In the News: Science topic of discussion, FSPA summer programs

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Educators, town officials and local business owners met with the head of the Massachusetts Life Science Center Friday to discuss the state of the sciences in town and how it could be improved. 

Travis McCready, the center's CEO, visited Franklin, taking part in round-table discussions and touring the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, Franklin High School and the Zeptometrix Corp. His visit was hosted by state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, and state senators Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, and Karen Spilka, D-Ashland. 

The center, Roy pointed out, is a 10-year, $1 billion state effort to ensure Massachusetts' primacy in life science education and business development. 

"Franklin has positioned itself well," Roy said of the town's friendliness to the bioscience industry. "Recently, our BioReady level was upgraded from 'gold' to 'platinum,' and it's a great place to live, work and raise a family."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160226/science-education-makes-grade

MA Life Sciences Center

Franklin School for the Performing Arts announced a summer session of theater programs, ballet intensives and one-week creative camps, along with voice, instrumental and dance classes. The summer session will run from July 5 to Aug. 26, with registration beginning March 7. 

FSPA Summer Theater provides the opportunity for hands-on immersion in a Broadway Boot Camp, cabaret show, behind-the-scenes theater design, straight play or musical theater production, with enrollment for one to five weeks. The Cabaret week (July 25-29) focuses on repertoire choices, song interpretation and presentation, and concludes with a cabaret style revue at The Black Box, 15 W. Central St. 

A behind-the-scenes exploration of theater design and production, also running July 25-29, includes staging, lighting, costuming, sets and sound. A two-week musical theater program (Aug. 8-19) presents the Tony Award-winning classic “Bye Bye Birdie.” Younger students, in grades 3-8, will present “Bye Bye Bieber”, an original FSPA musical comedy parody by Nick Paone, inspired by “Bye Bye Birdie” and featuring pop music hits.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160226/fpac-slates-summer-programs-for-children-and-teens

Legislators to Host Life Science Day in Franklin

Representative Jeffrey Roy, Senator Karen Spilka and Senator Richard Ross will host Travis McCready, the President and CEO of the MA Life Science Center in Franklin on Friday. They will participate in a number of roundtable discussions centered on education and economic development.

More than thirty Life Science experts, educators, legislators, town and state officials, and advocates are slated to attend the various roundtables. The forums will focus on the life sciences industry in Franklin and the surrounding communities. They will explore the economy and education looking at the strengths, deficiencies, and areas for future growth.

The first roundtable will be held at 9AM at the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin. It will focus on Life Science education and will be followed by a brief school tour highlighting Life Science investments and successes. The afternoon roundtable will be held at 11:45AM at ZeptoMetrix in Franklin, and will focus on economic and business development and will include a tour of the facility.

MA Life Sciences Center

Over the past eight years the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, our state's investment agency in life sciences, charged with implementing our state's $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative, has made nearly $600 million in investments that support scientific research, early-stage companies, workforce development and life sciences infrastructure across the entire state. Among U.S. states, Massachusetts is 1st in life sciences venture capital funds per capita, 1st in life sciences employment per capita, 1st in federal research funds per capita, and 1st in educational level of workforce.

"At the MLSC we are pursuing an intentional strategy to support life sciences growth throughout the entire Commonwealth," said Travis McCready, President and CEO of the MLSC. "I look forward to our visit Franklin to understand the region's capacity for attracting life sciences investment and to continue our collaboration with local leaders to find ways in which we can work together to grow the industry in the region."

"Massachusetts is world renowned for both its educational opportunities and its innovative technology industry, and the life sciences are a big part of our success,," said State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), "Every year billions of dollars are injected into the Massachusetts economy through medical, biotech and other life sciences from all over the world. Franklin has been committed to supporting the life sciences and has already taken the necessary steps to zone accordingly and invest in industrial zones. As a result Franklin was rated Platinum by the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council for BioReadiness. Companies look for a town like Franklin with its great schools, low rent and geographical location, and our discussions will emphasize these and the many other attributes."

"I am pleased that the President and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Travis McCready, is taking the time to visit Franklin. The town of Franklin is built upon the strength of our schools, hardworking taxpayers, and innovative small business owners and I am looking forward to discussing how we can continue to build upon this growth for the good of our constituents," said Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham).

