2014-2015 End of the Year Summary

What a successful first year!  We would like to thank you for your support this year and to let you know about our first year school outcomes.  Please let us know if you have any questions about the information below.  Remember to watch our web site and social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) for any updates to this information or future announcements.

Many parents asked about comparing student progress in New Tech to traditional programs, so we have compiled some performance measures for you to review in the larger School Report.  It is exciting to be able to report that the demographic makeup of New Tech@Mann mirrored J. L. Mann High School and, overall, the New Tech@Mann students performed at or above the levels reported in traditional classes.  Congratulations and thanks to the New Tech teachers and students who worked so hard this year to make that happen!  They did an outstanding job!

NewTech@Mann – EOY Full Report

We had some amazing guest speakers and community members who contributed in various ways to our students’ learning.  Here are their names and the associated projects they contributed to:

Ashley Rhinehart, ReWa, Clean Water Filter Prototype

Jeff Marshall PhD, Inquiry in Motion Clemson University, Clean Water Filter Prototype

Heather Nix and Chris Starker, Upstate Forever, Director, Clean Air & Water Program, Clean Water Filter Prototype

Lisa Wells, City of Greenville Environmental Storm Water Engineer, Clean Water Filter Prototype

Lynn Watkins, Greenville Zoo, Clean Water Filter Prototype

Allen Summers (Terraponics project) President PowerSPOT Power Products, Clean Water Filter Prototype

Robert Osborne and Morgan Young, Black & Veatch Consulting Engineers, Clean Water Filter Prototype

Michael Weeks, Director at Roper Mountain Science Center, Clean Water Filter Prototype

Val Mosher, Coordinator at Roper Mountain Science Center, Clean Water Filter Prototype

Eric Mitchell, Roper Mountain Association Board, Clean Water Filter Prototype

Kirsten Robertson, Greenville County Soil and Water, Clean Water Filter Prototype

Chris Ericksen, SCAWWA, Clean Water Filter Prototype

3 Graduate Clemson students from project Clemson Engineers for Developing Countries, Clean Water Filter Prototype

Donna Childress, AAA Travel Agent, planning & budgeting vacation

Betaversity-Beta Box Activities, Design Thinking Process/Rapid Prototyping Process

Rick Floyd, Info Security Officer, Internet Safety and Computer Ethics

Ben Ebel, Design Coordinator for OE Michelin, Wheel Design/3D Printing

Clair Dias, Project Manager, Clemson Indigo Pine Solar House Project

Geno Church, Brains on Fire, Design/Marketing/Photoshop

Christa Jordan, Community Development and Sustainability Coordinator, speaker for biodiversity for Memorial Garden Project

Mr. Mark Godfrey and Ms. Kay Roper — the executive directors of the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance (Greenville, SC), Bridge Design

Chris Justus and Nicole Papay, WYFF News 4 Meteorologists, Weather Project

Coach Sam Wyche, presentation from former CBS sports commentator, NFL player, and Cincinnati Bengals’ head coach

Virtual Conference Call with Holocaust Survivor Speakers, Children of the Holocaust Program

Some changes to look forward to for next year include new courses, more newly renovated classrooms and an end-of-year trip for Engineering Day at Carowinds planned for all New Tech students!  We are pleased to announce our New Tech@Mann courses and teachers for next year:

English/Social Studies

• • Haley Wilson/Mr. Josh Eversole – English 2/World History; English 2/AP World History; English 3/AP US History
  • Tiffany Curtis/Mr. Jeremy Johnson – English 1/World Geography

Math/Science/Engineering

• • Heather Ellis/Mr. Chandler Ginn – Algebra 1/Scientific Research
  • Heather Ellis/Mr. Chris Beyerle – Geometry/Introduction to Engineering
  • Torri Atkins – Algebra 2
  • Chandler Ginn – Chemistry
  • Kristen Gariboldi – Biology

Computer Science

• • Sam Brown – Exploring Computer Science; Digital Multimedia
  • Rob Kendrick – Exploring Computer Science

Also, if you are a new student to New Tech@Mann, some events that you may want to attend include:

1. 1. New Tech New Student Orientation – August 5, 2015, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at J. L. Mann High School. Plan to spend the morning meeting your classmates and embarking on your first project-based adventure!
   2. Patriot Day – August 13, 2015, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at J. L. Mann High School. This is for all J. L. Mann students.  Drop in to pick up your schedule, pay class dues, order your yearbook, and other housekeeping items needed to get ready for the new school year.
   3. New Patriot Night – August 17, 2015, 5:30 p.m. Plan to attend our first open house of the year.  This open house is intended specifically for students new to J. L. Mann High School.  Watch the school website for further details.

Congratulations to all of our families on their decision to experience a New Tech classroom this year or next.  New Tech National released their 2014-2015 nation-wide report last month on all New Tech schools and key findings included:

• • New Tech students grow 65% more in higher order thinking skills between freshman and senior years than comparison groups.
  • New Tech students graduate at a rate 9% greater than the national average.
  • New Tech students enroll in college at a rate 9% greater than the national average.
  • New Tech students persist in 4-year colleges at a rate of 92% and in 2-year colleges at a rate of 74%.

Visit the New Tech Network website for the full 2015 New Tech Network Student Outcomes Report at http://www.newtechnetwork.org/services/resources/new-tech-network-2015-student-outcomes-report.

Please contact us with any New Tech questions.  Thank you for your support of New Tech@Mann.  It is going to be an exciting second year as we build on the success of the first year!  See you soon!