Georgia Tech Students Make Atari Games Look Like Atari Again

One of the main themes of Racing the Beam is the strong affinity between the Atari VCS and the CRT television. The system was designed around the TV and it interfaces with that display in an unusual and specific way.

In today’s world of huge, sharp LCD monitors, it’s hard to remember what a videogame image looked like on an ordinary television of the late 1970s. Emulators like Stella make it possible to play Atari games on modern computers, serving the function of archival tool, development platform, and player for these original games. But unfortunately, they also give an inaccurate impression of what Atari games looked like on a television.

An Atari game played on a television would exhibit a number of visual characteristics that cannot be seen on an LCD display:

Texture.
The display itself is not constructed out of pixels like a monitor, but out of the phosphorescent glow of an electron beam as it shines through a focusing grate. The result produces slightly separated colored dots on the screen, which become less visible as the viewer moves away from the set.

Afterimage.
The phosphor glow padding a bit of time to “burn off” and leaves more of an afterimage on the human retina compared to an LCD display. As a result, images might linger after they had moved or changed. Atari programmers took advantage of this feature to “flicker” objects between frames.

Color Bleed.
The edges of sprites and scanlines appear as sharp edges in an emulator. But on a television, luminance from these areas would bleed into neighboring sectors, both softening the hard edges of pixel-objects and blending colors together.

Noise.
A television transmission is sent via RF, so a natural amount of noise is introduced into the image ... this is hard to see in a normal TV broadcast, but the large, flat areas of color in a videogame will exhibit slight vibration.

Many of today’s players may only experience Atari games in emulation. Indeed, many of my students may have little to no memory of CRT televisions at all. Given such factors, it seems even more important to improve the graphical accuracy of tools like Stella.

In Spring 2009, I tasked a Georgia Tech Computer Science capstone group to modify Stella, adding settings to simulate the CRT behaviors described above. The group consisted of five committed and talented CS seniors: Edward Booth, Michael Cook, Justin Dobbs, Will Rowland, and Prince Yang.

The results are, to my eyes, fantastic.

Despite being mighty impressive, the results in a live game are far more remarkable. Edward and his colleagues have done a fantastic job.

They are currently working with the maintainer of the free, open-source Stella emulator to patch their changes into the main build, where the effects will be available as a configurable option. Expect to see it there shortly, where hopefully it will benefit players, creators, educators, and archivists alike. Given that we'll be placing the code back into Stella’s repository, I’m also hopeful that this software might be extended for use in other emulators for computer systems that used televisions as their primary output.

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USDA Committed to National Internships Through Student Conservation Association

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer expanded potential conservation work and learning opportunities nationwide for high school and college students to include all USDA's 17 agencies for internships through the non-profit Student Conservation Association on Wednesday, January 7.

For more than 40 years, USDA's Forest Service has accepted more than 10,000 of the association's interns for conservation and summer trail crews. A memorandum of understanding signed Wednesday by Schafer and Student Conservation Association president Dale Penny expands potential work learning experiences to many other USDA agencies in a variety of scientific and conservation disciplines.

"USDA agencies are very pleased with the dedication, ability and enthusiasm of Student Conservation Association interns," said Schafer. "Today, by expanding this arrangement, more USDA agencies throughout the country can offer development of valuable skills and experiences to young adults interested in conservation. The Student Conservation Association helped forge a career pathway beginning at trailheads and through forests for many of USDA's managers and staff."

In 2008, the Student Conservation Association (SCA) placed 333 members at U.S. Forest Service sites, including high school conservation crews, as well as six interns in New Hampshire with USDA's National Resource Conservation Service.

Since 1957, SCA's active, hands-on practice of conservation through a nationwide service force of college and high school students annually renders some two million hours of conservation service in support of the nation's natural and cultural resources. Fully 60 percent of SCA interns use their experience to launch careers in conservation. Internships offered by SCA to students 18 years of age and older provide housing, with living expenses as well as round trip transportation to the assignment.

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Deadline Approaching for Marley & Me Creative Writing Contest

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- What can the world's worst dog possibly be thinking? Weekly Reader Custom Publishing wants to know. Twentieth Century Fox and Weekly Reader Custom Publishing are still accepting entries for its Marley & Me Creative Writing Contest for grades seven through nine.

