04 Jun 2014

Williamsburg, Iowa, Team takes Runner-up at national LEGO contest

By Michelle Heard

The Robotic Raiders, a FIRST® LEGO® League team from Williamsburg, Iowa, earned runner-up prize for their invention, Cyclone Survivor Board Game, last night at the 2014 FIRST® LEGO® League Global Innovation Award ceremony, at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Va. They received $5,000 from XPRIZE and support from Edison Nation to help them take their invention to store shelves.

RUNNER-UP - Cyclone Survivor Board Game by the Robotic Raiders of Williamsburg, Iowa

Cyclone Survivor is an educational board game that uses federal and local information to educate players on how to prepare for, survive and recover from a tornado. The object of the game is to collect miniature Emergency Gear to place in the player's Emergency Kit. The interactive tool can be customized to help educate students learn about other natural disasters such as ice storms, earthquakes or hurricanes.

As part of the 2013-2014 NATURE'S FURYSM Challenge, FIRST LEGO League teams (youths ages 9-16) in nearly 80 countries were asked to explore natural disasters and develop innovative ways to mitigate the effects of these often devastating events. Teams were then encouraged to submit their ideas for a chance to win the fourth annual FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award.

"These students continue to amaze me with their ideas and passion for helping others. When young people are given a platform and support for exploring answers to today's pressing social problems, they are able to create innovative solutions that will ultimately improve lives," said Kamen, who is also president of DEKA Research & Development. "Today, they have shown that solving problems together is a fun, rewarding adventure."

FIRST LEGO League partners with Award Sponsors to advance a common goal: fostering innovative problem-solvers. XPRIZE was Presenting Sponsor of the FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award for the fourth consecutive year. XPRIZE attracts the world's top innovators and supports them in tackling the grand challenges faced by society.

"XPRIZE is honored to be the Presenting Sponsor of the FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award," said Alan Zack, senior director, Marketing & Communications, XPRIZE. "All of the finalist teams here today have proven that through competition you can create great results. Each of you came together as a team to produce something, and this teamwork was vital to your success. You may go on to solve the grand challenges, whatever they may be - and when you do, you will be doing it as part of a team."

The FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award Partners in Innovation Sponsors include : Booz Allen Hamilton, John Deere, Rockwell Collins, International Association of Emergency Managers, and Qualcomm. Edison Nation is the Go-To Market Sponsor to help winning teams take their product from idea to store shelves. The FLL Global Innovation Award is presented in cooperation with the National Building Museum and the USPTO.

For more information about FIRST LEGO League and the Global Innovation Award, please visit http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/fllglobalinnovationaward.
04 Jun 2014

Dean Kamen Recognizes Students for Innovative Solutions to Manage Effects of Natural Disasters in Fourth Annual FIRST® LEGO® League Global Innovation Award Contest

By Michelle Heard

Team from Massachusetts Takes Top Prize for Balloon-Based Notification Sign

MANCHESTER, N.H., June 3, 2014 - Students' creative ideas for how to prepare, stay safe, and rebuild following natural disasters became award-winning inventions at the fourth annual FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®) Global Innovation Award ceremony, held at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Alexandria, Va. Dean Kamen, inventor and founder of FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a not-for-profit organization that inspires young people's participation and interest in science and technology, honored three FIRST® LEGO® League teams for their contemporary solutions during the ceremony which included parents, kids, Coaches, patent experts, Sponsors, and natural disaster experts.

 

More than 500 FIRST LEGO League teams across the globe submitted their inventions for the FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award, presented by XPRIZE.  A panel of expert judges reviewed the submissions, narrowed the list to three finalists, and then selected a winning team and two runner-up teams. The winning team received a cash award of $20,000 and the two runner-up teams each received $5,000.

 

WINNER - Balloon-Based Notification Sign by The Brain Busters of Sherborn, Massachusetts

The Balloon-Based Notification Sign indicates where to find aid after a natural disaster, when traditional infrastructure is not available. The large sign is suspended from a helium balloon that can be seen from very long distances and deployed in high winds, snow storms, and extreme cold.    

 

RUNNER-UP - Cyclone Survivor Board Game by the Robotic Raiders of Williamsburg, Iowa

Cyclone Survivor is an educational board game that uses federal and local information to educate players on how to prepare for, survive and recover from a tornado. The object of the game is to collect miniature Emergency Gear to place in the player's Emergency Kit. The interactive tool can be customized to help educate students learn about other natural disasters such as ice storms, earthquakes or hurricanes.

