Jason Roy Maki
Marysville, WA
When I see or even think about a national park, it is like no other feeling I've ever had. A national park is like a special cabinet that contains memories that are filled with truly special natural treasures. When you see a picture of a national park on post card, on TV or in a movie, you will probably say, "Wow! That is beautiful!" But actually being at a national park and seeing it in person is even more wonderful and breathtaking. When you go to the zoo and see an animal up close it is very interesting. But imagine that same thrill in the wild – in an animal's habitat. Habitat is the natural place where an animal lives — like the forest, the meadows, the lakes and ponds, the rivers, mountains, valleys and the prairie.
I love Grand Teton National Park the best. When I visit, I always see elk, deer, black bear, grizzlies, moose, bison, wolves, bald eagles, and more. I've seen an eagle and an osprey fighting over a fish. I've seen a little baby moose with its mother at the edge of the Snake River. I've seen a pair of grizzly cubs wandering out in the middle of a green meadow with their mother close by. And I've even seen a rare black wolf running across a snow field. But not all things are exactly what I'd call peaceful. I've watched a huge bison lit up against the night sky when lightning struck the mountains. I went swimming with my cousins and came out of a beautiful lake covered in leeches! Ahhhhh! I was even surprised by a black bear ten feet away when I walked around a pickup truck! Even though I've had a few scary experiences, it should never stop you from visiting a national park.
National parks are fun places to learn about things that you could never experience anywhere else. That's why we have to take care of them. We have to follow all national park rules. They are more than just rules. They are choices we make to help our parks survive forever. Don't litter a park. Don't feed the animals because they forget how to feed naturally. Make sure campfires are dead out with water. Forest fires are caused every year by careless campers who do not put their fires out. I would like to propose a contest where school kids everywhere come up with a few things to protect and preserve our national parks. We could have a reading program where school kids read about a neat national park. Then they could maybe visit one for themselves some day. I know they will enjoy every moment. That I can promise.
We the people own the national parks. They are ours. That is why we need to protect our parks and preserve them forever.
20100403
20100402
The Difference Engine
Mark Andy Ewing, Duke University
Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A91wnIQL5Ts
This idea matured over the last 6 months of observing the political and economic changes in the United States. It finally gelled when a colleague of mine who had been very critical of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the past told me that she had changed her opinion of them. When I asked what it was that influenced this change of mind, she told me that she had seen the DHS reality television show, and it humanized the employees of the DHS to such a degree that she couldn't think of them as "stupid" or "evil" anymore.
I realized that part of the power to do good in the world is simply the power to build consensus, and it is not enough to have consensus on just what SHOULD be done, but the consensus must include the HOW as well. I believe that this nonprofit, the Difference Engine, could be the most important solution to the "Engineer the Tools of Scientific Discovery" Challenge, because discovery needs funding, and success often begets success. I also believe that it is a viable organization in a budgetary and operational sense.
Bill Gates, Bono, and others have shown that those with money and influence have a great desire to do good in the world, but not only to do good, but to make sure their donations have the biggest impact possible. By focusing our organization on a few technologies that have already passed the bar of proof-of-concept, prototype and commercial/political viability, we are ensuring that our efforts to "get the word out" will be fruitful.
In terms of actually getting the word out, more and more media, such as the television shows "House" and "CSI" and the websites Slashdot and Lifehacker derive their value from being at the forefront of technology, and by picking the next "big" thing before everyone else does. In that sense, we won't be so much soliciting their charity in showcasing these technologies, we'll be providing them with a service that goes directly to their value as products.
Measuring "success" is a matter of tracking product sales and/or political polls, and since the marketing team will be targeting specific demographics, perhaps in specific areas, there's room to measure an increase in awareness or interest in reference to "control" groups.
There are two other teams in the engine not mentioned in the video. First, a small but strong administrative team is necessary to actually track success and chart our course. Second, a fundraising team will be generating financial support at all levels of private donation. It is important that the nonprofit not be a publicly funded entity, in order to maintain its credibility. In the same vein, after, the initial start-up period, funding should come from a variety of private sources, with no one source contributing more than, say, half of the total.
So many challenges that we face, from clean water to global warming to improved health care are immediate in their nature. Every day that a new solution is delayed in reaching those who need it is a day we cannot afford. I believe this organization, the Difference Engine, is a necessary part of our work in improving the human condition around the world.
About Mark: Mark is a 2nd year doctoral student at Duke University in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Originally from Atlanta, GA, Mark prompted to enter the video/essay contest in part by conversations over the past year with his wife about making our respective fields "relevant". "In my case, it seems easy, that Electrical Engineering is driving most of the technology that we use, but even technology can take a while to reach daily use, and it's a shame that we lose so much time when good solutions are available," Mark writes. Long term, Mark hopes to be be self-employed, either with the Difference Engine or another project. In the short-term, he is looking for an industry position in the area.
Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A91wnIQL5Ts
This idea matured over the last 6 months of observing the political and economic changes in the United States. It finally gelled when a colleague of mine who had been very critical of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the past told me that she had changed her opinion of them. When I asked what it was that influenced this change of mind, she told me that she had seen the DHS reality television show, and it humanized the employees of the DHS to such a degree that she couldn't think of them as "stupid" or "evil" anymore.