Marley & Me, which opened at $14.7 million on Christmas Day alone and grossed $37 million that weekend, is about life, love, family -- and the world's most rambunctious dog. The film stars Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane and Alan Arkin. It was directed by David Frankel, from the screenplay by Scott Frank and Don Roos, based upon the best-selling book by John Grogan.

This original classroom program builds on the appeal of the movie to encourage students to write a story up to 300 words from the point of view of an animal. Entrants 13 years or older are encouraged to log onto www.weeklyreader.com/marley to submit their entry online. Entries can also be mailed. Deadline is January 30, 2009.

"We are excited to host the Marley & Me Writing Contest," said Elizabeth Gabler, President, Fox 2000 Pictures. "The contest will give children the opportunity to express themselves by showing their literary creativity. I'm looking forward to seeing all of the imaginative and original ideas coming from entrants. Who knows, maybe there is a budding screenwriter out there."

The grand prize winner will receive a $2,000 Best Buy gift card and have a $500 donation made in their name to their animal charity of choice. One first prize winner will receive an $800 Best Buy gift card and one second prize winner will receive a $500 Best Buy gift card. Five Runner Up Winners will receive $50 Best Buy gift cards. Teachers who encourage their students to enter are also eligible to win prizes.

This original writing contest, coordinated by Weekly Reader Custom Publishing, meets national language arts standards for grades seven through nine.

Submissions will be judged on creativity and originality; relevance to contest theme; language mechanics (grammar and spelling); and adherence to contest rules.

Enter by January 30, 2009 at www.weeklyreader.com/marley or by mail.

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State Lawmakers Convene at Georgia State University to Discuss K-12 Education

Georgia State University’s College of Education welcomed state lawmakers November 19 for a discussion on ways to improve teacher preparation and retention, school leadership and student achievement throughout Georgia.

The college was the setting for the third meeting of the House and Senate Teacher Certification and Training Study Committee, convened by the state Legislature this summer.

“The most important thing is the time the teacher spends with the students in the classroom – Do we have quality teaching? Do we have an environment where students want to learn and teachers have the power to act?” said State Sen. Dan Weber (R-Dunwoody), co-chair of the committee. “To achieve that goal, there are so many factors you have to look at, not the least of which is leadership within that schoolhouse.”

During the all-day session, committee members listened to testimony from administrators and educators at University System of Georgia institutions and the Professional Standards Commission. They also heard from officials with Georgia’s Leadership Institute for School Improvement on the importance of strong school leaders.

Producing quality teachers is a priority of the University System of Georgia, Chancellor Erroll B. Davis said. The system has 22 teaching institutions preparing more than 3,500 new teachers each year. By 2020, the system hopes to increase that to 20,000 teachers. Attention should be given to teachers’ salaries to improve retention rates as well, Davis added.

College of Education Dean Randy Kamphaus said the college was happy to host the event.
“Given the topic is teacher education, we thought this would give them an opportunity to discuss issues in an appropriate context,” Kamphaus said. “In effect, we’re representing other colleges of education around the state today by hosting this event.”

The committee may meet again to discuss what specific action items or legislation it wants to move forward with during the upcoming legislative session, Weber said.

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UGA Opens Office to Support Science, Math and Engineering Education in Georgia

Experts have for some years worried that a national shortage of scientists, mathematicians and engineers has jeopardized the competitive edge the United States must have in an increasingly technological world. To address this need, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents launched an initiative called Math + Science = Success.

The new program aims to increase the number of students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and the number of teachers prepared to teach these subjects in grades K-12.

Now, as part of this initiative, the University of Georgia has opened a new “one-stop” source of information for higher education faculty, teachers and students interested in making Georgia stronger in science, math and engineering.

Called the Office of STEM Education (for “science, technology, engineering and mathematics”), the facility will promote a broad range of activities to strengthen teaching and learning in these subjects, according to the director of the office, Charles Kutal, associate dean of UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.

Co-directors are Thomas Koballa, a professor in the College of Education, and Dava Coleman, a high school chemistry teacher in Jackson County. Program coordinator for the office is Nancy Vandergrift.

“The new office is a clearinghouse for anyone interested in STEM education on this campus,” Kutal said. “We can provide assistance to anyone seeking a collaborator within UGA, another University System institution or in a local K-12 school. Our Web site will provide information about ongoing projects and potential funding sources. Our goal is to assist people who have an interest but don’t know where to start.”