"The life sciences companies in MetroWest are the backbone of our state's innovation economy," said Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "As Chair of the legislature's Biotech Caucus, my goal is to facilitate partnerships with this thriving sector to support innovative research, maintain and create jobs and make sure our life sciences workforce and companies continue to grow. I look forward to thoughtful discussion and continued collaboration with Franklin employers, workers and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center."

"As the recipient of grants in 2014 and 2015 from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Tri-County RVTHS and the entire vocational community are very appreciative for your investment in our students." said Stephen Dockray - Tri-County High School Superintendent.

These efforts are in conjunction with the Massachusetts Life Science Center which serves as a link for legislators cutting across issues that affect the Life Science industry.

In the News: family science night, Dean performance scheduled, Circle of Friends concert

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The high school will hosts its second annual "Family Science Night" next month - an event intended to encourage science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) interest on the part of elementary and middle school students. 

The event - scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 10 - will be organized by the high school's Science National Honor Society group. 

The group, said high school science teacher Ann Butler, is comprised of students who have reached a certain GPA in science subjects. This is the society's largest event of the year. 

"Last year, the idea was to invite elementary students to the night, and it was a wild, wild hit," said Butler. "We never anticipated the crowds we got - it was about 300 kids."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160208/franklin-science-night-set-for-march

The School of the Arts at Dean College will perform “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” March 2-6 in the Performing Arts Studios Stage at Dean College, 61 School St. 

“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” is the tale of Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet” as told from the view of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. 

The Dean College production will take place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160208/dean-college-to-present-rosencrantz-and-guildenstern-are-dead

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse will host Seth Glier at 8 p.m. Feb. 27 in the First Universalist Society’s Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. 

A singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist who averages over 250 live performances annually, Glier has gone from opening act to headlining his own shows and playing major festivals. He’s shared the stage with artists as diverse as James Taylor, Ani DiFranco, Edwin McCain, Martin Sexton, Emmylou Harris and Ryan Adams. For more on Glier, visit sethglier.com.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160208/circle-of-friends-coffeehouse-to-host-seth-glier

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse

The Whalemobile comes to the Franklin Library

Yes, the Whalemobile arrives today (Tuesday, Aug 25) at 1:00 PM at the Franklin Public Library. Good for kids from K-6 grade, you'll learn about whales and step inside to examine the "whalemobile."

The Whalemobile - Tuesday, Aug 24 at 1:00 PM

Another in the series of summer events sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Library


This was shared from the Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-whalemobile.html

Franklin Library: Sciencetellers Super Heroes

"In this original collection of slightly twisted tales, all the teachers at school are suspected to have superpowers! Join us on a hilarious new adventure where, just like in science, things aren't always quite what they seem. We will launch things through the air, send them plummeting toward the ground, and even make matter transform and disappear right before your eyes! 

Throw on your labcoat and buckle in — you are about to experience forces and reactions through several exciting, hands-on experiments that will have you laughing, learning and having fun. Savor each endearing adventure and find yourself transported to a special place where 'super' heroes truly do exist!"

"Super Heroes"  --- Length: 45 minutes. Grades: K–5.

Franklin Library: Sciencetellers Super Heroes

Note: the sign is wrong in that Davey the Clown is Friday, the 31st

This was shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/07/sciencetellers-super-heroes.html

Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Conference Of Boston Teaching Hospitals And University Of Massachusetts Medical Center Announce New Web Portal To Promote Collaboration Between Industry And The World's Leading Research Hospitals

MA Life Sciences Center

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) joined the Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals (COBTH) and the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center at the 2015 BIO International Convention today to announce the launch of the Massachusetts Clinical Innovation Gateway. The new web portal will allow life sciences companies from around the world to seek opportunities to partner with Massachusetts academic medical centers (AMCs) on research and clinical initiatives.

"Lives are saved when people work together," said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh.  "We see it over and over again in all kinds of situations; the life sciences are no exception.  This tool will help bring together the best minds, greatest ideas, and strongest collaborations that have the potential to bring about life-changing breakthroughs—exactly the kinds of innovation and ingenuity for which Boston and the Commonwealth are known."

