TOnight was a good time. It was the Fall meetign of the Vermont Academy of Sceince and Engineering (VASE). I’m a board member of VASE .
The meeting tonight began with a really great talk by my friend Prof Lesley-Ann L. Dupigny-Giroux, the Climatologist for the State of VT. She gave a fun and inspiring talk about the evolution of climate here in our state I was glad to see the lecture hall was packed for her talk
VASE members then all moved down the road to the Koch SPorts center for the rest of the meeting. Iw was really fun.. Board members were asked to mingle and sit at tables that had new members and other non board memebers. Diane and I sat down ar a dubn table.. Our freind Michael and Denise were at that same table. . After dinner, we began the offficial part of the program. Our Pres. Prof Grace introduced the board.. then my freind Micahel gave a really great talk on the state of VASE.. he did a a very nice job outlining what we’ve been doing in Outreach.. in particualr our VASE Small Equipment Grants, Hands on Science Grants and Mentoring grants.. Its an inspiring story that I’d never seen described.. and I’ve been running the program for nearly 9 years.s. I’m stepping down from that role in line with reducing the amount of Board work I’ve signed myself up for.. Luckily I’ve found a great successor in my good friend Silvie !
After Michael, we began the induction ceremony. This year we welcomed 8 new members, including our first set of brothers !
We then had a great talk by our VASE Teacher of the year.. which is one of our other big awards. THis years recipient was Mark Pendergrass of Mater Christi.. He talked about his teachign philosophy .. and things he did to kindle a love of sceince in his students. One thing he talked about was giving a talk on amino protiens totally in the style of Julia CHilds. If you dont know what that would look like.. CHeck this out !
I was eager to meet Mark and congratulate him.. it turns out that he was eager to meet me as well.. he’d been using some of my videos in his class for a couple of years.. I goota find a way to work with this guy !
Super fun evening.
I love being part pf VASE
nite all, nite Sam
_me