Hi!

My name is Jillian Brannock, and I am this year’s AoIT Intern! I’m a senior at Apex High and plan to go to college to major in Communications in Journalism. Throughout my high school career I have been involved in various activities such as managing the volleyball team my freshman year and being apart of the Student Council for the past 3 years. As well as my internship, I work as a crew member at Chipotle in Apex. I’ve been working there for a year and a half. 

I could best describe myself as being very outgoing and sociable. I enjoy meeting new people and going to new places. I think my ability to work well with others is going to get me far in my career, whether it is journalism or not. 

During my internship at the school I will not only be helping the AoIT teachers clerically but also teaching myself a new form of code called WordPress. This will be so that I can update the website and alter it so that it is easier to navigate. It will have information that all students in the academy will need, and information that individual classes will need. There will be many videos and PowerPoints attached to the site that students who missed any meetings should refer to for the information they missed. Not only that, but parents of current and possible future academy members will be able to find information that they need too. I will also be running the various AoIT social media that students can follow to stay updated on any last minute changes with in the AoIT cohort. 

I can’t wait to see what else this internship has in store for me!

-Jillian Brannock

Everything to know about the Sphero 2.0

By: Abby Farrell, AOIT Intern

 

Last week, AOIT received a new friend, the Sphero 2.0 robot. Students will have access to the robot and will be able to learn and utilize it. But before you use the Sphero 2.0 it is important to learn about what it is, the features it has, and how it will be used in the classroom.

What is the Sphero 2.0?

Sphero is a spherical robot toy designed by Sphero (the company). It is a white orb wrapped in polycarbonate plastic, capable of rolling around, changing colors, running programs, and being controlled by a smartphone or tablet. Sphero allows people of all ages to learn the basics of programming.

 

What features does Sphero 2.0 have?

 

• Rolling: Sphero 2.0 can roll at a given speed and direction.

 

• Colors: You have the ability to change the color of Sphero 2.0 to any color you want.
• Sensors: This robot has internal sensors. Two of these sensors are the IMU and the Locator. The robot is able to sense when it has run into an object, thus turning around and moving in a different location.
• Bluetooth: The Sphero 2.0 can connect to devices such as iPads, iPhones, and Android tablets and phones.
• Various Robot Languages:This robot supports three programming languages. These languages are Macros, OrbBasic, and Oval.

 

Programming Sphero 2.0

Sphero 2.0 teaches users about the basics of programming. There are three different ways the robot can be programmed. The various ways allow the Sphero 2.0 to be used by people with all varying programming abilities.

 

• Draw Programming: This simpler method of programming is intended for grades PK-2, and is simply named “Draw”. Users draw lines to program their robot and can modify the speed and color.

• Block Programming:Intermediate coders can utilize the familiar block-based drag and drop interface. Pre-programmed blocks allow for a wide variety of actions and variables.

• Text Based Coding: A more advanced method for grades 6-University where users can program with a text editor to write custom syntax.

 

 

Sphero 2.0 in the Classroom

Sphero 2.0 is not only fun to play with, but it also incorporates technology with collaborative STEM activities. The robot can be used in the classroom to promote group collaboration, problem solving, and critical thinking.

Lately we have been flooded with invitations to give back to the community in one way or another. Below you will find the information to the events that need volunteers.

24th Annual Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival

The Town of Cary’s 24^th Annual Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival is coming up on Saturday, April 29, 2017. It takes over 150 volunteers to make this festival possible and we need your help! The Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival has great opportunities for high school students age 16+, or high school students under 16 who volunteer with a parent/guardian. Additionally, there are opportunities to volunteer in pairs and groups, allowing for great team building.

 

Click here to access the sign up. If you want to tell anyone else about this sign-up, ask them to search “Spring Daze Volunteers” at townofcary.org for the link.

 

Slots are available Fri. 4/28 and Sat. 4/29 in durations ranging from two to four hours. Feel free to sign-up for multiple shifts or on multiple days.

