Metro Technology Centers prepares people for successful employment and life in a global society.
South Bryant Campus
COLLABORATION RESULTS IN DELICIOUS SUCCESS
Sep 12th
Veteran Culinary Arts Instructor of 20 years just had a birthday! Ms. Hammond’s birthday was celebrated by all of her morning students. The F.C.C.L.A and SkillsUSA officers raised money for the party. My contribution to the party was decidedly going to be a cake just for her!With this in mind I recruited my “sis” (best friend) to help me. She arrived Saturday afternoon with her son in tow and off we went to go shopping! First I went looking for little 4-5 inch round cake pans because my idea was to make a small individual round butter cake with chocolate frosting (Ms. Hammond’s Favorite). NO SUCH LUCK! Funds were tight and cake pans are pricey.
I finaly came across a set of three 8″ round cake pans. Sherrie (my sis) was bummed about the whole round, chocolate frosted cake idea. “But that’s SO boring!” So I asked her, ”What would YOU do for the cake?” This is where the collaboration for our delicious success began.
Walking through the store I searched a phone ap for a butter cake recipe (which I have posted below).
Next decisionL sprinkles vs. sugar sheets!
We settled on a Zebra print sugar sheet. Since Sherrie was still though the cake was still too boring. “What about fruit or jelly inside?”
Strawberry filling it was!
First order of business was baking the cake. Instead of using two 8-by-2″ round cake pans I used 3 so we could accomplish the whole surprise effect with the strawberries.
For cake:
2 3/4 cups sifted cake flour (not self-rising; sift before measuring)
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large whole eggs, at room temperature for 30 minutes
1 tablespoon finely grated fresh orange zest
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup whole milk
2 3/4 cups sifted cake flour (not self-rising; sift before measuring)
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large whole eggs, at room temperature for 30 minutes
1 tablespoon finely grated fresh orange zest
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup whole milk
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour cake pans, knocking out excess flour.
Sift together flour (2 3/4 cups), baking powder, and salt into a bowl.
Beat together butter and sugar with an electric mixer
Sift together flour (2 3/4 cups), baking powder, and salt into a bowl.
Beat together butter and sugar with an electric mixer
(fitted with paddle attachment if using a stand mixer) at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, then beat in zest and vanilla and continue beating 5 minutes more. Reduce speed to low, then add flour mixture and milk alternately in 4 batches, beginning with flour mixture and mixing until batter is just smooth. Divide between cake pans, spreading evenly.
Bake cake layers until they begin to pull away from sides of pans and a wooden pick or skewer comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool 5 minutes in pans on racks, then invert cake layers onto racks and cool completely.
Once the cakes were cooled we took what was to be the middle layer and cut a hole in the center starting an inch from the outer edges. We placed the bottom layer on the plate, then coated it thinly with white frosting, then placed the middle layer and filled it with the thawed strawberries. Next came the thin layer of white frosting again and finally the top layer. At this point Sherrie took over. She used a regular baggie with the corner cut out to “caulk” the outer edges of the cake with white frosting to make a smooth outer edge. After that was done she frosted the entire cake with the chocolate frosting and then I cut out the designs from the Wilson’s sugar sheet and placed them on the cake.
PRESTO! The collaboration was complete and if I do say so myself, IT WAS DELICIOUS!
Thanks goes to Ms. Hammond for naming the cake a Zebra Surprise Cake.
FILLING UP ON FOOD AND KNOWLEDGE
Sep 9th
On August 31, 2011 Metro Tech Students attended the 2011 Student Educational Seminars in conjunction with the 2011 Oklahoma Restaurant Convention and Expo at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Ok. This is Oklahoma’s largest trade show!. Before entering the trade floor we were given the opportunity of a lifetime! We attended seminars regarding college and scholarships. The networking luncheon was all about different aspects of the food industry. We were introduced to the SkillsUSA and FCCLA organizations. They offer assistance to students, helping them advance in the industry.