I realized that part of the power to do good in the world is simply the power to build consensus, and it is not enough to have consensus on just what SHOULD be done, but the consensus must include the HOW as well. I believe that this nonprofit, the Difference Engine, could be the most important solution to the "Engineer the Tools of Scientific Discovery" Challenge, because discovery needs funding, and success often begets success. I also believe that it is a viable organization in a budgetary and operational sense.
Bill Gates, Bono, and others have shown that those with money and influence have a great desire to do good in the world, but not only to do good, but to make sure their donations have the biggest impact possible. By focusing our organization on a few technologies that have already passed the bar of proof-of-concept, prototype and commercial/political viability, we are ensuring that our efforts to "get the word out" will be fruitful.
In terms of actually getting the word out, more and more media, such as the television shows "House" and "CSI" and the websites Slashdot and Lifehacker derive their value from being at the forefront of technology, and by picking the next "big" thing before everyone else does. In that sense, we won't be so much soliciting their charity in showcasing these technologies, we'll be providing them with a service that goes directly to their value as products.
Measuring "success" is a matter of tracking product sales and/or political polls, and since the marketing team will be targeting specific demographics, perhaps in specific areas, there's room to measure an increase in awareness or interest in reference to "control" groups.
There are two other teams in the engine not mentioned in the video. First, a small but strong administrative team is necessary to actually track success and chart our course. Second, a fundraising team will be generating financial support at all levels of private donation. It is important that the nonprofit not be a publicly funded entity, in order to maintain its credibility. In the same vein, after, the initial start-up period, funding should come from a variety of private sources, with no one source contributing more than, say, half of the total.
So many challenges that we face, from clean water to global warming to improved health care are immediate in their nature. Every day that a new solution is delayed in reaching those who need it is a day we cannot afford. I believe this organization, the Difference Engine, is a necessary part of our work in improving the human condition around the world.
About Mark: Mark is a 2nd year doctoral student at Duke University in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Originally from Atlanta, GA, Mark prompted to enter the video/essay contest in part by conversations over the past year with his wife about making our respective fields "relevant". "In my case, it seems easy, that Electrical Engineering is driving most of the technology that we use, but even technology can take a while to reach daily use, and it's a shame that we lose so much time when good solutions are available," Mark writes. Long term, Mark hopes to be be self-employed, either with the Difference Engine or another project. In the short-term, he is looking for an industry position in the area.
20100331
Protect National Parks
Kelsey Fosstveit
Mountainville, NY
Twas the day to protect national parks, when all through the USA
Wildlife and natural wonders were stirring, inspiring places must stay
Teddy Roosevelt said the wilderness must be preserved with care
In hopes that treasures of landscapes would always be there
The rare beautiful animals were nestled in lakes, seashores, and caves
While wide open spaces certainly must be saved
And for millions of Americans it is the scene of a family vacation
Vital green space is worth preservation
When out in remote regions arose unspoiled land,
People sprang to natural amusement parks first hand
Away from intrusions of everyday life
Sunrises, whispering breezes and glorious mountains take away strife
The leisure activities improve moods and calm stress
Guided tours and walks in mid-day are best
When, wildlife codes should be obeyed
Flowers, bird's eggs, logs and bush rocks must stay where they stay
Leave your pets at home, so lively and quick
Following National Park's fire regulations aren't a trick
More rapid than ever rubbish must be put in a bin
National Parks are owned by all to win
Now Yellowstone! Now Yosemite! Now Bryce and Grand Canyon!
On Arches! On Acadia! On Everglades and Zion
To the top of the earth, the top of the sky
Preservation! Preservation! Preservation we cry!
National Parks Recreational Programs keep us physically fit
Biking, hiking, and swimming, don't let us sit
So plant native plants local to the land
Grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees reinvest with a hand
And then use public transportation while going to the park
The air pollution from cars and trucks will be put in the dark
As we reduce, reuse, recycle we turn the parks around
Critical wildlife habitat will abound
National parks and symbols don't belong to one
Protecting habitats permanently in national parks provides fun!
Mountainville, NY
Twas the day to protect national parks, when all through the USA
Wildlife and natural wonders were stirring, inspiring places must stay
Teddy Roosevelt said the wilderness must be preserved with care
In hopes that treasures of landscapes would always be there
The rare beautiful animals were nestled in lakes, seashores, and caves
While wide open spaces certainly must be saved
And for millions of Americans it is the scene of a family vacation
Vital green space is worth preservation
When out in remote regions arose unspoiled land,
People sprang to natural amusement parks first hand
Away from intrusions of everyday life
Sunrises, whispering breezes and glorious mountains take away strife
The leisure activities improve moods and calm stress
Guided tours and walks in mid-day are best
When, wildlife codes should be obeyed
Flowers, bird's eggs, logs and bush rocks must stay where they stay
Leave your pets at home, so lively and quick
Following National Park's fire regulations aren't a trick
More rapid than ever rubbish must be put in a bin
National Parks are owned by all to win
Now Yellowstone! Now Yosemite! Now Bryce and Grand Canyon!
