Monthly Archives: January 2014

Media Briefing to Preview Big Year Ahead for NASA Earth Science

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NASA will host a media teleconference at12:30 p.m. EST Wednesday, Jan. 22, to outline the agency's Earth science activities planned for 2014, which include five mission launches.

The expert panelists for the briefing are:

For the first time in more than a decade, five NASA Earth science missions will be launched into space in a single year, opening new and improved eyes on our changing planet. Two of these missions will deliver instruments to the International Space Station, inaugurating NASA's use of the orbiting laboratory as a 24/7 Earth-observing science platform.

NASA also is conducting 12 airborne campaigns this year, from the poles to Atlantic Ocean hurricanes, and helping decision-makers put satellite data to work in the U.S. and around the world.

Journalists who want to participate in the teleconference must provide their name, media affiliation and telephone number toDwayne Brownatdwayne.c.brown@nasa.gov, or 202-358-1726, no later than11 a.m. Wednesday.

The teleconference will be streamed live on NASA's website at:

http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio

For more information about NASA Earth science programs and research, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/earth

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Media Briefing to Preview Big Year Ahead for NASA Earth Science

What is Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials? – Dragonfly Education – Video

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What is Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials? - Dragonfly Education
Dragonfly Education is an education company, that is building proprietary education content for higher learning in technical streams. We are enabling B.Tech engineering students to learn more...

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What is Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials? - Dragonfly Education - Video

Students to learn about robotics, renewable energy and smart devices

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High school students interested in a career in robotics, renewable energy, nanotechnology and the next generation of smart devices will be fascinated by the University of Canterburys E-Week camp from January 20 to 24.

The one-week camp provides a special opportunity for Year 12 and 13 students to get hands-on laboratory experience, visit local companies, drive an electric go-cart, build and programme their own robot and build a solar cell.

The activities, provided by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, are designed to open students' eyes to the teaching and research that occurs at the University of Canterbury (UC).

Professor Phil Bones says students can experiment on solar cell construction in the nanotechnology laboratory, which is part of the McDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology.

We will show students the rudiments of programming a microcomputer to control a robot. This relates well to research by Dr Chris Hann who is helping with the Canterbury rebuild.

His team's Rover robot, designed to inspect for damage to piles under buildings, is being used by a government-owned company responsible for settling claims from the earthquakes. Southern Response/Arrow International has been using the UC Rover robot since September.

The students will spend a day during the week looking at aspects of electric power engineering.

The department has a strong link to New Zealand's electric power industry in the form of the Electric Power Engineering Centre (EPECentre), which is a sponsor of E-Week, and has won a large research funding grant to improve and provide a stronger national green grid.

The result of the research will be an efficient, cost-effective and robust electricity network meeting the ongoing and changing power supply needs of New Zealanders. The research is led by Dr Allan Miller of the UC EPECentre.

Students will also get to see the activities of local companies that employ electrical and computer engineering graduates to perform a wide range of engineering tasks. The companies this year are Tait Communications, Enatel, Transpower and Bluewater Systems, Professor Bones says.

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Students to learn about robotics, renewable energy and smart devices

Students to learn about robotics and renewable energy

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Students to learn about robotics, renewable energy and smart devices January 19, 2014 High school students interested in a career in robotics, renewable energy, nanotechnology and the next generation of smart devices will be fascinated by the University of Canterburys E-Week camp from January 20 to 24. The one-week camp provides a special opportunity for Year12 and 13 students to get hands-on laboratory experience, visit local companies, drive an electric go-cart, build and programme their own robot and build a solar cell. The activities, provided by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, are designed to open students' eyes to the teaching and research that occurs at the University of Canterbury (UC). Professor Phil Bones says students can experiment on solar cell construction in the nanotechnology laboratory, which is part of the McDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology. ``We will show students the rudiments of programming a microcomputer to control a robot. This relates well to research by Dr Chris Hann who is helping with the Canterbury rebuild. ``His team's Rover robot, designed to inspect for damage to piles under buildings, is being used by a government-owned company responsible for settling claims from the earthquakes. Southern Response/Arrow International has been using the UC Rover robot since September. ``The students will spend a day during the week looking at aspects of electric power engineering. ``The department has a strong link to New Zealand's electric power industry in the form of the Electric Power Engineering Centre (EPECentre), which is a sponsor of E-Week, and has won a large research funding grant to improve and provide a stronger national green grid. ``The result of the research will be an efficient, cost-effective and robust electricity network meeting the ongoing and changing power supply needs of New Zealanders.The research is led by Dr Allan Miller of the UC EPECentre. ``Students will also get to see the activities of local companies that employ electrical and computer engineering graduates to perform a wide range of engineering tasks. The companies this year are Tait Communications, Enatel, Transpower and Bluewater Systems, Professor Bones says.

