2021-2022 Clean SMARTS Master Class Experts
Relationship Building & Skills in Diplomacy, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Nuclear Energy Policy, and Cooperation in the Office of Nuclear Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy
What is the Clean SMARTS Master Class?
The NPI “Clean SMARTS Master Class” is a FREE six-episode mini-series that gives you an opportunity to hear, learn, and be inspired by experts in the areas of national Security, Manufacturing, Applications of nuclear, Relationship building & skills in diplomacy, Technology, and global Security (SMARTS). These experts will share their knowledge and expertise, giving you an opportunity to acquire skills, up-skill, and even learn the importance of retraining in an age of constant change.
Objective
The NPI “Clean SMARTS Master Class” will provide opportunities for Texas High School students and educators to hear, learn, and be inspired by experts in the areas of national Security, Manufacturing, Applications of nuclear, Relationship building & skills in diplomacy, Technology, and global Security (SMARTS). These experts will share their knowledge, expertise, and opportunities with an audience eager to acquire skills, up-skill, and even learn the importance of retraining in an age of constant change. This master class will support the NPI Mission of developing the necessary workforce to sustain current, new, and emerging clean industries in Texas.
How do I participate?
- Register through the Cvent registration process to access the Clean SMARTS Master Class
- View all 6 episodes completely and earn a Clean SMARTS Certificate of Completion:
Cvent Registration:
- Register for access on our Cvent registration page
- Click “Register Today” and complete the application process.
- You will receive an application confirmation email
Canvas Access Process:
- As soon as NPI accepts your application (usually within 24 hours), you will receive a second email from TEES EDGE with the Canvas program enrollment links.
- Click on any course link, this takes you our NPI Canvas site
- Click on “Enroll”
- The first course you enroll in will require you to fill out basic information (Name, Email, School). All of the other courses that you enroll in after this will automatically show up on your Canvas dashboard
- You will receive 2 emails from the Canvas Catalog
- One email says that you are enrolled in the course.
- The other email with the subject line “Please confirm your email” is the one you will use to set up your password “Complete Registration”
- Complete Registration
- Create a password (store this somewhere for safe keeping)
- Once created, it will take you to the course
- To see the complete list of NPI offerings, click on the NPI logo on the top left of the Canvas dashboard
- Then follow the instructions to enroll
Clean SMARTS Master Class Competition
Participants:
The competition is open to all Texas 6th – 12th grade Secondary Students and Texas 6th – 12th grade Secondary Educators who have completed the Clean SMARTS Master Class and received an official certificate of completion. The Clean SMARTS Master Class Finale will be hosted TBD in the Spring of 2022. No more than one entry per participant will be considered.
Divisions:
Divisions
Awards
Deadlines
- 6th – 12th grade Texas Secondary Students
- 1st place – $3,000
- 2nd place – $1,500
- 3rd place – $750
By 11:59pm on April 29, 2022
- 6th – 12th grade Texas Secondary Educators
- 1st place – $3,000
- 2nd place – $1,500
- 3rd place – $750
By 11:59pm on April 29, 2022
Expectations:
You have reviewed/studied/explored all course information/material from the Clean SMARTS Experts in national Security, Manufacturing, Applications of nuclear, Relationship building & skills in diplomacy, Technology, and global Security.
Competition: Do something with your new knowledge (select only one):
- Create a business plan for a non-profit organization or for-profit company that will address an aspirational need or goal. Define a mission for a non-profit organization to solve a pressing problem in society based on your own observations or an objective for a for-profit company, define your goal(s) and target(s). Develop the concept and create a plan to meet the need or opportunity using the concepts from or inspired by the Clean SMARTS courses.
- Invent a product concept that will address a challenge/issue you were inspired to pursue from the Clean SMARTS courses. Define the challenge/issue yourself from your own imagination and/or experience. Develop a description of the product and method of implementation (note: It has to be technically feasible – no teleportation devices.).
- Develop a Clean SMARTS Ambassador framework to influence policy, communicate with and educate society, and strengthen institutions’ (e.g. schools/universities and local, state, and federal agencies) ability to improve the public’s scientific literacy (note: You may focus on the institutions represented in the Master Class courses, but you are not limited to them.).
