Happy 13th Birthday, Joshua!

Happy Birthday, Joshua!

I’m so very proud of you!!  I can’t wait to meet you.

I hear from your grandpa and grandma that you’re happy, healthy, and talented.  

I was told that you scored “superior” on your drum solo test.  I also saw this article in the Union Public Schools news here on their website.

Here is a copy of that article:

In 7th grade, students can take Pre-Engineering as a semester elective.  Students learn what engineering is and the engineering design process.  The highlight of the class is when the students learn how to use Autodesk Inventor to make 3-dimensional computer models.

After learning the basics of Autodesk Inventor, Josh Winett designed a model car, including all of the individual parts.  Union has recently acquired a 3D printer, and Josh is pictured with a 3D model of his car.

Students in 7th through 12th grade can take Pre-Engineering courses at Union.

Pre-Engineering is expanding to 6th grade in the 2014-2015 school year with a 9-week elective focused on electricity and magnetism, said Becky Davis, Pre-Engineering Teacher, Union 7th Grade.

Added Todd Borland, director of Technology, “We purchased the printer so that we can turn the student’s vision into reality.  The printer is a simple way to engage students and and help to motivate their creativity when working with Autodesk Inventor.”

The printer also shown in the photo gallery is kept at the Education Service Center. In one of the pictures, you can see some test models from a Hello Kitty to Chewbacca to the Death Star. The materials used for the 3D printer involve a wire which is melted to form the plastic figures.

The activity is part of STEM – a national focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math programs which Union has always encouraged.

For more information on STEM, visit www.okcareertech.org/stem.

I’m glad your grandfather passed along the money I sent to you for your birthday.  It was enclosed in a card I mailed on Monday morning.  The card read that not a day has gone by that I haven’t wished that we were hanging out, and that I am proud of you and I love you.

I was told that your mother wouldn’t allow you to have the card, yet.  Sorry.