On to the trade floor! Many distributors were set up offering samples of the foods and equipment they sell in the restaurant industry. The food we sampled ranged from appetizers of mini tacos all the way to fine dining flavors of baked cod in a blue cheese sauce, and duck served many different ways. Restaurant equipment ranged from cleaning supplies to big equipment
such as grills, ovens, and refrigeration. Not only did the conference fill my mind with new ideas on how to network within my industry, I filled my stomach with new ideas! I can’t wait to try these ideas at the Metro Tech Cafe to serve at our fund-raisers.
If you’ve never been to one of these food shows I would HIGHLY recommend you go. Whether or not you are in the food industry you will be enlightened to many creative ways to spice up even the smallest dinner party.
ATTENTION STUDENTS: National Speaker Coming to Metro Tech !
Sep 2nd
All Metro Tech students are invited to listen to one of the nation’s premier story tellers, Donald Davis. Mr. Davis will be speaking at the BCC Auditorium on September 8th from 9 to 10 am. Refreshments will be provided.
Donald Davis at the 2009 WinterTales Festival
This rare opportunity for Metro Tech students was provided by an anonymous donor. Mr. Davis will be performing at the Arts Council of Oklahoma City on September 9th and 10th at the annual Story Telling Festival.
If you are a student at Metro Tech and are interested in attending this event, inform your instructor in order for them to RSVP.
Donald Davis is a featured teller at the Smithsonian Institution, the World’s Fair, festivals and concerts throughout the United States and the world. Davis is a prolific author and producer of books and tapes of his works; a master teacher of workshops and storytelling courses and a guest host for the National Public Radio Program “Good Evening”
For Donald Davis, storytelling is a way of giving and living life. He invites each listener to come along, to pull deep inside for one’s own stories, to personally share and co-create the common experiences that celebrate the creative spirit. For Donald Davis storytelling “…is not what I do for a living…it is how I do all that I do while I am living.”
Metro Tech Receives Award for Energy Stewardship !
Jul 25th
Metro Technology Centers was presented with the Award for Energy Stewardship from Energy Education during Metro Tech’s July 12th board meeting. The Energy Stewardship award recognizes Metro Tech’s efforts to implement an innovative, people-oriented energy conservation and management program.
Energy Education is honoring the impact Metro Tech’s energy program is having on natural resources by focusing on the environmental equivalent of the reduction in energy consumption. According to EPA/eGRID figures, in the first 15 months of the program, Metro Technology Centers saved 13,500 MMBTU, the equivalent of 1,894 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions being prevented, 340 cars removed from the road, or 48,434 pine trees grown for 10 years.
“Metro Technology Centers’ Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. James Branscum, administration, faculty and staff are demonstrating wise fiscal and environmental stewardship by implementing this unique, people-oriented energy conservation program,” said Dr. William S. Spears, Chairman and Founder of Energy Education. “Using human resources to reduce energy use saves natural and financial resources for the organization and the community.”
“This energy program is an excellent vehicle to assist our district personnel in practicing good stewardship of our resources. The willing participation of virtually every staff person — teachers, administrators, food service, maintenance and custodial— adds to our success,” said Dr. Branscum. 
District Energy Education Specialist Ms. Melanie Stinnett receives intensive training through the Transformational Energy Management® process from Energy Education. She conducts energy audits to ensure that students and teachers are comfortable during class times, scheduled activities and that energy is used only as necessary. She works hard to motivate everyone in the district to use energy wisely and practice smart energy strategies. The behavioral and organizational change substantially reduces energy consumption without purchasing new equipment. The program is funded solely by the savings it generates.
Seeing the Results with Monthly Updates – Recycled 1.98 TONS of Paper at the Springlake campus!
Saved 33.6 TREES
Saved 8120.05 Kwh of Energy
Saved 13863.5 Gallons of Water
Saved 6.53 cubic yards of Landfill Space
Saved 118.8 pounds of Air Pollution….
All in the month of May , 2011 !
