Science And Technology Archives - Colorado Community Media https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/category/news/science-and-technology/ Wed, 16 Jul 2025 22:56:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/cropped-Square-drafts-32x32.jpg Science And Technology Archives - Colorado Community Media https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/category/news/science-and-technology/ 32 32 223860106 CoorsTek launches manufacturing training center for regional workforce development https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/07/16/coorstek-academy-opens-advanced-manufacturing-training-center-2025/ https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/07/16/coorstek-academy-opens-advanced-manufacturing-training-center-2025/#respond Wed, 16 Jul 2025 22:56:57 +0000 https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/?p=576951 An individual demonstrates the forklift simulator at the new CoorsTek Academy Training Center during the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony

A year ago, the CoorsTek facility at 4414 Table Mountain Drive was a simple warehouse. Today, it’s a training center. And, in the coming months and years, CoorsTek leaders hope it’ll become a regional epicenter for advanced manufacturing workforce development. On July 16, the company celebrated opening its new CoorsTek Academy Advanced Manufacturing Training Center […]

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An individual demonstrates the forklift simulator at the new CoorsTek Academy Training Center during the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony

A year ago, the CoorsTek facility at 4414 Table Mountain Drive was a simple warehouse.

Today, it’s a training center.

And, in the coming months and years, CoorsTek leaders hope it’ll become a regional epicenter for advanced manufacturing workforce development.

On July 16, the company celebrated opening its new CoorsTek Academy Advanced Manufacturing Training Center with its industry and education partners, as well as state and local government officials.

On July 16, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, center, and CoorsTek representatives cut the ribbon for the CoorsTek Academy Training Center.
On July 16, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, center, and CoorsTek representatives cut the ribbon for the CoorsTek Academy Training Center. The academy at 4414 Table Mountain Drive in northeastern Golden will be a workforce development asset for CoorsTek, local school districts, community colleges and other businesses. Credit: Corinne Westeman

The CoorsTek Academy started in 2021 to train internal hires and employees.

However, this new training center in northeastern Golden was made to be used by outside entities.

According to CoorsTek Workforce Development Manager Elizabeth Pittman, workforce development centers, local school districts, community colleges and other companies will use it to train people in universally applied manufacturing skills.

“This is really what opportunity looks like,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Pittman and other CoorsTek officials explained how the state-of-the-art facility will be ideal for advanced manufacturing personnel, covering everything from a half-day recertification course to a multiyear apprenticeship.

CoorsTek employees are also using the training center for apprenticeships, recertification and other endeavors.

The six members of the first CoorsTek Academy Training Center apprenticeship cohort celebrate the academy's July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony
The six members of the first CoorsTek Academy Training Center apprenticeship cohort celebrate the academy’s July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony. The six started their apprenticeships June 30, and will be working and training at CoorsTek until September 2026. Credit: Corinne Westeman

In fact, Pittman said the first apprenticeship cohort — composed of six recent high school graduates from Jefferson and Denver counties — started on June 30 for an 18-month program.

The facility is composed of two training bays. One is specific to CoorsTek employees, with proprietary technology and machinery. The second is open to community colleges, workforce development centers and others, Pittman said.

Both feature innovative technologies, such as a forklift simulator, to help participants learn.

Opportunity Now Colorado

Last year, CoorsTek received a $4.5 million Opportunity Now Colorado grant to help establish the academy. From now until late 2026, the academy must serve at least 1,200 Coloradans as part of the grant requirements.

State Rep. Brianna Titone, far left, and other officials survey the new CoorsTek Academy Training Center from an overhead observation deck
State Rep. Brianna Titone, left, and other officials survey the new CoorsTek Academy Training Center from an overhead observation deck. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, second from right, and other officials joined CoorsTek for the academy’s July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Credit: Corinne Westeman

Polis said that overall, $55 million in Opportunity Now grants will help at least 20,000 Coloradans with job training and placement. The CoorsTek Academy’s training center specifically will be a major boost for the 6,000 companies that comprise Colorado’s advanced manufacturing sector, he said.

CoorsTek leaders thanked the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade and the Governor’s Office for investing in the training center, saying it will become a model for public-private collaboration.

Chief Executive Officer Michael Coors also anticipated it’d be a major asset to Colorado’s advanced manufacturing sector, and help boost local companies, employees and economic development.

