Greensboro Daily Photo

Stars and Planets in the Night Sky

This is a fabulous week for viewing planets in the night sky in NC. Saturday night, several planets were visible in the night sky, the air was calm and crisp. Cell phone photography is not the best for night photography; however, we felt the above photo provides an idea of what the sky looked like on Saturday night in the Piedmont region of North Carolina after that cleansing rain we had on Friday. We weren't as interested in seeing planets as we were marveling how well we could see the start. 

Here is a LINK to a website that tracks planets visible in the night sky in Greensboro and the times they will rise and the extent to which they will be visible. This last night,  here was the reading: Mercury, very difficult to see; Venus, great visibility, Mars, perfect visibility; Jupiter, perfect visibility; Saturn, average visibility; Uranus, average visibility; Neptune, very difficult to see. If you want to visit a planetarium,  UNCG, the Greensboro Science Center, Guilford College, GTTC Jamestown, and High Point University all have planetariums and most publish times when they are open to the public. If you keep your eye out, sometimes there are pop up events around town, too. We owe it to those ancient mariners to be able to look up in the sky and to at least identify some of the major constellations. 

Happy Monday and happy stargazing.

Science Everywhere

This past Saturday was the annual UNCG Science Everywhere event. There were over 50 science activities all over campus related to science, technology e-sports, art, and music.  It was a chance to tour the UNCG science research labs and for community members, professionals, and students of all ages to see displays and participate in hands-on activities. The above station, held in the Coleman Building, involved dry ice and cosmic slime. It was a big hit with younger students. It was also a great opportunity for anyone preparing to teach science to gain field experience.

Greensboro is so lucky to have so many community college branches and institutions of higher education. Every week of the year there is something going on that is open for community attendance. Science Everywhere is an April event held as college students are about to finish their semester. Sadly, the International Festival, a UNCG annual event for almost 40 years is no longer being held. The Science Everywhere event, however, seems to be going strong. To be sure, these interdepartmental ventures are a lot of work, and we appreciate you.

Happy Monday!

Butterfly Time

We haven't seen as many butterflies this summer as previously. However, we did see a swallowtail enjoying a butterfly bush earlier in the summer. Today's butterfly was enjoying life on a butterfly bush on a sunny day in northwest Greensboro. Swallowtails are one of the most common types of butterflies found in our area. Summer is peak butterfly season with warm, sunny weather. If you want to see more in your yard, resist pesticides. If you really want to see a lot of butterflies at once, head to the Greensboro Science Center to their Butterfly House. In addition to the seven species they hosted last year, they have added nine new species. This new exhibit alone makes renewing your membership all worthwhile. 

Greensboro Science Center at Family Night

Last night, the Greensboro Science Center teamed up with Chick-Fil-A at Friendly Center for their Family Night. From 5:30- 7:00, the theme was butterflies. There were coloring pages,  thumbprint art, and an opportunity to make a paper butterfly. The monarch backdrop was perfect for photo opportunities. There was also a balloon twister and a face painter. If you didn't get by the event last night and want to learn more about butterflies, head to the Greensboro Science Center. The Monarch Conservation Center/Butterfly House is quite a fun experience. There, you can learn how to make your yard a safe stopover area for monarch migration. Between now and early October, the monarch should be migrating south through North Carolina. It is not too late to start planting for their May to July journey from Mexico to Canada.

Over the last two decades, the Greensboro Science Center (4301 Lawndale Drive)  has grown by leaps and bounds; as have their community outreach efforts. The family night at Chick-Fil-A is one such example. This partnering was especially convenient for families who were eating out anyway and we hear the icedream sundaes were a hit. The above photo features set up for the event. How wonderful that in-person events are happening again.

Happy Wednesday!

Penguin Exhibit at the Greensboro Science Center

Those penguins at the Greensboro Science Center are so absolutely adorable and they capture the hearts of all who see them. The penguins at the science center are about 2 feet tall. They are African penguins, native to the beaches of southwestern Africa. Their favorite food is herring, and they love playing with cat toys. As you can see from the above photo, they are also very adept at entertaining themselves. According to the website of the Greensboro Science Center, the penguins are crate trained, trained to come up for food, get on the scales for their monthly weigh ins, and some of them are trained to stand for photos. A baby chick was born in January of this year. It's name is Niffler from the Harry Potter series.

Seeing the penguins is included in the price of a general admission. For an additional fee, there is an opportunity to have an encounter with a penguin. If you haven't been yet, try to fit a trip to 4301 Lawndale Drive and spend time viewing penguins. They really are quite entertaining.