The MLSC and COBTH have developed a form and process to triage partnership requests from interested life sciences companies. Companies seeking to explore partnership opportunities with Massachusetts AMC's can complete the online form, which will be sent to representatives from each of the AMCs for review and consideration.

Participating AMCs include:

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Boston Children's Hospital

Boston Medical Center

Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Cambridge Health Alliance

Carney Hospital

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center

Lahey Hospital and Medical Center

Massachusetts Eye and Ear

Massachusetts General Hospital

St. Elizabeth's Medical Center

Tufts Medical Center

UMass Memorial Medical Center

VA Boston Healthcare

"This new tool will enable medical breakthroughs by offering companies in Massachusetts and throughout the world the opportunity to collaborate on product development and clinical studies with Massachusetts' world-renowned research hospitals," said Pamela Norton, MLSC Vice President for Industry Relations and Programs. "We are excited about the collaborations that will result, the improvements in patient care that will follow, and the role that this new system will play in attracting even more global companies to the Massachusetts life sciences ecosystem."

"In an intensely competitive global environment, development of the Massachusetts Innovation Gateway is an important step in making sure we do all we can  to attract companies wishing to partner with our academic medical centers," said John Fernandez, Chair of COBTH and President and CEO of Mass Eye and Ear.

"This tool will give the medical world insight and access to the incredible work conducted by experts in their fields at our Massachusetts academic medical centers,' said Patrick Muldoon, FACHE, president of UMass Memorial Medical Center. "We have a unique and rich history in the life sciences and with this new portal we invite the world to come and collaborate with us."

"Increasingly, industry is seeking to partner with academic and hospital researchers who have firsthand perspectives on patient needs and clinical innovations. Nowhere is this more coveted than in Massachusetts, where our world-class institutions are tackling global healthcare challenges every day," said Robert K. Coughlin, President & CEO of MassBio, the life sciences trade association representing 650+ life sciences companies, academic institutions, service providers and patient organizations. "We look forward to realizing the full potential of the portal to streamline and catalyze these collaborations."   

"The Massachusetts Clinical Innovation Gateway is a terrific display of Massachusetts institutions collaborating towards the common goal of streamlining the ability of companies to partner with Massachusetts academic medical centers," said Senator Michael Rodriques (D-Westport).

"This is a great new tool for companies to get access to some of the best academic medical institutions in the world," said Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin).  "In turn, the developments and enhancements that will result will be a great boost for patient care, will lead to greater innovation, and ultimately save lives."

Through the MLSC, Massachusetts is investing $1 billion over 10 years in the growth of the state's life sciences ecosystem. Through nearly $600 million in public investment, which has leveraged more than $1.7 billion in third-party investment, Massachusetts has emerged as the global leader in life sciences, and as a magnet for companies large and small from all over the world.

For more information about the Massachusetts Clinical Innovation Gateway, visit http://cobth.org/massclinicalinnovationgateway.html.

About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is an investment agency that supports life sciences innovation, research, development and commercialization. The MLSC is charged with implementing a 10-year, $1-billion, state-funded investment initiative. These investments create jobs and support advances that improve health and well-being. The MLSC offers the nation's most comprehensive set of incentives and collaborative programs targeted to the life sciences ecosystem. These programs propel the growth that has made Massachusetts the global leader in life sciences. The MLSC creates new models for collaboration and partners with organizations, both public and private, around the world to promote innovation in the life sciences.  For more information, visit www.masslifesciences.com.

About the Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals

The Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals (COBTH) is the coalition of 14 Boston area hospitals, all of which are teaching institutions.  COBTH exists to maximize the Boston teaching hospitals' visibility on the issues that are fundamental to their unique missions of medical education and research. COBTH educates opinion leaders at all levels about the contributions of its members to the area's health and economy. In coalition with business organizations, COBTH advocates for policies favorable to academic medicine and the economy of the Commonwealth.

About the UMass Memorial Medical Center

Patients and families trust UMass Memorial Medical Center as the region's leading academic medical center, committed to improving the health of our communities in Central Massachusetts. With our partner, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, we are committed to excellence in primary and specialty care, community service, teaching and research. The Medical Center offers advanced technology and support services for patients and families, providing the region with specialists renowned for their expertise in caring for adults and children.