 

NOTE: A mandatory volunteer training for first-time volunteers in on Sat. April 22, 2017 at 1 p.m. in the Bond Park Community Center. All first-time volunteers are required to attend or they will not be allowed to volunteer. Return volunteers are welcome to attend if they would like to listen in on this year’s changes in the festival.

 

Additionally, the 41^st Annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival is returning this summer on Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27. We know that it is hard to get in contact with schools and students over the summer, so please help me make your students aware that the sign-up for Lazy Daze will go live on Monday, July 17, 2017. This festival takes over 300 volunteers, so the support of the entire Wake County community is needed!

 

If you need any assistance or have questions in signing up, please feel free to reach out to me (my contact info is in the e-mail signature)!

 

If you would no longer like to be included on this e-mail list, please reply stating your preference.

 

Deirdre Lewis

Cultural Arts Program Assistant

deirdre.lewis@townofcary.org

 

Apex 4th annual 5K and play with Founder’s Day

Together we have brought in many sponsors and hope to have over 300 runners this year.  There are several things I would like to ask to see if you can participate in the event on April 8th.  Attached are forms etc.  http://apexkiwanis.org/

It is run by the Apex Kiwanis club. These are things I hope that Apex High and the students can be a part of:

Check out what people are saying about AOIT!

Post in Recommendations

Apex AOIT program

Christine Lennon from Haddon Hall · 1d ago

Hi, does anyone have any experience with the AOIT program at Apex High? What is the benefit of this program vs taking desired computer/programming classes separately?
Any input is appreciated!!

Shared with Haddon Hall + 73 nearby neighborhoods in Recommendations

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Jodi Schuh from Haddon Hall · 2d ago

I have a senior and a sophomore in the program and the soft skills that they learn in the program is more valuable than anything. They learn interviewing skills, presentation skills, how to work in a group, plus the Microsoft certification and how to make a great power point. Whether you think your child is going to be in a technical field or not I think it is a great program. They also do an internship beteeen their junior and senior years that is required. The one thing that you might want to take into consideration is that they do not have as much flexibility in their schedule because there are required AOIT classes that fills up a lot of their schedule.

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Stacy Boxell from Haddon Hall · 2d ago

I have a freshman in the program, and it’s awesome. Jodi is exactly right with what she said. My daughter, at this point, doesn’t plan to have a computer or technical career. She wants to be a lawyer or actor, so the presentation skills learned here are fabulous. It’s different than taking the classes separately, because in AOIT, they assign projects across the classes. One project might have a component they work on in each of their classes…math, english, science, history, technology…so they receive a grade in each of the classes they are in that semester for the portion of the project that relates to that particular class. It’s all very integrated. Plus the program incorporates field trips for more hands-on application that your student also wouldn’t be part of just taking the classes separately. There are pluses and minuses to what Jodi mentioned about schedule flexibility. It’s true that AOIT students can’t take chorus (and band maybe?), but I think overall they have less trouble getting their schedules set as AOIT students are scheduled first. From what I hear, my daughter was lucky to get drama (and her other first choice elective) this year, as that’s another class that normally conflicts with AOIT schedules. We’re keeping our fingers crossed she can get more drama classes in the future. Either way, she has LOVED the AOIT program, and chose to do it even with the chance she couldn’t get any drama electives.

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James Devlin from Beckett Crossing · 1d ago

My son and daughter both were in AOIT. This was back in 2007. They both got a lot out of it and has been great on their job resumes. He is now a Nuclear Engineer working at a Nuclear power plant. The skills they learned will benefit them for the rest of there life’s. Go for it.

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Darian Poliachik from Shepherds Vineyard · 1d ago

My third AOIT kid is just about to graduate. Great experience for all three. They learned how to get their resume together, how to interview (for a real paid internship they were required — and helped — to get over the summer after Junior year), and how to make presentations. They enjoyed the comraderie of having a smaller group within the big high school, and got to know the other AOIT kids well. Highly recommend.