Tiny Technology: Connecting Kids & Science
Jul 8th
The sound of twisting balloons and laughter could be heard bouncing off the walls of Northeast Academy of Engineering. Down the east corridor, a huge balloon structure hung from the ceiling. Middle school students are learning about engineering and technology at the Metro Technology Centers’ Nanotechnology Summer camp during the week of July 5th. The balloon activity allows students to make a model of a Carbon Nano Tube, or as they called it, CNT.
Ninth grader, Michael Smith, said CNT can be found in almost every technology we use today. “Carbon Nano tubes are used in modern day technology in touch screens, like on your cell phone,” Smith said pointing to my Samsung. CNT cells bind together creating a bond that is used to strengthen materials, conduct electricity and transfer energy, thus making smart phones touch-screen friendly. Nanotechnology is the use of engineering and technology on a microscopic (or even smaller) level.
Metro Tech’s, Nano Tech camp instructor Kel
an Berry says the camp gives kids a chance to experience the fun components of the emerging field of engineering and nanotechnology. “Instead of sitting on the couch, these kids get to have fun and hopefully find an interest in something they might not have known about,” Berry said. “We want to show them how exciting engineering and science can be and to have a good time while they are learning. I believe in fun.”
Berry and Northeast instructor, Jonathan Roberts, have included as much fun into the camp as possible. “Mr. Berry asked if we wanted to play with a Buckyball, he grabbed at the air and threw it at us,” fourteen year-old Aamaurahi Gaddis said. “We learned that Buckyballs are substances so small they can’t even be seen with a microscope and are thinner than a ray of light.” For those of us that don’t know; Buckyballs are strong, rigid natural molecules arranged in a series of interlocking hexagonal shapes, forming structures that resemble soccer balls. (Thank you, Nanodic.com)
Nano Tech camper, Seven Roberts, a 9th grade student from Northeast, said she can see this type of technology in her future. “I want to be a pediatrician,” Roberts said. “We are learning how nanotechnology is used to treat cancer. I can see this relating to me when I go to college and work in the Health Science field.”
During the camp students are exposed to many different engineering and technology fields, what education is needed and how much income they could potentially earn working in these fields. The Nanotechnology Summer camp was funded by the National Science Foundation and was developed as part of CareerTech’s STEM initiative (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). The curriculum and projects were developed by CareerTech and Oklahoma State Board of Education.
Africa West 2011: Embracing Diversity Through the Arts !
Jun 7th
The Capitol Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring Africa West 2011. Africa West is to be held on the Metro Technology Centers Springlake campus at 1900 Springlake Drive off of Martin Luther King Avenue on Saturday, June 11th from 8 a.m. to 9 pm.
Africa West brings together the community, historians, political leaders, and businesses to celebrate the “African American Imprint” in Oklahoma. Africa West is an event for the entire family with live music, food, art exhibits, a fashion show, historical story telling of the culture of African America and Oklahoma African Indian Territory.
Chandra Currelley, actress and jazz singer of Tyler Perry Productions will close the event with songs from The Diary of a Mad Black Woman and the upcoming film, Madea’s Big Happy Family. Representation of Ethiopia and Ghana will perform with an opening procession on Saturday morning. Ghana Queen Mother, Florence Berko, will represent the Akwapim-Akropong area of Ghana. Her role as a Queen Mother is to aid in the development of her people through social, cultural, educational and political representation.
The Africa West event is designed to create involvement in the Northeast Oklahoma City community and to highlight the need for safety, community and economic development, health and education improvements. The Capitol Chamber of Commerce has partnered with corporate sponsors, health organizations, financial institutions, and local businesses to address these issues.
Success
Apr 26th
Success! While attending the MCA grand opening, MCA Prom Attire giveaway, MCA Prom, Career Options Job Fair, Crooked Oak Test Pep Rally and the Women’s Expo the word “Success” was everywhere. There have been great successes with Metro Technology Centers and the Metro Career Academy. Students have found success follows hard work and commitment. None of this success could of happened without facing the fear of failure. While attending all of these events, I knew I had to write about something close to my heart, Success!