Irma Lockridge, chief people & systems officer, encouraged Polis and other officials to check back on the training center in a year to see just how much it had grown and how significant of an impact it’s had.

Click through additional photos from the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony:

  • Director Sean Grubb, at left, gives Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, center, and other officials a quick tour of the new CoorsTek Academy Training Center during a July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
  • Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, left, and CoorsTek CEO Michael Coors speak at the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the CoorsTek Academy Training Center.
  • On July 16, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, center, and CoorsTek representatives cut the ribbon for the CoorsTek Academy Training Center
  • Billy Mansour, Emerson's vice president of North America operations, speaks at the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the CoorsTek Academy Training Center.
  • CoorsTek hosts a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 16 for its new advanced manufacturing training center.
  • An individual demonstrates the forklift simulator at the new CoorsTek Academy Training Center during the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony
  • The six members of the first CoorsTek Academy Training Center apprenticeship cohort celebrate the academy's July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony

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University of Denver to partner with Colorado Air and Space and Altitude Aviation Group https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/07/15/university-of-denver-to-partner-with-colorado-air-and-space-and-altitude-aviation-group/ https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/07/15/university-of-denver-to-partner-with-colorado-air-and-space-and-altitude-aviation-group/#respond Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:25:35 +0000 https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/?p=576535

A new program aimed at increasing career opportunities in aerospace, aviation and more will be coming to Adams County’s Colorado Air and Spaceport, thanks to an agreement with the University of Denver. The Spaceport and AltitudeX Aviation Group have signed a lease with the University of Denver to establish a Six Sigma Center of Excellence […]

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A new program aimed at increasing career opportunities in aerospace, aviation and more will be coming to Adams County’s Colorado Air and Spaceport, thanks to an agreement with the University of Denver.

The Spaceport and AltitudeX Aviation Group have signed a lease with the University of Denver to establish a Six Sigma Center of Excellence at CASP as a public-private partnership, according to a news release on July 11.

“This is a major win for Adams County, for Colorado, and for our entire community,” said Lynn Baca, Chair of the Adams County Board of Commissioners. “Efforts like this show youth across our county —and people of all ages, for that matter—that world-class career opportunities in aerospace, aviation, logistics, transportation, and more are happening right here in their backyard.” 

The AltitudeX Aviation Group is a private investment firm that focuses on creating investment opportunities in the aviation and aerospace sectors. That group signed a partnership with Adams County and the Spaceport in February.

Six Sigma is a business philosophy that aims to reduce defects and variation and enhance quality and efficiency. A Six Sigma Center of Excellence is a group established to guide the Six Sigma process.

In July 10 press release, Baca said the center will become a hub for aviation, aerospace, and logistics in the region. 

CASP will join DEN, Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW), Los Angeles World Airports (LAX), and Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN) in the Six Sigma Center of Excellence program.

The DU campus location at CASP is meant to serve the Rocky Mountain region, focusing on education and workforce development to promote long-term economic growth. CASP aims to promote international education programs at the air and spaceport to attract more students to its campus for collaboration in research, innovation, and the aviation industry. 

“These types of thoughtful, inventive projects are exactly what AltitudeX hopes to be involved with in the future at CASP. And this is just the beginning,” said Jon Roitman, Chief Executive Officer of AltitudeX. “By joining forces with partners who accelerate innovation and expand opportunity, we can truly achieve extraordinary outcomes.”

“We are thrilled to work with CASP and Adams County to create a Center of Excellence that will set a new standard for quality and efficiency in the aviation and logistics sectors,” said Jack Buffington, Director of the Supply Chain Program at the University of Denver. “Six Sigma is the gold standard for world-class practices, and this center can become a catalyst for economic growth in Adams County and across Colorado.”

The Spaceport is located near major transportation hubs, including interstates, freight lines, commuter rail, and Denver International Airport, making it an ideal location for groups hoping to collaborate on space, air travel initiatives and to establish a transportation logistics hub.

“The Six Sigma Center of Excellence will not only transform how we operate at CASP but will also elevate our reputation as a leader in quality, safety, and innovation,” said Jeff Kloska, Director of CASP. “This project is a perfect example of how the public and private sectors can work together to build something bigger than any of us could do alone.” 

