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Now Available: Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) Kit – Beta, the Premier Introduction to Robotics and STEM

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XRP is a comprehensive, open-robotics platform designed to be accessible for everyone; it comprises a coding environment, hardware kit, and engaging online modules 

BOULDER, Colo., July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — A consortium of leading educators and technology companies have announced the release of the XRP Kit – Beta, an entry-level open-source robotics ecosystem intended to expand global participation in robotics, inspire future engineers, and serve as a springboard for STEM education for grades 8-12, electronics beginners, and robotics enthusiasts of any age. As of today, anyone can preorder the XRP Kit through SparkFun® or DigiKe.

 

Based on three years of pilots, the platform includes everything needed to build and program a robot to perform beginning through advanced tasks progressing from fundamental robotics to driving, line following, using sensors, using a robotic arm, and integrating robotic autonomy. The platform comprises:

Easy-to-assemble hardware kit (no tools or soldering) includes the XRP Controller Board from SparkFun, an ultrasonic rangefinder, line follower, two motors with encoders, servo motor, Qwiic® cables, chassis, two wheels, two casters, and battery holderXRP Controller board includes an on-board Raspberry Pi® Pico W featuring the RP2040® microcontroller, low-power accelerometer + gyroscope 6-DoF IMU from STMicroelectronics®, Qwiic connector for easy sensor integration, two dual-channel motor drivers, two servo headers, a momentary button switch, and moreEngaging online instructional modules developed by the Worcester Polytechnic Institute ® (WPI) through its OpenSTEM platform, tested with hundreds of usersCoding environment includes Blockly tools/libraries, Python, and the FIRST® Robotics coding development tool, WPILib; the board is also Arduino ® compatible 

The XRP is supported by a consortium, including founding visionaries DEKA  and WPI, as well as SparkFun, Raspberry Pi Ltd., STMicroelectronics, DigiKey, and Dagurobot. This group has ensured a pricing structure that offers educators a 43% discount to significantly increase accessibility. 

“The solutions to our most intractable problems are not coming through incremental improvements of existing technologies, but from new discoveries made by our kids. But without deep intuition for the first principles of science and technology – there will be no discoveries. What are we doing to cultivate this intuition? When you give kids apps and they stare at a screen – they are experiencing a level of abstraction that makes understanding impossible. It might as well be magic. They need to go deeper, and the XRP is a way to bring this experience to every student in the world,” said Dean Kamen, Founder, FIRST and DEKA.

“The XRP has the power to expand access to STEM education opportunities across the globe and make sure diverse populations of teachers and students are included,” said Grace J. Wang, PhD, President of WPI.  “This hands-on platform, combined with the WPI OpenSTEM curriculum, educational resources, and online community support, will help educators inspire future innovators and technology leaders.”

“It is vital for the future of the technology industry that young people have opportunities to develop their enthusiasm for computer programming and electronics, ahead of their entry into the workforce. XRP, powered by Raspberry Pi silicon, will bring these opportunities to many more young people around the world,” said Eben Upton, CEO Raspberry Pi.

“At FIRST, we provide life-changing robotics programs that give young people the skills, confidence, and resilience to build a better world. We believe the XRP serves as an excellent bridge to our programs and have not only helped pilot the technology, but also have plans to provide it to rookie teams  as a jumping off point for building and programming their robots,” said Chris Rake, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at FIRST. 

In addition to the FIRST Rookie kits, early adoption of XRP include kits for every middle/high school classroom in New Hampshire; pilots in Engineering for Us All (e4usa) sites; and support through the National Science Foundation (NSF).

About Contributing Partners: 

DEKA Research and DevelopmentWorcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) WPI OpenSTEM SparkFun Electronics Raspberry Pi LtdSTMicroelectronics DigiKey Dagu Robotics 

Related Links:
https://experientialrobotics.org/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/now-available-experiential-robotics-platform-xrp-kit—beta-the-premier-introduction-to-robotics-and-stem-301871129.html

SOURCE SparkFun Electronics

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PEAC Institute Launches “24 Hour Pause for Peace: A Global Concert”

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24 Hour Pause for Peace Will Be the Largest Peace Initiative Ever Worldwide, Unifying 96 Countries on Six Continents Through Music

MONTCLAIR, N.J., Sept. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — On this International Day of Peace, PEAC Institute, part of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize winning team, has launched “24 Hour Pause for Peace: A Global Concert,” the largest peace initiative ever organized worldwide through music.