 

RUNNER-UP - Tsunami Evacuation System by RobotTec of Santiago, Chile

The Tsunami Evacuation System appraises disorientation and not knowing where to go in a tsunami, and changes the current signage by replacing it with retro-reflectors on roads and adding LED lights that will flash in sequence. Retro-reflectors would be placed on major streets in order to be seen by many people and emit three-color LED lights: red for high risk area, yellow for relatively rough area, green for out of risk. Lights would be powered by small photovoltaic panels on each site and connected to national systems to activate automatically to events that could cause a tsunami.

 

As part of the 2013-2014 NATURE'S FURYSM Challenge, FIRST LEGO League teams (youths ages 9-16) in nearly 80 countries were asked to explore natural disasters and develop innovative ways to mitigate the effects of these often devastating events. Teams were then encouraged to submit their ideas for a chance to win the fourth annual FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award.

 

"These students continue to amaze me with their ideas and passion for helping others. When young people are given a platform and support for exploring answers to today's pressing social problems, they are able to create innovative solutions that will ultimately improve lives," said Kamen, who is also president of DEKA Research & Development. "Today, they have shown that solving problems together is a fun, rewarding adventure."

 

FIRST LEGO League partners with Award Sponsors to advance a common goal: fostering innovative problem-solvers. XPRIZE was Presenting Sponsor of the FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award for the fourth consecutive year. XPRIZE attracts the world's top innovators and supports them in tackling the grand challenges faced by society.

 

"XPRIZE is honored to be the Presenting Sponsor of the FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award," said Alan Zack, senior director, Marketing & Communications, XPRIZE. "All of the finalist teams here today have proven that through competition you can create great results. Each of you came together as a team to produce something, and this teamwork was vital to your success. You may go on to solve the grand challenges, whatever they may be - and when you do, you will be doing it as part of a team."

 

The FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award Partners in Innovation Sponsors include : Booz Allen Hamilton, John Deere, Rockwell Collins, International Association of Emergency Managers, and Qualcomm. Edison Nation is the Go-To Market Sponsor to help winning teams take their product from idea to store shelves. The FLL Global Innovation Award is presented in cooperation with the National Building Museum and the USPTO.

 

For more information about FIRST LEGO League and the Global Innovation Award, please visit http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/fllglobalinnovationaward.

About FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®)

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is an international program for 9 to 16-year-old children (9 to 14 in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico) created in a partnership between FIRST and The LEGO Group in 1998 to get children excited about science and technology and teach them valuable employment and life skills. Using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® technologies and LEGO Education materials, children work alongside adult Coaches to design, build, and program autonomous robots and create an innovative solution to a problem as part of their research project. After eight intense weeks, the competition season culminates at high-energy, sports-like tournaments. Like any other organized "sport," teams also fundraise, create a team identity, and go on field trips.

The LEGO Group, Founding Partner of FIRST LEGO League, has supported the growth and success of FIRST LEGO League through ongoing funding and donations for more than a dozen years as the program has grown into a global competition. In the 2013-2014 FLL season, the program reached nearly 300,000 youth worldwide.

About FIRST®
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $20 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC® ) for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC® ) for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL® ) for Grades 4-8; and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) for Grades K-3. Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.
04 Jun 2014

Iowa Museum Week Encourages Iowa Citizens to Celebrate Area Museums

By Elly Gerdts

Bettendorf - In partnership with the Iowa Museum Association, Governor Terry Branstad has declared June 9-15, 2014 Iowa Museum Week. The Family Museum staff would like to encourage the citizens of the Quad Cities to explore area museums. "Iowa Museum Week happens during a great time of year for families to get out of the house and into any one of the fantastic museums in the area - on both the Iowa and the Illinois sides of the river. The Quad Cities is rich with culture from our art museums to our botanical center to our history museums, and the Family Museum is honored to be included as one of the many educational assets of the community," said Family Museum Assistant Director Kim Kidwell.

Family Museum Director Jeff Reiter said, "Not only is Iowa Museum Week a time to celebrate Iowa museums, it's a time for us at the Family Museum to thank our community for its continuing support. It is because of the people of the City of Bettendorf and the Quad Cities that we are able to offer such exciting exhibits and dynamic programing. It's a time to thank our guests, our city leaders, our volunteers, our donors, and our sponsors. It's very humbling to work in such a supportive community."