The Cole Family Monarch Conservation Center & Butterfly House

The Cole Family Monarch Conservation Center and Butterfly House is now open at the Greensboro Science Center. It is a new (permanent) exhibit, located in the front of the building. As you can see from the above photo, while the butterfly area is enclosed, it is open to the outside, with netting to keep butterflies in, yet making the area open to the outside. It is a fabulous way to see butterflies up close and to watch their behavior as they travel through the wildflowers.

Inside, there is a temporary, traveling exhibit about butterflies. Children traverse a maze learning about butterflies as they go. Impatient children can simply crawl under the panels to get through the maze. It is so nice having the indoor and outdoor exhibit for the summer, both teach about butterflies and especially monarchs. While the Greensboro Science Center has been a Greensboro institution since 1957, if you haven't been in a while, be warned, you will not recognize it. The giant amethyst geode, the Foucoult pendulum, and the S.S. Curiosity (old ship to climb) are still there, but so many new exhibits have been added, you owe it to yourself to stop by and have a look. To be sure, we'll share more photos.

Happy Tuesday!

Hello September!

Happy September, the 244th day of the year. In Greensboro, this month brings First Friday  (Sept 3rd) and the Folk Festival (September 10th-12th). The 22nd brings the first day of fall. In September, in Greensboro, the average high temperature is 81° and the average low is 61°, so we will start to feel it cooling off a little. On average, there are seven days of rain. Let's hope we are all spared extreme weather events.

The above photo was taken in August in the garden center at Lowe's on Battleground Avenue. Imagine our surprise when a Hummingbird Clearwing moth was fluttering around the flowers on the parking lot. We wonder if was just eating or also laying eggs. It was pollinating up a storm the day we watched it. It is a migratory species; perhaps it was storing up food for a long trip.  We hope you have a great month and that you take advantage of all of the events Greensboro has to offer, especially the ones outdoors. The event calendar maintained by Downtown Greensboro is a great place to start to keep up with happenings around town.

The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel

The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel is a beautiful landmark between Country Park and The Greensboro Science Center. Whether you are walking the loop around the park, or visiting the Science Center, the Carousel is the beacon of joy on the hill.  The ride is open year-round and mostly open on the weekend from 10am-5pm. There are discounts for Greensboro Science Center members and a combo ticket option. It has only been open since August 26th, not even a year, but in many ways, it seems as if it has been open for a very long time. 

That beautiful carousel has 56 hand-carved, hand-painted figures. Some people have their favorite figure to ride; others are taking the challenge of riding every single one. The carousel is such a work of art, it is easy to make it a regular destination, especially if you have little ones in your life. This photo reminds us of the Wizard of Oz. Everything is gray-scale until you see the actual structure and then the colors will come alive!

Happy Wednesday!

Its Vaccine Time for Guilford County School Teachers

Yesterday, Keith was volunteering at the Coliseum as Guilford County School teachers cycled through the vaccination process.  The national guard, volunteers, nurses, Guilford County Health Department, and the Guilford County Schools all worked together to help this process run smoothly and efficiently. There was even a bus delivering people from the parking lot up to the entrance door. Once it started raining, this service was especially appreciated at the parking is back beyond the GAC swimming pool area.

If you have anxiety about getting shots or this particular vaccine, somehow fears are assuaged once you are there watching everyone else getting the vaccine. You realize you are contributing to herd immunity and helping prevent the spread. As reported in the News & Record and the state health officials, Guilford County has a total of 39,699 cases of COVID and 552 deaths. Hopefully the cases and deaths will start decreasing. Have a great weekend. Thank you Keith, all the volunteers and workers who are making this journey so much more pleasant!

ERIC at NCAT

Today's post features the State of the Art Engineering, Research, and Innovation Complex (ERIC) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&T). The four-story building is being constructed at the corner of North Dudley and East Market streets. You may recall that the Hayes-Taylor YMCA was located on this site. The 130,000 sq. ft., 90-million dollar facility will have a positive impact not only on Greensboro, but also on the entire state and region. Imagine the impact on the economy with not only the new jobs, but also with the dotting-edge discoveries and all of the innovation that will take place in this interdisciplinary center.*

The building is nearing completion and should be ready for occupancy by 2021. As we drove by yesterday, we couldn't help but notice just how beautiful the structure looked just after the rain shower. If you want a sneak peek, this Yes! Weekly article shows the finished building (see here). This facility and all that it will contain is a fine example of how different a college education is today that it was even ten years ago.

As we learn more about the building, we'll be sure to feature it again. 

* reference and more information, here.