ENDS

Scoop Media

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Students to learn about robotics and renewable energy

The Mises Institute and the Future of Higher Education

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Mises Institute Senior Fellow Thomas Woods in October launched The Tom Woods Show, which quickly became a top-rated podcast on iTunes. Woods recently interviewed Mises Institute Chairman Lew Rockwell on the show, and toward the end of the interview, Woods asked Lew about his vision for the future of the Institute. The following is adapted from the interview:

Thomas Woods: What would you like to see the Institute doing that it isnt doing today?

Lew Rockwell: I think the Mises Institute represents the future of higher education. Thanks to federal subsidies, the price of an education at the brick-and-mortar universities has become prohibitive for so many people. Decades ago, Ron Paul worked his way through college but that sounds like science fiction today. Almost no one can work his way through college anymore.

So what the state has done, as with medical care, is made it impossible for students to pay for college with the wages and savings that young people can muster, so the students take on these horrendous debts to receive instruction at institutions that are, by and large, either teaching error, or theyre teaching the official boring views of official academia.

There has been so little innovation in the mainstream higher education industry. Peter Klein points out that colleges and universities still use the same production model that Aristotle used, with someone lecturing students from the front of the room while students sit quietly at their desks.

There are, of course, different ways to do this, and the Mises Institute is at the cutting edge of those different ways. Many young people are sick and tired of these long five- and six-year terms necessary to complete college. The universities and colleges so often make it difficult to get all the courses needed at times that work for the students, and of course, the longer it takes to get the degree, the bigger the students debts will be.

But theres another way to do it, and as we see with the online courses of Mises Academy, and with our in-person programs such as Mises University the Rothbard Graduate Seminar, there is much greater respect for the student and his or her time. Depending on the program, students can complete them quickly, and often on a schedule tailored to the students needs, and the Mises Institute then issues certificates to those who successfully finish the programs.

Meanwhile, were finding that employers are often treating these certificates as something equivalent to college credit when considering employment for our alumni. This makes sense, of course, since the Mises Institute teaches students how to engage in true economic reasoning and to think like someone who truly understands economics; the type of economics described by Mises.

But of course its not just our online education that is paving the way for a new kind of education. Back in 2011, when Sebastian Thrun, then a professor at Stanford, decided to begin offing online courses on robotics and artificial intelligence, 160,000 people enrolled in the first class. After that, Thrun decided to leave behind his tenured position and founded a new online education operation through which he believes he can reach half a million students with low-cost higher education taught by some of the worlds best faculty.

The demand for these online educational programs illustrates just how useful they are in the marketplace, and the Mises Institute is already part of this new world of higher education.

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The Mises Institute and the Future of Higher Education

Best Island Travel, Islands To Live On, Island Resorts …

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Family vacations fuel a lifetime of nostalgia, from the time we are small children through our adult lives. Island travel evokes a particularly romantic reverie, which jetsetters of all ages will appreciate. Although pulling off a multi-generational trip does take effort, the planning can be fun if you approach it with the right attitude.

First off, it's everyone's vacation, so involve everyone. Call a family meeting, and have each person announce the top three places they'd like to visit and why. Note any overlaps, and draft a list of vacation-spot finalists. Think about each family member's goals or requirements for the trip. If you and your daughter want to pick up surfing, Barbados might top your list. If your son and his grandfather love history, the Maya sites near Cancn are an ancient marvel. If you continue to research, you'll discover several places that offer both surfing and historical sites, plus a kids camp for Timmy and a nature reserve for Grandma. The most important family travel advice: Don't plan on spending every minute together. A little breathing room goes a long way toward family harmony. Instead, choose a destination with a wide range of attractions, so loungers can hit the beach while active types swim with sea turtles. Plan on meeting up at specific points throughout the day, but otherwise, keep itineraries loose. Think about all you'll have to catch up on at dinner! When traveling with little ones, a flexible schedule is key, as Teresa Plowright, About.com's Travel with Kids column writer, advises. "Kids can so easily get their hearts set on something, and if problems arise (anything from a transportation issue to a sibling's tummy ache) then the disappointment is huge. When sightseeing with young kids, for example, I plan one morning activity and don't even mention the afternoon activity until I'm sure everyone's up for it."