According to the proclamation [view here], "Iowa's museums play a crucial role in preserving the historical fabric and memory of our state through the preservation of artifacts and archives." "Iowa's museums provide educational resources and programs which expand learning opportunities for all ages." "Iowa's museums contribute to a vibrant community and state economy through job creation, the purchase of goods and services, and by attracting tourism revenue to the community and the state." "Iowa's museums play a significant role in enhancing community quality of life." Branstad encourages the citizens of the state Iowa to celebrate by visiting and supporting the Iowa museum of their choice.

If you would like to contact the Iowa Museum Association, please contact Cynthia Sweet, Executive Director at (319) 239-2236 or imasweet@cfu.net.

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04 Jun 2014

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel Statement on IA-01

By Emily Bittner

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel released the following statement regarding Pat Murphy's primary win in Iowa's 1st Congressional District:

 

"I want to congratulate Pat Murphy on running a strong campaign. Pat Murphy has run a campaign dedicated to protecting the middle class, and he will offer a strong contrast with Rod Blum whose push to privatize Social Security and opposition to raising the minimum wage make it clear he is on the side of the ultra-wealthy and special interests. I'm confident that this seat will remain Democratic in November."

Background on IA-01:

Held by Democrats since the 2006 election, Iowa's first Congressional District was also won by President Obama in both 2008 (59.2 percent) and 2012 (56.9 percent).

 

 

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04 Jun 2014

Seng statement on Primary Election

By Ben Foecke
Davenport - State Senator Joe Seng defeated primary challenger Mark Riley by a wide margin on Tuesday, garnering 82% of the vote in the District 45 Democratic Primary for Iowa Senate.
"Thank you to the people of Davenport," Seng said. "It has been a great honor to serve the people of District 45 in the Iowa Senate. This year, as in all my past elections for Iowa Senate, I ran a positive campaign on my record of accomplishment for the people of District 45."
Senator Seng is chair of the Agriculture Committee and vice-chair of the Ways & Means Committee. He also serves on the Commerce, Ethics, Natural Resources, and Labor & Business committees, as well as the Economic Development Budget subcommittee.
Seng added: "I'm running for re-election because we need a level economic playing field for the people of Davenport. I can accomplish that for the Quad Cities with my experience and past record of getting things done in the Iowa Legislature."

Seng is active in the Davenport community as a member of the Knights of Columbus, Midwest National Rail Compact, NAACP, and as former president and CEO at Marquette Academy.

Joe has received national recognition from the American Humane Society for his efforts to prevent animal cruelty. He has also been honored by many Iowa organizations, including the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and was named Legislator of the Year by the Izaak Walton League. Joe has also served as President for the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and the President of the Iowa Health Council.

Joe graduated from Lost Nation Community High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University. He owns and operates St. Francis Veterinarian Hospital, Renwick Mansion Bed and Breakfast, Joe's Club restaurant, and Pernickity Place Senior Housing in Lost Nation, Iowa.

Joe has one daughter, Heidi, and two grandsons, Gavin and Finn.

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04 Jun 2014

Statement from Bruce Braley on Winning Democratic Nomination for US Senate

By Jeff Giertz
DES MOINES, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley issued the following statement after winning the Democratic nomination for US Senate:

"My first thoughts tonight are with Iowans affected by the severe storms making their way across the state. I hope Iowans are staying safe.

"As someone who grew up in a working family in Brooklyn, Iowa, worked my way through college and law school here in Iowa, and spent my life representing people from all across our state, I'm deeply honored to win the Democratic nomination for US Senate tonight. I look forward to bringing my campaign to all corners of Iowa in the next five months to discuss my vision to improve the lives of working families and expand opportunities for all Iowans.

"No matter who my opponent is, I look forward to a rigorous debate about who can rise above the partisanship of Washington politics and fight for Iowa's working families who need a strong voice in Washington."

Bruce Braley grew up in Brooklyn, Iowa, and worked his way through Iowa State and law school at the University of Iowa doing jobs in road construction, at a grain elevator, and waiting tables. For nearly 25 years, Bruce worked as an attorney in Waterloo, where he represented Iowans: farmers struggling through the farm crisis, people who lost their jobs, and families denied insurance benefits they deserved. 