Color Maze on the Lazy Days of Summer

The Greensboro Science Center just keeps getting better and better. With every renovation and tax dollar spent, they add features that help connect the community to science, flora, and fauna. They have permanent and temporary exhibits for people of all ages. the above photo features the color maze, an exhibit that combines the science of light and color. By the time you leave the exhibit, you have a better understanding of issues like color blindness and bioluminescence. The exhibit is included with the price of general admission. If you join, you will always have something to do, especially in the summer. Light up a friend's day and arrange to meet them under the lightbulb! (Did you notice the color of the dots is in rainbow order)?

Greensboro Science Center

The Greensboro Science Center, located on Lawndale Drive, just keeps getting better and better. The aquarium exhibit has expanded and provides so many different displays of ocean animals. From penguins to a giant octopus to everything in between, the aquarium is a fabulous experience. There are also many other science and animal displays. It is easy to spend an afternoon at the center- especially in summertime.

If you are looking for a gift for a friend or family member, consider a membership to the Science Center. For less than $40, you can purchase a gift that will last all year long. The membership for the local center also gets you a discount to many science centers and zoos throughout the United States. Keep cool and see the many cool exhibits. See more from the Greensboro Science Center throughout the week on GDP. Happy Tuesday!

ELF Urban Kayak

The above vehicle, the ELF Urban Kayak was on display at the Earth Day event at the Kathleen Clay Edwards Library and Price Park this past Saturday. ELF stands for electric, light, and fun. The first generation model was launched from a Kickstarter campaign, by designer and developer Rob Cotter, out of Durham in 2013. The ELF is a human and solar powered vehicle meant for commuters. The design makes it eco friendly in that it cuts CO2 emissions. The urban kayak part of the name alludes to the green material of the 8'shell.

Cotter got his start working for Porsche and BMS in California. Now, he is in North Carolina, enjoying his role as a working inventor. The ELF is one of many examples of the fabulous items on display at Saturday's Earth Day event. Perhaps one of the curious young ladies inspecting the vehicle in the above photo will be one of Greensboro's future STEM scientists.

Learn more about the ELF here. Let us know if you see one of these 21st century cycles in use in Greensboro! Remember, this upcoming Saturday is the family-friendly science event on UNCG's campus. If you want more hands-on opportunities to engage with science, everything from learning about rockets to trying your hand at computer programming, head to UNCG to the Science Everywhere event. More information, here.

I is for International Women's Day

Today is the 106th year of International Women's Day. To quote the campaign's website, "March 8th is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity." Local initiatives in North Carolina include encouraging women to campaign for advancement and to stay home from work today to heighten awareness of how much women contribute to the workforce. At least one school district in North Carolina is closed today because of concern about not finding sufficient substitute teachers. The irony is that today is also the annual statewide tornado drill day. With or without their female teachers, at 9:30 a.m., all students in the State will move to safe shelter and assume the crouched, facing-the-wall position. 

On another note, today's photo is a poster at the city parking deck on Bellemeade and Elm Streets. It features Prlyanka Ruparella, a Ph.D. student at Greensboro's Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering. According to the school's website, out of fourteen full-time faculty, one nano science faculty is a female and one nano engineering faculty is a female. Let's hope that more women, like the one featured on the poster, decide to pursue these specialized science fields. To be sure, it is hard work. To be sure, women deserve equal pay for equal work. 

Today is ABC Wednesday, and for Round 20, "I" is for "International Women's Day", which has been celebrated in the USA only since 1975. In Cuba, Madagascar, and Uzbekistan, it is an official holiday. Here's to crouching and facing the wall at 9:30 and standing up and cheering at noon!

Penguin Time

The temperature in Greensboro was in the 20's last night; not as cold as other parts of North Carolina, but cold enough. The above scene evokes winter: chilly-blue walls and perky penguins. The photo was taken at feeding time at the African penguin exhibit at the Greensboro Science Center. If you love penguins, you can actually sign up for an opportunity to go behind the scenes and watch them be fed. They are an endangered species and the science center helps with conservation efforts.

On the day we visited, several school groups were on site and the penguins captivated them. Seeing the children so engaged in learning reminded us of all the great resources we have in our community. While school groups won't be there today, The Greensboro Science Center is open today from 9:00 am- 5:00 pm. We have found that the earlier you arrive, the more opportunities you will have to see animals being fed. If you are looking for an educational adventure, a place to get in out of the cold, or a place for great photos. Whatever you decide, where ever you are, have a memorable day!

White Peacock

This white peacock lives at the Greensboro Science Center. He is simply stunning when you can get him to display his tail feathers. He is one of the few animals at the science center who is not caged or captured, per se. He is free to roam around the zoo part in the back of the facility and seems perfectly content to roam among the other creatures who live there. While, he is not particularly aggressive, guests are asked not to try to chase him or to pet him. He does, however, seem to like having his photo taken. 