The UGA Office of STEM Education, which is located in Aderhold Hall on the UGA campus, is administratively under the Office of the Vice President for Instruction.

“This office aligns with our mission, as the flagship university, to meet the state’s responsibility for nurturing research and economic development through the preparation of more teachers in areas of critical need,” said Jere Morehead, vice president for instruction and Meigs Professor of Legal Studies.

The new STEM office builds upon the successes of the PRISM (Partnership for Reform in Science and Mathematics) project, a USG initiative designed to increase science and mathematics achievement for all K-12 students in order to improve their readiness for post-secondary education and careers by enhancing teacher quality, raising expectations for all stakeholders and closing student achievement gaps.

Awarded to the University System of Georgia in 2003, the initiative was funded by a five-year, $34.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and was funded through the school year of 2008. The NSF recently funded Phase II of PRISM with a new three-year grant of just over $2 million.

PRISM is working actively in four regions of the state, metropolitan Atlanta, northeast Georgia, east central Georgia and southeast Georgia, with partners at the university and public school level in each region.

Kutal said that one of the reasons the PRISM program has been successful is that it “addresses a whole spectrum of issues in K-16 STEM education.” With reports that the United States is falling behind Asian and European countries in these areas of education, he said the stakes are high.

“It’s crucial to the future of the country that all U.S. students are well prepared in STEM,” he said. “That’s why it’s important to continue the efforts that are already beginning to show gains in student interest and performance in these subjects.”

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Georgia Tech Promise Gives Georgians Access to a Debt-Free Degree

This year, 199 students from 52 counties across Georgia—from Appling to Wilkes—are attending the Georgia Institute Technology thanks to the G. Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise Scholarship Program. Launched in 2007, Tech Promise is designed to help Georgia students whose families have an annual income of less than $33,300 (150 percent of the federal poverty level) earn their college degree debt-free.

Tech Promise is the first program of its kind offered by any public university in Georgia. Picking up where Georgia’s HOPE scholarship and other financial aid options leave off, the program is individually tailored for each applicant. Assistance includes scholarships, grants, and job opportunities that allow eligible in-state students to attend Georgia Tech without the burden of student loan debt.

“As Georgia high school students evaluate college options, we do not want financial need to stand in their way of pursuing a degree at Georgia Tech,” said Interim President Gary Schuster. “We believe that qualified Georgia students from all economic backgrounds should have the opportunity to attend and graduate from Tech regardless of their family’s financial status. It is especially important that Tech Promise be brought to the attention of Georgia students who may be reluctant to apply because of concern about the financial burden attending college would place on their families.”

Mary Vaughn, a senior in Science, Technology and Culture from Snellville, Georgia, values the opportunities that the Tech Promise program has allowed her to pursue.

“I attended Tech my first two years without Tech Promise,” says Vaughn. “Although I had the HOPE scholarship, I had to work two jobs to make ends meet. Tech Promise has allowed me to work only one job, focus on my education and begin saving money for graduate school.”

Vaughn plans to pursue a graduate degree in education after she graduates from Georgia Tech. “My dream job is teaching,” says Vaughn. “There have been so many teachers who have been such an inspiration to me and who have been responsible for who I have become. I just want to give back.”

Under the terms of the Tech Promise program, student eligibility requirements and criteria include:

* Legal resident of Georgia
* Pursuing a first undergraduate degree
* Eligible applicant for federal student financial aid
* Dependent students whose parents: earn less than $33,300 in total annual income and/or benefits; and are eligible to file an IRS Form 1040A or 1040EZ for the most recent tax year
* Achieve and maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (out of a possible 4.0); be in good standing with the Institute and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress standards
* Submit a complete financial aid application each academic year by the required deadline

An annual application is required for Tech Promise, and individual evaluations will be conducted to calculate each candidate’s specific financial needs. Students may reapply for up to four academic years (eight semesters) of full-time enrollment. Levels of support/award in subsequent years will be based on the student’s family’s financial situation, and academic standing. The funding made available through Tech Promise will cover the published cost of attendance at Georgia Tech.

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Georgia Southern Graduate Student Project Makes Vending Machines More Energy-Efficient

When you stop for a few seconds to buy a cold drink from a vending machine, you probably don’t put any thought into how much energy the machine uses.

But a group of Georgia Southern University biology graduate students did – and found a way for the campus to save energy and money.