In the News: ZBA approves apartments, high tech lab at high school

The Zoning Board of Appeals has approved a building permit for a sprawling apartment complex on West Central Street. 

The proposed development, Weston Woods, would include three apartment buildings — comprised of mostly one-bedroom units — and a clubhouse at 1330-1342 West Central St. Developer Acme Jazz LLC will offer 70 of the 280 apartments as affordable housing. 

The decision on the project came late last month, during an untelevised meeting.Acme Jazz has now filed its plans with Conservation Commission seeking to move forward with construction.

Continue reading the article
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150520/NEWS/150529715/1994/NEWS

Related posts on the proposed development
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/zoning-board-of-appeals-march-19-agenda.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/280-unit-apartment-building-at-1330.html

high tech labs

The science laboratories at Franklin High School rival those at any top research university — and students have a local biotech corporation to thank for that. 

Inside each lab, the microplate readers, digital dry baths and bacterial transformation kits, among other pieces of equipment, were donated to the newly-opened high school through a partnership with ZeptoMetrix Corporation, located at Kenwood Circle. 

The company visited the school Monday with local officials to recognize the district’s STEM program and shine a light on the town’s goal of attracting similar companies.

Continue reading the article
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150519/NEWS/150516594/1994/NEWS

Finding The Speed Of Light With Peeps (video)

I love the approach in this brief and insightful video. Who knew you could calculate the speed of light with some leftover peeps and your microwave?

If you didn't (like me), you can find out....




Found via NPR
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2015/04/13/399391214/kitchen-science-we-used-peeps-to-calculate-the-speed-of-light

From Pantherbook: Hollywood Nights, R-word, Science Night

A quick recap of three articles recently posted to Pantherbook worthy of sharing here:

Say goodbye to Lovefest and hello to Hollywood Nights, a collection of skits to be performed by FHS theatre students on April 8 and 9. 

The traditional Lovefest, an annual skit-based production, was scrapped this year due to a number of reasons, ranging from snow days to administration’s desire for a more serious play

Continue reading the article here
http://pantherbook.org/ae/2015/03/18/hollywood-nights-takes-lovefests-place/

pantherbook logo

A great many words that have had relevant meaning in society have fallen out of favor but none so much as the R-word. 

The students of Best Buddies have been advocating a campaign to end the use of this word. One of the advisors of Best Buddies, Mrs. Connolly, made claims that some videos supporting this campaign would be released, but no date of release has been revealed. 

While it has had a purposeful meaning in medicine, the phrasing has been changed and along with it, the connotation of the R-word. The word has degraded to an insult and slang instead of a medicinal term.

Continue reading the article here
http://pantherbook.org/student-life/2015/03/19/spread-the-word-to-end-the-word-2/

On Thursday, March 13th – Franklin High School’s Science National Honors Society (SNHS) chapter hosted an exposition of intro-level science experiments and demonstrations for Franklin’s elementary and middle school students. Students and their parents toured Thursday’s “Science Night” in throngs, enjoying the night’s demonstrations and activities with smiles of wonder and fascination. 

Serenaded by string instruments as they ascended up to the second and third floors, participants were directed to the four science classrooms where the event took place. Heading towards the biology lab with his parent, one younger participant compared the string ensemble to “an orchestra”.

Continue reading the article here
http://pantherbook.org/top-stories/2015/03/29/science-national-honors-society-hosting-of-science-night-a-huge-success/

Charter School News: Support Music Merit award, Science Fair awards

Support Music - 2015 Merit Award

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School has been honored once again with the SupportMusic Merit Award from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. BFCCPS joins 120 schools across the country in receiving the prestigious award in 2015. 

The SupportMusic Merit Award is awarded to individual schools that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

Continue reading about the award on the BFCCPS  webpage here
http://bfccps.org/benjamin-franklin-classical-charter-public-schools-music-education-program-receives-national-recognition/

Science Fair

Four students recently represented BFCCPS during this year’s Regional Science Fair. We are thrilled to share the results with you today! All four of the students who participated in the event are now eligible to participate in the upcoming middle school Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair (MSSEF) which will be held on June 6th at the Worcester Technical High School in Worcester, MA.