The Greensboro Science Center, still located on Lawndale Avenue, is a fabulous place to visit any day of the year. If you have guests in town, and are looking for something to do this week, the Greensboro Science Center is a great option. Every year, the center gets bigger and better; and, the white peacock has been there to oversee it all. Since male peacocks have close to 200 tail feathers, let's say he salutes his home with a full 200-feather salute.

Tuxedo Trot

If you have some time off between now and the first of the year, and are looking for something to do, the Greensboro Science Center is a great option. The earlier you get there in the day, the more likely you are to see the animals in action. Yesterday, the above colony of penguins got fed at 10:00 am to the delight of the school children who were visiting with their teachers. The two young ladies in the above photo were masterful at making sure that each one of the African penguin got fed. African penguins are an endangered species and the Greensboro Science Center works hard to keep their penguins healthy and multiplying. As a matter of fact, rumor has it, baby penguins are currently in the works.

Here is some general information about the African penguins and how their numbers have declined over the last century. Learning about them may make you want to get involved in the conservation efforts. In May, the science center holds the Tuxedo Trot: A Run for the Penguins. This fundraiser is very popular in Greensboro as so many people here enjoy running as a sport. Finally, watching these flightless birds diving and playing in their tank will make it clear why the movie about emperor penguins is called "Happy Feet." May we all have happy feet at this busy time of year.

Praying Mantis 2015

Tis' praying mantis season. This mantis has been in one of our flower beds all summer long. At least we have noticed one living between the hosta and the basil. For some reason, the mantis seems so much cuter than its cousins, the cockroach and the termite. If you ever get close to a mantis, you will notice that they appear to be staring you down. Well, they can move their head about 300 degrees and they rely heavily on their vision for hunting. They see you, before you see them. Since they are carnivorous, we really love having them in our Greensboro garden. They are a great form of biological pest control.

The above specimen is a Carolina mantis, named for the Carolinas even though it has a much wider range of habitat.* We think the above mantis is a male and the one we shared earlier in the summer is a female.  Males have  streamlined abdomens, wings and can fly. Females have bulky abdomens and don't fly. When you stay home and observe nature, it is amazing what you find.

Happy Tuesday, dear readers. Today we're leaving the idyllic confines of our patio and heading downtown to see the progress being made for the folk festival. Meters were bagged to eliminate parking last Friday. We're hoping that the stages are in place and the town is ready for the National Folk Festival.

*reference.

Summer Adventure

To add to the theme of summer adventure, today's post features another view at the Greensboro Science Center. In the above photo, a group of children in a summer school program have just finished with their visit of the human body exhibit and are off to visit the Adventure Theater. It was wonderful seeing elementary-aged children looking at the inner workings of the heart and carrying on conversations about the skeletal system. They didn't want to leave when their teachers called them to line up. 

The Greensboro Science Center is such a fabulous community resource, it would be wonderful for someone to write a grant so that every child in the city could get to the center at least once a year. Engaging with science is so easy in a place like the above-featured facility. If you haven't been lately, regardless of your age, we urge you to go and see this great use of our tax dollars! By the way, when the kids learned they were off to Adventure Theater, they were thrilled. 

Ozone Contact Room

Today's feature on GDP is the ozone contact room at the Greensboro Science Center in the newly constructed Sciquarium wing. The science center, located on Lawndale Avenue, has become quite an interactive and educational science resource for the community. Gone are the days when all of the equipment is hidden away as the pipes, tanks, and equipment are part of the science and a great opportunity for teaching and learning.

Since ozone is a trioxygen molecule that is soluble in water, likely, the ozone equipment is related to aeration and water quality of the 23,000 square foot LEED designed aquarium.*  The man (featured above) was working diligently, filling out a log book; and children were looking through the window, speculating on what he might have been doing. We're sure had someone asked, he would have explained. The Sciquarium offers so many special events throughout the day, such as shark feedings, otter enrichment, and a stingray talk. There is plenty of time to ask questions. See the activity schedule, here.  Visiting the science center is a great thing to do on a cold day like today!

*Here is a photo of the aquarium.

Y is for Yield

Last week, we featured NC A&T State University and their state of the art x-ray machine, here. Dr. Collins spent a lot of time showing us what the x-ray CT machine would yield. To simplify the process and concept for non-scientists, he has a presentation in which an apple was scanned. Below, you will see the results. Researchers can image the item at various stages, stripping away matter until precisely what you are looking for remains. In the case of the apple, increasingly, the skin and flesh are not visible, revealing seeds and fiber. You can explain to someone that apples have fiber; however, through this x-ray, you can see the fiber (see below). That is a simplistic view of the capability of the Nonotom-M (TM), x-ray CT machine. Literally, it is a window into the very essence of a product, from an apple to an implanted metal alloy.