I often wonder what fear does to people?
I wonder what fear has stopped you from doing?
Fear of failure and fear of success are real emotions that can keep people from accomplishing their goals in life.
Fear is the crutch that turns your dreams to dust.
Fear controls those who refuse to face it.
Ask yourself, “What do you need to face to get where you want to be?”
Find a way to live out your dreams. Find a way to move past your fears. Do not be afraid to live, to dream to step out into the unknown.
One tip that I have found helpful when facing fear, envision yourself successful and watch your dreams come to life!
Coming to a classroom near you,
APRIL EVENTS AT THE PARENT RESOURCE CENTER
Apr 6th
***NEW PARENTING CLASS
The MCA Parent Resource Center in partnership with Healthy Start and Counseling Solutions and Interventions (CSI) will begin a basic parenting class Thursday, April 7, 2011 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the Metro Career Academy.
This 12-session class is designed for parents of children from birth to age 3. The curriculum will consist of the following topics:
Hygiene
Child safety
SIDS
Positive discipline
Immunizations
Choosing a Pediatrician
Choosing a child care facility
Childhood emergencies
Journaling
How to advocate for your child
Nutrition
Infant/child CPR
Certificates provided for parents/care givers who complete the 12-session class.
**This parenting class may meet court mandated requirements. An assessment must be made to determine the needs of the court-referred client.
Transportation will be provided upon request. For further information call Patricia Edmond @ 427-3200 or Carole Brown @ 595-4325.
***AL-ANON MEETINGS
If you have a family member, loved one or friend whose drinking bothers you, you may be a candidate for AL-ANON.
The first meeting will be held Thursday, April 7th from 5:30 to 6:30 PM in the Parent Resource Center—1901 Springlake Drive. Contact Carole Brown @ 595-4325.
THE PARENT ACADEMY IS COMING!!!!
Mar 24th
Join Metro Tech for the 2nd Annual Parent Academy on this Saturday March 26th from 10am – 4 pm. Carole Brown, Director of Metro Tech’s Parent Resource Center has designed the event in hopes of teaching parents the importance of involvement in the education of their children. It’s also a wonderful way for parents and families to learn of community resources available for their use. The event will take place at 1900 Springlake Drive at the Business Conference Center.
Click to enlarge
Special events include:
-Free Immunizations by the OKC County Health Department. (Bring copies of the child’s immunization records)
- Free lunch- The Taste of Diversity
- Free childcare (must pre-register)
- Workshops include: Gang Awareness and Prevention, Understanding Social Media, Parents Assuring Student Success, Conflict Resolution, Bullying: It’s Everyone’s Business, Powder Puff Self Defense, “Edutaining” Your Kids and Navigating the School System.
To register online: visit http://www.metrotech.edu/community/Parent_Academy.html
To register by phone: call 595-4325.
Don’t miss this exciting event!!! Help prevent student drop outs!!
The Future Awaits
Feb 23rd
While at one of my middle schools I visit, 
I sit in a room full of our future leaders. I wonder who they will become. I sit among the brightest and the best who have yet to realize or maximize their true potential. I listen to the voices as they begin to change from child to adolescent. I love what I do! As the Career Specialist for Rogers Middle School and Crooked Oak Middle school the opportunity always awaits for me to stand in awe of youth. Someone must stand and shine a light onto a dark path and have the courage and conviction to plant a seed. In my world ”Encouragement”, is an action word. So I decided to read along with my students and the book of choice is awesome.
The Skin I’m In by Sharon G. Flake. Working in a middle school setting creates a new desire to understand my children and relate to who they are at this very vital moment in their young life.
So I asked my kiddo’s for a “Top 5″ book list and agreed to read all of the books with them. The Skin I’m In is awesome. Stay tuned to find out more.
Talk at cha later,
Ms. C
“Be convicted enough to be committed to change the world starting with yourself.”
