NYU-Poly Research Expo Takes Over Brooklyn's MetroTech Plaza with Robots and more
As a newly minted class of engineers walk the stage at the Polytechnic Institute of New York University (NYU-Poly) Commencement next week, New Yorkers will have an opportunity to walk into the future, as Downtown Brooklyn's MetroTech Plaza transforms for the university's first annual Research Expo.
The Expo will be highly interactive, showcasing 40 of the most promising research projects across all 10 NYU-Poly academic departments, as well as work from NYU-Poly's business incubators and outreach programs to boost science and technology learning in New York City public schools.
Visitors to the MetroTech commons will have the chance to interact with ground-, water-, and aerial-robots; peer beneath the murky surface of the Gowanus Canal; conjure up their own instant augmented reality experience, and more. The NYU-Poly Research Expo will take place on Monday, May 20, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at MetroTech Plaza in Downtown Brooklyn. The event is free and open to the public.
NYU-Poly President Dr. Katepalli R. Sreenivasan believes there's no better time to celebrate. "Commencement is about pride and accomplishment, and it is a time that many of our students feel very connected to the work they've done here in Brooklyn," he said. "It's fitting to use this opportunity to show the breadth and depth of our research, which isn't just about innovating in the lab—it's about designing practical solutions for the real world, and instilling a passion for science and engineering in the next generation."
Vikram Kapila , professor of mechanical engineering at NYU-Poly and one of the organizers of the Expo added, "This inaugural NYU-Poly Research Expo will present a wide range of research projects that will appeal to everyone from scholars to youngsters. From energy-harvesting building materials that have won international recognition, to math that demonstrates how timely therapeutic interventions can stop a cancer from spreading, and wireless monitors for epileptic seizures, this event will demonstrate the excitement of the life-changing science, math and engineering that can be found year-round at NYU-Poly."
The NYU-Poly Research Expo will feature the scholarly results of masters, doctoral and faculty research as well as family-friendly exhibits such as:
• An opportunity to design, build and "drive" robotic fish, learning how size, shape and tail motion can attract or repel live fish.
• CAESAR, a humanoid robot-head that can engage with people by following their moving faces, recognizes faces and greets visitors. CAESAR may someday aid the disabled.
• Create your own augmented reality experience through a revolutionary new mobile app, and see an object of your choice—from a Tyrannosaurus Rex to a roller coaster—appear on the MetroTech commons.
• Want to know what's really in the Gowanus Canal? Check out Brooklyn Atlantis, a submersible robot that is demystifying the site and offering everyday people the chance to contribute to scientific research.
• A newly-patented fiber optic sensor may be the future of home security. Visitors can test the sensor in action, and learn how it may safely monitor not just homes, but airplanes, spacecraft, and even oil spills.
• Taxi! An award-winning mobile app created by Weeels, a startup at one of NYU-Poly's business incubators. The app is revolutionizing the hail and making ride-sharing affordable and social.
• A new wireless video game controller will move much more than virtual characters—it's part of a project to devise new therapies for stroke victims.
The 100th Anniversary of Ebbetts Field: Brooklyn On Site
This year marks Ebbets Field's 100th Anniversary. Earlier this month, die-hard Brooklyn Dodger fans celebrated the anniversary of our borough’s beloved baseball park of yesteryear at an event hosted by the Brooklyn Historical Society. Baseball and borough historians gave lectures on the lasting legacy of the Dodgers, and long-time Brooklynites shared their Ebbets Field memories.
This is an entertaining video with great stories of the park that everyone wishes was still in the heart of Brooklyn.
A Parade returns to Red Hook!
Red Hook Earth and Surf Parade & The Red Hook Fest
It has been 11 years since the last Red Hook Earth and Surf Parade. Many local folks have been asking when there might be another. This seemed to be the year to celebrate Red Hook's rebirth with a parade!
Join with neighbors, friends, local businesses, organizations and schools and participate in the Red Hook Rebirth Parade on Saturday June 1st (rain date Sunday June 2nd). The parade will line up outside Coffey Park at 10 am and march through Red Hook's streets to Valentino Park and Pier.
This is a great way to remember how we became an even stronger community after Hurricane Sandy. Individuals, organizations, businesses, faith-based groups and/or schools can participate. Decorate your strollers, come on bikes, make your business vehicle into a float, paste spring flowers on your old hazmat suit or march with your organization! There are loads of creative people in Red Hook - let's take our strengths and talents to the street.
To register, please complete the Registration Form by using this link. If you have any questions, please contact our Community Organizer, Paulie Anne at redhookfest.paulie@gmail.com
For more information about the festival, email kamau@kamaustudios.com, call (718) 643-6790 or visit dtetc.com.
THE RED HOOK FEST
The 20th Annual Red Hook Fest (May 30-June 1, 2013). "Rebuild, Restore, Rebirth: Resilience after Sandy."
