announcements, covering the event and for the Beacon 12/1 feature story, 'Science in Focus at Fair.' Thank you also for letting the community know about upcoming AB PIP STEM meetings, volunteer opportunities and events at www.actonpip.org. Our next AB PIP STEM event is Family Math Game Night on January 19th Open House 5pm to 8:00pm at the Sargent Memorial Library in Boxborough.
Teen AB Drive-in Control Class Thank You
In November, Acton Boxborough students had the chance to take a skid control advanced teen driver training and crash prevention
class offered by Drive In Control. The experience could not have been more valuable in making our kids better drivers. Find out more.
— Thanks for sponsoring AB Teen Driving School,
— Linda Harris,
Community Liaison for AB Drive In Control Classes
AB Robotics at the Discovery Museums
The AB Robotics Team demonstrated their award-winning robot on Saturday, April 16 during National Robotics Week at The Discovery Museums. See the pictures.
2011 Star Party
March 2011—"An estimated 400 fourth graders and their families braved the cold on Thursday, March 3 at the ninth annual Acton 
Star Party at the Parker Damon Building. This school event was sponsored by AB PIP and the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston (ATMoB). The Acton Star Party is an entertaining and interactive opportunity for students to expand on the astronomy in their curriculum. Read the Acton Patch article, "Stars Come Out For Acton-Boxborough Fourth Graders."
PIP Co-Chair Wins Volunteer Award
February 2011—Karen Herther won the Stellar Service by a Volunteer Award 
for the AB Parent Involvement Project from the Massachusetts Middlesex Chamber of Commerce. This award is given to an
individual who has made a positive impact on a nonprofit and has demonstrated
loyalty, dedication, and commitment to the organization; who has dedicated his/her
free time, making significant contributions to the organization and the constituency. Read Karen's bio and award details and Karen's Thank You letter.
AB Robotics Wins Design Award
January 2011—The Acton-Boxborough Robotics Team competed in the FIRST Tech Challenge "GET OVER IT" contest and won the PTC Design Award. The judges based their decision on the robot, creativity and innovation, team performance, outreach and enthusiasm. The PTC Design Award recognizes design elements of the robot that are both functional and aesthetic.
WaterWise Game Placemat
December 2010—Dedicated to Acton Environmentalist, Mary Michelman, the WaterWise Game Placemat is a fun way to find out where our water comes from in Acton. Play WaterWise crossword and finish the WaterWise word search.
The placemat was sponsored by AB PIP with support from the Acton Water District, Acton Streams Team, American Water Works Association, Green Acton, The Discovery Museums, Julia Miles, acanthi designs, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
OpenNeighborhood: Re-Visioning Kelley's Corner
The OpenNeighborhood: Re-Visioning Kelley's Corner exhibit featured at PIP's Discover STEM reverse science fair was short-listed in the Strong Communities Competition. Watch the video.
Beacon Article: A-B students start robotics team
Fri Nov 27, 2009, Acton, Mass. - Surrounded by hundreds of Lego and aluminum TETRIX robot parts and five buzzing laptops, spread out on a table, Prateek Sahay pontificated about the freedom of writing codes that bring machines to life. Read the full story (pdf).
Beacon Article: Visions of Kelley's Corner Shared
Thu Nov 19, 2009,
Acton, Mass. - Long seen as the crossroads of Acton, Kelley's Corner is at the intersection of Main Street and Massachusetts Avenue. But many Actonians don't think the highly-visible spot is very appealing, considering its lack of the bucolic or historic feel much of the town includes.
It was a gathering for suggestions and residents who came together at Town Hall last weekend had the chance to offer their additions to what exists there now: a gas station, a McDonalds and an abandoned Meineke building. Read the full story (pdf).
Beacon Letter: Discover STEM Event a Success
Thu Nov 19, 2009, Acton, Mass. - On November 2, 6:00-8:30 PM at Acton-Boxborough Regional HS Discover STEM (a showcase and career exploration of interactive Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) was a huge success with over 700 participants including 150 apprentices and adult volunteers. Enthusiastic students in grades 7 through 12, parents, educators and members of the Acton, Boxborough, Groton and Dunstable communities learned about the latest advances in solar technology, computer software, green energy, surgical devices, robotics and more! Read the full story (pdf).
