FS2021 Pointless Prize: STEM

[bikesnick]

FS2021 Pointless Prize: STEM

Ride your bike, at least a mile, to any site that can be considered related to Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and take a picture with your bike.

1) submissions must occur during FS2021
2) hashtag your Strava ride title with #STEM
3) photos must be your own and include your bike.
4) photos must be posted to the “FS2021 Pointless Prize: STEM” forum thread. Post should describe why it is STEM-related.
5) Please, only one (1) entry per day.

There are two non-pointless prizes:

For for greatest number of entries, a copy of BikeSnobNYC’s book “Systematically & Mercilessly Realigning the World of Cycling”.

For the best photo entry, subjectively selected by the judge, a set of four bicycle-printed short tumbler glasses (3.5 inch tall, 8 ounce).
* Please note: The judge is known to be partial to uniqueness, creativity, composition, and mathematics.

Topic

[komorebi]

At the Einstein Memorial outside the National Academy of Sciences:

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It’s hard to see in the photo, but one neat thing about the memorial is that the circular base is a star map, with more than 2700 studs representing celestial bodies as they were positioned on the day of the memorial’s dedication.

[CBGanimal]

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I actually saw some drones flying by this company near the Spanish Military base. I was a bit nervous taking the picture in case they didn’t like some random cyclist taking pictures outside of their gates.

[JoM]

The University of Maryland Division of Information Technology moved to the Discovery District (off campus) to consolidate all IT related operations in a new state of the art facility.

[CBGanimal]

Met my cousin for coffee…she works at IBM as an accountant (i think)
But across the street there was this company…not quiet sure what they do…but found the name a bit interesting

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[Kbikeva]

#STEM

NovaLabs in Reston is the largest maker space in the area. It’s also completely self-funded by members and sponsors – no government money. And it’s non-profit. The result is a community of passionate, encouraging, inclusive individuals who teach, guide, share, and support all kinds of technology ventures. Everything from 3D printers to textiles to robotics to CNC and laser cutters to wood working to costumes and more. NovaLabs is the home of TeamRhinoHawk, a competitive drone team that brings all kinds of expertise together to solve real world problems.

They’re the founders of MakerFaireNova, now produced in conjunction with George Mason University.

While NovaLabs has always been extremely supportive to homeschool families, in the fall of 2020, they launched a school alternative for families wanting to have their kids in some kind of physical school with a focus on STEM.

The best news for interested cyclists from outside Reston is that it’s just off the W&OD, and a short ride from the Wiehle-Reston Silver Line Station.

I’m having trouble getting photos upright, so apologies in advance if this is sideways. It’s probably a reflection of my tech ineptitude. Yesterday, they posted just fine. sigh

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[bikedavid]

Another ride to the Einstein statue in front of the National Academy of Sciences. I didn’t realize that one of the founders is Lincoln in order to provide scientific advice to the government. In pre-pandemic times they would often host interesting talks to the public. A little bit like a TED talk!

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[bikedavid]

National Air & Space Museum, documenting the history of flight from the Wright brothers to the space shuttle.

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[CBGanimal]

@bikedavid 204373 wrote:

National Air & Space Museum, documenting the history of flight from the Wright brothers to the space shuttle.

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I just listened to a podcast on the Wright brothers! Did you know they 1st owned a bike shop in Ohio? Cool fun fact!

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[CBGanimal]

A shop that works on computers and other tech stuff…not sure I’d ever use one since buying a new tech thing is usually cheaper than getting it fixed!

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[Serdar]

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Propellers are one of the best engineering ideas of humankind and they have been used to move the crafts, either ships or planes, for many years.

Submarine screw (Propeller)
USS Pompon (SS 226)
Gato Class WWII Fleet Submarine

Conducted nine war patrols in the Pacific. Awarded four battle stars. Commissioned March 17, 1943. De-commissioned April 1, 1960.

1 Cameron Street, Alexandria
https://www.strava.com/activities/4586585758

[JoM]

I wonder what they are predicting for this winter!

[nstasiak]

This is the George Mason University Observatory, located on top of Research Hall. It’s the second largest telescope on the east coast. When I attended George Mason University, I was our lead student weather forecaster and one of our weather stations was on the roof with the telescope. Multiple discoveries (exoplanets, etc) have been made using this low light telescope and whenever COVID isn’t a thing anymore…the University hosts a night under the stars where you can attend a short lecture and then go up to the Observatory.
https://www.strava.com/activities/4594664626

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[Dachs6]

Oops…rode to the Observatoire royal de Belgique (Royal Belgian Observatory), took a photo, and just realized that I also needed my bike in it. [emoji51]

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[komorebi]

Benjamin Banneker Park in Arlington is named after Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806), a free Black mathematician, astronomer, and surveyor. The grandson of an enslaved African and a white indentured servant, Banneker had little formal education and was largely self-taught. He computed the lifecycle of seventeen-year cicadas, built a clock entirely out of wood while still a young man, published six annual farmer’s almanacs, and corresponded with Thomas Jefferson. He was also part of the initial team that surveyed the boundaries of DC, and the original SW-9 boundary stone is within the park.

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[reji]

The National Science Foundation, headquartered in Alexandria, funds basic research conducted by universities across the globe; invests in research infrastructure like McMurdo Station in the Antarctic; and funds STEM and STEAM talent development programs.
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[Author]

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