With our neighborhood and region still recovering from Hurricane Sandy, the Red Hook Fest is more important than ever.
DTE Red Hook Fest 2012 Selected Footage
The event features world class music and dance and fun activities for all ages (like free kayak rides in New York Harbor courtesy of the Red Hook Boaters).
Friday, May 31 @ PS 15 (71 Sullivan St.) enjoy an outdoor BBQ/Dance Party (6pm-9pm).
Saturday's Mainstage lineup ( June 1, 12pm-7pm @ Louis J. Valentino, Jr. Park & Pier) features:
Brown Rice Family, winners of WNYC’s Battle Of The Boroughs. An 8-piece world roots band, BRF’s sound incorporates elements of jazz, afrobeat, reggae, rock, Latin rhythms, hip-hop, and funk.
Gangstagrass, Emmy-nominated musicians behind the theme song for FX’s Justified, may be the world’s only “Rappalaichan” band, combining elements of hip-hip and bluegrass for a unique sound equal parts Jay Z and Ralph Stanley.
Camille A. Brown & Dancers is led by a Jamaica, Queens native who has choreographed everywhere from the Ailey Company to Broadway. “Gutsy. Wild. Smart. Original.” (Wendy Perron, Dance Magazine)
Avenida B, an oldschool Salsa Dura band out of the Lower East Side.
Nicholas Leichter Dance (“whose slippery, rhythmic style slides between street and classical”- Claudia La Rocco, New York Times) creates ecstatic cultural mash-ups with dancers who “move with ferocious abandon and clarity,” (Jennifer Dunning, NYT).
The Hungry March Band (“irrepressibly entertaining”-The New Yorker) opens the Festival, leading a raucous Red Hook Rebirth Parade through the areas of the ‘hood hit hardest by the storm. Parade begins at 10am.
For years, my daughter and I have enjoyed "CircuSundays" on the Showboat Barge and Waterfront Museum. Now it is Manhattan's opportunity to see this great event.
The Showboat Circus offers old-time family entertainment and classical circus artistry aboard a century-old covered wooden barge. Featured in Tribeca this June are the rope tricks of Chris McDaniel, the masterful juggling of Jen Slaw, and the delightful songs and laughs of Ilene Weiss. Hosted by Captain David Sharps aboard his beautifully restored Lehigh Valley No. 79, the show offers a glimpse into an authentic NY Harbor showboat in the late 1800ʼs.
The Showboat Circus features:
Chris McDaniel – a cowboy rope artist. This world champion rope trickster with immense charm has performed at the Grand Ole Opry, on Late Night with David Letterman, and on the National Rodeo Circuit.
Jen Slaw – an award-winning female juggling genius fresh from David Letterman. Jen combines grace, humor, skill and beauty with an absolutely captivating style.
Ilene Weiss– a twinkling and tender gal-with-guitar presents an assortment of family friendly songs with a charm that is wildly hysterical and heart-warming, all in the same verse.
THE SHOWBOAT CIRCUS is part of the North River Historic Ship Festival June 20 - 23. The fifth annual ship festival features free public boat rides aboard the Tug Pegasus and the John J. Harvey Fireboat, and dockside tours of the steam-powered lighthouse tender LILAC and Lehigh Valley No. 79. Also featured are Outrigger Canoe Races at Pier 26. For more information on the Festival visit http://www.nrhss.org.
Hudson River Park's Pier 25 is located in Tribeca, Manhattan along West Street at N. Moore Street. Nearest subway stations are the Franklin Street stop on the 1 or Canal Street on the A/C/E (exit at Walker Street.) N. Moore Street is one block north of Franklin Street or a block south of Walker Street. Walk west on N. Moore to the pier.
The Waterfront Museum is housed aboard the only surviving wooden example of "The Lighterage Era" (1860 –1960) -- an era in transportation and commerce history when goods were transported by Tug & Barge across the NY Harbor. The Lehigh Valley No. 79 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Group Tours are available daily by appointment by calling 718 624 4719 or by visiting www.waterfrontmuseum.org.
Come enjoy waterfront breezes and views, see antique vessels docked at Tribecaʼs new historic ship pier, marvel at the George Rhoades Ball Machine and view the original art exhibition entitled "Pollywogs & Shellbacks" – Marine Paintings by Frank Hanavan hanging on the bargeʼs walls.
Founded in 1986 to provide educational and cultural programs aboard an historic vessel and to advocate for and expand public waterfront access in the NY metropolitan area
Oded Nov, assistant professor of technology management, and Maurizio Porfiri, associate professor of mechanical engineering (center), with the team of students behind Brooklyn Atlantis 1
Visit Dance Theatre Etcetera for more information
2009 Circus Sundays at the Waterfront Museum
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