THANK YOU ::: July 2012 UMass Amherst Open Science Hardware Workshop Follow-up

[Don Blair]

Hi All,

Just a quick thank you for all the guidance, support and enthusiasm you all provided around the Open Science Hardware workshop we conducted last July -- thanks to everyone who participated and got the word out!  Here's a quick update / follow-up:

* Photos from / writeup of the workshop.  We received a very nice writeup and summary of the workshop by Chris Fastie, a forest ecologist from Middlebury who attended the workshop.  Also check out photos from the workshop when you get the chance. There's also an online summary of workshop topics, and the people who presented them. 

* Collaborations.  A lot of great discussions took place at the workshop, and the meeting led to several exciting new collaborations among graduate students at UMass Amherst and other groups interested in using and promoting open science hardware, including the Public Laboratory for Open Technology and Science.  You should check out (and support!) their very-cool DIY spectrometry kit project on Kickstarter -- use your mobile phone as a spectrometer, upload spectra to an online, wikipedia-style database of spectra, and identify e.g. identify that liquid in your cup as Starbucks coffee (or sewer water)!  To find out more about all of their projects, including balloon mapping and hydrogen sulfide sensing, sign up for their super-awesome google group.

* A new, local, "open science" organization!  We also formed our own, local group, focused on open hardware, open software, and open access and research in scientific research: Pioneer Valley Open Science (PVOS) -- and we've already begun working on several new projects on our wiki.  It's easy to contribute or start your own projects on the wiki -- check it out.

* LEAFFEST, September 22nd. During the weekend of September 22nd, PLOTS will be hosting LEAFFEST 2012 (Low Elevation Aerial Flights for Earth Sensing Technology).  We'll be testing out several DIY kits for live broadcasting of kite and balloon-based imaging and environmental sensors, as well as discussing a project for measuring H2S in the environment.  If you're interested, you're welcome to join -- just sign up and reserve a place to camp out in Vermont!

Thanks again!

-- Don

[Liz Barry]

Wow this sounds like it was a great event! thanks for the update, looking forward to more  news about PVOS activities :)

Liz

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