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New United Power vice president to improve automation, networked data https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/06/04/new-united-power-vice-president-to-improve-automation-networked-data/ https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/06/04/new-united-power-vice-president-to-improve-automation-networked-data/#respond Wed, 04 Jun 2025 18:01:13 +0000 https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/?p=571425

United Power has promoted Matt Bartlett to Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, according to a news release on May 29. “I am pleased to have Matt join the executive leadership team at United Power, in the critical role of Chief Information Officer,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO. “Electric utilities have become […]

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United Power has promoted Matt Bartlett to Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, according to a news release on May 29.

“I am pleased to have Matt join the executive leadership team at United Power, in the critical role of Chief Information Officer,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO. “Electric utilities have become more automated and rely on increasingly complex data and information systems to operate and provide the services members expect. Having the most talented and capable leader in this role is vital to our success.”

According to officials, in 2018, Bartlett was hired by United Power as the IT Infrastructure Manager and later advanced to Vice President of IT Infrastructure and Operations, where he led a comprehensive technology transformation for the department. 

In addition to rebuilding their critical network and server infrastructure, he implemented a hybrid cloud environment and established a robust data platform, according to officials.

Bartlett is a certified information service security professional with 20 years of experience, according to officials. He has worked to improve information technology operations across various industries, including electric utilities, non-profits, healthcare, manufacturing and higher education. 

Gabriel said Bartlett’s leadership has enhanced both the information technology and operational technology cybersecurity framework of the cooperative, while streamlining operations through targeted strategic process improvements and automation initiatives.

“He has a record of building high-performing teams and a keen ability to align technology solutions with business objectives,” Gabriel said. “I am confident Matt will help United Power bring enhanced services to the cooperative membership, while further developing our talented information technology team to meet the co-op’s future needs.”

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Golden-area groups collaborate to design first-of-its-kind modular home https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/05/18/mines-modular-home-project-golden-hills/ https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/05/18/mines-modular-home-project-golden-hills/#respond Sun, 18 May 2025 21:02:09 +0000 https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/?p=569517 concept art of modular home

Lot No. 7 of the Golden Hills mobile home park is empty right now, but a year from now, it will be the site of a unique modular home. And, longer-term, locals hope Lot No. 7 will be the beginning of a larger trend that could help hundreds of others across Colorado and beyond. Golden […]

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concept art of modular home

Lot No. 7 of the Golden Hills mobile home park is empty right now, but a year from now, it will be the site of a unique modular home.

And, longer-term, locals hope Lot No. 7 will be the beginning of a larger trend that could help hundreds of others across Colorado and beyond.

Golden Hills residents have been working with the Neighborhood Rehab Project, Colorado School of Mines students and staff, and a local housing development company to design a first-of-its-kind modular home that’s affordable, sustainable and scalable.

The 12 Mines students — now Class of 2025 graduates — designed it during the academic year as part of the Capstone Design Program. They worked with Golden Hills residents and NRP on how to make it livable, while Golden-based Addazu offered insight on how to make it affordable and buildable on a large scale.

One Mines team worked on designing the home itself, while the other team focused on concepts for powering it via geothermal energy. Both teams won first place in their respective categories at the April 24 Capstone Design Showcase.

concept materials for a modular home on a Golden Hill mobile home park lot
Recent Colorado School of Mines graduates gather with their families and other local partners May 10 at Golden Hills Mobile Home Park to celebrate their recent work. Over the 2024-25 academic year, the now-graduates designed a modular home, partially depicted on the left, that will be built and installed on an empty lot at Golden Hills. Credit: Corinne Westeman

The graduates stopped by Lot No. 7 on May 10 to show their families the project they’d been working on and celebrate their graduation together with their Lot No. 7 partners.

“For a student team to do something like this, it’s great experience,” said environmental engineering graduate Jake Wright, who was on the design team. “Everyone got something out of it.”

Now, the stakeholders are planning to break ground in August and have the modular home fully built and in place by next May. They hoped it would act as a pilot project that, if successful, could be produced on a larger scale.

Joyce Tanner, who lives next to Lot No. 7 and is president of the neighborhood co-op, said working with the Mines students has been a highlight for her over the last year. Overall, she said the project “has been a beautiful example of partners working together for the common good.”

