MBC sponsor Bill Taft has dedicated his life to researching and preserving wildlife. He lives near Lansing, Michigan with his wife Barbara (Gussie) Kennedy and their British Lab, Luna.
William (Bill) H. Taft Jr. is a sponsor of the Mat Bevel Company (MBC). He is a retired senior aquatic biologist for the State of Michigan where he worked for 25 years. He still pursues, collects and shares one of his greatest passions, moths of the family Sesiidae (clearwing moths), through his research and published findings.
Bill has supported MBC for many years, because he believes Ned Schaper’s unique body of work has multiple real-world applications. He likes how the nonprofit is infusing Ned’s work into STEM education in a very personal and engaging way. He says, “That’s real hands-on education! And it’s not just rote memorization for students or boring in any way.”
Bill working on a biological stream survey for the State of Michigan near Mount Pleasant, MI in 2012.
A scientist himself, Bill recognizes the tremendous amount of physical science incorporated into Ned’s work. “The framework for Beveldom is perfect for STEM,” he says. “Ned could have taught physics, engineering or been an astronomer, if he had wanted. He’s got that mindset and knows a tremendous amount about mechanics, motion and force, as you can see in his kinetic sculptures. Now, these cool mechanisms are being used to educate and inspire students into making something of their own that’s sculptural and mechanical. That’s a much better way to learn as opposed to watching someone else’s creation.”
Bill admires the nonprofit’s unique ability to extend one person’s intellectual property, in this case Ned’s unique body of work, into an additional tangible benefit for society. “Students can look at the museum, but when they understand ‘the why and the how,’ that’s where the learning starts,” says Bill. “The sculptures open the door to the imagination, and the curriculum makes the science real.”
Bill Taft is an avid fisherman and outdoorsman.
He supports MBC because the nonprofit is utilizing Ned’s unique art to benefit the next generation. He sees it as a perfect arrangement, but he understands that it takes a great deal of commitment. He says, “There’s more to it than just money. MBC is using new creative teaching techniques because they see a need in the world of education. They want to provide programs that are different, yet meet requirements while also making life more interesting.”
And he knows science and education of students doesn’t happen by osmosis or magic! MBC has been working diligently over the last 6 years to convert the live theater and museum tours into 21st century programming using tools and technology that kids grew up with. Before COVID-19, MBC was already on the path to integrating digital media into collaborative and hands-on activities. COVID-19 moved the timeline forward for this type of programming as the demand for remote learning has been accelerated.
Thanks Bill, for your continued support of Mat Bevel Company!