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. 

Help us help kids love science !

nite all, nite sam

-me

Today was the Beta Manufacturing day.. We invited folks from all over Vermont to come in and learn about the manufacturing jobs we’re hiring for.. I helped by manning (personing ?)  our carbon fiber assembly displays.  I got to speak. to so many cool  and talented people. 

We had those and several of our other demo displays.. It was nice seeing them all together.

If you are out there reading this and either you or someone you know is interested in applying for one of our composite assembly jobs, please reach out to me and I’ll tell you haw to apply !

nite all, nite sam

-me

The temperatures are starting to hit the 60s outside so it was time for the spring ritual of taking down the storm windows. Usually that means 6 outside storms (ancient 6 over 6 wooden storms about 7 feet x 3.5 feet)   and 8 interior storms (each a single 7 x3.5 pane of glass) Though it’s not an easy job.. it’s satisfying to get done.. and it’s SO nice to be able to open the windows and get fresh air inside !

We worked around the house today.. then early evening we had a small potluck of some of our Fluffy teammates to plan for this years maintenance and extensions. Several key members were out of town rebar, stein, Marie.. they were missed .. We did have Duane, Coco, Amey, Gizzo, Wiki and Kristin !  We  made good  progress. What is on the list for this year is

• dialing in the over pressure switch on the fire rig,
• exploring the swap out of the 200 gallon propane tank
• exploring a scheme for allowing  at least some of the dance poll rigging to stay up when fluffy is in town doing local stuff
• a paint job for the clouds
• a rethink on the wiring for the lights on the handicap access  door to make it easier to open
• New cloud lighting for the front and back.  

That’s still a lot of work.. but hopefully much less than the last two years.
Good discussion and nice hanging out with our friends. Duane brought the Duaneswhirld book for 2024  .Laura makes  one for him every year !
I don’t think I’ve been in one since 2009 due to my usual short trips to the playa

nice day !

Nite all, nite sam
-me

First of all.. I want to wish my leeeeetle seeeeester SPG (aka Mary) a very happy birthday. 

Tonight we went with Jen and Tim out to Instabul House for an early Turkish dinner before a show at the Flynn Space

I love Instabul House.. because it reminds me of Living with the Erol’s in Vienna in 1979-80. The dad, Necat Erol ws from Turkey.. and they always had great Turkish food..   One of my favorites was Cacık, a cold cumber soup a little like Tziziki   I t brought back great memories when I ordered  it tonight ! 

We walked over to the Flynn space.. which is a really nice small venue under the Flynn Theatre. Tonights show was called “Trouble and Together”.. it was organized by my old friend Jim.. Jim and I are long time members of VoMIT (Vermonts own MIT club)..  He’d invited us.. but I really didn’t know much about what we were here to watch.

It turns out that it was a wonderful musical review that Jim put on with 6 (I think) friends… (I mean I think they were 6.. they were definitely friends !)   Jim played base .. and long time acquaintance Paul A played lead guitar .. there was also a keyboards, drummer, procussionist.. and an amazingg fretless bassist. They were joined by  the ‘crackwall choir’ which was made up of  Jim’s wife  Abby and their daughters Hannah and Phoebe.   Jim explained that the  shows tile “trouble and together”  was about the trials and joys of living.. The group had had an saxaphist named Joe.. but Joe died recently.. seems like only months ago… Though not officially, this show was dedicated to him . 

The evening took us through old rock/blues.. some jazz  and some folk.. I remember a Frank Zappa cover, a Moby grape cover a Joni Mitchel cover (coyote) , a John print cover (Lovely and Dead)  and a great cover of the Nick Lowe song (made more famous by Elvis Costello) “What’s so funny about Peace Love  and understanding” 

The show was great fun and wonderfully curated.. The band sounded great.. even my watch said so !

Ran into several old friends there, Jeff, Biz, Michelle, David… 

Super fun evening.. and great being out with Tim and Jen !

note all, nite sam

-me