Early this evening DIane and I met Duane, Wiki, Gizzo and Rebar at Fluffy to discuss some of the changes we’re making this year. We also picked up Kristen on the way,… which was great to get her out. We discussed a bunch of things.. but the biggest topic was how to rewire the lights on Fluffy’s handicap access door. One of Fluffys features is that we can pick up differently abeled folks and give them a tour of the art at Burning Man.. or where ever else we are. .. In our rush last year to redo the clouds, we ended up having to split the lights on hthe door into 2 of fluffy’s 16 light channels. . For that reason and some power routing issues, opening the door now means keeping about 8 feet of slack in 6 wires.. and protecting them as the door is wrenched open and shut.. Based on our exploartion today,. and a very good insight from diane we realize that we can move all the door lights unto a single channel. We can also move two power supplies closer to the back of the bus leaving only 1 wire (!) that has to be moved when open the door.. It’s take some work.. but it’ll be worth it..
we drove Kristin home to Hinesburg and all grabbed a quick light dinner at Papa Nicks..
There was big doings at BETA today.. but can’t go into it here.. but the second coolest thing that happened was that I discovered a drill attachment for sharpening pencils.. modeled here by my friend Justin
It was also special because diane and I met Aaron, Shannon.. just back from Australia and Sophia for an early dinner at the water front. We hadn’t all been in the same place for many weeks.. and it felt great to be back together and catch up.. so much stuff to catch up on !
though much has changed.. one thing has not.. we’re all good friends
I’d been looking forward to tonight for several weeks. Tonight we’re holding our VASE Spring Meeting at Generator.. Two of my worlds were colliding (in a nice way) just like when Fluffy came to Generator
A week and a half ago.. I like it when my my friends get to meet my friends 🙂
Today’s meeting was sweet. We had about 40 folks form VASE… we gave them all tours, then got down to our meeting. Grace kicked it off and updated the audience on what was new in VASE.. we’ve raised much more money gotten grants, given out more grants.. and created a new Mentor stipend program thanks to a generous grant from the Leahy Center on Rural Partnerships. I think we’re on a Roll !!!!
After the update, we invited each of our new members to give a short talk on their research. Prof Mathias Brewer from UVM gave us a crash course in organic chemistry. He was one of Gabe’s favorite professors ! Prof Marilyn Cipola gave a great talk on the role of collateral circulation in the brains of stroke victims. We had 5 talks (I think) .. and all were very good.
I really enjoy VASE.. it feels like we’re doing some good in the state !
I am a member of a group called the Vermont Academy of Science and Technology (VASE).. Vase has a mission to help spread love and understanding of science and technology across the Green Mountain State. One of the ways we do that is through our grants programs. We’re in the middle of this springs grant offering period. You can read about the grants here
Do you know a Vermont Science and/or Technology Teacher that deserves recognition which includes a $1000 award and an invitation to speak at the VASE Annual Meeting. Check out the VASE Paula Fives Taylor Teacher of the Year Grants here . The nomination is due by end of dat on April 30th.
Are you .. or someone you know .. a classroom teacher who needs a a grant to buy equipment for hands on science and technology learning ? If so, check out the VASE Small Equipment Grants (SEG) .. SEG grants can be forf up to $1500 . The grant application is due by end of dat on April 30th. The application is here
or.. Are you .. or someone you know .. a student, coach, teacher or mentor who need help with funding wh needs funds for an extracurricular Science or Technology club such as FIRST Robotics..then check out the VASE Hands-on Science and Technology (HOST) Grants .HOST Grants can be up to $1500. The grant application is due by end of dat on April 30th. The application is here.
Finally.. if you or someone you know is a coach or mentor to an extracurricular science or technology activity like a science club or FIRST Robotics you may be eligible for up to $2000 as a coach/mentor stipend. These grants are available thanks to the generosity of the Leahy Center on Rural Partnerships. (Note due to the rural focus these grants are not available in Chittenden county) .The grant application is due by end of dat on April 30th. To learn more please check out the application here.
