Jon Jarrett of New Columbia and partner take first in Alaska Design Challenge

MILLERSVILLE, PA (12/14/2010)(readMedia)-- A lesson plan created by Jon Jarrett, of New Columbia, Pa., and fellow technology education major Thomas Flick, of Elimsport, Pa., both seniors at Millersville University of Pennsylvania recently received first place in "The Alaska Design Challenge," a competition sponsored by the Anchorage school district of Anchorage, Alaska. Jarrett and Flick submitted their entry, "Innovation and Design: Communications Systems," to this national competition

Together, Jarrett and Flick competed against technology education students from all over the United States to design a 10-day lesson plan to be used in a modern communications systems course. Students graduating in the spring or summer of 2011 worked individually or in teams of two to complete this challenge.

Required activities in each of the plans included the engineering design process and concepts of design (function, form, principles and elements) for making informed decisions based upon mathematical data. The instruction also had to include a design brief titled "Emergency Communications Challenge," as an activity in the unit, where they will present their plan.

The two spent a great deal of time working together on constructing the plan and their efforts will be recognized at the 21st Annual Anchorage Career and Technology Education Conference, February 4-5, 2011. Jarrett and Flick will each receive $1,000 for winning first place as well as an all-expense paid trip to Alaska for the conference.

Jarrett and Flick both felt the entire experience was, "a great opportunity to demonstrate what we learned through our courses and time spent at Millersville University."

Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a top-ranked, public university located in the northeast region of the United States. It is committed to offering students a high quality, comprehensive university experience of exceptional value. Dedicated to providing nationally recognized programs that embrace the liberal arts, Millersville offers academic opportunities that are supported by outstanding faculty who are accomplished scholars and practitioners. Founded in 1855 as the first Normal School in Pennsylvania, Millersville University is one of 14 universities within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.