As we close out our final ABC Wednesday entry for the year, Y (the penultimate entry in our ABC S.T.E.A.M. series) is for "yield."  To yield, in the sense of productivity, is to produce something as a result of time, effort, and work. As non-scientists, our fact finding mission for the A-Z science series has yielded much knowledge and personal growth. Hopefully, it has meant something to you, too. Happy New Years Eve to Greensboro as well as to everyone who is taking the time to read our final post of 2014. See you next year!

 

X is for X Ray

North Carolina A&T State University has a state-of-the-art x-ray machine. The above photo features not only the machine but Dr. Boyce Collins a researcher who is as committed to collaborating and sharing research centered around this multi-million dollar Nonotom-M (TM) x-ray CT Machine. The Engineering Research Center for Revolutionizing Metallic Biomaterials acquired it through a National Science Foundation award.*  As we understand it, this scientific tomography and 3D metrology machine provides 360 degree- 3-D video images from the nano-level on up. Those of us who are not scientists understand it as something akin to stitch photography where photos are patched together to create a coherent whole. The technology would make it possible to evaluate a bridge for metal fatigue without even disrupting traffic flow. On one project, NC A&T is collaborating with several other institutions to "develop and commercialize novel bioresorbable metal alloys that have potential applications in implantable medical devices."*

We wish every high school student in Greensboro could spend an afternoon at NC A&T learning about the above machine and all of its uses.  A few minutes with Dr. Collins and we wanted to affiliate with the project. It is a great time to be a student interested in science- especially at NC A&T State University. Today is ABC Wednesday and X is for X-Ray!

See our A-W contributions to our S.T.E.A.M. series, here. 

*learn more about the ERC and their projects, here.

S is for SciQuarium

The SciQuarium is a relatively new addition to the Greensboro Science Center on Lawndale Drive. It is a place where learning takes place and memories are made. From the minute they walk in, until the minute they leave, people are captivated. The SciQuarium is North Carolina's only inland aquarium. As stated on the center's website, the SciQuarium features "a variety of water-dependent animals including penguins, sharks, otters, eels, stingrays, a rare fishing cat, an anaconda, and fish of all shapes and colors" (reference).

If you have been going to the Science Center since it opened in 1957, likely, you are marveling at the expansion over the years. It is hard to believe that the improvements and additions will continue until 2020. If you are used to the old petting zoo with the pesky goats and small mammals, you will be shocked to see the touch tank and all the other features of the SciQuarium. In the above photo, we can only imagine what the little boy will learn as he and his dad meander along the indoor trail. Today is ABC Wednesday, and for our S.T.E.A.M. Edition, S is for SciQuarium!

Inside the Nanoscience Building

Yesterday, we featured the exterior of the Joint School of Nanoscience and Engineering on East Lee Street. Today's view is of the interior lobby. The clean lines and enclosed glass spaces seem fitting for a laboratory and classroom setting. If you look closely, on the far wall, you can see the A&T and UNCG signs, establishing at the onset that the facility is a joint venture. Working collaboratively is a highly valued practice in the 21st century and especially in the sciences. From the smallest nanoparticle to the largest yotta units, and everything in between, there is no exact metric for determining the value of a resource like this to the Greensboro community. 

In the early years of the current century, Greensboro lost over 40,000 jobs in its legacy industries (manufacturing and textiles). With the construction of this facility, located on a 75-acre tract of land, our city is moving some of the economic development into the technology-based economy (reference). If you get a chance, you should schedule a tour of this impressive community resource.

By the way, if you want to brush up on your metric, prefix knowledge, and learn that nano- isn't even the smallest unit of measurement, visit this UNC professor's website- published for all to enjoy.

L is for Lab

A teaching laboratory is a place equipped for experiments and for teaching. Labs don't have to be elaborately stocked. However, they do need a teacher who has a solid lesson plan and a great understanding of the concept(s) at hand, with enough equipment to scaffold the learners' understanding. The above materials were partial preparation for a lab on osteoporosis at the Middle College at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG).

The Guilford County School District has two S.T.E.M. high schools, one on UNCG's campus and one at North Carolina A&T University. The UNCG program emphasizes health and life sciences and the A&T program emphasizes engineering. Both programs teach students to use the engineering design process. Hopefully, the students on both campuses will graduate and go on to become scientists running laboratories around the United States-- or the world.

Today is ABC Wednesday and for our S.T.E.A. M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Series, "L" is for "laboratory. (See A-K, here).