A unique housing solution

Dave Clingman, who represents the Neighborhood Rehab Project and lives in Golden Hills, said NRP started in Golden Hills with the goal of keeping everyone “warm, safe and dry.”

flooring materials
Recent Colorado School of Mines graduates and their partners showcase flooring for the modular home they want to build over the next year. The group plans to build and install the home at Golden Hills Mobile Home Park as a pilot project that could be produced for other mobile home parks, if successful. Credit: Corinne Westeman

When Golden Hills became a resident-owned park in summer 2023, he said it opened up new opportunities for NRP to help the residents.

Lot No. 7 has been empty for some time, after the previous home was demolished, and the community suffered from the loss of revenue. So, Clingman and Tanner said they approached Mines about a Capstone Design project that would allow Mines students to gain hands-on experience while helping Golden Hills.

The two teams of Mines students met with Clingman, Tanner and others throughout the academic year.

The Orediggers described how most Capstone Design projects are proof of concept, but this one was more tangible. It also required a large interdisciplinary group to tackle all the project’s facets, from the site’s hydrology to the modules’ dimensions.

concept art of modular home
As depicted here, recent Colorado School of Mines graduates have designed a modular home for local partners to build and install at Golden Hills Mobile Home Park. The graduates designed it for the Capstone Design Program, with both teams taking first place in their respective categories. Credit: Courtesy graphic

Weston Gary, an environmental engineering graduate who was on the energy team, said he didn’t have a lot of experience in geothermal energy before the project. Plus, the other stakeholders were great clients who were engaged and collaborative throughout the entire process, he continued.

“It exceeded my expectations,” Gary said of the entire experience.

concept art of modular home
As depicted here, recent Colorado School of Mines graduates have designed a modular home that’s heated and cooled by geothermal energy. The graduates designed it for their Capstone Design Program, with both teams taking first place in their respective categories. Credit: Courtesy graphic

Matthew Waters, a mechanical engineering graduate who was on the design team, likewise appreciated “having local clients and getting real-world experience.” Waters said he hadn’t worked much on designing and building homes before, but he spent the last eight months helping to ensure this new modular home would not only be affordable but livable.

“It was such a cool experience,” he continued.

With the modular home designed and the site prepped and ready, Addazu founder Kelly Pickering said the next step is building and installing it.

NRP is helping fund the foundation installation, and the stakeholders have received grant funding for a geothermal sustainability study, he explained.

Pickering said the stakeholders are trying to find funding sources for the pilot home, and once it’s finished and installed, it would be sold on the open market.

model of a modular home
Recent Colorado School of Mines graduates have designed a modular home, depicted by the model in the foreground, that will be built and installed on an empty lot at Golden Hills Mobile Home Park. As seen in the background, the graduates gathered with their families and other partners May 10 at Golden Hills to celebrate their work. Credit: Corinne Westeman

If the Lot No. 7 project goes well, Pickering expected these modular homes would be installed in communities like Golden Hills around the state, saying it would be a solution to the “missing middle housing” problem.

Tanner believed this type of project was a great way to support resident-owned communities like Golden Hills, describing how manufactured housing makes up a large piece of the affordable housing picture.

The Orediggers felt similarly, with Gary hoping that communities beyond Golden Hills would adopt solutions like this.

He described how geothermal or other renewable energy sources would give homeowners more energy independence. Plus, Gary added, building and installing modular homes like this would be faster, cheaper and more sustainable than many other traditional types of housing.

“It has great potential to fill that gap (between housing supply and demand),” he said.

  • sign on vacant lot at Golden Hills mobile home park
  • model of a modular home
  • concept art of modular home

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Twombly Elementary kids get a new STEM program https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/05/15/twombly-elementary-kids-get-a-new-stem-program/ https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/05/15/twombly-elementary-kids-get-a-new-stem-program/#respond Thu, 15 May 2025 12:41:00 +0000 https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/?p=569133

Twombly Elementary celebrated the addition of the SmartLab Learning/STEM Education Project-Based Learning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 12.  “I am very excited to be able to bring our students the Smart Lab experience.  I look forward to students having the opportunity to extend their learning of math and science throughout the school day,” said […]

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Twombly Elementary celebrated the addition of the SmartLab Learning/STEM Education Project-Based Learning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 12. 

