In appreciation of science, Jon shared a quote from Jules Verne: “Science, my lad, is made up of mistakes, but they are mistakes which it is useful to make, because they lead little by little to the truth.”
Speaker:David Houggy - President, Aspen Science Center
The mission of the Aspen Science Center is to advance the public understanding of science through lifelong discovery, exploration and education.
"Science is an indispensable tool for understanding our world, becoming an informed citizen, and enriching people’s lives. In today’s world, each citizen must have a solid base in the understanding of, and appreciation for, scientific concepts and their essential role in the betterment of humankind."
Five stats that will make you squirm:
1. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) jobs are growing at 1.7 times the rate of non-STEM jobs, but only 16% of high school seniors are interested in pursuing a job in STEM careers (U.S. Department of Education).
2. 74% of college graduates with STEM degrees are going into non-STEM jobs. They're pursuing careers in everything from health care and law to education and social work (U.S. Census Bureau).
3. Women made up just 18% of computer science college grads in 2012. In 1985, it was 37% (National Center for Women and Informational Technology).
4. Foreign students study STEM or business fields at a higher rate than American students (66% compared to 48%). Moreover, the number of native-born students pursuing STEM degrees is growing at just 1% a year (Brookings).
5. U.S. students currently rank 38th out of 71 countries in math achievement and 24th in science; and only 33% of our eighth graders are rated "proficient" or "advanced" in math, and only 34% in science (2015 PISA).
And because scientists are always trying to bend our minds, here are two deep thoughts by David Houggy:
"Scientists are in the business of proving themselves wrong as quickly as possible. The way we learn is disproving things until all that is left is that which we think is right, and then we disprove that, too."
And, with respect scientists making major discoveries while working on something else, he referred to Einstein's Theory of Relativity: "If it wasn't for Einstein, your GPS wouldn't work and I guarantee that he wasn't thinking about GPS when he discovered relativity." I couldn't type fast enough or understand "why," but it was really cool and David sounds like a smart guy, so I believe him.
Oh, and the Tang reference, that just came up in the discussion about space shuttles and stuff and I thought it might peak your interest. Sales of Tang were poor until NASA used it on John Glenn's Mercury flight in February, 1962. It is a misconception that Tang was invented for the space program.
You can learn all about the Aspen Science Center (and donate, too) by visiting: Aspen Science Center's website by clicking here.
Guests: Will McCullough is a native of San Antonio, Texas and moved to Aspen with his wife and three children. He is a broker at Aspen Sotheby's Snowmass International. And I'll be darned if I can figure out whose guest he was.
Robin Smith is looking for volunteers for the high school Extemporaneous Speaking Competition that will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 9 at the Harris Conference Room at Aspen Meadows. Winning speakers will receive $1,000 - 1st place; $500 - 2nd place; and $250 - 3rd place. Winners will present at the May 11 Rotary meeting. To volunteer, contact Robin.
Mike Hoffman announced that the club will be hosting an inbound exchange student in 2018 and finding host families is mission critical. Will you be a host family? Do you know a potential host family? If so, let anyone on the committee know - Mike Hoffman, Maurice Emmer, Ashton Hewitt, Christina King, Samantha Johnston, Emily Burr, Chris Bendon and sometimes Steve Wickes sits in our committee meetings.
Lori Small announced that she will be participating in the 6th Annual Aspen Cares Theatrical Fashion Show Friday, March 24, benefitting the Aspen Hope Center, a local organization that offers support for those in emotional crisis in the Roaring Fork Valley. A sample sale will follow from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26 at Casa Tua. Donated fashion and accessories will be sold at discounted prices and proceeds will benefit AHC. For more information, visit Aspen Cares. Lori is also raising funds for the Hope Center on her own. Click here to support Lori.
John Moore read thank-you letters from both the Aspen Chapel and ACES for our support of them through our grant program.
Mike Kosdrosky is still searching for the elusive Deputy Duck. The Ducky Derby will take place on Saturday, August 12 in Rio Grande Park. Mike will be recruiting volunteers for the day of the event and post-event. If everyone can commit a couple of hours to the Derby, it will be smooth sailing (see what I did there). According to President Craig Melville, everyone will work all day and all vacations are cancelled. Susan Gomes added that the Ducky Derby is held on the 2nd Saturday of August and has been for 26 years, so the date really shouldn't be a surprise (she didn't say that, but I think that's what she meant).
President Craig Melville reminded the club that it would be much appreciated if everyone would fill out an AHC or Credit Card form for dues payment to avoid the unpleasant board task of reviewing AR and serving as a collection agency.
March 30, Rabbi Mendel Mintz, Aspen Chabad Jewish Community Center (the one on Main Street)
April 6, Aspen Rotary Presidents Panel
Rotary Roundup - District 5470 Training and Assembly - April 20 - 22 in Glenwood. Steve and Barbara Wickes are using this conference as an opportunity to both engage with Rotary (apparently Steve once met an Aspen Rotarian who he didn't know at a District Conference in Durango in 1975 - or a long time ago) and spend a date weekend at the Glenwood Marriott. Others might not find the weekend as romantic, but equally fulfilling by learning about grants and not being the Aspen jerks who never participate in District functions. Also, President Melville would really appreciate your participation since engagement with other clubs was one of the major issues on his campaign platform.
For more information, visit the District site by clicking here.
Happy Bucks (benefitting the Independence Pass Foundation)
Norm Bacheldor was happy that Mountain Rescue called at 4:30 a.m. to notify him that they had found his lost dogs. Deb Breen is not happy that she will miss next week's meeting, but is happy to report that she will be missing it because she will be in Belize with her daughters. Maurice Emmer shared a happy memory of 40 years ago when his husky got loose and the police found that poor dog. Craig Melville was happy to support the Independence Pass Foundation because it brings back fond memories of his days as a student in Boulder when he would over the pass and his heart would be full knowing he was back home; he was also happy because World Cup was awesome. Kathy Klug was happy that World Cup was a success and is happy that her daughter will be home in eight weeks.
Steve Wickes was happy for the Independence Pass Foundation and because he and his wife are having a getaway date to Glenwood for the District Conference.
Ron Krajian passed away recently. He was known as one of the instigators ... er, founders ... of the Tour de Rump and the Wine Party. The sun has set at Ron Krajian Bridge. Thank you, Ron, for your optimistic outlook on life and keep that smile going in Heaven.
This was last week's spotlight, but just in case you didn't read it, or you forgot important details like Keith is a lawyer and a tubist. If you didn't remember that, you better read it again.
Keith Elder is the newest member of the Rotary Club of Aspen. A former president of the Plymouth, MA Rotary Club, Keith was most recently a member of the Rochester, NY Rotary Club.
He joined the Aspen Music Festival and School in January 2017 as the General Manager/Vice President. Prior to that he was the Director of Concert at the Eastman School of Music where he oversaw more than 700 public events a year. He has over 25 years of experience in arts administration and has worked for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, Detroit Symphony, and directed the Tanglewood Jazz Festival.
Keith produced music for the pre-game ceremony of the XXXVI Super Bowl as well as the opening and closing exercises of the 1999 Ryder Cup, and the World Series ring ceremony with the Boston Red Sox. As a musician Keith, has performed as a tubist for many of the world’s premier conductors and was the tubist for the Wynton Marsalis “Marsalis on Music” DVD and CD. He is also a lawyer and member of the United States Supreme Court, Massachusetts and New York State bar. From 2009-2016 he owned and managed of a law practice in Massachusetts that focused on civil and domestic litigation, and entertainment law.
The Weekly Newsletter of the Rotary Club of Aspen.
vid Houggy - President, Aspen Science Center
