4-H Decorating; X-Prize;

GTC4-H Robot Club
Today when I stopped by the County Extension Office I told them it was ”Decoration Day”.  I was there to pick up whatever they could provide me with to decorate for Saturdays Meeting.  I got some pencils that say 4-H on them,  a fabric banner with the 4-H pledge on it, another one with the 4-H motto, 4-H four leaf clover stickers, and the poster off the supervisors wall that says: “Science, Engineering, & Technology”; “One Million New Scientists.  One million New Ideas.  Together, we’re inspiring America’s workforce of the future.  To get involved go to http://www.4-h.org/“.  It has a great picture of a kid and a robot hand.  Oh and there is a YouTube movie too, highlighting the fact that the United States is falling dangerously behind other nations in developing its future workforce of scientists, engineers, technicians, and that perhaps we should do something about that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKtf5ALPcs8

If this is starting to sound like a lodge, fraternity, or sorority, I think you are beginning to get the idea.  Since it is a United States Department of Agriculture government program, it brings back memories of when I worked for the Navy.  As I read deeper into the materials it is indeed a social club complete with officers installation ceremony and new member ceremony.   This all has a place in the social fabric and while difficult for some of us socially ackward geeks, might actually do us some good to go through.

The adults are not supposed to run the club, they are supposed to facilitate the kids running the club.  How to actually get this to work poses an interesting challenge to adult volunteers.   You may find applications at the office for what you learn here.

GOOGLE LUNAR X-Prize

We do live in interesting times.   The $30 million Google Lunar X PRIZE is an  international competition to challenge and inspire development of low-cost robotic space exploration. The $30 million prize is divided into a $20 million Grand Prize, a $5 million Second Prize, and $5 million in bonus prizes.  To win the Grand Prize, a team must successfully land a privately funded spacecraft on the Moon, explore the lunar surface by moving at least 500 meters, and transmit video, images, and data back to the Earth.  After December 31st, 2012 the Grand Prize drops to $15 million.  The prize offer expires on December 31st, 2014.  For more information about the Google Lunar X-Prize go to http://www.googlelunarxprize.org..

PickensPlan

Now that energy is considered a national security issue, progress is being made toward national energy independence.   H.R. 1835 and S. 1408 - The NAT GAS Act - would provide tax incentives for freight haulers to replace their diesel-burning 18-wheelers with rigs powered by natural gas.   Now is the time to think about how this will affect you and your company.  How will pumping $26 Billion a month into the US economy, instead of sending it to countries that don’t like us, help the company you work for?   Do new automation and control products come to mind?

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
This is your chance to let me and the other readers know what is on your mind.  You can use the comments section at the end of the column to let us know what you think.

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GO ROBOTS !  

Paul F. Grayson - Chief Engineer
Grand Traverse County 4-H Robot Club
“Inspiring America’s Workforce Of The Future”
AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL MAGIC, LLC
“Small Engine and Machinery Repair”
390 4-Mile Rd. S.
Traverse City, MI 49686-8411
(231) 883-4463 Cell
pgrayson@chartermi.net
AIM: http://aimagic.org/
Robot Club: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/robotcluboftraversecitymi/
CE Magazine: http://www.controleng.com/blog/1180000318.html