University System News:
www.wtoc.com
Georgia Southern celebrating the summer with annual watermelon cutting tradition
By WTOC Staff
Georgia Southern University will host its 71st annual Watermelon Cutting on Tuesday, July 17. The late President Zach Henderson started the tradition in 1948 . Henderson wanted to provide a cool treat for his students, faculty and staff who were on campus during the hot summer months. The tradition continues with 200 watermelons that are put on ice a week in advance. The cutting is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday near the Carruth Building on Georgia Southern’s main campus in Statesboro. For the first time this year, there will also be a cutting at the Armstrong Campus in Shearouse Plaza near the Learning Commons and International Gardens.
www.educationdive.com
Study indicates free textbooks boost grades
AUTHOR James Paterson
Dive Brief:
Research at the University of Georgia has shown that students given free course material not only save money but get better grades, according to Inside Higher Education. About half of the more than 20,000 students in the six-year study were given free digital textbooks for eight courses, including biology, history, psychology and sociology. Among students who used the open educational resources (OER), about 12% more received A grades and the number of students dropping out was about 3% less.
www.emanuelcountylive.com
Camp Invention inspires young scientists
http://emanuelcountylive.com/2018/07/camp-invention-inspires-young-scientists/
by KATELYN MOORE
More than 50 elementary students recently experienced the magic of invention at the Sudie Fulford Community Learning Center at East Georgia State College. In its sixth year at the Center, Camp Invention is a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame®. During the week-long experience, students participated in hands-on problem solving, collaboration, and the use of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The camp curriculum is inspired by some of the nation’s greatest inventors. This year, campers participated in a variety of hands-on modules. Each day of the five-day camp focused on a unique project. Campers learned about the science behind driverless cars as they designed tracks for self-driving robots and explored impact sensors using crash test dummies. In the Robotic Pet Vet module, students discovered the anatomy of dogs while customizing their own robotic dog. Dog parks featuring amazing park attractions were also designed by students. Campers created and built their very own futuristic smart home filled with gadgets, LEDs, technology and innovations in the Mod My Mini Mansion module.
www.savannahtribune.com
UGA Small Business Development Center at Georgia Southern University To Host “Quick- Books Online” Tues, July 24th
By Savannah Tribune
The UGA Small Business Development Center at Georgia Southern University, a Public Service and Outreach unit of the University of Georgia and Lanier, Deal & Proctor, CPAs of Statesboro, will host “QuickBooks Online” Tuesday, July 24th. at. Georgia Southern University College of Education, 275 C.O.E. Drive, Room 2151 Statesboro, GA 30460 …QuickBooks Online is fast becoming one of Intuit’s primary products as it allows users to access data anytime and anywhere. Facilitated by a University of Georgia SBDC QuickBooks Pro Advisor, this hands-on course is specifically designed for beginners and prospective users.
www.bizjournals.com
SalesLoft adding hundreds of jobs in Midtown
By Douglas Sams – Commercial Real Estate Editor, Atlanta Business Chronicle
Atlanta software company SalesLoft is doubling its footprint in Midtown’s Regions Plaza, where it plans to grow to more than 500 employees. SalesLoft will occupy the top three floors of the 24-story tower at 1180 West Peachtree Street, which serves as its headquarters. It will expand to up to 700 employees company-wide, with most of them in Midtown… “We love Atlanta,” Porter said. “We love the big brands. We love Georgia Tech, Emory, Morehouse — all the schools that provide us with our great talent.”
www.savannahbusinessjournal.com
Georgia Tech Savannah Hires New Director of Science, Mathematics and Computing
Caila Brown
Savannah Business Journal Staff Report
Georgia Tech Savannah recently hired Tim Cone as the Program Director of the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC). As program director, Cone will coordinate with local business owners, industry partners and educators to develop science, math and computing curriculum that will benefit both the K-12 students preparing to enter those dynamic fields and the potential future employers ready to receive them. “Cone has a history of education excellence in the Savannah area and throughout Georgia and has been recognized both locally and internationally for his innovative and inspiring work with students,” said Executive Director Diane Lee. “We are honored to have him as a part of our Georgia Tech Professional Education team.”
Higher Education News:
www.myajc.com
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
Should colleges be more open with students about employment odds?
Mike Kenig is vice chairman of Atlanta-based Holder Construction. In this guest column, he urges passage of the College Transparency Act, which would provide students and parents with employment and graduation data to better inform their choice of where to go to school and what to study. The bipartisan bill was introduced last year by U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI. The legislation requires the National Center for Education Statistics to develop a data system in coordination with other federal agencies to harness data they already collect. The bill would overturn a ban limiting the collating of such data. The bill gained a potent ally with the recent endorsement of Sen. John Cornyn. The influential Texas Republican signed onto the bill a few weeks ago, enhancing its chances. According to the sponsors: