Childrens Author, Illustrator, Musician and Storyteller Mike Artell (November 18, 2010 – 9-10 AM)
Mike Artell shared information about where he lives (New Orleans), a little about his family and how he got started writing and illustrating books. He also shared some cool and creepy science facts from his books Backyard Bloodsuckers, StarrySkies, Weather Whys and Pee-Yew! After that, he read from his newest Cajun book titled Jacques and de Beanstalk and his new lift the flap book titled Okey Dokey Ding-a-Ling. He also talked a little about Legs – his newiPhone/iPadbook/game. Mike finishished the “book” portion of his presentation by reading from some “works in progress.” Mike gave everyone step-by-step instructions for creating their own original cartoons. Every student was invited to draw along.
Target audience was grades 3 and up. This activity was be fun and educational for all.
Rescuing the Chilean Miners: A First Hand Account – Jeff Roten and Greg Hillier from Schramm, Inc., West Chester, PA. (November 18, 2010 10:15 – 11:00 AM)
Schramm, Inc. is a drilling company located in West Chester, PA. Schramm drills were used to locate and ultimately rescue the 33 trapped miners in Copiapo, Chile. Jeff Roten, Schramm Field Service Engineer was dispatched to Chile for over a month and on location 24/7 during the rescue mission. Greg Hillier, Schramm Production Manager, worked on the US side to develop the method used for drilling the rescue shaft.
There was a live audience for this presentation. Students watching on Keystone on Demand were able to ask questions using the “Wire” on Keystone Commons. http://keystonecommons.paiunet.org
NOTE: An excellent related NOVA video is available that you may want to watch. This one-hour film chronicles the fate of the 33 miners trapped in a collapsed Chilean gold and copper mine in August 2010 and investigates the many challenges faced by both the miners and those working around the clock to bring them safely to the surface. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/emergency-mine-rescue.html