LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Hands-On Workshops Benefit AAUW Scholarship Fund

The American Association of University Women (AAUW - Lamorinda branch) has adopted a new strategy to raise money for its scholarship fund: two workshops – one on Oct. 18 for ‘technologically challenged’ people who want to make the most of the advanced functions of an iPhone; and one on Oct. 20 for high school students who wonder whether they should focus on the SAT or the ACT test for their college applications.

“More and more colleges are accepting either the SAT or the ACT [results] when assessing candidates,” says Ksenija Olmer of AAUW. “The two tests are differently structured and some students perform better on one than the other.” The high school student workshop allows students to take a combination of both the SAT and ACT tests, compare the results and decide if they should focus on one test or the other.

AAUW has partnered with the Princeton Review Assessment (PRA) to conduct the four-hour-long ‘real life’ combo test. “AAUW will provide the staff and Princeton will analyze the results and advise students on their strategy,” Olmer says.

The iPhone workshop will have two levels: a basic class will teach how to text, manage the contacts, send emails, take and manage pictures, use the calendar, access Wifi, and navigate the Internet. An advanced class will help participants learn bells and whistles such as identifying contacts by ringtone, cropping pictures, taking videos, Skyping or using Viber, adding bookmarks, adding apps, changing font size and much more. “People can come to the first session, the second or both,” Olmer says.

The basic iPhone workshop will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m., the advanced from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Oct. 16 in Orinda. “Bring your iPhone fully charged, your apple ID number, a bag lunch and your checkbook!” says Olmer. The cost is $35 per workshop. To register, email at xenija@aol.com or call (925) 708-0770.

The PRA SAT/ACT combo test will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Oct. 20 on the upstairs level of the Moraga Country Club. Individual assessments will be provided to students and parents on Nov. 3. The cost is $35 per student. To register online, visit http://sat-act.aauwoml.org/. The test is for all high school students thinking about college. Arrive on time and bring a #2 pencil, a calculator, water and snack.