C is for Camp, Science Camp

It is amazing how many summer camps are held at the Greensboro Science Center. If you are between the age of 4-15, they have something for you. By the time you are 16, volunteer positions available. They offer science camps, engineering camps, chemistry, CSI, aquatic, animation, geology and so much more. As with the above group, the science center can serve as a day within a camp. The children in the blue shirts were attending a Christian camp at their home church. One of their day-long outings was to come to the science center. In this photo, they are heading into the animal house that is an indoor component to the new zoo. And, indeed, when they got inside, they had fun. They saw snakes, a skunk, giant insects, and a few more touchable critters, like rabbits. They were an inquisitive little group.

There are so many job opportunities in the science field. Let's hope some of the above youngsters want to become scientists and work on the big scientific questions of the day. Today is ABC Wednesday and for our S.T.E.A.M. round, C is for camp, specifically science camp.

(Not So) Itsy Bitsy Spider

Anyone who has ever read E.B. White's "Charlotte's Web" knows that autumn is not only state fair time, but also spider time. The above arachnid was spotted by our door in Greensboro. She is nocturnal and hides during the day. At night, she waits patiently in the center of the web. She is very territorial. For several days, we regularly dismantled the web and she would rebuild in the same spot. She knows that porch lights provide a bountiful supply of bugs. She is very aware of her surroundings. When we go out to photograph her, she retreats. Last night, we were successful in capturing her in all of her glory, right in the middle of her web.

Some people hate spiders; others, think they are a gardener's best friend.  North Carolina State University maintains some websites about North Carolina spiders. Even after looking, we're not 100% what type of spider she is. Do we have any arachnologists out there who can conclusively identify our front door friend? If you have small children in your life, consider doing some spider observing. You may be nurturing a future E.B. White.

Dow Corning Company

The Greensboro division of the Dow Corning company is located on 2914 Patterson Street, down from the Coliseum. Dow Corning is a global silicone supplier. The company is equally owned by the Dow Chemical Company and Corning, Incorporated. Dow Corning , headquartered in Midland, Michigan, was established in 1943, specifically to explore the potential of silicones.*  Dow Corning's first product was silicone grease that made it possible for airplanes to fly at high altitudes. We're not sure what products are made in Greensboro, but the company is another example of the presence of the science and chemical industry in our community. With the public schools woking hard to prepare students for science, technology, engineering, and mathmatics (S.T.E.M.) careers, it seems like Dow Corning would be a good place for internships and field experience.

In addition to the business side of the company, Dow Corning funds the Edible Schoolyard educational programs at the Children's Museum. The Edible Schoolyard teaches children about food sources, cooking, the ecosystem, and sustainable living. How wonderful to have a corporation that is so committed to Greensboro's children. If you get a chance, stop by and see the edible schoolyard on North Church Street, across from the Central Branch of the Public Library. In the meantime, if you see someone from Dow Corning, thank them for funding the schoolyard!

*reference.

L is for Light, Landfills, and Learning

Today, we bring you a Big Belly smart/solar trash can.*  The one photographed above is located on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in front of the student union. The can on the right, that opens like a mailbox, is the solar operated one. It compacts trash and sends an e-mail alerting the cleaning crew that it needs to be emptied. While the compactors cost about $5,000 per can, they can pay for themselves in labor costs saved by not having to be "checked" by humans. 

It is so wonderful that these cans are located on a university campus. Universities are a place to foment ideas. If we are going to transform education and prepare students to generate new ideas and products to enhance our quality of life, we have to surround them with innovation. Gone are the days when we teach for the future. Today’s expectations are that classrooms impact the present. It takes a blend of good teaching, student motivation, state of the art materials, and authentic, real-world projects to grow these great idea like the Big Belly solar trash compactor.  

We share this photo today as part of our ABC Wednesday, GO GREEN GREENSBORO series. L is such an important LETTER in the green world. L is for life;  living- with minimal environmental impact; lawns- and conserving water;  leaves- that Greensboro collects for mulch;  and land and landfills. Also, L is for LIGHT to compact trash and make it take up LESS space in the LANDFILLS. Finally, L is for the LEARNING that has to take place to make these innovative devices possible.

 

*Amanda Lehmert wrote an informative article about them for the News and Record on April 1st 2012 p. A1 & A6. Her informative article about the cans, located at the downtown greenway, sent us out in search of a smart trash can to photograph!

Mushrooms & Mosquitoes

Well, we start the week in Greensboro a little wet from the weekend....

With the rain came mushrooms and mosquitoes. The above white mushrooms snuck their way into our compost bed, which, at the moment, is a little heavy on coffee grounds and scraps from garden produce- not to mention soggy. Our compost pile is the perfect host for mushrooms that like a dark, warm, moist, nutrient-rich environment.