Eleven students in last fall’s Graduate Seminar in Sustainability researched possible service projects to make the Georgia Southern campus more energy-efficient. After discussing several ideas, they proposed putting energy-saving devices on vending machines.

“It was the best project because it is not just an awareness campaign – it is going to make a concrete difference,” said Dr. Lissa Leege, who taught the sustainability seminar along with Dr. Michelle Zjhra. “The work the students did is now really going to pay off on campus.”

The students’ research found that vending machines are one of the worst culprits of energy inefficiency, using 20 percent more energy on average than a refrigerator. As a solution, the students turned to the EMS-55, a device from the Coca-Cola Company that powers vending machines down to standby mode when they are not being used.

With $1,000 in funding from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and the support of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United in Statesboro, the students were able to purchase 12 of the devices. Three more were donated by Coca-Cola.

“It’s a simple solution, and you can do it for little money,” said graduate student Steve Williams, who led the research. “You see big benefits at a low cost.”

Three test models were put on Coca-Cola machines over the summer, and the rest have been installed this fall. The EMS (Energy Management System)-55 is now in use in 11 buildings: Biology, Forest Drive, Herty, Hollis, Marvin Pittman, Math-Physics, Rosenwald, Deal Hall, Hanner Fieldhouse, the Russell Union and the Williams Center.

The off-campus community will be connected to the initiative as well. The Coke machine at the Boys and Girls Clubs center in Statesboro is also slated to get one of the energy-saving units.
“We felt it was very important to involve our community outside of Georgia Southern in our efforts because community involvement is imperative to make a real difference for a sustainable future,” Williams said.

The energy-saving device uses an infrared motion sensor to power down the machine when no one is using it. So, for example, when the Biology building is vacant at 3 a.m., the vending machine is not constantly running coolant and its brightly-lit façade is turned off.
The EMS-55 also “learns” consumer traffic patterns. If no one uses the machine at a certain time on a certain day, the machine powers down at that same time on the same day the following week.

That all adds up to energy savings of about 33 percent, according to the students’ research. A vending machine without the power controller uses 3,021 kilowatt-hours per year on average, compared to 2,023 per year with one. Multiply that by the 15 machines on campus, and the University reduces its power use by nearly 15,000 kilowatt-hours per year.

“Our first step in sustainability is to increase the efficiency of what we already have,” said Dr. Leege, the director of the Office of Sustainability in the Allen E. Paulson College of Science and Technology. “We’re not having to change our behavior at all, and this is making a difference in our energy consumption.

The cost savings are just part of the equation, though. The devices also help conserve water and significantly reduce carbon dioxide and other air pollutant emissions.

“The energy efficiency is beneficial economically and environmentally,” Williams said. “While saving the university – and therefore students – money on the electric bill, this one small step also has a number of ripple effects on the environment.”

For example, these devices increase the lifespan of the light bulbs that illuminate the front of the vending machine. That means fewer materials (glass, metals, fluorescent gas, mercury, etc.) are used to manufacture bulbs for Georgia Southern’s machines; Coca-Cola United has to truck fewer bulbs to Savannah to recycle them, which saves gas and reduces harmful emissions; less energy has to be used to recycle those bulbs, which means less coal is mined and burned, which means lower greenhouse gas emissions; and, finally, less waste is generated from the parts of the bulb that cannot be recycled.

“These ripples will be multiplied 30 times since each of the 15 machines is equipped with two fluorescent light bulbs,” Williams said. “Our efforts are like throwing pebbles into the ocean; they make some ripples and waves. If everyone were to take a small step towards sustainability, then it would be like throwing a mountain of pebbles into the ocean.”

That’s not the only ripple effect Dr. Leege is counting on. As with all of Georgia Southern’s sustainability initiatives, she wants to see this project expand. The EMS-55 is reasonably-priced (about $80 per unit), so she hopes the Georgia Southern community will get on board and provide additional units for vending machines on-campus.

The project could not have been possible without the participation of Coca-Cola. Chad Henry, the cold drink manager for Coca-Cola United in Statesboro, said this fit perfectly with Coke’s commitment to be environmentally friendly through steps such as recycling out-of-date products, providing recycling bins and marketing their products with energy-efficient promotional items.

“The Coca-Cola Company is investing in ‘going green,’ and we are glad to have people like Lissa and Steve help us on the Georgia Southern campus,” Henry said. “They came up with the idea and got the wheels turning.”

