Update: The Universe Within Is In Full Swing At Patagonia Public Schools

Update: The Universe Within Is In Full Swing At Patagonia Public Schools

by | Mar 28, 2019 | News

Mat Bevel Company’s The Universe Within world-building course is helping students at Patagonia Elementary School increase their problem-solving abilities. Taught by Science and Math Teacher David Clovesko-Wharton, third and fourth graders at Patagonia Elementary School are the first students to participate in The Universe Within full coursework. 
 
Clovesko-Wharton says, “Without surprise or warning these motivated virtue heroes of The Universe Within make an intelligently creative impression on me every day with their intuitive comments on problem solving in the real world and their artistic innovations expressed in their colorful geometric headdress pieces. The curriculum rocks and the chemistry is both fun and an entirely alternatively universe.”
 
The Universe Within launched on March 4, with a student field trip to Mat Bevel Company President Ned Schaper’s Museum Of Kinetic Art in Tucson. Students enjoyed a “Welcome to Beveldom” program, then a personal tour of the museum.
 
The course was developed to address a national creative intelligence deficit through a local grassroots effort in Southern Arizona. The basic premise of the course is that genius and creativity are not so much about IQ as employing daily practices to solve problems. It also fits into STEAM, an educational approach that uses science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics to help meet the needs of a 21st century economy. 
 
Patagonia Public Schools Superintendent Rachell Hochheim thinks the course is valuable because, “The approach used to engage students targets their natural curiosity and imagination. This allows for students to make judgment-free inquiries that lead to higher levels of thinking and ultimately increases students’ confidence in thinking critically about their environment. Many students couldn’t stop sharing their enthusiasm after they returned from their field trip to the Museum Of Kinetic Art.”

Five course modules are integrated into 16 two-hour classes that align with Arizona state standards.

The Daily Doodle

Students identify a creative solution for overcoming major social issues in their worlds, and identify the character they will play and that character’s virtues, powers and morals.

Corrugated Headgear

Students learn about design, technology and spatial relationships as they construct three-dimensional replicas of their characters’ headdresses from recycled materials.

The Art of Kinetics

Students learn about technology, motion, forces, gravity and balance as they complete four-dimensional kinetic structures from their characters’ worlds from recycled materials.

Digital Story Book

Students reflect on their group identity as world-builders, explain choices they made while creating their characters’ worlds and examine the evolution of their ideas through digital stories.

Exhibition & Pedestrian Carnival
Students curate and install their doodles, headgear, kinetic art, photos and video stories for The Universe Within group exhibition and, during the exhibition, they share their characters in a group parade. Peers, family and community get to see the students’ entire process of creating their work.

Dr. Bruce Bayly, Professor of Math at University of Arizona, works with MBC to translate the world of Beveldom into science and math lessons through video introductions, classroom instructions and hands-on activities.

Dr. Mark Runco, Faculty at Southern Oregon University, is using creativity tests to assess students’ creative potential and performance before and after coursework. A new interactive 3D creativity assessment was developed on the iPad, with support from Patagonia Regional Community Fund (PRCF). Other major sponsors for development of the curriculum include South32, Arizona Commission on the Arts and Doug & Mary Rogers.

Paula Schaper, Vice President and Executive Director, who works from MBC’s Patagonia location, says she is already receiving requests for the curriculum from others in Southern Arizona and “going forward, we hope individuals, corporations and foundations will continue to support new dimensions of The Universe Within. In school year 2019-2020, the curriculum will extend to more ages, subjects and schools.” 

To get involved and for more information, contact Paula Schaper at 520-604-6273 or pschaper@matbevelcompany.org.

Meet Amy Dunn, Graphic Designer & Screen Printer at Launchpad Artspace

Meet Amy Dunn, Graphic Designer & Screen Printer at Launchpad Artspace

by | Feb 27, 2019 | Artist Feature

Tucson native Amy Dunn has been an artist since she was very young. Her mom, a visual artist and teacher, always nurtured Amy’s artistic side. 

After graduating from high school, Amy studied at Pima Community College where she earned an Associate’s degree in Graphic Design. She continued to study Graphic Design at University of Arizona, but after taking an elective Relief woodcut class, she switched to printmaking. Amy loved the print making process and earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts with an emphasis in 2D printmaking in 2014.

After graduating, Amy founded Red Collar Press, a printmaking company that keeps traditional techniques alive…and creates radical artwork using her graphic design skills. 

Red Collar Press embraces the history of printmaking, what Amy calls, “processes for the people.” She loves the smell of ink, the feel of quality paper, the vibrant ink colors, and the impressions left from a carving are only a few perks of printing through laborious means.