We are the first generation in our family incapable of conclusively determining whether or not mushrooms are edible. Those relatives from the "old country" would be mighty disappointed with the offspring of their offspring for not having mushroom identification skills. We do know that we have always been told to STAY AWAY from solid white mushrooms.

North Carolina has several biology and agricultural programs with mushroom experts, mycologists. To name a few, in North Carolina there is a lot of research and classification being conducted at Duke University (see here & here); NC State (see here) and, at Greensboro's very own NCA&T University (see here) do research and have active extension services. At NCA&T, Dr. Ormon S. Isikhuemhen specializes in mushroom biology and fungal biotechnology. NCA&T's School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences maintains a "how to get started" website for edible and medicinal mushroom farming in North Carolina. They work closely with farmers setting up mushrooms as a cash crop. How wonderful that a university works closely with the community to develop sustainable agriculture. See their great website here. Maybe we'll head back out and pick a mess and get them identified; that is, if we can brave the mosquitoes! We may get lucky and find some truffles!

Brown Thrasher

This brown thrasher has been hanging around our yard in Greensboro. We suspect that she has a nest near our compost bed among the dense brush. This spring, we've been lucky, our compost pile seems to have the perfect combination of green and brown material as it is FULL of earthworms. Brown thrashers are omnivorous and eat anything from insects and earthworms to berries and seeds, all of which are present in our yard; most of which are present in our compost pile.

Every year, we plant more edibles and now have at least ten blueberry bushes, lots of raspberries, two small gardens, and more.  We've also made a committment to avoid pesticides. Our efforts are paying off as, this year, we've seen a variety of birds and other wildlife. This is the first year that we recall seeing a thrasher. According to the literature, brown thrashers can make up to 3,000 distinct bird calls. That's quite a reperitoire. We hear the thrasher a lot and have gotten very close to it. The bird seems to be so tame.

What kind of birds to you see in your neighborhood?

Church and State

Today, we are standing in Commerce Place beside West Market Street United Methodist Church. Directly ahead, you can see the Guilford County Court House. Earlier in the week, we brought you a photo of the federal court house which is located on the same block as the above buildings. Lately, with the primary election only two days away, we've been thinking a great deal about the interface between religion and politics.

In spite of the fact that the very creation of The United States was brought about in an effort to keep church and state separate, it can be very hard to do so. If you reflect on your spirituality, how comfortable are you with people of different belief systems? How comfortable are you with efforts to legislate morality? Where do laws to keep people safe, and society orderly, begin and end? When do laws go too far?

Recently, we received a post of a family friend who said, not only did she lack respect for friends of a different political party, she no longer even wanted to be their friends. She sent "unfriend" requests. As a nation, have we reached a point where we can no longer be friendly and civil with people of different beliefs? Where is this dichotomy taking us? My beliefs or yours; all or none. Is their room for diplomacy? We hope so. We owe it to our children. Their seeing adults being civil to each other is the only hope that the future will be better than the present. 

Just a little something to ponder.............

Gateway Gardens and University Research Park

After nearly a decade in the planning, Gateway Gardens is a reality. It is located on 11 acres of land between East Lee and Florida Streets adjacent to Barber Park.  Greensboro Beautiful, the non-profit that brought Greensboro the Bog and Bicentennial Gardens and the Arboretum, brings us Gateway Gardens. They do so, in collaboration with Greensboro's Parks and Recreation Department, as well as with the help of many private citizens. The above entrance from the parking lot is a mere prelude to the colorful, child-friendly space that blends local artwork, especially sculpture, with beautiful flora and walking trails. There is an outdoor classroom as well an many places to sit along the way. We will feature other views on Greensboro Daily Photo this week.

If you look closely at the building in the center of this photo, you will see yet another exciting venture for Greensboro. NCA&T and UNCG, the two North Carolina state universities located in Greensboro, have entered into a joint venture to build Gateway University Research Park. Anticipated to open later this year, the 64 million dollar facility will house the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, one of North Carolina's most exciting 21st century initiatives. For sure, the school will attract students from around the world who are interested in pursuing Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees in the nanotechnology fields. In the meantime, with the Gateway Gardens, Gateway University Research Park and Barber Park, East Greensboro will be quite an amazing GATEWAY to the Gate City. If you have about 9 minutes, we highly recommend you watch the video clip put together about the Gateway Gardens project (read/view here). If you are interested in the Gateway Research Park, read/view here. 

