Events Of Fri. (1-28) 1-30

My plans to talk with Rita Dachs have succeeded! She confirmed she is taking her Autistic students for a field trip to the Observatory! Her plan is to be there on (2-25.) I have made several teachers aware of our efforts at the Observatory to better K-12 education. (That isn't our only plan.) Hopefully we can engage in positive activity toward the effort.

We had a meeting on Friday at the Observatory that I will break down for all of you. James W. Ridgeway and Bill Conley were our guests at the meeting. James works for the Environmental Consulting Technology Center. (ECT) He is interested in helping us better education, along with conducting the summer camp. Bill works for the Waterford School District. He shares the same interests as James and the rest of us. Ed, John I., Jim R., Paul, Sherry, and Dan were having a discussion with them about various subjects.

As we hoped, we reached a positive group decision. All of us want Video Conferencing Technology throughout multiple places. James and Bill soon realized that the students are the costumers to deliver this technology. Jim R. Explained to Bill and James that there is capable bandwidth to hold camp activities, and that this project is realistic. There are many ways to develop a successful summer camp and James has a good philosophy. He knew this project isn't about money, it is about students receiving a new learning experience they can't get anywhere else. Project ideas such as a real time view of the sun and stars, and animal exhibits were welcomed. The technology is already available and all we need as some backup on the idea.

James also had his Digital Video Disk (DVD) of the "Green Project" on display. The project gave an in depth look at how water quality was obtained. This project held in Wisconsin was student-driven with advisors on hand. I wasn't surprised when the students stole the show in this project. The students never asked questions and just went to work! (Note to all teachers, students are the customers.) But when the project was finished the end result was fearful. Students only received a thirty second time span to answer five questions on the project! If this was given as a presentation the audience would fall asleep! These questions weren't very insightful either! I don't think "Did you have fun?" is a credible question to ask what the students learned on the project! I honestly can say I laughed out loud at how stupid that question was. However, good news could still be brought from this meeting. A project that was interactive involving a student-driven basis was introduced. So obviously all of us can be content that the potential of our "future leaders" is in good hands. James and Bill have the wherewithal to carry out this task, but together we can make this a reality.

Best to all,- John Ott
P.S. If any business executives are reading this post you should be happy to know we also have the "money" to make this happen. (Bush Dynasty) That was an inside joke by the way.