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EXPLR ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF THE NATIONAL STEM FESTIVAL

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Submissions for the 2025 challenge open on August 21, with top-scoring participants to be recognized at the Festival in Washington, D.C., in March 2025

EXPLR is founded by Jenny Buccos and co-founded by Kari Byron (former Discovery Channel Mythbuster) and Andrew Zimmern (Bizarre Foods)

NEW YORK, Aug. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — EXPLR is excited to announce the 2025 National STEM Festival, the second-annual nationwide initiative to foster creativity, critical thinking, and a passion for STEM among middle and high school students. The Festival invites students in grades 7-12 from across the U.S. and its territories to submit STEM innovations, inventions, and research addressing real-world problems.

Submissions for the 2025 Festival will be open from Wednesday, Aug. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 20 on the National STEM Festival website. Entries will be accepted in six categories: Environmental Stewardship, Future Food, Health & Medicine, Powering the Planet, Aerospace Innovation, and Tech for Good. Students are encouraged to use the scientific method or engineering design process to develop projects that strive to make a tangible real-world impact and create positive change for people and the planet.

Students with high-scoring projects will be selected as finalists and will move forward to the second round of the challenge. Up to 150 students will be named National STEM Champions, earning an expense-paid trip for themselves and a chaperone to the National STEM Festival, held at The Square in Washington, D.C., in March 2025. At the National STEM Festival, the student Champions will present their projects to some of our nation’s leading figures, including corporate executives, government officials and the media. They will also participate in mentor sessions and benefit from networking opportunities with STEM professionals and their peers.

The 2025 Festival also includes prestigious awards, including the AISES Indigenous Ingenuity Award, which honors Indigenous students from North American tribes or the Pacific Islands, and the Congressional Innovation Award, recognizing outstanding mobile and web applications that tackle real-world challenges. Additional students will be recognized with the Autodesk Design & Make Award and the PocketLab Insight & Inspiration Award and more.

EXPLR is collaborating with schools, educational institutions, student-serving organizations, STEM communicators, and businesses on local, state, and national levels to engage students nationwide to encourage participation and submissions, especially among students historically underrepresented in STEM. Starting in September 2024, free digital learning opportunities will be available online as a lead-up to the in-person Festival in Washington, D.C.

“We were incredibly impressed by the talent and creativity demonstrated by the students at the inaugural National STEM Festival,” said EXPLR Founder & CEO Jenny Buccos. “We are honored to help inspire students to pursue passions in STEM, and to bring the festival back for a second year. I can’t wait to see the great projects submitted in this year’s challenge.”

The inaugural 2024 challenge received more than 2,500 student sign-ups. Ultimately, 126 National STEM Champions were invited to Washington, D.C. to showcase their projects at the 2024 National STEM Festival.

For more information about the National STEM Festival, including submission guidelines, visit: www.nationalstemchallenge.com 

FESTIVAL SUPPORTERS
The 2025 National STEM Festival is presented by EXPLR. Co-presenting sponsors include Autodesk and Broadcom Foundation. Additional support provided by: The Square, United Robotics Group, Accenture, BuildWithin, D.C. Department of Employment Services, EF Education First, George Washington University College of Professional Studies, Governors Cyber Academy, If/Then, JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Lockheed Martin, Methodist University, Nexus PMG, Privateer, Purecycle, Qualcomm, Santa Clara University School of Engineering, ScIC Science is Cool presented by PocketLab, Southwest, and the US Center for Advanced Manufacturing. For more information about these organizations and to support the Festival visit nationalstemfestival.com.

To learn more about becoming a sponsor for the 2025 National STEM Festival, please send an email to nationalstemfestival@explr-media.com.

ABOUT EXPLR
EXPLR’s mission is to empower students with practical skills and experiences for success in both school and life. EXPLR is a streaming video and curriculum service for grade 5-12 students, teachers, and families that helps bridge critical gaps in K-12 education with a strong emphasis on skill-based learning and development. It was co-founded by leading education and entertainment figures Jenny Buccos, Kari Byron (former Discovery Channel Mythbuster), and Andrew Zimmern (TV personality, producer, and U.N. World Food Programme Goodwill Ambassador). Since launching in 2021, EXPLR has been used in over 500 schools across 23 US states.