“I am very excited to be able to bring our students the Smart Lab experience.  I look forward to students having the opportunity to extend their learning of math and science throughout the school day,” said Stephanie Mehnert, Principal of Twombly Elementary

Johan Van Nieuwenhuizen, Interim Assistant Superintendent, said the program is a great opportunity for students, providing hands-on, project-based learning to master 21st-century skills such as teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving—all necessary for success in the modern world.

Johan Van Nieuwenhuizen, Interim Assistant Superintendent, gives a speech about the new SmartLab program. Credit: Belen Ward

Van Nieuwenhuizen said the launch of SmartLab is more than a room with technology; it’s the beginning of a new way of learning—a space where curiosity meets creativity. 

“Our kids get to explore hands-on, project-based learning challenges to think critically, solve problems, collaborate, and innovate to shape their futures as scientists, artists, or leaders in the community,” Van Nieuwenhuizen said.

Van Nieuwenhuizen said Twombly received a $170,000 grant from the Weld Trust, a great gift to bring this year. This gift is about more than dollars; it invests in believing in our kids’ potential, he said. 

“We started working with the SmartLab organization, and they made all of this happen quickly,” he said. 

Kelly Fitzsimmons, Colorado SmartLab regional sales manager, said she is excited to bring a smart lab into this school, with the help of Van Nieuwenhuizen and the Weld Trust organization.

“It’s just such a wonderful, incredible experience that I know these students will have to give them a new perspective and a new way to think about learning,” Fitzsimmons said. “Like I mentioned, it’s really turning them from consumers of information to producers of information, and giving them the opportunity to experience different industries, different careers, and occupations that they never would have thought about had they not had the chance to explore within the smart.”

RK Hancock teaches STEM to all grades; it is a specialized class at Twombly Elementary.

“I am very excited about the Smart Lab,” Hancock said. “This is my first year teaching STEM here at Twombly, and so far, I’ve been using lessons I created in my curriculum. It will be nice to have a more structured curriculum and more materials that I can use.”

“Throughout this year, I’ve engaged in a lot of science and engineering using the materials we already had at school,” Hancock said. “Now, I’ll be able to incorporate much more math and technology with the materials provided through the Smart Lab. Here are a couple of examples: I’ll go to Snap Circuits, and we’ll be able to do a lot of work with coding.”

“I want to thank you, everyone, for making this possible. We’re looking forward to using the SmartLab equipment to help our students learn more; it’s about planting seeds that will blossom for years,” Van Nieuwenhuizen said. 

After Johan Van Nieuwenhuizen, DeAnna Coink is the music conductor at Twombly Elementary as students sing the song “Whisper” by Greg Gilpin.

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Higher education: Go for Launch program aims to inspire students https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/05/01/go-for-launch-aims-to-inspire-students/ https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/05/01/go-for-launch-aims-to-inspire-students/#respond Thu, 01 May 2025 12:50:00 +0000 https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/?p=566898

Michelle Lucas, founder of Higher Orbits Go for Launch, has worked at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and made her reputation preparing people for space flight. She traveled the world teaching people how to live on board the International Space Station. But the satisfaction she received from that job is nothing compared to thrill of seeing a […]

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Michelle Lucas, founder of Higher Orbits Go for Launch, has worked at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and made her reputation preparing people for space flight. She traveled the world teaching people how to live on board the International Space Station.

But the satisfaction she received from that job is nothing compared to thrill of seeing a new generation get interested in space flight.

“Don’t get me wrong, training astronauts for space was fulfilling, but being able to prepare the next generation is a next level of fulfillment,” Lucas said. 

That’s what she and her team were aiming for April 26 and 27 at the Colorado Space Port near Watkins. The space port hosted the Go for Launch Higher Orbits event, a special STEM program, for 35 Denver-area middle and high school students.

Lucas said it’s incredibly fulfilling to inspire the next generation of space enthusiasts, especially for kids that don’t have access to these kinds of opportunities.

Post-its, tape and teamwork

The students learned about teamwork, communication, technology, leadership, science, engineering and brainstorming during the two day program. Their tasks include working as teams to create a tower made of paper stable enough to support the miniature NASA Orion Capsule placed on top. Each tower was tested with a small fan to assess its strength. 

Colton Burke, Eshaan Valles, Yiri Yerikanis, and Zach Schultz worked as a team to build their tower. Credit: Belen Ward

Global Village Academy’s Colton Burke, Prospect Ridge Academy’s Eshaan Valles and Colorado Skies Academy students Yiri Yerikanis, and Zach Schultz worked as a team.