Helpful Resources:
- https://nicebrains.com/life/business-pitch-example/
- https://www.ownmyinvention.com/learn/Five-Tips-On-How-To-Pitch-Your-Invention
- https://zipitclean.com/invention-news/how-to-pitch-an-invention/
Evaluation Criteria:
Categories
Description
Relationship to the SMARTS lectures
(25 points)
Clean SMARTS module references
- How have the master class courses improved your scientific literacy, and how will it affect your future endeavors and way of life?
- Describe how the master class courses inspired you to create this submission.
- Why did you select the challenge you chose?
Innovation/creativity
(25 points)
Is it unique? How clever is it?
- Original idea developed by the participant
- Approach should be innovative and original and NOT COPIED from a book or other media source
Technical feasibility
(25 points)
Will it even work?
- Problem stated clearly with a well-defined explanation
- Problem appropriately challenges the participant’s skills
- Makes an attempt to solve the problem stated
- Complete description of the technical/thoughtful approach
Communication of concept (25 points)
How well is the concept developed/presented?
- Understands the relationship between the project and other approaches to the problem
- Cites current resources from various media such as newspapers, magazines, or websites along with science and/or math literature
- Ideas given for further research and provide a plan of action
- Submissions should be neat, well organized, and show attention to detail
Extra points
Create a tangible project/product
- Video presentation (10 points)
- Mock-up demonstration (10 points)
- Virtual community event (10 points)
Structure:
The structure of every research paper is almost identical to an essay but has more sections:
- Cover/title page including submission title, participant’s name, division entry, school name, position title for educators, grade level for students, mailing address, phone number, email address, principal’s name, email address, and phone number (place the title in the bottom of your cover page; place it in the heading on every next page). Don’t forget to number pages!
- Outline or table of contents (use this page as your guidelines)
- Abstract (summary)
- Introduction (first paragraph with the thesis which constitutes the main idea)
- Body
- Conclusion (the last paragraph which restates thesis)
Submission Criteria:
- Projects should demonstrate an understanding, inspiration, and/or appreciation of Clean SMARTS Master Class courses applications (national Security, Manufacturing, Applications of nuclear, Relationship building & skills in diplomacy, Technology, and global Security) as it relates to the project
- Projects can combine theoretical and practical content in a creative way
- Content needs to be as scientifically accurate as possible
- The project should be originally created by identified individual making the submission
- No plagiarism or use of other people’s work or presentations as one’s own
- No copyrighted material (such as music, images or videos not created by the participant) can be used
- Each participant is only allowed to enter one submission
- Completed media release form
- Must be in English
Scientific fraud and misconduct are not condoned at any level of research or competition. This includes plagiarism, forgery, use or presentation of other researcher’s work as one’s own and fabrication of data. Fraudulent projects will fail to qualify for competition.
In addition, by making a submission, participants agree to assign NPI copyright permission to publish the video or digital media presentation on the NPI website, social media, and other platforms and certify that no other rights have been granted which could conflict with the right hereby given to NPI.
Submissions for the Clean SMARTS Master Class Competition should be sent to the following email address: npi-info@tamu.edu. The subject line of the email should be: [Clean SMARTS – Division (Student/Educator)] Name, School, School District.
The deadline for submission is by 11:59pm on April 29, 2022 (CT). Submissions made after this date, time, and/or with the wrong subject line will not be considered. Once the submission has been made, there will not be an opportunity to make revisions. If an infringement of copyright is discovered at any stage of the competition, the submission will be immediately disqualified.
FINALISTS AND THEIR PRESENTATIONS
A panel of judges composed of NPI staff members will review, evaluate, and select winners. These decisions are final. Winners from each division will be contacted by an NPI staff member and highlighted and announced on NPI’s website and social media during the Clean SMARTS Master Class Finale on TBD.
For any questions regarding the competition, please contact npi-info@tamu.edu.
Experts
Rob Gorham – Manufacturing
Executive Director of Manufacturing Initiatives, SecureAmerica Institute
Dr. Meera Venkatesh – Applications of Nuclear
Aims and Supports Peaceful Nuclear Applications, IAEA
Applications of Nuclear Science and Technologies
Retired Director, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA
Aleshia Duncan – Relationship Building & Skills in Diplomacy
Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Nuclear Energy Policy and Cooperation in the Office of Nuclear Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy
Commissioner Julian Alvarez III – Technology
Commissioner Representing Labor, Texas Workforce Commission
