In this course we will explore a range of topics including climate change, artificial intelligience, quantum computing, alternative energies, the future of agriculture, 3D printing and the future of manufacturing, we may hit airport security and block chain and bitcoin technologies.  The goal of this course is to create and spark interest to keep you reading and engaged with the wonderful world of science and technology and how it is rapidly changing the world around us (for both good and ill). 

This course is focused on helping you to get familiar with how to 3D print.  It will walk you through the basics of 3D printing from getting a model off the web to print and how to design, model, and troubleshoot a 3D printer.

Developing effective grant writing skills are essential to acquire competitive funding from government agencies and private foundations. Writing a successful grant proposal is a blend of art and science. It requires basic know how, content knowledge, writing proficiency, strong research skills, creativity, organizational ability, patience, and a great deal of luck. This course will provide students with the background necessary to develop a competitive funding proposal. Lectures will focus on the background necessary to develop a competitive funding proposal. Students will learn:

·        Components of an application

·        Helpful tools and resources

·        Strategies for developing a proposal

·        How to identify potential funding sources

·        How to read and understand proposal guidelines and requests for proposals (RFP)

·        Writing objectives

·        Preparation and justification of budgets

·        Protocols for use of animal and human subjects in research (if needed)

·        Cost-sharing and sub-contracts

·        Procedures for grants submission and grants start-up

·        The grant review process

·        Writing Press releases and presenting to the press your work

·        How to communicate work to the press