Visit EXPLR.com

For media and interview requests, please contact Skai Blue Media at teamexplr@skaibluemedia.com

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KNEX Technology CTO Gustavo Gonzalez Elected 2025 President-Elect of OATUG

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Gustavo Gonzalez, KNEX Technology’s CTO, has been elected 2025 President-Elect of OATUG, emphasizing his dedication to Oracle innovation, collaboration, and leadership, including Ascend 2025’s strategic initiatives.

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — KNEX Technology, a leading Oracle Cloud solutions provider, is proud to announce that its Chief Technology Officer, Gustavo Gonzalez, has been elected as the 2025 President-Elect of the Oracle Applications & Technology Users Group (OATUG). This esteemed appointment highlights Gonzalez’s longstanding commitment to advancing innovation and collaboration within the Oracle community.

OATUG has played a pivotal role in my professional growth, and it is a privilege to contribute to this community which has enriched my career. As President-Elect, I look forward to collaborating with my peers to strengthen the Oracle user community and further its impact on businesses worldwide.

In his new role, Gonzalez will work closely with the OATUG leadership team throughout 2025, preparing to serve as OATUG President in 2026. He will focus on empowering Oracle professionals worldwide by fostering knowledge-sharing, community engagement, and professional development. OATUG, a globally recognized organization, supports its members in overcoming challenges, enhancing the value of Oracle solutions, and driving organizational success.

“OATUG has played a pivotal role in my professional growth, and it is a privilege to contribute to this community which has enriched my career,” said Gustavo Gonzalez. “As President-Elect, I look forward to collaborating with my peers to strengthen the Oracle user community and further its impact on businesses worldwide.”

Gonzalez’s election underscores his dedication to giving back to the Oracle ecosystem. A key focus of his role will include shaping OATUG’s strategic initiatives, such as the annual Ascend Conference, which unites Oracle users, thought leaders, and technology innovators for unparalleled learning and networking opportunities.

The upcoming Ascend 2025 Conference, scheduled for June 8–11 in Orlando, Florida, promises to build on the success of the 2024 event, which attracted more than 1,800 attendees. With early bird registration now open, Gonzalez aims to ensure the conference continues to deliver transformative insights and experiences for the Oracle community.

About OATUG

The Oracle Applications & Technology Users Group (OATUG) is the premier global organization for Oracle users, providing year-round education, networking, and advocacy. OATUG empowers its members to unlock the full potential of Oracle solutions, fostering innovation and collaboration across industries.

About KNEX Technology

KNEX Technology is a trusted leader in Oracle Cloud solutions, delivering cutting-edge products and services to help businesses achieve their objectives. Through its innovative approach and customer-focused strategies, KNEX enables organizations to navigate the complexities of today’s technology landscape. For more information, visit www.knextech.com.

Media Contact

Husna Gyasi, KNEX Technology, 1 (949) 232-0786, husna.ghayaisi@knextech.com, https://knextech.com/

Twitter, LinkedIn

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/knex-technology-cto-gustavo-gonzalez-elected-2025-president-elect-of-oatug-302347693.html

SOURCE KNEX Technology

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Dr. Gerard van Belle Appointed Director of Science at Lowell Observatory, Charting a Bold Future for Research

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Dr. van Belle to guide scientific exploration and foster innovation in the next era of astronomical research

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lowell Observatory is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Gerard van Belle as the new Director of Science. Van Belle, who has been an astronomer at the observatory since 2011, has been serving as the interim Director of Science.

In his new role, van Belle will lead a diverse team of astronomers and planetary scientists. He will spearhead the observatory’s new Science Vision, which focuses on advancing research capabilities and implementing cutting-edge technological improvements supporting Lowell’s leadership in astronomical research.

Under his leadership, the science department will continue to advance Lowell Observatory’s mission to pursue the study of astronomy, including the study of our solar system and its evolution, and to conduct pure research in astrophysical phenomena.