The group of 8th grade students brainstormed how to best build their tower, each participating with structural engineering concepts and feeding off each other for inspiration. 

Their final tower was made of Post-its, paper and some tape with room for the Orion Capsule on top.  Their project was tested for strength, and they won first place. Not only that, but they had fun doing it.

That’s the goal, Lucas said. Being able to create something that she can bring to the backyards of students across the country is so meaningful to her. 

Dreams of space

The impact is huge, according to Robert Ferguson from Westminster Public Schools’ Random Innovation Center. He teaches the aviation engineering pathway, including drone classes, pilot training, engineering design, aviation electronics, and aerospace. 

“I’m excited about the new opportunities for the next generation and am looking forward to seeing their progress and achievements at the Colorado Air and Space Port,” Ferguson said. “I’ve had students who have gone on to be airplane mechanics, training as pilots, and some have gone to the military, or the School of Mines, Metropolitan State University, and Colorado State University.”

Lucas said that since she was a little girl, she dreamed of working in the space industry, and had the privilege of doing that after she graduated.

“I worked at Johnson Space Center variety of different jobs with the International Space Station. I was part of the payload safety review panel,” Lucas said. “I was a flight controller and mission control, and then I was a technical instructor for astronauts and other instructors.”

Michelle Lucas is testing the strength of the tower with a small fan, stimulating different Hurricane strengths. But the tower fell over. Credit: Belen Ward

After 12  years, commercial space started to take off, so she decided to leave NASA and start her own consulting company.

“I did some work for a nonprofit internationally. We launched Higher Orbits, a nonprofit. It’s our 10th anniversary. We’ve conducted 84 programs in 21 states, impacting over a thousand students.” 

Space loomed large in Capt. Wendy Lawrence’s imagination, too. Lawrence was an astronaut with four space shuttle missions under her belt, including the Astro Two mission to the Russian Space Station Mir. 

Lawrence said she grew up reading about the Mercury or Gemini space programs, but as Apollo started, she was in front of her black and white televisions at home.  

Captain Wendy Lawrence showed a slide show talking about her life when she started as an astronaut with photos of her and her crew on all four shuttle missions. Credit: Belen Ward

“Most of us had not migrated to color yet, and we were enthralled, amazed by what we saw. For me, it was Apollo 11 watching Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the moon,” Lawrence said. “I just knew at that moment, I wanted to ride a rocket and have a chance to find space.”

Lawrence said Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics programs, also known as STEM or STEAM, are an opportunity for the students to take what they have been learning in school and apply it to a particular challenge, coming up with an idea for an experiment that could be on the International Space Station.

“It’s their opportunity to apply knowledge and education they acquired, giving them experience that they can go on and take on challenges and be successful.”

Elizabeth Balga, another volunteer for the program, works as a senior human systems integration engineer and flight operations engineer at Sierra Space in Colorado. 

Captain Wendy Lawrence measured and tested a tower that students designed in the class project. Credit: Belen Ward

She worked on the Dream Chaser program, which is a cargo vehicle designed to bring payloads to the International Space Station. 

Balga said she was inspired by Space flight since she was a little girl and was enamored with everything in science, space, and technology in her classes. 

“This age range is where kids are trying to decide what they want to do with the rest of their lives, and allowing them to learn about space, but also STEM and space, everything it takes to go into space,” Balga said. 

“It’s science, technology, engineering, art, and math. There are also biology and aviation paths that are part of the greater aerospace realm,” Balga said. “As a kid, I didn’t have a lot of these opportunities to learn about aerospace. I would have loved to go to a ‘Go for Launch’ as a kid.”

Go for Launch volunteer Sonia Morales also works as a modeling and simulations engineer at the Aerospace Corporation. 

“I’ve been looking for other opportunities to give back to students, to inspire them. I found out about Go for Launch asking for volunteers, and I was very excited to volunteer,” Morales said. 