On Arches! On Acadia! On Everglades and Zion
To the top of the earth, the top of the sky
Preservation! Preservation! Preservation we cry!
National Parks Recreational Programs keep us physically fit
Biking, hiking, and swimming, don't let us sit
So plant native plants local to the land
Grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees reinvest with a hand
And then use public transportation while going to the park
The air pollution from cars and trucks will be put in the dark
As we reduce, reuse, recycle we turn the parks around
Critical wildlife habitat will abound
National parks and symbols don't belong to one
Protecting habitats permanently in national parks provides fun!
20100329
National Parks Are for Everyone
Jonathan Petrosino
Albany, NY
National Parks are important to all people because they preserve the land where special things are. Because these special things are protected, people from all over the world can visit them every day. I have visited Estes National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, and Great Sand Dune National Park in Colorado. I have also visited Arches National Park in Utah, and Acadia National Park in Maine. In these parks, I saw elk, big horn sheep, rock formations, ruins from Native American dwellings, and lots of mountains and rocky beaches. If these special places had not been saved for the public to enjoy, I would not have been able to enjoy them and learn from them. There are many things that people can do to help preserve our National Parks. One thing that we can do is volunteer. Volunteers can be useful in many ways and can be any age. Even a young child can help by picking up trash from the ground. Older people can work on trails, take care of plants, help repair buildings, and take visitors on tours. Another thing that people can do is contribute money. Money can be used for all different kinds of projects that one person can’t do alone. National Parks are an important part of our country. I think that the more people know about the cool things in our country, the more interested they will become in preserving them.
Albany, NY
National Parks are important to all people because they preserve the land where special things are. Because these special things are protected, people from all over the world can visit them every day. I have visited Estes National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, and Great Sand Dune National Park in Colorado. I have also visited Arches National Park in Utah, and Acadia National Park in Maine. In these parks, I saw elk, big horn sheep, rock formations, ruins from Native American dwellings, and lots of mountains and rocky beaches. If these special places had not been saved for the public to enjoy, I would not have been able to enjoy them and learn from them. There are many things that people can do to help preserve our National Parks. One thing that we can do is volunteer. Volunteers can be useful in many ways and can be any age. Even a young child can help by picking up trash from the ground. Older people can work on trails, take care of plants, help repair buildings, and take visitors on tours. Another thing that people can do is contribute money. Money can be used for all different kinds of projects that one person can’t do alone. National Parks are an important part of our country. I think that the more people know about the cool things in our country, the more interested they will become in preserving them.
20100328
National Parks
Liz Austin
San Diego, CA
National Parks, I think, are one of the greatest things the world could do. National Parks are so important because some of them are like a key to the past. These parks allow us to see how people before us lived, how and what they ate, and where they lived. Give Fort Raleigh for example, I got to learn all about the Civil War. I got to learn about the people who lived during it and how they suffered. The Civil War was caused because people made mistakes and wrong decisions. Because of that the Civil War was started and many people got shot and killed. I got to learn about not making the same mistakes and now I can make a difference.
Lots of National Parks are also preserved for their natural beauty. Take the Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon was nothing man could have ever made. It was preserved because of its beauty and fabulous views. Or Yellowstone National Park, same thing. All the parks preserved for their beauty may not be historic sites, but people visit them anyway. People a hundred years from now will want to visit all these national parks too. That’s why it’s important to preserve them.
To keep national parks alive and running, many people have to pitch in and help. It takes a lot of money to keep national parks nice enough for people to visit. I, or all of my friends and I could ho some sort of fundraiser to raise money. What if my class was split into groups and each group was given a national park to raise money for. If a goal was set for each group to raise $200 my class could raise a lot of money for the National Park Service. I think everyone would learn something from working together as a team to raise money. I’m sure we would learn about teamwork, and helping out something that could last for hundreds of years.
San Diego, CA
National Parks, I think, are one of the greatest things the world could do. National Parks are so important because some of them are like a key to the past. These parks allow us to see how people before us lived, how and what they ate, and where they lived. Give Fort Raleigh for example, I got to learn all about the Civil War. I got to learn about the people who lived during it and how they suffered. The Civil War was caused because people made mistakes and wrong decisions. Because of that the Civil War was started and many people got shot and killed. I got to learn about not making the same mistakes and now I can make a difference.
Lots of National Parks are also preserved for their natural beauty. Take the Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon was nothing man could have ever made. It was preserved because of its beauty and fabulous views. Or Yellowstone National Park, same thing. All the parks preserved for their beauty may not be historic sites, but people visit them anyway. People a hundred years from now will want to visit all these national parks too. That’s why it’s important to preserve them.
To keep national parks alive and running, many people have to pitch in and help. It takes a lot of money to keep national parks nice enough for people to visit. I, or all of my friends and I could ho some sort of fundraiser to raise money. What if my class was split into groups and each group was given a national park to raise money for. If a goal was set for each group to raise $200 my class could raise a lot of money for the National Park Service. I think everyone would learn something from working together as a team to raise money. I’m sure we would learn about teamwork, and helping out something that could last for hundreds of years.
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