“Now, we need companies, government entities, other nonprofits and donors who care about our cause for peace to join us in lifting up the biggest event of this generation.”

On October 4, 2025, this ground-breaking program will activate a massive network of youth ensembles that spans 96 countries and territories across six continents and host two 24-hour commercial festivals featuring some of the biggest acts in music and entertainment. This extraordinary day-long event will be live-streamed globally, allowing millions to participate simultaneously.

“It has been 40 years since Live Aid and We Are the World historically unified and changed the world through music,” said Rebecca Irby, president and CEO of PEAC Institute. “With our planet riddled with post-pandemic fatigue, climate chaos, unsettling wars and more, we believe it is time to create a new trajectory for humanity by inviting everyone around the globe to a 24 hour pause for peace to enjoy the sounds of music and feel the transformative power of human connection,” Irby explained.

Additionally, 24 Hour Pause for Peace plans to amass more than 100 million ambassadors to sign an appeal to the United Nations calling for a 24 hour ceasefire during the children’s concerts and commercial music events. All countries are welcome to participate with no exceptions. One of Pause for Peace’s core beliefs is everyone has the right to be equally respected and heard, particularly in collectively calling for peace.

“Achieving this ambitious global endeavor requires the support and participation from the most impactful brands, organizations, and influential leaders, artists and celebrities,” said Jennifer McKenna, 24 Hour Pause for Peace CEO.

Pause for Peace is a $165 million global initiative. Currently, it is in its first phase of raising seed capital through consumer brand-aligned sponsorships and private donors. Funding for the program is tax-deductible through PEAC’s 501(c)(3) status.

“We have assembled an exceptional executive team of change agents in entertainment, production, consumer marketing, charitable development and global security to make this extraordinary, worldwide peace event happen.” McKenna added. “Now, we need companies, government entities, other nonprofits and donors who care about our cause for peace to join us in lifting up the biggest event of this generation.” To become involved in 24 Hour Pause for Peace: A Global Concert as a sponsor, partner or donor, sign up to be an Ambassador, or for more information, go to www.24hourpauseforpeace.org.

About PEAC Institute

PEAC Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the United States. PEAC stands for peace, education, art and communication. It was formed in 2016 through a campaign with partner organization, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), which garnered a 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. PEAC now holds special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and has a global presence working with countries and territories worldwide to reach the most marginalized youth through art and communication activities to help them explore and express. For more information on PEAC Institute, go to www.peacinstitute.org.

Media Contact

Chadwick Boyd, Pause for Peace, 1 4046060611, chadwick@24hourpauseforpeace.org, www.24hourpauseforpeace.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/peac-institute-launches-24-hour-pause-for-peace-a-global-concert-302254527.html

SOURCE Pause for Peace

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Global Times: China opens 12 nuclear research facilities to global scientists

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The involved facilities span areas such as basic nuclear research, isotope production, nuclear environment simulation, equipment testing, and radioactive waste treatment and disposal.

VIENNA, Sept. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — China will open 12 nuclear research facilities and testing platforms to international scientists and institutions to enhance global cooperation, a senior Chinese official said here on Monday.

These include the China Advanced Research Reactor, the new-generation tokamak device Huanliu-3, and the Beishan Underground Research Laboratory, Liu Jing, vice chairman of the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA), said at a meeting on the sidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) annual general conference.

The facilities span areas such as basic nuclear research, isotope production, nuclear environment simulation, equipment testing, and radioactive waste treatment and disposal.

Monday’s meeting, themed “Share for Development,” was organized by the CAEA to promote international cooperation in nuclear technology research and development, as China marks the 40th anniversary of its accession to the IAEA.

Yu Jianfeng, chairman of China National Nuclear Corporation, said at the event that the company aims to deepen cooperation with the IAEA and expand international collaboration. He expressed hope that opening China’s nuclear research facilities will contribute to advancing nuclear technology globally.

IAEA’s Deputy Director General Mikhail Chudakov commended China’s remarkable achievements in nuclear energy development and highlighted the long-standing, fruitful relationship between the IAEA and the CAEA.

Welcoming China’s decision to open up more of its nuclear research and development facilities, Chudakov said the move will further strengthen the agency’s technical capacity to support its member states.