Beacon Article: A-B event showcases science, technology
Fri Nov 06, 2009,
Acton, Mass. - If you ever wanted an opportunity to redesign Kelley's Corner, you had a chance at a recent technology fair at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School.
Thanks to Tufts University and The Discovery Museums, students and adults could try their hands at remaking the Acton landmark. Read the full story (pdf).
Beacon Article: Robotics club launches at A-B
Wed Oct 28, 2009, Acton, Mass. - Calling Acton-Boxborough area high school students interesting in participating in a new after school robotics club. The goal of the A-B Robotics Team is to work together to create a robot to compete at local FIRST TEch robotics competitions.
The club will meet on Tuesdays after school (location tba) beginning next month. The new club is open to all—no experience necessary—just interest and creativity. The club will be mentored by local robotics professionals and engineers.
The A-B robotics club will meet on Tuesdays weekly between October and February. Interested in learning more? Call Prateek Sahay at 978-263-9495 or e-mail actonpip@gmail.com or stop by the A-B Robotics table at Discover STEM 2009 (actonpip.org/discoverstem) on Monday Nov. 2 at Acton Boxborough High School Open House between 6 to 8:30 p.m. The A-B robotics launch is funded in part from a generous donation from Acton Boxborough Parent Involvement Project (PIP) supporting Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) education K-12.
Recap: AB PIP and Green Acton wish to thank the community and all our sponsors for the enormous turnout and participation at our recent Acton Green Energy Fair. Read the Beacon Article, published June 4, 2009. Beacon Letter: Local Organizations Sponsor "Skid School" for Acton-Boxboro Area Teens
October 25, 2008—
As much as any issue facing parents of teenagers today, driving often sparks deep concerns. Statistics show that nearly half of teenagers have an accident during their first year of driving (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). 
Sadly, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for US teens (US Center for Disease Control). Teen driver education does make a difference.
Thanks to the generosity of Acton Toyota of Littleton as Premier sponsor and community sponsors Acton-Boxborough Parent Involvement Project (PIP), Danny's Place, CAFY, SADD and the Acton Police Association, Acton-Boxborough area teens can participate in a morning or afternoon session of Teen Crash Prevention Training (aka "Skid School") on Saturday, October 25 at the In Control training facility in North Andover. Teens from Acton, Boxborough and Littleton are eligible to take the advanced driver training class at a special discounted rate of $199 ($100 savings). Space is limited. The fall class will also focus on the "physics of driving" courtesy of Acton PIP, www.actonpip.org.
In Control's "Skid School" is a unique, hands-on, advanced driver training course for teens that goes well beyond traditional driver education. The half day course gives teens the skills they need to maneuver safely and effectively out of emergency situations and the foresight to avoid those situations in the first place. Certified instructors teach teens how to control panic stops and emergency lane changes, avoiding tailgating accidents, and handling a car in dangerous conditions such as ice or snow.
For more information about the Acton-Boxborough area teen driving sessions or to register for the course, visit driveincontrol.com/ab or contact In Control Advanced Driver Training at 888-301-SAFE (7233).
Beacon Letter: PIP Grant Funds MIT Engineering Workshops
January 18, 2007—
Acton PIP (Parent Involvement Project) is pleased to sponsor a series of MIT Engineering workshops at the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (ABRHS) on Friday, January 26 during school periods 3, 6, 7 & 8. (Students attend only one period.) This is a collaborative effort between PIP and Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, and it is the first time the MIT student engineering workshops have been conducted at ABRHS.
The goal of the workshops, led by MIT engineering students, is to answer the question "What is Engineering?" then present an overview of engineering disciplines, and explain why engineering is a rewarding career. Presenters will facilitate a hands-on activity using engineering concepts and share their experiences as engineering students. 
To attend the workshop, ABRHS students should sign up with Mrs. Groener in the Counseling Center indicating which period they will be attending. Space is limited.