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Georgia Schoolchildren Strike Gold with King Tut Exhibition Field Trip Assistance Initiative

PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to offset rising fuel prices that are a deterrent to school field trips, Georgia's State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox, along with organizers of "Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs," announced that $200,000 in fuel will be made available to Georgia schools to assist with classroom visits to the exhibition, and up to 10,000 students will receive free entrance. The initiative is being made possible through the support of RaceTrac Petroleum, the third largest private company in Georgia. RaceTrac operates more than 525 retail gasoline convenience stores in 12 southeastern states.

The U.S. premiere of the exhibition at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center will be presented by the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University from November 15, 2008 to May 25, 2009. To further supplement classroom visits, a robust portfolio of educational content and lesson planning materials developed by the Carlos Museum is available for free at http://www.kingtut.org/ or http://www.carlos.emory.edu/teacher-programs.

According to a survey by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), released July 29, almost half of school districts nationwide are cutting back on field trips due to rising transportation costs.

"This is a perfect example of how the business community can support the education of children," said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "The King Tut exhibit will allow students to see history and science firsthand, and this field trip would not be possible for most school districts without the generous support of RaceTrac and the exhibition organizers. This will truly be one of those remarkable field trips that students will remember for the rest of their lives, and I urge our educators across GA to take advantage of this opportunity that has the potential to benefit thousands of kids across the state."

All Georgia schools are eligible to participate in the fuel program on a first-come, first-served basis, which will benefit up to 80,000 students. Educators interested in participating in the program and receiving the fuel subsidy may do so by calling 866-52GROUP or visiting http://www.goldengasoffer.com/.

Participation in this program could possibly alleviate moratoriums on school bus availability in some local communities for field trips to this exhibition. Schools receiving free admittance will be designated by the Georgia Department of Education.

"We take our commitment to the community and local youth very seriously," said Allison Moran, senior vice president of operations for RaceTrac. "As one of Georgia's leading gasoline retailers, and with the current economic climate threatening school field trips, this assistance program is the perfect opportunity for us to give back to the community by providing local children with access to an invaluable educational experience."

"Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs" is the second National Geographic exhibition dedicated to the remarkable treasures of King Tutankhamun and ancient Egyptian royalty. The first exhibition, "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs," has drawn 5 million visitors during its U.S. and London engagements, and has been visited by 250,000 schoolchildren since opening in June 2005.

"We are indeed grateful to businesses like RaceTrac that are rallying much-needed resources to make Tutankhamun accessible to schoolchildren in Georgia," said Bonnie Speed, director of the Michael C. Carlos Museum. "It takes an engaged community to understand the cultural and social significance of this exhibition -- its power to kindle the imagination, build bridges across cultures and provide an unparalleled educational experience. We hope that school systems across Georgia will take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs" is organized by National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International (AEI) and AEG Exhibitions, with cooperation from the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt. Northern Trust is the presenting sponsor, and American Airlines is the official airline of the exhibition.

"Seeing artifacts from King Tut and other Valley of the Kings tombs is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said John Norman, president of Arts and Exhibitions International (AEI), one of the exhibition organizers. "We are committed to making every effort to ensure that this exhibition is accessible to students throughout the state, and RaceTrac's sponsorship helps make this possible."

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Premiering November 15, 2008 to May 25, 2009, at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, "Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs" will feature striking objects from some of the most important rulers throughout 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, from the 4th Dynasty into the Late Period (about 2600 B.C. -- 660 B.C.). Derived from a variety of contexts, including temples and royal and private tombs, many of these artifacts have never before visited the United States.

The exhibition will highlight more than 50 treasures from Tutankhamun's tomb and more than 70 artifacts representing other pharaohs and notables, along with the latest scientific research about King Tut. The storyline will focus on the splendor of the Egyptian pharaohs, their function in the earthly and divine worlds, and what kingship meant to the Egyptian people.

Four galleries devoted to King Tut will correspond to the four rooms of his nearly intact tomb where the treasures were discovered by British explorer Howard Carter in 1922. Legendary artifacts from the antechamber, the annex, the treasury and the burial chamber will include Tutankhamun's golden sandals, jewelry, furniture, weaponry and statuary.

For more information about the exhibition, visit http://www.kingtut.org/.

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FBI is Looking for a Few Good Students Before September Ends

GFP Note: This sounds like a blast! Don't wait to apply as the deadline is fast approaching.