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Boom Supersonic to test Symphony engine at Spaceport https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/04/30/boom-supersonic-to-test-symphony-engine-at-spaceport/ https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/04/30/boom-supersonic-to-test-symphony-engine-at-spaceport/#respond Wed, 30 Apr 2025 17:40:43 +0000 https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/?p=566707

Centennial’s Boom Supersonic plans to test its hypersonic Symphony engine – that powered the first civilian aircraft to break the sound barrier last year – at the Colorado Air and Spaceport, according to a news release on April 25. “This is an exciting moment not just for Adams County but for the future of aerospace […]

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Centennial’s Boom Supersonic plans to test its hypersonic Symphony engine – that powered the first civilian aircraft to break the sound barrier last year – at the Colorado Air and Spaceport, according to a news release on April 25.

“This is an exciting moment not just for Adams County but for the future of aerospace innovation in Colorado,” said Lynn Baca, Chair of the Adams County Board of Commissioners. “Boom’s investment in our community puts us at the forefront of the aerospace industry and reflects our shared commitment to advancing next-generation transportation technologies.”

The Symphony engine is in its testing facility. Credit: Boom Supersonic

Boom would use a former hypersonic test site at the Colorado Spaceport to run its prototype engine through its paces.

The Symphony test site is on the Spaceport grounds near Watkins, roughly 35 miles from Boom’s Denver headquarters. They will be using advanced instrumentation and a data collection system to accelerate engine development and enhancement. 

Boom has agreed to invest $3.5 million in the Spaceport this year to get the testing site ready for this year’s prototype engine core trials, according to officials.

“We are very excited to welcome Boom Supersonic to Colorado Air and Space Port and to support the development of its revolutionary Symphony Engine,” said Jeff Kloska, Director of CASP. “We look forward to a great partnership with Boom and to advancing our aviation and aerospace ecosystem at CASP.”

The high-temperature test site was most recently used by Reaction Engines UK to test a revolutionary engine pre-cooler heat exchanger, according to a December 2022 Spaceport news release. 

In January 2024, Colorado-based La Storia film company documented Boom Supersonics’ test flight of its XB-1 aircraft, the first civilian aircraft to break the sound barrier.

Boom Supersonic XB-1 aircraft, the first civilian aircraft to break the sound barrier. Credit: Boom Supersonic

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HowdE, partners: Orediggers, Goldenites enjoy Mines’ annual E-Days https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/04/14/colorado-school-of-mines-2025-e-days-festival/ https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/04/14/colorado-school-of-mines-2025-e-days-festival/#respond Mon, 14 Apr 2025 21:02:23 +0000 https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/?p=564654

Mid-April is always an exciting time in Golden, especially for Colorado School of Mines students, staff, alumni and other supporters. There’s a rugby game where players wear prom dresses; people line Clear Creek for hours to see whether boats made of cardboard and duct tape will sink or float; and a fireworks show over campus […]

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Mid-April is always an exciting time in Golden, especially for Colorado School of Mines students, staff, alumni and other supporters.

There’s a rugby game where players wear prom dresses; people line Clear Creek for hours to see whether boats made of cardboard and duct tape will sink or float; and a fireworks show over campus is visible all over the area.

Mines celebrated its annual E-Days festival April 9-13, with this year’s theme being “HowdE-Days.”

Current and former Colorado School of Mines women’s rugby players form a scrum during the annual Prom Dress Rugby game April 9. The game is a tradition among current Mines women’s rugby players and alumni, who wear thrifted formal dresses while they play. Credit: Corinne Westeman

The festivities kicked off April 9 with the women’s intramural rugby teams’ annual Prom Dress Rugby game, which featured current players and alumni wearing thrifted formal dresses during the game. This year’s game ended in a 15-15 tie between the Bloody Mary’s and the Bruise Berries.

Organizers said the tradition started around 2008, and has been hosted at different times of the year. However, they said it’s become a staple of E-Days in recent years, and university officials hope to make an even bigger festival kick-off in the future.

Prom Dress Rugby draws players from both the women’s seven- and 15-player intramural rugby teams. On April 9, the Bloody Mary’s and Bruise Berries fielded 10 players at a time, which they said made things a bit chaotic. And the dresses didn’t help either, they added.

“It’s a different experience: It’s a lot messier, but it’s lots of fun,” junior Aliya Lynn said of playing Prom Dress Rugby versus a normal game. “It puts smiles on people’s faces.”