Amy located her business to Launchpad Artspace in October, 2018. She was looking for a location for her business among other artists. When she checked the Launchpad, she felt very comfortable and at home with the other artists.

As far as her goals for Red Collar Press, Amy says, “I’ve only just begun. I feel as though I’m starting to find my stride, balancing working as a bartender with my art business.” Her goal is to be fully supported by her art business. 

Amy’s learning the ins and outs of how to manage and market her business. She is working on building her portfolio through social media to increasing her business’ online presence to reach a wider audience. She also finds support by connecting with other local artists in Tucson through markets and social media. She says, “The Tucson art community is very friendly. Artists are helping other artists, with art and technology.” 

Check out the Red Collar Press Facebook.

You can also see some of Amy’s designs at Tucson Pop Cycle, a gift shop that promotes local art made from recycled materials, re-used products and refurbished goods. On December, Tucson Pop Cycles featured Amy’s “Love Tucson” t-shirt in a Facebook post saying, “We have been in love with Amy Dunn’s sweet LOVE TUCSON T for a long while. She has graciously agreed to share it with us at Pop Cycle. There are so many reasons to love Tucson, and Amy has highlighted a multitude of them here.”

Amy is excited about the synergy at Launchpad Artspace. She looks forward to group art shows and open studio tours in the future, maybe even a small market. 

You can learn more about Amy’s business and her artwork at the Red Collar Press website.

 

SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT: South32 and The Hermosa Project

SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT: South32 and The Hermosa Project

by | Feb 26, 2019 | Sponsor Highlight

The Hermosa Mine outside of Patagonia, Arizona is expected to contribute $676 million annually into Arizona’s economy as one of the world’s biggest producers of zinc. 

South32 is a globally diversified mining and metals company with operations in Australia, Southern Africa, South America and now North America, with the addition of Hermosa Mine near Patagonia, Arizona. Hermosa, one of the most exciting base metals project in the industry, is expected to become one of the world’s biggest producers of zinc. The mine also is expected to produce significant amounts of lead and silver, along with manganese, and a concentration of copper also has been found in some areas.

According to an economic-impact report released by Arizona State University, the Hermosa Project is expected to have an average of 451 employees over a project lifespan now expected to last until 2049, with a peak of 525 workers, and those jobs will support an average of 3,225 other private, nonfarm jobs. Over its projected 32-year life, the mine is expected to add more than $21 billion to the state gross domestic product, adding $676 million annually into Arizona’s economy.

Hermosa provides the opportunity to leverage the underground mining and processing methods South32 uses at its Cannington operation in Queensland, Australia. South32 works in collaboration with its host communities to deliver long-term environmental, social and economic benefit. The company’s sustainability approach and actions aim to create positive change by supporting local health and well-being, quality education, economic growth, industry innovation, climate action, responsible consumption and production and life on the land.

From left: Denise Bowden and Diana Marquez at South32’s Patagonia Office and Visitor Center.

South32 is a major sponsor of Mat Bevel Company’s educational world-building course called The Universe Within. Their support has been a critical component in helping a small team to develop 32 hours of curriculum that will benefit 26 third and fourth graders at Patagonia Public Schools. Lessons have been designed to increase student’s creative intelligence using the educational industry’s best practices as well as creative play from Mat Bevel Company President Ned Schaper magical world of Beveldom and his lifelong Available Resource Technology (A.R.T.) creative training practices. The course will be taught beginning in early March by science and math teacher David Clovesko-Wharton.

According to Greg Lucero, vice president of community and government affairs for South32, “We support Mat Bevel Company because we believe that this innovative curriculum will cultivate creativity and innovation in students who participate in the program. Our goal is to employ local talent and thereby offer the community economic opportunities. Having a workforce that can innovate and solve problems is critical to our success.” 

You can visit the South32 Visitor’s Center at 303 McKweon Avenue in Patagonia or their main office in Tucson located at 2210 E. Fort Lowell Road.  Learn more about South32 at their website: https://www.south32.net.

Meet Spencer Edgerton, Sculptor at Launchpad Artspace

Meet Spencer Edgerton, Sculptor at Launchpad Artspace

by | Jan 30, 2019 | Artist Feature

One of our collaborators at Launchpad Arts Collective is Spencer Edgerton. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from University of Arizona in Sculpture. Spencer has been at Launchpad Artspace since its inception one year ago.