Van Belle’s own research focuses on fundamental stellar parameters, including the sizes, shapes, masses, distances, and temperatures of various types of stars. He is also renowned for his expertise in optical and near-infrared astronomical interferometry.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Whitman College in 1990, followed by a master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University in 1993, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Wyoming in 1996.

Throughout his career, van Belle has been instrumental in the development and commissioning of major optical interferometers worldwide, including the Palomar Testbed Interferometer, the Keck Interferometer, and the Very Large Telescope Interferometer. His pioneering work in stellar surface imaging earned him the inaugural Edward Stone Award for Outstanding Research Publication at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2002.

In 2011, van Belle joined Lowell Observatory’s science staff, where he applied high-resolution astronomical techniques to detect nearby exoplanets and map stellar surfaces. He served as the Director of the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI) in Flagstaff, Arizona, from 2017 to 2018, and subsequently as its Chief Scientist until 2022.

Notably, van Belle was among the astronomers who voted against the definition of ‘planet’ advanced during the 2006 International Astronomical Union (IAU) conference in Prague, which relegated Pluto to being a ‘dwarf planet’ (which according to the IAU resolution is not a planet).

His extensive experience and dedication to advancing astronomical research make him a valuable leader for Lowell Observatory’s scientific endeavors.

“I am honored to take on this role at such a pivotal time for Lowell Observatory,” said van Belle. “Our Science Vision will guide us in exploring new frontiers in astronomy while strengthening our commitment to public engagement and education.”

Executive Director Dr. Amanda Bosh expressed her confidence in van Belle’s leadership: “Gerard’s extensive experience and dedication to our mission make him the ideal person to lead our scientific endeavors. I look forward to working closely with him as we embark on this exciting new chapter for Lowell Observatory.”

For more information about Lowell Observatory’s research and public programs, visit lowell.edu.

About Lowell Observatory
Founded in 1894, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a renowned nonprofit research institution. It is the site of historic and groundbreaking discoveries, including the first evidence of the expanding universe and the discovery of Pluto. Today, Lowell’s astronomers utilize global ground-based and space telescopes, along with NASA spacecraft, for diverse astronomical and planetary science research. The observatory hosts more than 100,000 visitors annually for educational tours, presentations, and telescope viewing through a suite of world-class public telescopes.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dr-gerard-van-belle-appointed-director-of-science-at-lowell-observatory-charting-a-bold-future-for-research-302348440.html

SOURCE Lowell Observatory

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ALTICE USA IS ABANDONING LOCAL SPORTS FANS AND IS KEEPING MSG NETWORKS AND ITS KNICKS, RANGERS, ISLANDERS AND DEVILS COVERAGE OFF THE AIR

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NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MSG Networks released the following statement about their dispute with Altice USA:

“Altice USA has pulled their last proposal and walked away from negotiations to bring MSG Networks back to its Optimum subscribers. They also just dropped WPIX Channel 11 in New York and other local stations around the country. If you have been waiting, like we have, for them to do right by their customers – don’t wait any longer. Now is the time to switch to Verizon Fios who has a special offer for Optimum subscribers. Meanwhile, Optimum has been charging their over 1 million customers for local sports programming they have not been receiving and EVERY subscriber should be credited at least $10 a month.

Verizon Fios is ready to take your business. If you are not in Verizon Fios area, you can get games through these other providers DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo and The Gotham Sports App. For more options on how to switch providers, visit www.keepMSG.com.”

About MSG Networks

MSG Networks, a pioneer in sports media, owns and operates two award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks (MSG and MSG Sportsnet) and MSG+, a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming offering (included in the Gotham Sports App), that serve the nation’s number one media market, the New York DMA, as well as other portions of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The networks feature a wide range of compelling sports content, including exclusive live local games and other programming of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres, as well as significant coverage of the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. This content, in addition to a diverse array of other sporting events and critically acclaimed original programming, has established MSG Networks as the gold standard in regional sports. MSG Networks is part of the Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR).

Contact:

Dan Schoenberg (dan.schoenberg@msg.com)

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/altice-usa-is-abandoning-local-sports-fans-and-is-keeping-msg-networks-and-its-knicks-rangers-islanders-and-devils-coverage-off-the-air-302348428.html

SOURCE Sphere Entertainment Co.

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