Attention, undergraduate and graduate students: Interested in being part of the war on terror? Breaking up an international crime ring? Identifying criminals who exploit young children on the Internet? Working side-by-side with top-notch forensic experts to solve a violent crime?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, then the FBI Honors Internship Program might be for you. This 10-week program offers students an insider’s view of FBI operations, from counterterrorism, cyber, counterintelligence, and fraud investigations…to vital support services like laboratory exams, fingerprint identification, and behavioral analysis. The program also provides an opportunity to explore a career with the FBI while working closely with our employees. We’re already accepting internship applications for the summer of 2009, and the deadline to apply is fast approaching—September 30, 2008.

What’s the application process?

• Apply online.
• Our field office closest to your school will then process your application, and the most competitive students will be interviewed. Names of top candidates will be sent on to our Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
• Final decisions will be made in November; you’ll be notified soon afterwards if you made the cut.
• We’ll conduct your background investigation.
• Barring any problem with your investigation, you’ll be reporting for duty next summer at FBI Headquarters or another nearby facility.

To minimally qualify for the program, you must have at least a 3.0 GPA, be a U.S. citizen, pass a drug urinalysis screening and a polygraph, and have been absolutely drug-free for the past three years.

First-hand testimonials. If you make it through the application process, you’ll have the experience of a lifetime. But don’t take our word for it—read what some of our 2008 interns had to say:

• Mia D., assigned to our Language Services operation, saw the vital role that linguists in the Bureau play in protecting the nation. As part of her duties, she “started the ball rolling on the processing of several potential new linguists who have language skills critical to the Bureau…I know that I helped to make a difference.”

• Eric F., who worked with our International Operations folks, said he applied to the program because he wanted to “make a difference and serve my nation.” He said through his various summer assignments, which included meeting foreign representatives, he learned “how effective international liaison efforts help further the FBI’s mission.”

• Mary C. spent her summer in our Cyber Division, where she learned how she could “play a role in helping to ensure the security of American citizens, and I look forward to doing so in some capacity, whether as an agent, linguist, or analyst after I have completed my graduate studies.”

• Mark C., from our Inspection office, told us he not only had a better understanding of the Bureau after his 10 weeks with us, he also “had a deeper understanding of myself.” He added, “There is no other internship that provides such a meaningful experience.”

• But perhaps Amanda D., who worked in our Intelligence Directorate, summed up the experience best: “Leaving work every day knowing that you have done something—however small—to protect the United States is a great feeling.

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Statement from Morehouse College President Regarding the Amethyst Initiative

Morehouse College President Makes Statement on Amethyst Initiative
President re-considers his support of the initiative

"After careful re-consideration of the Amethyst Initiative, I am withdrawing my support to lower the drinking age from 21 to 18. Morehouse does not condone the misuse or abuse of alcohol or illegal substances. While we welcome and encourage spirited public debate about appropriate standards of behavior, we do not support policies that would have the effect of encouraging or making it more likely that younger citizens would use alcohol or drugs.”

-Robert M. Franklin
President, Morehouse College

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'Learn And Earn' Students Paid For Studying Show Improvements in Math And Science

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Fulton County students who completed Learn and Earn, a pilot program that paid participants to attend after-school tutoring, showed improved performances in math and science following the completion of the 14-week program. The participating students, eighth and eleventh graders from Bear Creek Middle School and Creekside High School in Fairburn, Ga., were chosen on the basis of low math and science achievement, as well as good attendance and behavior.

Learn and Earn began as an idea of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich; was championed by Robb Pitts, Fulton County Commissioner; funded by Charlie Loudermilk, chairman and CEO of Aaron Rents; trialed by the Fulton County School System and the Learning Makes a Difference Foundation.

While many opponents believed that compensating students for attending tutoring sessions sent the wrong signal, the final report noted, "All of the students were excited about getting paid. One student stated, 'I treat it like I'm getting paid from my parents for good grades.' Another stated, 'It is fun to get paid for learning.' Another stated, 'It feels good. It motivates me to learn.' One high school student stated, 'It is like a job, you drag yourself in whether or not you feel like going.'"

As to their academic performance in math and science, Learn & Earn students outperformed similar students in a comparison group who did not receive pay or tutoring. Half of the Learn & Earn students improved in both math and science while only 20-30 percent of the comparison group improved in those subjects.

