The Vermont Software Developers Alliance (vtSDA) announced today that it received 21 excellent applications for the Bentley Award and is seeking additional contributions to fund them all.
The Alliance sought applications from Vermont schools to develop projects related to science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM.) In just a few weeks, they received 21 applications from schools all over the state competing for three iPads and a $3,000 prize.
The decision to try to fund all the applications came after John Canning, President of Physician’s Computer Company, found it difficult “to choose among the many excellent applications received.” The projects ranged from using iPads to teach disabled children to read to expanding weather data observation capabilities on an existing weather station located at the school. Canning said that, “It’s tough to say no to kids, especially when you understand the importance of these projects to their education. It benefits us all for kids to become savvy in science and tech related projects.”
The total amount necessary to fund all the awards is about $100,000. The Alliance has raised about $15,000 to date that include contributions from Apple®, Vt. Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and the Bluehouse Group, a software company located in Richmond, Vermont. Bluehouse Group Founder Greg Brand stated that, “Bluehouse Group is happy to offer this contribution in memory of Bentley. We also want to acknowledge the leadership role that his parents, Bruce Seifer and Julie Davis, have played in supporting education and a vibrant Vermont creative-tech economy.”
The Bentley Award was created to celebrate the life of Bentley Davis Seifer, the 12-year-old child of Bruce Seifer and Julie Davis who died last summer. Bentley had a knack for creating inventions out of found objects and a strong interest in science, engineering, art and math. The award seeks to inspire schools and young people to explore technology just as Bentley did. *|END:IF|*
To contribute to the Bentley Award Project, please visit the Vermont Software Developer’s Alliance website at www.vtsda.org. The deadline for pledges is March 15!
News
The Vermont Biosciences Alliance Co-Chair, Kimberly Murray, recently met with Governor Peter Shumlin to discuss the Exit 16 High Tech cluster. This could be an important economic driver for Chittenden county. As anyone who has attended a VBSA event at Albany College of Pharmacy off Exit 16 knows, localizing technology companies in ways that encourage human contact (lunch at Libby’s) and shared resources is a great opportunity supporting development of the Vermont biosciences industry.
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) as Legislator of the Year for 2010-2011. Senator Leahy received the award as part of the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In.
BIO commends Senator Leahy for his continued efforts, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, to protect the unique importance of life science patents. Thanks in large part to his leadership, the U.S. Senate recently overwhelmingly approved consensus-oriented patent reform legislation. If enacted into law, the America Invents Act (S. 23) would strengthen and improve our nation’s patent system by enhancing patent quality and the efficiency, objectivity, predictability, and transparency of the system.
More than 200 biotechnology industry representatives from 32 states will participate in hundreds of meetings with Members of the House and Senate during the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In. Participants will discuss issues critical to the biotechnology industry including patent reform, NIH/ FDA funding, and expanded eligibility for Small Business Innovation Research grants. The award will be presented this evening during a reception at the Reserve Officers Association in Washington, D.C.
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.