PIP is pleased to offer the MIT student engineering workshops locally through an IBM Community Volunteer Grant. Although the workshops are open to girls and boys, they are sponsored in part by the MIT Women in Engineering (WIE) Initiative. Special thanks to Kay Steeves–ABRHS Faculty Adviser, Stephen Hitzrot–Chair of Counseling and Deborah Bookis–K to 12 Curriculum Coordinator for helping facilitate this initiative with PIP.
Acton PIP is a coalition of parents, educators, community members and business partners supporting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education in grades K-12. For more information about Acton PIP (Parent Involvement Project), contact Karen Herther (263-6742) or Latha Swaroop (266-2737).
Beacon Letter: PIP, Roche Bros. Make It Count
March 17, 2005—To the editor: Acton PIP (Parent Involvement Project) would like to thank Roche Bros. of Acton for their generosity in hosting Acton PIP's annual Third Grade Market Math Mania event on Tuesday, March 1. Tom Farrell, Roche Bros store manager, and the entire Roche Bros. staff (and vendors Foley Fish and Mr. Hoodsie) outdid themselves again at this year's event, the first held in the larger and newly remodeled store space. About 220 third graders took part in the fourth annual Market Math event which included stations such as Fruit and Veggie Math, Pickle Tasting, M & M Math, The Price is Right and Check it Out grocery scanning.
PIP would like to extend a special thank you to Eileen Sullivan, Curriculum Specialist for the Acton Schools for her ongoing support for PIP, along with the elementary school principals and third grade teachers—many who creatively offered their students "homework" passes in exchange for Market Math participation.
PIP relies on the generosity of volunteers and community and business partners in order to hold events such as Market Math. PIP members and event organizers Carolyn Randolph, Susan Bierwagen, and Pam Bachrach all deserve kudos for their work before and during the event as do the many parent, student and scout volunteers who made it a success. All of the event copying was generously donated by the Issenberg family and the office of "Pressed 4 Time" in Maynard.
For more information about Acton PIP community math and science enrichment activities and to be added to the PIP e-loop, actonpip@gmail.com or visit our Web site.
—Karen Herther and Lorrie Jacobsohn,
Acton PIP Co-Chairs
Acton PIP Community Thank You to the Beacon
November 10, 2004—Acton PIP would like to thank all who attended and helped make the PIP Magic with Mathematics event with Professor Ed Burger of Williams College a success. This was PIP's first community-wide event geared to families of older students and adults alike. We would like to acknowledge PIP student volunteers Sonya and Isabel Krakoff, Alex Zeneraitz, Emily O'Brien, and Jenn Kappel for helping run the event.
A special thank you to Allen Warner of RJG Junior High who not only facilitated the A/V technology for the evening, but mentored students in the process (part of what PIP is all about!). Acton PIP also appreciates community partners Roche Bros. of Acton, Skip's West Acton Market, Learning Express, and Continental Café for selling advance tickets to the event. We also thank Chris Stockman for event photography and Staples of Acton for donating copying for Math Magic.
Acton PIP relies on community support to continue to offer math, science and technology enrichment activities. For more information about PIP, e-mail actonpip@gmail.com. — Thank you!
Karen Herther and Carlie Krakoff for Acton PIP
Acton PIP Awarded Two Corporate Grants
November 8, 2004—Acton PIP was awarded two corporate grants to support PIP community math and science enrichment activities.
The first award came from an IBM Community Service Volunteer Grant for $1,000. Special thanks to IBM Employee and veteran PIP supporter and volunteer Dawn Gomez and the PIP grant writing team (Karen Herther, Julia Miles, and Shelley Sherman).
The second award was from Philips Community Contribution Program for $2,000. Special thanks to Philips Medical employees, PIP supporters Ann Braden and Alok Tripathi, and the PIP grant writing team (Karen Herther, Julia Miles, and Shelley Sherman).
From the Archives
March 11 and 19, 2003 Market Math Photos
February 22, 2003 Market Math Press Release
June 17, 2002 Acton PIP Award Info Letter to Bill Ryan from the Acton Public School Office of Development
June 17, 2002 Acton PIP Highlights from the Massachusetts PIP
June 2002 Acton PIP Science Kit from the Beacon
Recognition
Karen Herther, PIP Co-Chair & Marcelo Almeida, International Club Coordinator, display Massachusetts PIP Recognition Award.
Science News for Kids
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