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Chuck Mihaliak from Haddon Hall · 1d ago

My son is a senior in the AOIT program. I can echo the above comments that it has been a great experience. The level of preparation, both academically and professionally, is fantastic. I’m also a member of the AOIT Advisory board which is mostly parents who are highly involved in supporting the Academy – all highly dedicated.
Regarding internships, the call is out now for companies who might be interested in hiring a student for the summer. If you know anyone who could use a well trained student with strong IT skills, let me know.

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Thom Haynes from Mandavilla Way · 22h ago

My son was in Apex’ AOIT pgm, finished around 2009, it was great, a unique and lucky opportunity for Apex students. He went on to a Comp Sci degree at UNC Charlotte and is a software engineer in Cincinnati now, with a huge Indian consulting firm, doing very well.

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I-Ting Huang from Holt Rd · 12h ago

My son was graduated from Apex High’s AOIT program last year. I have asked him to give you some input. Here is what he wrote: The Academy of Information Technology aka AOIT has one of the most misleading names I have ever encountered in my life. Although we did work a lot with technology e.g. coding, website design, etc., the Academy really tries to focus on preparing students for their best possible futures in many aspects other than technology. We focused a lot on developing soft skills, like presentation skills and ways to work effectively in teams. These are also the exact things the Academy fails to advertise/showcase time and time again. I came into the program thinking I was going to do hardcore programming stuff and that thought process quickly disappeared within the first year.

AOIT contains a cohort of 90 students chosen through a lottery system of all who had applied. Chosen students are then placed in special AOIT-only classes where the only students in the class are in AOIT in addition to their regular classes. These classes can include anything from biology class to english class, classes that have absolutely nothing to do with technology; however, AOIT incorporates multiple projects and required presentations into those classes that are largely nonexistent in “regular” non-AOIT classes. Because you are taking many classes with the same people i.e. the people in AOIT that are in your grade, friendships are easily formed. I must say that AOIT helped me a lot in transitioning into high school in this regard. Making friends was easy through projects and conversations and adjusted me to the high school environment quickly. Many of my close friends today are/were from the AOIT program.

We also go on many AOIT-only field trips as a cohort; some are fun like going to the zoo or a high ropes course, but others are serious preparations for the future, such as the visit to NC State’s campus for practice job interviews. You most definitely do not get these opportunities outside of AOIT and the aspect of building relationships with your fellow AOIT classmates is again emphasized. As you progress through high school, the amount of AOIT-only classes decreases (I had only one AOIT-only class and seven regular classes my senior year) and field trips become less common, but the bonds you forged with your AOIT friends remain solidly intact.

The biggest thing that I thank AOIT for is their internship program. Graduation from the program requires each student to have an internship the summer after his/her junior year. In the process of getting an internship, we had to write resumes and interview with real company recruiters; this was the real deal. Although students are ultimately responsible for getting an internship, AOIT board members and staff immensely aid students in the process. This opportunity is absolutely invaluable. It is ludicrous for someone to already have internship experience before even coming to college, and it makes finding internships in college a whole lot easier. Not only do you get paid more than your average fast food summer job would (AOIT requires that the internship selected provides compensation), you get to see what life is like in an actual real-life work environment and learn hands on how to communicate with your coworkers and manager, manage projects, and countless other practical scenarios; it’s downright incredible.

The only downside to AOIT would be that some AOIT-only classes may conflict with the regular classes that a student may want to take in regards to time scheduling. For instance, I was unable to enroll in a band class my freshman year because I had so many AOIT-only classes that were the same time as the band class.

Thank

Top of Form

Written by Ethan Alfonso// Apex High AOIT class of 2017

 

Among recent years in the IT community, the term “cloud computing” has become understood as somewhat nebulous jargon for any who aren’t at a base awareness to it. Wherever the misconceptions arise, the term describes a practice that at base is something everyone either is aware of or actively participating in.

While cloud computing does have a base idea behind it, the edges that define it can become blurred depending who is describing it and for what purpose. The original definition can be settled around something in the range of “utilizing off-location computer servers to use computer services”. The vagueness of using such services is all of what gives cloud computing so much potential, wariness and confusion at once.