Continue reading about the Science Fair recognition here
http://bfccps.org/2015-regional-science-fair-results/

Sciene Friday - Meterology - Mar 6th

Science Friday at the Franklin Public Library is scheduled for Mar 6th at 3:30 PM. Ms Gina will explore the science of meterology. Space is limited and registration is required.

This is good for students K to 4th grade.

Register at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07eakqq4p6cc82ab09&llr=npijo9cab

This was shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/02/science-friday_26.html

Representative Roy Host’s Franklin Economic Development Meeting

On Tuesday, January 10, 2015 Massachusetts State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D - Franklin) hosted a Life Sciences Development Meeting in Franklin, MA. Local biotechnology companies, Franklin town officials and members of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center joined the discussion about the opportunities within the Life Sciences Industry, the potential for future development within the region and what Franklin has already done to successfully attract and retain life science companies. 

Cornerstones of Life Sciences Industry range from pharmaceuticals and medical devices to diagnostics and biotechnology. Thanks to its world-class academic institutions and medical centers, its talented and innovated workforce and its industry-sector leading companies, Massachusetts has firmly established itself as a global leader in the Life Sciences and has fully committed the state's economic well-being to the development and advancement of these Industries. 

"Franklin has positioned itself well to attract life science businesses to the area," said Representative Roy "In 2014 its BioReady ranking was elevated from Gold to Platinum signifying Franklin's readiness to work with biotechnology companies interested in locating in the area. On top of that, it has great schools and reasonable housing prices, making it a great place to live, work and raise a family." 

"Franklin has been the perfect community for growing my start up business to the point of having close to a hundred employees," said Dr. Gregory Chiklis, President and CEO of Franklin's ZeptoMetrix Corporation. "It has been due to the support and resources available to me in Franklin that we have been able to grow ZeptoMetrix." 

"The Life Sciences are the fastest growing industry sectors in Massachusetts," said Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the agency charged with implementing the state's ten-year, $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative. 

"All regions across the state and workers at all skill levels are benefiting as the life sciences ecosystem continues to grow and thrive. We are excited about Representative Roy's efforts to bring leaders together to discuss strategies for regional life sciences growth in and around Franklin, and we look forward to a continued partnership in those efforts." 

 "I am very excited that Rep. Roy brought together this group of educators, government officials and industry leaders to shine a light on all that Franklin has to offer to biotech and other businesses," said Attorney Michael Doherty of Doherty, Ciechanowski, Dugan & Cannon, P.C.

"I am hopeful that we will be able to encourage businesses to locate to one of our industrial parks in Franklin."  Doherty, Ciechanowski, Dugan & Cannon, P.C.  is a firm that represents local business in Franklin and surrounding communities." 

"As Chief Medical Officer of a well-established Boston biotechnology company, I believe that Franklin offers all the attributes and ingredients to create a dynamic and vibrant environment for the development of innovative treatments to address unmet medical needs of patients," said Dr. Michael Sabolinski, founder of Sabolinski, LLC.  

"Among these are access to medical centers of excellence, key opinion leaders in multiple therapeutic areas, and experts in clinical research. I look forward to the growth of biotechnology in Franklin, and am excited about the opportunities that the town presents for both start up and well established Companies." 

"It was wonderful that Representative Roy brought the players to the table to help jumpstart Franklin's efforts in economic development and the life sciences," said Jeff Nutting, Franklin Town Administrator. 

"I would like to thank Rep. Roy for putting together the life sciences meeting. He and our Town Administrator Jeff Nutting are doers and put together an excellent program," said Robert Vallee, Franklin Town Council's Chair. "I look forward to getting the entire Town Council involved in the discussion and pursuing this issue as hard as we can." 

"Franklin has done much to attract a higher level of commercial and industrial investment to our industrial areas, including creation of priority development sites and economic development areas, and streamlining of permitting processes for biotechnology uses," said Bryan Taberner, Franklin's Director of Planning and Community Development. "The Town currently contains a cluster of life sciences companies, including bio-storage, robotics, medical devices and instrumentation, and biotechnology.  I look forward to working with Representative Roy to attract additional life science companies to this great community." 

