Friday, November 16, 2012

International Tolerance Day

We are forever changed by a monster cloud system that covered one eighth of our earth called Super Storm Sandy, ravaging from the Caribbean to Canada, blistering through 17 states in the US; exploding floods, fire, famine, fights over fuel, while fusing family and friends. As of this date, many folk remain evacuated by this awe filled phenomenon. The storm’s ferocity was exacerbated by the rising tides of a full moon. We must face the fact that because weather patterns have changed, we must rethink rebuilding in some areas and we must consider that some people will never be able to return home again.
Today is International Tolerance Day. Sandy proved that there are many things that we cannot control, but we can control ourselves. Instead of tolerating one another, we would be better served to embrace and nurture each other. To that end, HICAP 2012 – 2013 has coordinated with Emily Miller of Pencil.org, an organization that aligns business professionals with a New York City Public School principal. Ms. Miller partnered me with Principal Ramona Pizarro of Home Instruction Schools. Because Principal Pizarro’s schools are located in all five boroughs, many were displaced; therefore, some of her instructors are now reassigned. My position in this partnership is to assist in providing the proven technological support and hardware necessary for success and graduation through 2013.
On November 14, 2012, Ms. Miller and I met with Principal Pizarro at the Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center to observe instructors with some of our most severely disable students. Instructors do not call the children disable; they are called, 'Specialty'. It takes a special human being to do this work. These teachers are a gift to the students and to their families. While there, we witnessed a physical breakthrough of a paraplegic student excited by the iPad and its applications, using his fine motor skills to make a selection. That day I, also, attended a memorial service at the health care facility's chapel for a much beloved student who passed away. Upon hearing how the caregivers and instructors were indelibly affected by this warm soul, by the end of the service; I, too, felt that knew that student.
The iPad has proven to be most beneficial to this population of students. Home Instruction Schools need approximately 200 more iPads for the 275 teachers who are charged with educating approximately 5,000 students throughout this school year. At this point, I am seeking assistance from everyone on earth. We must make sure that these children have the same opportuntiy for success that other individuals take for granted.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

How to use www.hicapv.blogspot.com

The site that you are on will be used to transmit general information about the Harlem Internet Computer Access Program—HICAP, and give Internet Society updates www.isoc.org. This page will no longer carry educational information.
To access current HICAP educational discussions and relevant information, go to: www.hicapv.blogspot.com.
All posts are in alphabetical sequence. New Students please read the facts written in white; followed by the pink supplemental lessons.
Advanced Students' base knowledge allows them to go directly to facts written in blue, utilizing the white writings as a refresher.
If you have questions or need translation for any language, e-mail me: merlebush1@gmail.com or call: 347.871.8675.
Because I reside in North America, my real-time reference for science based aurora and meteor sightings is from this perspective. Data shared on HICAP sites is for the expressed purpose of promoting further investigation by the reader.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Welcome to HICAP 2012 -2013 Session

This blog will serve as a periodic update of HICAP advancements with noted celebrations and observances shared. Acting as a guide, we reach out to all with interest in the boundless educational resources offered via the Internet. A synopsis of relavant resources will be shared at our Virtual Learning Lab: www.hicapv.blogspot.com.
At the Virtual Learning Lab, information posted in:
White is Intro to Computing; Pink is Intermediate Reading; Blue is Advance Discussion.
Enjoy!

Friday, August 24, 2012

2012 - 2013 HICAP Coursework

2012 – 2013 HICAP will cover:
  • Wireless Fidelity Access to the Internet via computer, phone, games, mobile devices
  • Intro to Technical Terminology
  • Frequency—AM, FM; oscilloscopes
  • Bandwidth—The Currency of the Internet
  • Bits, Bytes
  • Binary Code on ASCII Table
  • Scientific Notation
  • Qubits
  • The Earth’s Core—Compasses, Lodestones, Magnets
  • Periodic Table of Elements—gold, copper; semi-conductors and insulators
  • Function of Light Emitting Diodes
  • Mastering Gaming with Konami Codes
Supplemental Coursework:
Mars
Living Reef.org
The Sun
Aurora Borealis in the northern hemisphere
Aurora Australis in the southern hemisphere
International Meteorological Organization—imo.org
Observed Holidays:
2012
November—Thanksgiving: November 22, 2012
December—Raising Cane Party & Welcome Winter Solstice: 12/12
2013
January— Enjoy New Year Celebrations throughout the world: 1/9
February—Chinese New Year: 2/10 through 2/24
February—Black History Month—honors NASA Director, Charles Bolden
March—Women’s History Month
March—Spring Equinox: 3/20
April through May—HICAP in Review
June—Graduation Celebration: June 12, 2013
After September 26, 2012, for synopses of HICAP discussions, go to: www.hicapv.blogspot.com

Thursday, August 23, 2012

HICAP is EXPANDING

Because the Internet was designed to connect and share knowledge, for the ISOC HICAP 2012 - 2013 Session, we will expand to serve all ages, all languages and folks of all abilities; any place in the world.
The site that you are currently viewing will continue to provide updates of our goals and progress.
Beginning September 26, 2012, you can access our Internet  technology coursework at the HICAP Virtual Internet Learning Lab: www.hicapv.blogspot.com.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Mars