Spencer started his art career making jewelry. He was taught by his mom a jeweler. By the time he was in 7th grade he was making and selling his own cast silver jewelry. He now teaches benchtop casting at Desert Metal Craft. www.desertmetalcraft.org

Today he works at Metalphysic Sculpture Studio, a contemporary fine art bronze foundry that reproduces sculptures in bronze for artists across the country. The company utilizes state of the art technologies in combination with old world craftsmanship to create three-dimensional fine art. A typical sculpture might begin with the artist’s hand in clay, be scanned with lasers, be enlarged by CNC robots, molded, and hand cast in bronze by craftsmen using lost wax techniques as old as civilization itself. www.metalphysic.com

Spencer and his Deep Orbit team invented the Ei-Robot, a piece of art that makes art. Sponsored by the Burning Man Festival, it is a tool, a sculpture, and an interactive performance. It can cut steel spheres into sculptures that can be illuminated or filled with fire. Find out more about this project created at the Launchpad Artspace by visiting www.ei-robot.com

Spencer plans to build a workshop studio at Launchpad Artspace optimised for building public art and sharing his knowledge of sculpture and technology with others. He’s inspired by physical science and the natural world. At Launchpad Arts Collective, Spencer will be an integral part of establishing a Maker’s Space for 3D printing and digital arts, electronic music and robotics. This shared space will be an incubator for technologists and entrepreneurs.

To learn more about Spencer’s work, visit him online. 

 

SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT: NP Photonics, Manufacturer of Innovative Fiber Laser Technology

SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT: NP Photonics, Manufacturer of Innovative Fiber Laser Technology

by | Jan 30, 2019 | Sponsor Highlight

NP Photonics proprietary fiber technology is used in various applications, including acoustic sensing, LIDAR, injection seeding and environmental sensing, coherent communication, optical trapping, and short pulse and SBS-free amplification applications.

Founded in 1998, NP Photonics is a leading manufacturer of specialty fiber lasers, fiber amplifiers and transport fibers for the near- and mid-infrared (IR) wavelength bands. The company makes 1-micron, 1.5-micron and 2-micron fiber lasers, multi-channel fiber laser systems, fiber amplifiers, and mid-infrared transport fibers. The company’s core strengths are technology innovation, product development, quality engineering and manufacturing world-class products for applications in Oil and Gas sensing, defense, metrology and research markets through distributors or sales representatives worldwide.

NP Photonics sponsored Mat Bevel Company’s coursework The Universe Within to help STEM education, outreach to minority populations and enhance diversity.

From left: Joshua Olson, a graduate student studying ultrafast fiber lasers; Nasser Peyghambarian; Veyesi Demir, a postdoctoral researcher working on optical computing. (Photo: Paul Tumarkin/Tech Launch Arizona)

Dr. Nasser Peyghambarian is the Founder and General Manager of NP Photonics. He joined the University of Arizona in 1982 where he is currently a Professor at both the College of Optical Sciences and the Department of Materials Science & Engineering. Dr. Peyghambarian is also Chair of Photonics and Lasers at the University of Arizona. He is the Director of the National Scienmce Foundation Center for Integrated Access Networks, 2008-present.

Dr. Peyghambarian’s research has been, and continues to be, widely published. His research interests include optical networks and optical communication, fiber optics, fiber lasers and amplifiers, quantum science and engineering, organic photonics, 3D holographic display and 3D telepresence, nonlinear photonics, optical modulators and switches, laser spectroscopy, nanostructures, and quantum dots. He has been an author on more than 600 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, and his research has been reported in over 700 invited talks, published conference proceedings, and contributed presentations.  Additionally, he has authored or co-authored 28 books and book chapters and is the inventor on 36 patents.

He is the recipient of the University of Arizona 2007 Technology Innovation Award, International Francqui Chair, Belgium 1998-1999, TRW Young Faculty Award, and 3M Company’s Young Faculty Award. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Optical Society of America (OSA), the Society for optical engineers (SPIE), and the American Physical Society (APS). 

In 2016, Dr. Peyghambarian was elected as a 2016 Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, a high professional distinction accorded to academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and the welfare of society. The technology that the UA licensed to NP Photonics represents one of the largest licensing agreements in UA history. 

As a teacher, Dr. Peyghambarian has advised over 80 graduate students who can be found in leading positions around the world in industry, academia and government labs.

Both undergraduate and graduate students have benefited greatly from the research opportunities provided through Dr. Peyghambarian’s research group, and his combination of teaching, advising and research has prepared many students for successful careers in optics.

NP Photonics currently has over 1,400 lasers installed worldwide, and continues to grow through technology development, strategic partnerships and engagement with markets in which the company has a clear sustainable advantage. Since its inception, NP Photonics has successfully engaged in government-sponsored and customer-funded development programs to leverage core competencies and develop new technologies.

For more information visit NP Phontonics online.