With no prior political experience, Bruce was elected to the US House in 2006, and has been re-elected three times. Among his accomplishments, Bruce has successfully worked to cut taxes for small businesses that hire unemployed workers and veterans; created a job training program for Iowans seeking work in renewable energy; and secured back-pay that was denied to 800 Iowa National Guard members. Bruce is running for the US Senate to fight for the middle class because that's where he comes from.

Bruce lives in Waterloo with his wife, Carolyn. They have three grown children: Lisa, David, and Paul.
# # #
04 Jun 2014

Local student Olivia St Claire has been named to the Graceland University Dean's List

By Brooke Sutherland

LAMONI, IA (06/03/2014)(readMedia)-- The honor roll lists for Graceland University's 2014 Spring Term have been announced and Olivia St Claire of Bettendorf, IA, has been named to the Dean's List. Graceland commends Olivia and all GU students who have devoted their efforts and talents to their academic success.

Graceland University students with a perfect 4.0 grade point average are named to the President's List. Students with a GPA between 3.65 and 3.99 are named to the Honors List. Students with a GPA between 3.25 and 3.64 are named to the Dean's List.

Graceland University is a liberal arts university located in Lamoni, IA, and is sponsored by Community of Christ. It has been recognized by the Princeton Review as a top school in the Midwest and fosters academic excellence in a caring community with over 50 academic programs and a 15:1 student to faculty ratio. The warm community of inspired faculty, caring staff and remarkable people believes in educating the whole student. For more information visit www.graceland.edu and find Graceland University on Facebook and Twitter to follow additional student achievements.

04 Jun 2014

Branstad issues disaster proclamation for Pottawattamie County

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa
(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad this evening issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for one county in response to today's storms.
The Governor's proclamation, for Pottawattamie County, allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of the storms.
As of 8:30 p.m., no other Iowa counties have requested state assistance. The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Governor's Office continue to closely monitor the situation.
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04 Jun 2014

Scott County is amongst best value for property tax dollars in Iowa

By Linden Kohtz

According to a new report from SmartAsset, Scott County, is amongst the top in the Iowa in best value for its property tax dollars. This means Scott County is getting a deal - better public schools and lower crime rates compared to the amount of money they pay each year in property taxes for the state.

SmartAsset today released an interactive infographic that shows the breakdown for each county. Please take a look and let me know if you have any additional questions. I'd also be happy to set you up with a company spokesperson if you have any additional questions.

Methodology

As a bit of background on the methodology, SmartAsset answered 3 questions to determine which counties in the country were getting the best deal. These included: how good are the schools, how safe is the area and how much are the property taxes. This was evaluated by county.

Only counties with populations greater than 50,000 people were counted in the nationwide rankings. Those with one or more of these data factors missing could not be ranked, so out of the 3,144 counties in the US about half of them were included in our list.

For some comparison, the average US county, with a population of 92,840, charges a 1.52 percent property tax rate, has schools ranked at 5.53, and sees 101.3 violent crimes and 826.6 property crimes per 100,000 people yearly.

About SmartAsset

SmartAsset makes life's biggest decisions easier by bringing full transparency to the financial decision making process. It's the Web's first personal finance platform designed to empower people with highly personalized information and recommendations around major financial decisions. SmartAsset's platform currently helps answer 79 questions including those related to life-changing financial decisions like home buying, going back to school, retirement planning and more. Founded in 2011, SmartAsset is based in New York and funded by Y Combinator, Javelin Venture Partners, North Bridge Venture Partners and many others.
04 Jun 2014

Allison Shanks Graduates from and makes Butler University's Spring 2014 Dean's List

By Marc Allan
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (06/03/2014)(readMedia)-- Allison Shanks, a Biology B.S. major and a resident of Bettendorf, IA, was one of 824 Butler University students who completed degree requirements in May 2014. Allison also is on Butler University's Dean's List for the spring semester of the 2013-2014 academic year. Recipients range from freshman to sixth-year pharmacy students. Degree-seeking undergraduate students at Butler who carry at least 12 academic hours in a given semester are eligible for the Dean's List in the college in which they are enrolled. Students on the list are in the top 20 percent of their college, as determined by the semester grade point average of all eligible students in each college.

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