Because we did not get to ask all the questions we had, we're offering the Deeper Dive! Join us March 1st for a "deeper dive" into cryptocurrency and all that comes with that fascinating topic. Dr. Morgan Benton, JMU CISE/ISAT, has agreed to speak again.

To help us narrow the topics to exactly the questions everyone wants addressed most, please contribute:  March 1 Luncheon prep. What's on your mind: Bitcoin mining; public ledger; block chain; difference between bitcoin and etherum? Something else? Let us know.

Get yourself started with the topic:  https://blockgeeks.com/guides/what-is-cryptocurrency.

You can also register for the luncheon on our website. 

JSHS invites high school students to report on the results of their original research investigations in STEM and compete for scholarships and recognition at university-held regional symposia. 

JSHS is designed to challenge, engage, and publicly recognize students (Grades 9-12) conducting research in the sciences, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). Individual students compete for scholarships and recognition by presenting the results of their original research efforts before a panel of judges and an audience of their peers. Opportunities for career exploration, research lab visits, peer discussions, and networking are planned. By participating in regional and national symposia, students may:

• Participate in a forum honoring individual achievement in STEM;
• Network with peers who have similar interests;
• Hear research presentations by other students;
• Develop skills to help prepare for undergraduate and graduate pursuits in STEM fields;
• Hear nationally renowned scientists speak on their work;
• Qualify for significant scholarships and other recognition; and
• Advance to the national symposium.

All students must be nominated by a teacher or administrator from his/her school except home/online students who may be nominated by the parent responsible for his/her educational plan. Private schools may nominate 2 students, public high schools up to 4 students and Governors/ Magnet schools may nominate up to 12 students each.

More information, eligibility requirements, and registration for symposium

More information about Kid*Vention

Come join us for Bits & Grits at Mrs. Rowe's in Staunton! This is a casual event. Just show up to drink coffee, have breakfast, or just talk with fellow techies in the Shenandoah Valley. Attendees should look for Kurt Plowman when entering Mrs. Rowe's.

At its core, User Experience (UX) is defined as how someone feels about using a product, system, or service. Regardless of what we're designing - a website, an Android app, or a toaster - we all strive to make our designs useful, easy to use, and enjoyable to use. But how exactly do we make something useful, easy to use, and enjoyable? How do we know if the target audience is having a good or bad experience? This class will arm you with the essential tips to find those answers.

This class is for anyone who makes (or wants to learn how to make) websites, mobile apps, or other software. If you're a developer, a designer, a project manager, a content creator, or something else, you can integrate UX research and design into your practice.

This is a hands on course which will give you actionable tools to get started with user experience in your work day!

Tech Requirements
Your laptop. Note: A netbook or tablet is NOT a substitute.

Ready to become a dynamic online and offline business destination? Nationally renowned marketing expert and small business strategist, Jon Schallert of The Schallert Group will lead this dynamic workshop that will give business owners the tools to strengthen their web presence and transition to an experience-based business. 

Business owners will learn how to become a destination business - both online and in-store. In addition, attendees will:

• Get the strategies to make sure customers can find you.
• Discover ways to create an engaging and sales-driving website.
• Hear what creative businesses around the nation have done to defy impossible customer markets and attract people from miles away by creating an experience-based destination.
• Find out how to offer more than a transaction in order to become a destination - whether meal delivery subscriptions are eating into your dining room sales or Amazon is clicking away at your bottom line. 

Register for Feb. 27, 2018 workshop  

Virginia Space Grant Consortium is partnering with NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton and NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia's Eastern Shore to provide hands-on research experience opportunities for at least 23 Virginia Community College students during summer 2018. These paid opportunities will be identified by both NASA Centers with current Center missions and projects that are at a point which would maximize hands-on engagement of the students at project critical stages, while inspiring students, teaching them the nature of project work, communications and teamwork, and providing strong exposure to a wide range of technical and scientific career paths. Student researchers will work with NASA research advisors on the designated research project over the course of a 10 week, 40-hour- per-week, summer research experience. Students will receive a $5,000 stipend. Application packages are due February 26, 2018.

Deadlines

• Summer 2018 Application Due: FEBRUARY 26, 2018
• Electronic Recommendations Due: MARCH 2, 2018
• Selection Notification Deadline: On or about APRIL 16, 2018

Contact 

Debbie Murray, Program Manager, Virginia Space Grant Consortium, dbmurray@odu.edu; 757-766-5210 or Nicole Shaw, Program Assistant,  lnshaw@odu.edu

More information, eligibility requirements, and registration for summer research program

The upcoming Networking at Noon is presented by  Tech Team Solutions. The e ducation moment will be presented by Toastmasters. Toastmasters will be focusing on, "Communicating with Confidence".

Networking at Noon will be held the 4th Tuesday of the month from 12-1:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Historic Gateway. During this luncheon attendees will have time for open networking, networking at their table, and hear a short educational moment from a guest speaker.

Register for Feb. 27, 2018 luncheon

Join Northern VA's leading big data and analytics companies and prominent thought leaders at the second annual Capital Data Summit on Feb. 28, 2018 at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner.

Featuring keynote speakers and panels offering unique insights on how big data and analytics are transforming industries and producing results for organizations and their customers, a technology showcase of the region's leading big data and analytics companies, and unmatched networking opportunities, the Capital Data Summit will provide exceptional business development and educational value for NVTC members and the entire Greater Washington technology community.

Keynote Speakers
William Ruh, CEO, GE Digital, and Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, GE
Mark Ryland, Chief Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services Public Sector

NEW IN 2018!
The 2018 Capital Data Summit will include a new University Data Challenge, in which teams of students representing the region's universities and community colleges will be challenged to analyze and respond to a topic/question using any combination of data sources and statistical, mathematical modeling, big data, and related techniques available to them.

Cost
Member: $395.00
Additional Member Attendee: $345.00
General Audience: $550.00
Student: $50.00
Government Employee: $25.0