"At first I didn't like school, but now that I am bringing up my grades, I like school more and want to go to high school and college," said one eighth-grade program participant.

Charles Loudermilk funded the Learn & Earn program and its $60,000 budget through the Learning Makes a Difference Foundation. "If we could just take one kid and change their life, it's worth more than I'm paying," said Loudermilk.

During student/teacher focus groups conducted following the program's completion, students reported a more positive attitude about their academic experience and were optimistic about their abilities to improve further in the future. Students also reported elevated levels of self-confidence.

"The measurable improvement shown by the participating students is proof enough that the Learn and Earn model can and does work," said Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts, one of the developers of the program. "We have stimulated the students' interest in math, as well as their overall academic performance. We have met our objectives and look forward to opportunities to expand this program."

"It is exciting to see students improve their performance in math and science and become engaged in learning," said Newt Gingrich. "And as a father, I take special pride in noting that without the leadership, persistence and hard work of my daughter Jackie Cushman, this project would never have been completed, and these students would not have been helped."

"We're absolutely thrilled with the results of the Learn & Earn pilot program," said Jackie Cushman, president of Learning Makes a Difference Foundation. "It's great to see students responding, initially to the incentive of pay, and then to the hands-on tutoring. We noticed improvements not only academically but in their attitude towards learning, many of them saving the money from the program for their college education. This program would not have been possible without the support of the Fulton County School System, the principals of the schools involved and the master teachers who inspired the students to move forward and embrace learning."

The mission of the LMD Foundation is to accelerate and enhance knowledge through innovative learning programs:

  -- By acting as an incubator of ideas.
 -- By creating, implementing and testing new initiatives.

-- By providing funding and support to non-profit organizations and partners.

"Based on these initial results, we hope to bring the Learn & Earn program to a larger student population in the future to positively affect more lives," said Cushman. "The Learning Makes a Difference Foundation strives to find new ways to help students learn."

The results of the Learn and Earn program were evaluated by an independent research group, Emstar Research, Inc., more information regarding the study is available on www.lmdfoundation.org.

UGA Journalism Academy “All Stars” Recognized

The Georgia Journalism Academy hosted by the University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication recently recognized their “All Stars,” including Cedar Shoals High School rising senior Justin Van Wicklen of Athens who was named the “MVP.”

Van Wicklen was one73 participants of the Academy—a weeklong camp for high school journalists. Students lived in a campus residence hall during the week and took classes at the Grady College in one of seven core areas: broadcast writing and reporting, broadcast news production, news writing, feature writing, editorial writing, photojournalism and graphic design. “Friday Night Lights” was the theme of this year’s camp.

The academy “All Stars” were recognized at a closing banquet in the Sanford Stadium Sky Suite. Along with Van Wicklen, the following students were named “All Stars” in their respective classes:

•Logan Butler (Stratford Academy/Macon), broadcast writing and reporting

•Margaret Chwat (Northview High School/Suwanee), editorial writing

•Meredith Fowler (Camden County High School/Kingsland), graphic design

•Macy Lister (Union Grove High School/McDonough), photojournalism

•Mary Lyons (Northside High School/Columbus), news writing

•Ayana Moore (Dunwoody High School/Lithonia), feature writing

As broadcast students produced The Grady Gridiron, a 20-minute TV news show, newspaper students were working on The Goal Post, a 12-page newspaper featuring local news, features, sports and opinions.

Van Wicklen, a member of the broadcast production team, was named an “All-Star” of his class by his instructor, Vanessa Nguyen, and competed against other class “All-Stars” for the title of “MVP.”

“Justin was a great team player who was willing to do anything,” said Nguyen. “He is a multi-talented student who not only produced great work, but motivated other students to do their best.”

Van Wicklen, who also has an interest in sculpting, said he enjoys the creative aspect of broadcast production. “I’m a very hands-on kind of person,” he said. “I like to create things, and I like to show people what’s going on in the world, so broadcast news is a natural fit.”

Van Wicklen, who hopes to attend the University of Georgia and the Grady College, said his Academy experience has helped further develop skills he learned under his high school adviser at Cedar Shoals. “I’ve gotten a new perspective on editing and I’ve learned some tremendous technique,” he said. “This has been a wonderful experience.”

Students Named to U.S. Senate Youth Program

U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson have announced that two Georgia students will be among 104 delegates to the United States Senate Youth Program March 1-March 8 in Washington D.C. The students will also each receive a $5,000 scholarship.