The EDL Team (Entry, Descent and Landing) at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab in California along with the world awaited the, nuclear powered roving laboratory Curiosity’s August 2012 landing in the Gale Crater in Mt. Olympus on Mars. The purpose for this mission is to find carbon based life utilizing SAM (Sample Analysis at Mars). An eight month journey for this six-wheeled rover with mounted panoramic 360°camera, we currently anticipate the transmission of detailed images and data about soil samples.
For updates go to: www.nasa.gov

Monday, August 6, 2012

Mars Landing

I’ve been up all night with NASA TV. Curiosity landed at 1:31 ET; quite exciting. HICAP is awaiting the high resolution images to come in two days. And, we are looking forward to feedback from Curiosity’s rendezvous with the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Odyssey utilizing HiRISE—High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment and relaying different types of data—basic radio frequency and Ultra High Frequency radio data. Data is received by NASA’s Deep Space Network antenna dishes in California, Spain and Australia; truly is a global education effort. Go world!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Quantum Computing Qubits

Bits are the intellectual life-blood of computing. A bit is either in the zero position or the one position. In Quantum Physics the Theory of Entanglement states that one particle can exist in two separate and distant places at the same time. The application in Quantum Computing is that when both the zero and the one are active at the same time, in separate and distant places, they are called qubits. Qubits would exponentially increase the power of computing. If possible, this translates to two to the nth power. It has, also, been stated that extremely large exponents is a theoretical and unattainable value.

There is a Neutrino detector called Minerva at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. From the University of Rochester, scientists have beamed a message through the ground using neutrinos in binary code; they then published a paper in the journal Modern Physics Letters A expressing their results.

Between Quantum Computing Qubits and Neutrinos traveling through matter faster than the speed of light, HICAP anxiously awaits our exciting future.


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

HICAP Summer Break

As I hoped, this has been one of the most exciting years ever at ISOC-NY Harlem Internet Computer Access Program. With the 'Breaking Barriers' video honorably featured in the Internet Hall of Fame, our journey this session has been informative and rewarding. In addition to studying the technical aspects of computing, we discussed:
  • Tuskegee Airmen known as the Red Tail and their mutiny that was the model for the non-violent protests led by Dr. Martrin Luther King
  • The Quakers' contribution to the Underground Rail Road
  • Solar Storm Cycle resulting in Aurora Borealis and Neutrino particles
  • Sun Spots and Solar Sound
  • Large objects such as the Pyramids and Stonehenge  being as moved with sound
  • Neutrinoes being produced in a lab to use in future computing
  • Utilization and creation of QR Codes
  • Unclaimed Funds (official site)
  • Free local events with Internet Access
All students have my contact info and I will be available them during our Summer Break.
Graduation Celebration on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Video

The HICAP video, 'Breaking Barriers' commisioned by the Internet Society and produced by Guy Calaf & Ruben Collado featured last week with The Internet Hall of Fame awardees!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Black History Month at Manhattan Borough Presidents' Office

Artist Gerald Jones awarded presentation priviledge to display work for
Black History Month by Scott Stringer, Manhattn Borough President 2012
Mr. Wu &Gerald Jones both ISOC-NY HICAP Students at Artist Jones'
Reception Party at the Office of the Manhattan Borough President

ISOC-NY HICAP Chinese New Year Celebration

HICAP Students enjoying Conversation and Computers
at
Gen. Chauncey Hooper Towers in Harlem, USA

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Gung Hay Fat Choy 4710

Friday, January 27, the Fifth Day called Poo Woo; HICAP celebrated the Year of the Dragon. Our dining table was adorned with:
  • A Pineapple Centerpiece surrounded with fragrant Tangerines & festive colored candy adornment
  • Fruit Salad positioned at each end and a Veggie Salad consisting of Carrots, Broccoli, Celery, Cherry Tomato Platter in the middle
  • Platters with Homemade Chinese Noodles & Dumplings were quickly devoured
  • A Homemade Chinese Cake of gelatin with coconut bits also displayed
  • We sipped Apple Juice and my experimental Chai Tea--a big hit; absolutely delicious & invigorating!
Mr. Wu is going to school to learn English. Because I cannot leave my empoly until 5 p.m., the students are in class before I arrive. Mr. Morrison picked me up from work to assist me with carrying goodies. When I walked in the class, Mr. Wu had created two signs in English for me and wrote at top in Chinese--"Year of the Teacher". It doesn't get much better than this.

A fter consuming several cups of tea and filling our plates two or three times with the delicious delights, we opened our discussion by honoring the Cao & Wu families. I thanked Yan Cao for assisting in the cultural authenication of our celebration. And, I read about each day of the Chinese New Year, what it signifies, how it is observed, who each day honors and the foods to be consumed that day. After reading about the last day, I yelled, 'Gung Hay Fat Choy!' and released a confetti popper to everyone's amused amazement.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Chinese New Year

You are invited to
Celebrate Chinese New Year 4710
The Year of the Water Dragon
with
HICAP
on
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.

10 West 138th Street

R.S.V.P.: 347.603.8829

 
On January 6th marking the Twelth Day of Christmas, HICAP classes resumed.

After viewing the HICAP video, 'Breaking Barriers' created by the Internet Society on youtube, we discussed:

BANDWIDTH--The Currency of the Internet
  • Bandwidth--digital signal processing measuring radio frequencies in Hz
  • Wireless Broadband--provides instantaneous bandwidths greater than one MHz with a bit rate greater than 1.5 Mbit/s.

In a previous HICAP Session, we discussed QR Codes; how they work and we created a few for HICAP. We, also, discussed audio QR possibilities!