"What sets Franklin apart from many communities is the collaboration and commitment of all stakeholders," said Maureen Sabolinski, Superintendent of Schools "Our elected and town officials work in concert with business and higher education to meet the needs of our community members and always strive to improve all public services. The shared sense of community enables stakeholder to establish a shared vision and mission." 

With Massachusetts as a foundation, Franklin's attractiveness for business development has created a unique opportunity to provide positive economic growth, help advance the development of the Life Sciences and benefit the global community.

Franklin Library: Science Friday - Jan 9th

Space is limited and registration is required for the Science Friday event scheduled for Jan 9th. This targeted for students in the 1st through 4th grades.  

Register here

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ea8hoafg219c5f31&llr=npijo9cab

science Friday  - "world of engineering"

This was shared from the Franklin Public Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/12/science-friday.html

Franklin Library: Science Friday

Miss Gina returns to the Franklin Public Library on Friday, Oct 3rd. Exploring the night sky is the topic this time for kids in grades 1-4.

You can register online or at the Library. (Unfortunately, the Library is the best option in this case as they buried the link to register in the photo itself and I can't find it elsewhere on the Library web places.)

Exploring the Night Sky with Miss Gina

This was shared from the Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/09/science-friday.html

In the News: Tri-County NASA connection

For another year, a select group of Tri-County Regional Vocational High School students have been named official employees of NASA, joining other schools from across the country to design and build technology that may one day be used on the International Space Station. 

NASA accepted Tri-County into the High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH) program in 2011, and for the past three years, teams of science and engineering students have been developing projects to test in zero gravity.  

Tri-county Regional Voc Tech

Last April, six seniors traveled to Ellington Field in Houston, Texas, to try out their mass flow meter — a device that measures the mass flow rate of a fluid as it moves through a tube — aboard a zero gravity plane. 

This year, 15 seniors and 22 juniors will start new projects or continue work they started last year, such as a mixer for fresh foods that must work in zero gravity.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140912/NEWS/140918556/1994/NEWS

Sara Lewis: The loves and lies of fireflies

When I spent some time in Central Pennsylvania this summer, the fireflies amazed me as they do every summer. Fortunately, this TED Talk provides some wonderful insights about fireflies, their life and how they create the light we have come to love.

"It's amazing to think that the luminous displays we admire here and in fact everywhere around the world are actually the silent love songs of male fireflies. They're flying and flashing their hearts out. I still find it very romantic."

screen capture of Sara Lewis's TED Talk

The link to the TED Talk page where you can find the author bio, the interactive transcript and more
http://www.ted.com/talks/sara_lewis_the_loves_and_lies_of_fireflies

Franklin Library: Electric Zany Rock & Roll Science Show

Scott Kepnes will bring his "Electric Zany Rock & Roll Science Show" to the Franklin Public Library on Wednesday Aug 6th.

The show starts at 3:00 PM

Electric Zany Rock & Roll Science Show

This was re-posted from the Franklin Library website:
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/07/scott-kepnes-electric-zany-rock-roll.html

"It’s exciting to see the new science offerings"

Realtor Warren Reynolds has a nice write up on the science program at Franklin High School.

The opening of the new Franklin High School this fall will enable the Franklin Public School system to pursue the ambitious goal of offering its students the “premier high school science program in Massachusetts” according to Peter Light, Principal of the Franklin High School. Mr. Light recently alluded to this exciting prospect at an orientation held at the old high school for incoming 8th grade students and parents.

You can read the full article here
http://www.02038.com/2014/02/franklin-best-high-school-science-ma/

the new Franklin High School under construction in Jan 2014

In the News: Feehan science fair

Bishop Feehan High School recently announced the winners of its annual Science Fair that included Franklin residents Sydney Maika, Christopher Chou and Marissa Fontaine.

See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140203/NEWS/140209524#sthash.KNWU20gy.dpuf

Franklin Library: Air - Is it really there?

For children in the 1st through 4th grades, the next program in Silly Science and Mystical Math is scheduled for Friday, Nov 15th.

Registration is required as space in the class is limited. You can register here
https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e8ft554ybc860073&oseq=&c=&ch=

Additional information can be found in the flyer:

Air: Is it really there?

This was shared from the Franklin Public Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2013/11/silly-science-mystical-math-air_6.html