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Autodesk Student Design Challenge

Education Success story: Students at Quakertown Senior High School experience the power of 3d with cutting-edge Autodesk® 3d design software.

Autodesk Launches Academic Certification Program to Help Prepare the Next Generation of Professionals

Autodesk, Inc. today announced that Penn College, an affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University, is training students in its esteemed School of Industrial and Engineering Technologies on Autodesk Inventor software.

Award-Winning Autodesk Student Engineering and Design Community Now Available for Middle- and High-School Students and Teachers

Long-time Synergis Customer Publishes Inventor Textbook.

Germany Lacks Engineers

US Losing Ground in Math & Science

Congress Renews Perkins 'Career Education' Law

Synergis Invited by PA DOE to Participate in Governor’s Institute for Technology Education

Teacher Development Key to Tech Success

Second Annual Synergis Technology Expo was a huge success!

The Da Vinci Code: Double Negative’s Quest for Visual Effects Led to Autodesk Technology

Drexel University Recognizes Expertise of Synergis

Darth Vader Mask Prototyped With Roland SRP Technology

Announcing Autodesk Animation Academy (formerly Discreet Design Academy) for Secondary Education

Autodesk DesignKids for Elementary and Middle Schools

Technology Education Becomes Standard Curriculum in New Jersey

Synergis Academic Specialist, Tim Varner Creates the Inventor Tutorial that Ties Autodesk's Inventor Software to Part of the CO2 Car package

Archived News

Autodesk Student Design Challenge

Students are the designers of the future -- let’s help them build something. Students can now submit their architecture, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, industrial design, 3D animation, and sustainable designs to the Autodesk Student Design Challenge.

It's a chance to get their work in front of an international panel of industry and Autodesk experts, and maybe a wider audience.

Prizes include Xbox® 360 game systems, $200 VISA® gift cards, Autodesk® Maya® 2008 software, and more!

Submissions will be accepted until April 30, 2008 at www.autodesk.com/buildsomething

Award-Winning Autodesk Student Engineering and Design Community Now Available for Middle- and High-School Students and Teachers
Enhanced Online Portal Provides Free STEM Education Resources, Allowing Teachers to Inspire the Next Generation of Engineers, Architects and Designers

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK - News) announced today at the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) the launch of its new online community designed to enhance middle- and high-school student learning in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Click here to read the full article.

Long-time Synergis Customer Publishes Inventor Textbook.

Synergis Engineering Design Solutions (EDS), a division of Synergis Technologies, Inc., announced today that James P. LoFaso, a mechanical design engineer and a long-time Synergis Engineering Design Solutionscustomer and former employee, authored a book for novice Autodesk Inventor® software users entitled, Parametric Modeling Using Autodesk Inventor. The book offers two unique features.
Click here to read full article.

Germany Lacks Engineers
By Isabelle de Pommereau, Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitorm, Thu Aug 10, 4:00 AM ET

FRANKFURT When high school junior Daria Schirmer conducted scientific experiments with 8-year-olds as part of a school project this year - building a periscope or a compass with a magnet - she became not only an inventor of sorts but also part of the solution to what looms as one of Germany's greatest challenges: how to keep its sterling reputation as the world's leader in engineering.
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US Losing Ground in Math & Science
By Bruce Lieberman,
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER - August 12, 2006

The future of U.S. competitiveness in science and technology is in the hands of young people, but too few of them want to build careers in those fields, a high-profile panel of government, academic and aerospace experts said yesterday in San Diego.
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Congress has approved a long-awaited renewal of the federal vocational education law, providing a new name for the career-oriented classes the law supports but keeping the core structure of the politically popular program largely intact.
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Synergis Invited by PA DOE to Participate in Governor’s Institute for Technology Education

In our continuing efforts to promote technology education in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Synergis, helped to facilitate one of the Weeklong Residential Institutes of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Governor's Institute for Technology Education 2006, held at California University of Pennsylvania on July 23-28.  Synergis was invited to participate by Bill Bertrand, Technology Education Advisor from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
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In their efforts to meet federal requirements for improved student performance, the nation's teachers say effective use of classroom technology is essential to conduct important administrative tasks and reach a new generation of learners weaned on technology. And key to the effective use of classroom technology, educators report, is adequate professional development. The findings are part of a new national teacher survey released by technology provider CDW-G, which uses the results to call for continued support of federal ed-tech grant programs.
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Second Annual Synergis Technology Expo was a huge success!