On Monday evening, the CAEA and China’s permanent mission to the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations in Vienna jointly held a reception at the UN headquarters in Vienna to celebrate the 40th anniversary of China’s accession to the IAEA. More than 200 participants, including IAEA representatives and foreign envoys to Vienna, attended the event.

Li Song, China’s permanent representative to the UN and other international organizations in Vienna, said at the reception that China and the IAEA have expanded practical cooperation and jointly promoted the development of nuclear energy over the past 40 years.

China, he said, will continue to strengthen collaboration with the IAEA and its member states to address emerging challenges in international security, safeguard the global non-proliferation regime, and promote the use of nuclear energy and technology for the benefit of the Global South.

At the reception, Liu, Li and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi jointly unveiled a bronze statue of Qian Sanqiang, a renowned Chinese nuclear physicist and one of the founders of China’s nuclear industry.

The statue, donated by China, will be permanently displayed at the IAEA headquarters, alongside sculptures of Polish-French physicist Marie Curie and other prominent figures who have made significant contributions to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Contact: xutianshu@globaltimes.com.cn

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-times-china-opens-12-nuclear-research-facilities-to-global-scientists-302254830.html

SOURCE Global Times

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The Ar-King of Spirits: Ed Arking’s Impact on the Liquor Industry

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In the interest of providing luxury liquors in a convenient and stress-free format, Served Neat was born. When asked about his intentions for the company, Ed states, “My goal with Served Neat is to create a one-stop shop where customers can easily discover these rare gems.”

MOORESTOWN, N.J., Sept. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Served Neat is an emerging online platform with a curated selection of some of the world’s most popular luxury spirits. The website offers daily flash deals that highlight a variety of high-end international brands including Pappy Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace, Clase Azul, and more.

“While there are websites selling spirits, none have the decades of experience that we bring from WTSO. Served Neat will offer not only incredible bottles but also the best customer service in the industry.”

Ed and Joe Arking, the father-son team behind the concept of Served Neat, have decades of experience hand-selecting and supplying sought-after liquors. Ed Arking, CEO of New Jersey’s Roger Wilco, grew up in the world of wine and spirits and formed his own business aspirations.

“Growing up, I watched my father navigate and succeed in the ever-evolving wine and spirits industry,” Ed explains. “While I always aspired to create something similar, I knew I needed to wait for the right moment.” Ed has gone on to manage his own liquor store and lead projects for up-and-coming brands, such as the vodka-infused and non-carbonated Smooth Water.

As he evolved in his career, Ed discovered the perfect time to make his lifelong vision a reality. He recalls, “I noticed a gap in the market—especially for whiskey and tequila. These categories have surged in popularity, making it difficult for the everyday consumer to find those elusive sought-after allocated bottles.”

In the interest of providing luxury liquors in a convenient and stress-free format, Served Neat was born. When asked about his intentions for the company, Ed states, “My goal with Served Neat is to create a one-stop shop where customers can easily discover these rare gems.”

When it comes to Served Neat, quality and knowledge is key. Ed adds, “While there are websites selling spirits, none have the decades of experience that we bring from WTSO. Served Neat will offer not only incredible bottles but also the best customer service in the industry.”

Served Neat is the sister company to WTSO and The Wine Market, two online platforms dedicated to sourcing and distributing top-notch wines from every corner of the globe.

At The Wine Market, an online marketplace for the world’s most popular wine brands, convenience and quality are key. Each bottle in their curated collection is a testament to exceptional flavor and craftsmanship.

Since 2006, WTSO has enjoyed creating a unique wine experience and sharing it with new beginners and seasoned connoisseurs alike. Using an extensive network of wineries and wine makers, WTSO connects customers to thousands of brands from top wine appellations around the globe. The strong relationships they’ve formed within the wine world allow the business to deliver authentic and high-quality bottles to homes across the United States.

Wine and spirits lovers alike are invited to explore Served Neat, WTSO, and The Wine Market to find their next favorite bottle. Visit their websites to learn more about these one-of-a-kind online marketplaces!

Media Contact

Julie Blount, WTSO, 1 8669572795, marketing@wtso.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/the-ar-king-of-spirits-ed-arkings-impact-on-the-liquor-industry-302254517.html

SOURCE WTSO

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