To give a scenario, say a small-scale shipper requires a software and communication aspect, and rather than investing in a costly on-site server, invests in cloud computing. Once a cloud service contractor has facilities set up to use and contracts with big customers, they can potentially act as a surrogate for any computing needs of the customer. This is sometimes constituted with a basic infrastructure for a client, allowing them to have a professional/efficient/reliable/etc. interface without requiring to know all of the in’s and out’s of building a server or paying an on-site engineer to handle such things. This form is the most basic type of cloud partitioning, and is referred to as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Some more complex variations of this service allow entire applications to be run by consumers remotely. As a result, consumers require less processing power at a workstation or personal desktop, and therefore can share or allocate that among the cloud. This second type, which builds upon IaaS is called Platform as a Service (PaaS). Data as a Service (DaaS) follows the pattern, but rather than the problem of running applications locally, deals with data storage. This availability of storage lets the consumer not worry about over-allocating memory, and possibly eliminates any need for a set database. The final utilization of cloud computing is Software as a Service (SaaS), where entire applications, interfaces and memory stores can be made available to the client in a matter of hours on subscription basis. Such service can be useful at lowering cost as a response to other contemporary software developers may need hefty requirements on the basis of being a permanent download.

The advantages of cloud computing over its precursor techniques are many. The fluidity provided by allocatable computing lets each client have their own chunk of a server that can change based on individual needs. This leads to more flexible payment options like subscriptions and pay-as-you-go computing. Other advantages include reduced costs, shorter setup times for the clientele and even an increase in size of software markets.

With these pros come some disadvantages as well, that many a remorseful buyer is wary of. Not all cloud providers are equal, nor are the contracts they employ to businesses and personal consumers. Some may overcharge or inflate prices, along the vein of cable companies before them, and others may simply have unreliable services to boot. This can often be accompanied with bad awareness and training in the work force, meaning one untrained user can build a steep debt and an untrained team can build a mountain.

A lot of information about cloud computing has surged in recent years, making it unclear whether not it is perhaps a fad or one more term which the average computer worker has to shove under the jargon rug. It may seem like a small move forward, but cloud computing is already becoming the next frontier in the IT world, and it requires ready, careful steps to ensure its best use. -Ethan Alfonso

References

1. Hassan, Qusay (2011). “Demystifying Cloud Computing”(PDF). The Journal of Defense Software Engineering. CrossTalk. 2011 (Jan/Feb): 16–21. Retrieved 11 December2014.

2. “Gartner Says Cloud Computing Will Be As Influential As E-business”. Gartner. Retrieved 2016-10-17

 

 

 

Written by: Rachel McKinney // Apex AOIT class of 2016

Vocational education is out, CTE (Career Technical Education) is in.

So what’s the difference? 20th century vocational classes aimed to teach students skills to land them jobs straight out of high school. These old fashioned auto mechanics and woodworking classes taught students the basic skills they needed to put them on track for employment. This typically narrow track of vocational training was often segregated away from the ‘college prep’ classes and geared to fill jobs in the industrial age.

However, the aim of 21st century CTE classes are vastly different. While the goal of any form of education is to increase the chance of success in the workforce, CTE encourages post-secondary education, which in turn will increase their earning power. Of course auto mechanics and woodworking classes are still available, but the spectrum of classes offered now expands to applied sciences and technology, giving students a wide variety of classes to choose from based on their interests. The most popular CTE class options of this era include health sciences and information technology. Even woodworking and auto classes have changed over the years with many high school courses now involving computerized equipment, and electronics. In today’s economy and global age CTE courses are ready to prepare students for jobs that require much different skills than in the past.

Even today, the stereotype remains that CTE classes are much easier than ‘college prep’ classes. The reality is that CTE classes can be a challenging, rewarding experience for all kinds of students, no matter what  their post-high school education plans may be. Senior Michelle Linton, who is currently taking ECommerce II, agrees saying, “CTE classes aren’t for lazy people who want an easy A… they can be very challenging and frustrating, so you have to be prepared to work hard.”  With 85% of students completing at least one CTE class in high school according to the National Association of CTE Consortium the vast majority of high school students are having a chance to get valuable real world experience.