On Tuesday, May 16th, over 330 professionals spent the day at Synergis’ Second Annual Technology Expo learning about new features and functionality of the Autodesk 2007 solutions.   Synergis hosted over 30 sessions at the Valley Forge Convention Center that featured award-winning educators, solution experts and Autodesk keynote speakers.  Educators will receive credit for PA Act 48 Hours and NJ 100 Hours for each of the sessions they attended. Sessions specific to Academic professionals included:

• Academic Solutions Overview: The World is Still Round -- Technological Literacy is Essential was presented by Mark Wallace, Department Supervisor, High Point Regional High School, Wantage, NJ and recipient of the International Technology Education Association (ITEA)'s Distinguished Technology Educator Award. Wallace discussed technology education's role in improving technological literacy and stimulating many students to pursue degrees in engineering and industrial design. Mark shared his strategies on educating guidance counselors and administrators on the benefits of technology education, and provided teachers with new and innovative ideas to energize their technology programs.
• Women in Engineering: Closing the Gender Gap was presented by Mark Wallace of High Point Regional High School and developer of America's first High School Women in Engineering course of study.  The success of this innovative program has increased the female population in the Technological Studies Department by thirty percent over the past four years.  Wallace reviewed the program's curriculum and how it has helped close the gender gap., This innovative program was an obvious inspiration to those attending the session.
• Autodesk Academic Solutions: Taking the Prize at First Robotics (http://www.usfirst.org/) presented by Mike Dischner, Engineering Technology Instructor at McKeesport High School, highlighted the positive learning experience the FIRST Robotics competition had on his students.  In their rookie season, his team won on the local level and placed 25th in the national competition!  Student competitions are a contributing movtivator for students to pursue careers in engineering & manufacturing. Autodesk actively supports a number of student competitions including FIRST Robotics and Formula 1 Team in Schools Challenge.  Dischner’s passion for teaching and genuine concern for his students was evident throughout his presentation.
• Reach Your Students' Creative Potential: Using Autodesk's Industry-Leading 3D Animation and Visualization Technology presented by Louis Marcoux, Autodesk Media & Entertainment Application Specialist, revealed the importance of visualization and how it is rapidly becoming a standard part of today’s workflow. Marcoux showed how adding Autodesk 3ds Max to Autodesk solutions like AutoCAD, Autodesk Architectural Desktop, Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Revit can streamline workflow by providing critical feedback earlier in the design review process.  The solution enables the stunning creation of visual imagery and animations that help bring ideas to life.  Marcoux’s 3ds Max presentation and enthusiasm for the product left attendees wishing they had 3ds Max in their classrooms.

Initial feedback we’ve received from our customers has been overwhelmingly positive.  Thank you to all of our presenters and customers who helped to make this year’s event even bigger and more successful than our First Annual event.  We look forward to continuing to serve you.  Please contact us anytime to let us know how we can help you.

We look forward to seeing you at next year’s Third Annual Expo!

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The Da Vinci Code: Double Negative’s Quest for Visual Effects Led to Autodesk Technology
Autodesk checked in with London-based visual effects studio Double Negative to find out more about their stunning work on the highly anticipated film The Da Vinci Code.
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Drexel University Recognizes Expertise of Synergis.
Peter Gehring, Synergis Engineering Design Consultant to Speak to Construction Management Students at Drexel University.
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The Roland MDX-20 desktop milling device has gone to the “Dark Side,” prototyping a new Darth Vader mask with better fit and symmetry for the upcoming Star Wars Episode III, Revenge of the Sith.
Read the press release

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Discreet® Design Academy , modeled after the successful Autodesk® Design Academy program, meets the needs of high schools seeking innovative and exciting ways to address Standard of Learning (SOL) objectives in their curricula. DDA appeals to both students and teachers by combining art and academics in an engaging learning environment that includes the software students want to learn and a comprehensive, semester-long curriculum teachers will love to teach.
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Autodesk DesignKids (ADK) - Just for Elementary and Middle Schools
The Autodesk® DesignKids™ program, tailor-made for elementary and middle schools, helps students communicate their ideas through visualization and design, using fun, project-based modules. The program incorporates key learning objectives in math, science, technology, and art and introduces students to the processes of engineering and architecture. It engages educators and students in real-life projects while reinforcing critical thinking, comprehension skills, and teamwork. The DesignKids curriculum meets national standards and includes lesson outlines, test questions, student projects, online learning resources, and teacher resources.
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"This legislation helps us to change the education status quo and prepares our children, and ultimately our state, for the challenges that lay ahead," said McGreevey. The bill requires the New Jersey State Board of Education to adopt core curriculum content standards in technology within one year of the effective date of the bill.

According to the position of ASME sections in the state (02-40b), the bill will help to establish New Jersey as a leader in technology education and provide a loction where modern industry can find a workforce with the skills and training it needs.

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Synergis Academic Specialist, Tim Varner Creates the Inventor Tutorial that Ties Autodesk's Inventor Software to Part of the CO2 Car package

A former educator, Tim Varner taught drafting for several years in the Montgomery County (MD) Public Schools, moving on to Regional Manager for Training and Technical Support with the Interactive Graphics Division of Bausch and Lomb in Pittsburg. This combination of teaching and industry experience has proven invaluable in his current position with Synergis, giving him a unique perspective on the needs of industry and the needs of educators. Denford's recognition of Varner's talent is evidenced in their incorporation of the tutorial into the package.

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