Once you've chosen a location, your accommodations will play a large role in your family's overall experience. Family-focused resorts are especially appealing for groups with younger travelers in tow. Adults can savor precious one-on-one time while their little ones enjoy organized and supervised activities. The best advice is to look for resorts with programs aimed toward specific, narrow age ranges a program for 4- to 12-year-olds will likely bore both your preschooler and your preteen. Some resorts even offer themes or "celebrity" appearances, such as your children's favorite TV characters. All-inclusive family resorts make things even easier, especially when trying to coordinate numerous adult families. Plowright says: "Bottom line about all-inclusive vacations: All needs are provided for, fun is abundant, parents can enjoy a beautiful setting and relax. And with all-inclusive pricing, parents never need wonder 'How much will this cost?' when kids want more drinks or activities." One up-front payment means no splitting checks, and purses and wallets can stay in the room. Buffet-style meals are generally available anytime a huge advantage when easing toddlers into new time zones. Plus, picky eaters can make their own plates, while gastronomes-in-training sample chicken luau, okra, steamed mussels or plantains. Families seeking more space and privacy should consider vacation rentals. Justin Halloran of vacation rental network HomeAway Inc. says, "Hands down, the best tip I can offer when traveling with kids is to stay at a vacation rental instead of a hotel." This father of three children under age 4 adds, "Plus, separate bedrooms for the adults and kids is also key for my family because no sleep means no vacation." Depending on the level of service your group desires, prices for basic rental accommodations can be quite comparable to those of resorts, especially when divided among multiple adults. Vacation rentals offer the convenience of your own kitchen, laundry, dining room, etc., so you really can feel right at home only better. Parents don't have to fret over a crying baby at mealtime, and family members with special needs may be more easily accommodated. Plus, your party will experience a more authentic version of island living driving or walking to local food markets, speaking with the neighbors and sightseeing off the beaten track. For the ultimate vacation, villa rentals will have your group living like royalty. These luxurious dwellings often lie steps from the beach, with sweeping ocean views and top-notch amenities. Your personal chef prepares all meals to order, the laundress sees to the washing, a gardener keeps the grounds up to snuff, and whenever you'd like to explore the area, just consult your driver. Nannies are also available at many properties, so adults can enjoy time alone together. Debbie Moncure, owner of The Villas of Bluefields Bay in Jamaica, communicates extensively with families ahead of time to coordinate the details of their stay. "Before they depart, we send them a long list of lunch and dinner options, so they will have exactly what they want when they arrive the first day," she explains. Her all-inclusive villas come fully stocked with guests' favorite food and drink, and chefs easilyattend to dietary restrictions or special requests for children. Whether your clan chooses a Tahitian resort, a villa in Jamaica or a cruise around Hawaii, remember the true luxury of a family vacation is spending time together. As children grow up and lives get busier, our opportunities to devote an entire week or two to family bonding grow increasingly rare. So enjoy each moment and be sure to take lots of pictures.

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USCG: Commercial ice-breaking operations Monday

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DETROIT The Coast Guardis warning residents of southern Lake Erie islands that commercial ice-breaking operations are scheduled totake placeMonday, and possibly Tuesday, between South Bass and Catawba islands.

Operations are scheduled to begin Monday at about 1 a.m. when the tug Ohio departs Cleveland and transits to South Bass Island between Kellys and Middle islands.

At about 10 a.m., the Ohio will then depart South Bass Island from Put-in-Bay, Ohio,and will be followed by the tug Bessie J,whichwill be towing one barge. All vessels will travel around the eastern part of South Bass Island toward the Millers Ferry Dock on Catawba Island and will utilize the Miller'sFerry route.

The vessels plan to remain in Catawba Island for about two hours during loading operations.

At about 1 p.m., the vessels will depart Catawba Island and transit back to South Bass Island again by way of the ferry route. After unloading, theywill then return to Cleveland.

Should a delay occur during loading operations, the vessels may need to remain overnight on Catawba Island. Departure to South Bass Island would then take place on Tuesday morning. Transit times and locations are subject to change based on weather conditions.

The Coast Guard has already begun sending out a broadcast notice to mariners on VHF-FM marine radio channel 16 with the latest information and will continue hourly broadcasts through the conclusion of the operations.

Safety marine information broadcasts are also being communicated onFM channel 16. Those messages will be broadcasted every three hours.

All efforts are being made to limit the impact on winter activities on the ice, including ice fishing.

The Coast Guard advises everyone to remain away from these areas and warns that ice is unpredictable and dangerous.Recreational users of the ice should plan their activities carefully. All ice in the vicinity of the vessels and the planned transits should be considered unsafe.

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USCG: Commercial ice-breaking operations Monday