TECHNotes

An inside look at the 2010 F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Competition

2010-04-07T16:04:00Z

I used to be a hardware design engineer so this program brings me back to that creative place. As a judge I get to interview the students and inspect the robots for design, quality and innovation. I really enjoy working with the students, learning why and how they designed their robots to achieve the game challenge. It is amazing that is six short weeks these kids can design and build a fully functional robot to compete in the competition. They are uninhibited and really do come up with some very creative ideas. One of the robots was made completely out of wood, now that’s thinking outside the box!

Want to learn more? Visit www.usfirst.org.

Best,
Sherry Zins, Membership Development Manager, WTIA

Mike Atkinson, Areva T&D, WTIA Board Member & Sherry Zins, Membership Development Manager, WTIA

2010 Judges

About F.I.R.S.T.
The WTIA is proud to support FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) whose robotics programs inspire our youth to dream of becoming science and technology leaders. FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills. For more information, visit www.usfirst.org.

Who are your favorite 2010 Industry Achievement Award Finalists?

2010-02-02T23:43:00Z

Just for fun - who are your favorite 2010 IAA finalists?

We have created fan favorite lists for all the finalists in 6 of the 8 categories. Please note, this excercise will have no impact on the judging process...we just want to know who your favorites are!

Please tweet @WTIA your fave finalists w/ hashtag #2010IAA and we will add you to that fan list.

Click here to check out all of the 2010 finalists or to register for the event.

Fan Favorite Twitter Lists

@WTIA/wsecu-iaa-fan-favorite
WSECU, wsecu.org, a non-profit financial company. #2010IAA finalist for IT Dept. Innovation OY.

@WTIA/emp-iaa-fan-favorite
@EmPsFm, explorating creativity & innovation in music. #2010IAA finalist for IT Dept. Innovation OY.

@WTIA/whitepgs-iaa-fan-favorite
@WhitePages, largest online & mobile directory. #2010IAA finalist for IT Dept. Innovation OY.

@WTIA/powerit-iaa-fan-favorite
@Powerit plugs energy-intensive businesses into smart grid. #2010IAA finalist for Mgf Product OY.

@WTIA/pathway-iaa-fan-favorite
Pathway, pathwaymedical.com, innovative medical devices. #2010IAA finalist for Mgf Product OY.

@WTIA/neah-iaa-fan-favorite
@neahpowerinc, developing renewable energy solutions. #2010IAA finalist for Mgf Product OY.

@WTIA/hubspan-iaa-fan-favorite
@Hubspan, a cloud-based integration platform. #2010IAA finalist for Service Provider OY.

@WTIA/azaleos-iaa-fan-favorite
@Azaleos, providing remote monitoring & management. #2010IAA finalist for Service Provider OY.

@WTIA/amazon-iaa-fan-favorite
@awscloud, providing web services platform in the cloud. #2010IAA finalist for Service Provider OY.

@WTIA/vholdr-iaa-fan-favorite
@VHoldR, share your stories thru wearable cameras. #2010IAA finalist for Breakthrough Startup OY.

@WTIA/gist-iaa-fan-favorite
@gist, building stronger professional relationships. #2010IAA finalist for Breakthrough Startup OY.

@WTIA/dreambox-iaa-fan-favorite
@DreamBox_Learn, innovative online learning company. #2010IAA finalist for Breakthrough Startup OY.

@WTIA/picnik-iaa-fan-favorite
@picnik, photo editing the easy & powerful way. #2010IAA finalist for Consumer Product/Service OY.

@WTIA/cheezbur-iaa-fan-favorite
@ICHCHEEZBURGER, blog network for sharing. #2010IAA finalist for Consumer Product/Service OY.

@WTIA/cozi-iaa-fan-favorite
@CoziFamily, simplifying life for families. #2010IAA finalist for Consumer Product/Service OY.

@WTIA/talyst-iaa-fan-favorite
@insiterx, engineering the safer pharmacy. #2010IAA finalist for Commercial Product/Service OY.

@WTIA/concur-iaa-fan-favorite
@ConcurInc, on-demand Employee Spend Mgmt. #2010IAA finalist for Commercial Product/Service OY.

@WTIA/apptio-iaa-fan-favorite
@Apptio, on-demand IT Financial Management. #2010IAA finalist for Commercial Product/Service OY.

Prominent, Local, Health-IT Panelists Speak to Full House

2009-09-25T16:56:00Z

Currently, healthcare is a much debated and complex topic in the U.S. While the legislative debate rages on, there are many healthcare stakeholders from all ends of the equation are interested in what the future of health IT holds. In order to spur local conversation around the subject, the WTIA hosted an event last night titled, “Healthcare-IT—Innovations That Will Transform Healthcare Now and in the Future,” to a nearly sold-out crowd of over 240 at Herban Feast in SoDo.

Moderated by Joel French, the founder and managing director of Nephalios Group, the panel contained representatives that ran the gamut of the health IT conversation from employee wellness (Henry Albrecht, CEO of Limeade) to pharmacy (Carla Corkern, CEO and chairman of Talyst) to patient care (Luis Machuca, CEO Kryptiq) to insurance (Mohan Nair, executive vice president and CMO of Regence) to medical records (Michael Raymer, global market strategist and general manager for Microsoft’s Health Solutions Group).

After French’s opening statements about the four main issues at the center of the health IT debate (cost, quality, access/coverage, wellness), many enthusiastic attendees lined up for the entire hour and a half for their chance to pick the brains of the elite panel. Greg Huang of Xconomy Seattle nicely summarized several of the tougher questions brought forward in a blog post here. Boiling down the passionate dialogue, most people were interested in the issue of data liquidity (aka ‘the magic pill’) and security of electronic health records. While several panelists agreed to politely disagree on a couple topics, the overall consensus was that we still have a long way to go with educating consumers, legislators, companies, and doctors on the ‘how’s” and “why’s” of improved health IT.

All in all, the event was a huge success! We’re already looking forward to the next two events: Fall Networking at Pike Brewery [September 30] and the 12^th Annual Oktoberfest at Redhook Brewery [October 7]. We hope to see you there!