The winners were Logan Krusac of Campbell High School in Cobb County and Alan Binder of Greater Atlanta Christian School in Gwinnett County. Chosen as alternates were Cameron Day of Trion (City) High School and Joshua Buttenhoff, of Northwest Whitfield High School in Whitfield County.

Students are nominated by their teachers and principals and are interviewed by staff members from the Georgia Department of Education. The winning delegates are submitted by State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox.

"Congratulations to Logan and Alan for being chosen to represent the great state of Georgia at the United States Senate Youth Program. This will be an experience that will change their lives," Superintendent Cox said. "I also want to congratulate our alternates and all those who were nominated by their teachers and principals."

Release from the Senate:

Georgia Students Selected for United States Senate Youth Program
-- Students Headed to Washington and to Receive $5000 Scholarship--

Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson today announced the names of the two Georgia students who have been selected as delegates to the 46th Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) that will be held March 1 – 8, 2008 in Washington, D.C. Alan Blinder of Norcross and Logan Krusac of Acworth were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be part of the group of 104 student delegates who will attend the program’s 46th Annual Washington Week.

The USSYP was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962 and has been sponsored by the Senate and fully funded by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation since inception. Originally proposed by Senators Kuchel, Mansfield, Dirksen and Humphrey, the impetus for the program as stated in Senate testimony was “to increase young Americans’ understanding of the interrelationships of the three branches of government, the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and the vital importance of democratic decision making not only for America but for people around the world.”

Each year this extremely competitive merit-based program brings 104 of the most outstanding high school students -- two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity -- to Washington, D.C. for an intensive week-long study of the federal government and the people who lead it. The overall mission of the program is to help instill within each class of USSYP student delegates more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service. In addition to the program week, the foundation grants each of the 104 student delegates a $5,000 college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs. Transportation and all expenses for Washington Week are provided by the foundation, as stipulated in S.Res.324; no government funds are utilized.

Alan Blinder is Class President at the Greater Atlanta Christian School. His leadership activities include: Treasurer of the National Honor Society, Managing Editor of the Literary Magazine and National Chairman and Executive Director of Teens for Bush. Alan also is active with the Beta Club, Envirothon, Forensics Team, Civic Leadership Development Program, and the International Studies Program. He plans to pursue an interdisciplinary degree in neuroscience.

Logan Krusac is Student Council President at Campbell High School. Logan also serves as Governor of Georgia Boys State and lead prosecutor of Mock Trial. He is active in Model United Nations, Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Summit, CNN Leadership Unplugged, Economics for Leaders, and National Student Leadership Conference. He plans to pursue a degree in political science.

Chosen as alternates to the 2008 program were Cameron Day, a resident of Summerville, who attends Trion High School and Joshua Buttenhoff, a resident of Tunnel Hill, who attends Northwest Whitfield High School

The chief educational officer in each state selects the delegates after nomination by teachers and principals. This year’s delegates were designated by Ms. Kathy Cox,
State Superintendent of Schools.

While in Washington the student delegates will attend meetings and briefings with Senate leadership, other Senators and Congressional staff; the President, a Justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an Ambassador to the United States and top members of the national media. The students will also tour many of the national monuments and several museums and they will stay at the historic Mayflower hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.

In addition to outstanding leadership abilities and a strong commitment to public service, this year’s students rank academically in the top one percent of their states. They continue to excel and develop impressive qualities that are often directed toward public service. Among the many distinguished former program delegates are Senator Susan Collins of Maine, the first program delegate elected to the Senate; Judge Robert Henry, U.S. Court of Appeals; former Ambassador to West Germany Richard Burt; former Presidential Advisor Karl Rove and former Presidential Advisor Thomas "Mack" McLarty. Additional distinguished alumni are former Lt. Governor of Idaho David LeRoy, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Christopher Christie, military officers, Foreign Service Officers, members of State Legislatures, top Congressional staff, healthcare providers and university educators.

Members of the USSYP 2008 46th Annual Senate Advisory Committee are: Co-Chairs — Senator Dianne Feinstein of California and Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas. Advisory Committee — Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. of Pennsylvania, Senator Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii, Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina, Senator Michael B. Enzi of Wyoming, Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas. Each year, the Honorary Co-Chairs of the program are the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders and the Vice President of the United States.