Your Bricks for Nik are in place and the site is lookin' good!
|
|
|
|
Site Development
at the
Tesla Science Center @ Wardenclyffe
By Gene Genova, Vice President
Your brick is one of these 8,000!
Since last year there has been significant progress in developing the TSC site. In addition to regular maintenance of the grounds, a number of important projects were completed. The most visible work can be seen around the Tesla statue area, near Route 25A. With a grant from Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker, new black fencing and two information kiosks were installed between the statue and the road. The cedar information kiosks were placed outside the fence, accessible for viewing by passersby. They will display maps, pictures, and information about Tesla and the Wardenclyffe site.
A recent fundraising campaign called “Bricks for Nik” gave people an opportunity to purchase inscribed brick pavers. About 4,000 inscribed bricks and an equal number of blank bricks were installed around the Tesla statue by LaGrassa Masonry & Design. Volunteers then graded and seeded the nearby areas.
The removal of invasive vegetation, dead trees, and stumps has been going on throughout the summer. With the help of many volunteers and bulldozing work by Thomas Muller, we have been able to clean several areas around the tower base, the Bauer House, the Admin building and the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP). Grading and seeding these areas has greatly improved their appearance.
The largest project this summer was the removal of asbestos from several buildings, most of it from Tesla’s laboratory. This work was completed in July by Chesapeake Contracting and will allow us to move forward with building renovations.
Last year a beautiful wrought iron wellhead was removed from the chimney on the Tesla lab. Through the efforts of Rob Arnold of Custom Welding, it is almost completely restored. This work included the fabrication of new pieces that were badly corroded or missing. Our volunteers are now refinishing the wellhead.
We anticipate starting work in the next few months on renovating the Bauer House, a former residence that will become the TSC visitor’s center. Architect Paul Cataldo has completed renovation plans to make it handicapped accessible with meeting rooms, exhibit space, and a gift shop. Our goal is to have the visitor’s center finished by late next spring.
Recycling has been a major part of our work. To date we have removed and recycled more than 71,000 pounds of scrap metal from the Wardenclyffe site.
|
|
|
Meet the TSC Board Members
Richard Gearns
NYS Master Physics Teacher
Sachem High School East
When and how did you get interested in Nikola Tesla and Wardenclyffe?
I had an interest in Nikola Tesla as a physics student in college. After all, it was Tesla who developed the electrical system we use today. I remember first learning about Tesla and wondering why I had never heard of him. This interest became much stronger when I had the opportunity to attend my first Tesla conference in 2005. I remember being amazed at the sheer range of innovative ideas and inventions that originated with Nikola Tesla. At the same conference, I discovered the plight of the Wardenclyffe Laboratory and was surprised to discover that I lived only couple of miles from this historic landmark.
How do you contribute as a board member?
Everyone on the board contributes in so many ways. As a group we have achieved incredible success. My recent work has been dedicated to bringing Tesla, his accomplishments, and his local and regional connections to teachers and students. For a man whose vision brought us into the modern electrical and informational age, very little is said about Tesla in our schools. Through our very successful Teslamania physics teacher conference we have found a way to get teachers sharing innovative ideas about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Simultaneously, I share my knowledge of Tesla and his legacy and suggest ways to incorporate his remarkable achievements into the classroom.
More is coming. We are currently developing other STEM programs to be housed at Wardenclyffe when the grounds are ready. Nothing gets me more excited than the concept of students and teachers learning about electricity in the very same place where Tesla lived, worked, and dreamed.
What are you enjoying most about your involvement in this pursuit?
By far, the most enjoyable part of this pursuit is being connected to so many Tesla fans and devotees. Since my early twenties, I have always sought opportunities to be part of something bigger. There is nothing bigger for me.
The support and interest from so many people from around the world is energizing for all of us at TSC. Thank you; we love hearing from you.
Tell us something about yourself.
I have a beautiful wife, Erin, and a wonderful daughter, Claire, who have given me the perfect life. We like to travel and recently visited Iceland. Their love and support allow me to work on many projects. In addition to the Tesla Science Center, this includes my work as a doctoral student at Stony Brook University, where my research interest is in STEM education and opportunity equity among public school students.
|
|
Meet the TSC Volunteers
Michael DiBartolomeo
Md Electrical Service Inc.
When and how did you get interested in Nikola Tesla and Wardenclyffe?
Growing up in Shoreham, I was always interested in the abandoned laboratory building and Tesla's work. In high school I read all the Tesla books and learned how important he was with his inventions.
How long have you been associated with the Tesla Science Center?
I have been on the site almost from the beginning, volunteering as soon as I learned about the opportunity.
Being an electrician, I felt kind of honored to be able to help clear and secure the property, resurrect electrical facilities or provide new ones, and install technology and security equipment.
Having a young family and a business make it difficult to be as involved as I’d like to be, but I find time. Although electrical and mechanical tasks are my primary interests, I will also shovel snow or move wood chips or help in any other way that is needed.
What do you enjoy most about your association with the TSC?
A few of the most active volunteers were asked to be part of an advisory board, and that was a real pat on the back for us. It was an unexpected honor. We have a variety of people on the panel and we can offer good ideas on site development. Tradesmen and laborers know how to get things done, school teachers know how to organize and lead a task, architects are needed at almost every step of the way, and scientists can envision how things should look, function, and be displayed.
And we all share the same interest in our vision of the lab and museum. It's a nice group of people coming together with the same cause in mind. And we are all volunteers, so we are not money-driven.
|
|
Tower to the People has its First Theater Run
TESLA TO TAKE ON HOLLYWOOD!
TOWER TO THE PEOPLE
SET TO ELECTRIFY LOS ANGELES ON OCTOBER 23RD!
|
|
Tesla Innovation Awards and
Private Screening of Tower to the People
Sunday, September 27, 2015
6 PM to 10 PM (PDT)
For Tesla fans in the Bay area:
If you would like to see Tower to the People this Sunday, and also witness the Tesla Innovation Awards presented by angel investor Dusan Stojanovic, make a reservation as soon as possible for one of the remaining seats at the Foreign Cinema, 2534 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110.
Seating is limited; all seats $65; includes film viewing, awards presentations, food and beverages. Reserve at:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/private-screening-at-the-foreign-cinema-of-tower-to-the-people-tesla-awards-tickets-18614410202
|
|
Support TSC While You Shop!
Did you know that you could set up automatic donations from Amazon to Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe? With holiday shopping fast approaching, it's the perfect time to do this.
To set up these Amazon donations, just visit Smile.amazon.com and select Friends of Science East (the official name of Tesla Science Center) to receive the donations. Then always order from smile.amazon.com (make this your bookmark for Amazon) and every eligible purchase will result in a donation of 0.5 percent of your purchase price from Amazon to TSC -- at no cost to you!
You can also download the Amazon Smile app for your browser on any device.
|
|
|
Copyright © 2015 Tesla Science Center, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe
P.O. Box 552
Shoreham NY, 11786
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list
|
|
|
|