McIver Education Center

Today, we are at Charles D. McIver Education Center, located at 1401 Summit Avenue at the corner of Textile Drive. McIver Ecuation Center is part of the Guilford County School System and, according to their website, serves students from age 5-22 with moderate to several developmental delays, autism, and other educational needs. Our local system is just digging out from four snow days. Today, students, teachers, and staff, at McIver included, will be readjusting to the faster-paced, and more-structured schedule of being back in school.

In earlier years, the above facility was built as Proximity Public School for children of the local textile mill community of which Proximity Manufacturing Mill was a part. Proximity was the first mill of the Cone Brothers and, the school was in close proximity to the mill as the Cone family valued education.  According to local historian, Gayle Hicks Fripp, in her book GREENSBORO NEIGHBORHOODS, Volume II, this building was constructed in 1928 and the architect was Charles C. Hartman. As Frick points out, noteworthy is the brick and stone checker motif on the wings.

Also nearby is Proximity United Methodist Church. For sure, when Proximity was Proximity Public School, many students lived close enough to this neighborhood school that they could go home for lunch. Still chiseled on the header, at the center of the school, are the words, "PROXIMITY PUBLIC SCHOOL."

For Facebook users, Proximity School has started a community page, although it doesn't appear to have been discovered yet. If you attended Proximity Public School check the page out. This post is part of our 2011 Skywatch Friday series where we show a slice of the sky above Greensboro whether is vibrant blue, dull gray, or anything in between.

Footbridge to UNCG

 

Sunday's intense, fluffy clouds seemed to align perfectly with the footbridge that connects the School of Music with the rest of campus at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The 130,000 square foot music building is grand in every way: from its scale (pun intended)  to the performances offered therein, to the faculty, students, courses, summer programs, you name it. This footbridge is no exception as it makes walking to and from the dorms and other buildings on campus a pleasant experience. The alternative would be traipsing through hilly terrain underneath which can be quite wet and swamplike. This week, we'll feature an array of photos taken around and near this building. Stop back to see the building itself!

We wanted to save today's photo for our Skywatch Friday collection as clouds like these don't come along every day.  However, it is the first of the month and the theme for the community of 1,000+ City Daily Photo Blogs is PASSAGEWAYS, so we're sharing the photo with the CDP community. 

  Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

The Natural Science Center of Greensboro

The Natural Science Center of Greensboro, located at 4301 Lawndale Avenue, is a tremendous community resource. In addition to the engaging permanent exhibits and the zoo, the center continually offers special programs. The current traveling exhibit is, "Extreme Deep: Mission to the Abyss."  

In the photo above, you see three of the taxidermied animals on display in the hallway of the museum. Within the past year, the museum acquired a privately-owned, local collection. The collection is reminiscent of the efforts in the 19th century to provide specimens. The taxidermied animals were studied in an era when living, exotic, zoo animals were not widely available.  

If you haven't been to the Natural Science Center lately, and you live in Greensboro, you really must stop by and see how the place has transformed in the last few years!

Foucault Pendulum in Greensboro

A Foucault pendulum is used to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth. In the above photo, we see the Foucault pendulum at the Natural Science Center in Greensboro. The Paris Observatory displayed the first one publicly in 1851. Perhaps the most famous Foucault pendulum is the one in the Pantheon in Paris, named after the French physicist who conceived the experiment. Wikipedia has a complete list of Foucault pendulums in the world categorized by country and by state for the USA. From this list, we learned that Greensboro actually has two: one at the Natural Science Center and one at NCA&T University. There are four total in North Carolina, one in nearby Winston-Salem and another in Fayetteville. According to the Wikipedia list, 39/50 US states boast at least one pendulum. 

This is our contribution to Monochrome Weekly. The monochrome theme recently celebrated its first anniversary. 

Back to School in North Carolina

Today is Back to School Day for many North Carolina students, including the K-12 public school students in the Greensboro/Guilford County Schools. Here we see a path leading to James Benson Dudley Senior High School at 1200 Lincoln Street. Likely, by the time you are reading this post, many feet will be walking along this path towards the historic, dynamic, and newly-renovated Dudley campus. Here's to a great school year for our 70,000+ students and 2,500+ teachers in our 111 schools. 

Guilford County Schools Science Fair 2009

The Four Seasons Town Centre was crowded on Wednesday, February 11th for the Guilford County Schools' Science Fair 2009. Trophy winning projects at the middle school level covered such topics as kudzu, making fuel from animal waste, safety of reusing water bottles, and minimizing heat loss with blankets for the homeless. The middle school receiving the most trophies and recognition at the district level was Aycock Middle School, where the 6th-8th grade Spanish Immersion and Science and Technology Magnet Programs are housed.

This photo was taken in the arena where awards were distributed. The actual projects filled the mall and the public was invited to view the projects.