On April 12, Colorado School of Mines students participate in the annual cardboard boat races as part of the 2025 E-Days. Every year, Orediggers build boats out of cardboard and duct tape, and test them at the Clear Creek Whitewater Park. Credit: Courtesy of Colorado School of Mines

The festivities continued April 10 with a comedian performance, a ball and casino night. April 11 featured the annual ore cart pull, where students pulled an ore cart along Colfax Avenue from Lakewood to downtown Denver.

April 12 was a community favorite with the cardboard boat races, where students test their engineering skills by building boats strictly out of cardboard and duct tape, and then paddle them down Clear Creek. The event draws hundreds of locals every year.

The community was also invited to attend the carnival on campus that afternoon, after students hosted their Mining Games that morning.

The 2025 E-Days wrapped up April 13 with the Pancake Pheast, a car show and fireworks that had been rescheduled from the night before due to dry and windy conditions.

Click through photos from the 2025 E-Days festival:

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U.S. Energy Secretary tells NREL employees to ‘unleash’ their talents during Golden campus visit https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/04/04/energy-secretary-chris-wright-nrel-golden-campus-visit-2025/ https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/04/04/energy-secretary-chris-wright-nrel-golden-campus-visit-2025/#respond Fri, 04 Apr 2025 19:40:43 +0000 https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/?p=563486 U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright addresses members of the media April 3 while visiting NREL's Golden campus

With wide-scale layoffs, budget cuts and more, the past three months haven’t been easy for federal government employees and contractors. However, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright looked to provide some encouragement April 3 as he visited the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Golden campus. In addressing NREL’s 4,000 employees — whether in Golden, at another […]

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U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright addresses members of the media April 3 while visiting NREL's Golden campus

With wide-scale layoffs, budget cuts and more, the past three months haven’t been easy for federal government employees and contractors.

However, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright looked to provide some encouragement April 3 as he visited the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Golden campus.

In addressing NREL’s 4,000 employees — whether in Golden, at another campus or in the field — Wright told them how much he enjoyed his visit, saying, “Not all my days have been as awesome as today.”

Wright, who’s from the Denver area, has a background in oil and natural gas as well as solar, geothermal and nuclear energy. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Feb. 3 and sworn in later that day.

Wright told NREL employees how they’re doing critical work, saying he wants to help them however he can so that NREL and other U.S. Department of Energy employees can “unleash all of your energies and talents” and “focus on science and technology, and not on bureaucracy.”

NREL Director Martin Keller, left, talks to members of the media about U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, at right, visiting the Golden campus on April 3
NREL Director Martin Keller, left, talks to members of the media about U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, at right, visiting the Golden campus on April 3. Keller explained that, when Wright took over the U.S. Department of Energy, he helped NREL accelerate its ongoing construction projects. Credit: Corinne Westeman

To that end, he said he signed secretarial orders to ensure work could get done faster and cheaper.

As an example, Wright and NREL Director Martin Keller explained how, after Wright assumed office, Keller asked Wright to help accelerate construction of the Golden campus’ Energy Materials and Processing at Scale, or EMAPS, facility. NREL broke ground on it last year and it’s expected to be completed in 2027.

As Keller and other NREL officials later explained, Wright did help accelerate the project by reducing permit processing and approval times for contracting and executing the construction work.

After addressing the NREL employees, Wright and Keller hosted a small press conference in the Energy Systems Integration Facility.

When asked about federal employee layoffs and whether the public should expect any more, Wright didn’t give a definitive answer.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visits NREL's Golden campus April 3
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visits NREL’s Golden campus April 3. Wright said he had “a tremendous day” meeting with local scientists and engineers to learn more about the critical work they’re doing. Credit: Corinne Westeman

President Donald Trump’s administration has previously stated it wants to eliminate government employee positions through reductions in force. Then, on April 1, the DOE announced it was preparing for a “restructuring” but didn’t say more, according to Politico.

Wright said the DOE’s headcount has grown about 20% over the last four years, but he felt that Americans only got “a little bit more restrictions in energy production” in return. He continued by comparing it to how he ran his business, saying he wants to make “government services as good as they are today, or better, but at lower cost.”

He then said the U.S. Department of Energy is evaluating how to “get better and smarter at what we’re doing” within the overall department and each subdivision.

“So, that is an ongoing process; we are midstream on that,” Wright said. “But frankly, it would be downright irresponsible if we weren’t doing this (evaluation).”

‘We have to move fast’

During both his meeting with NREL employees and the press conference, Wright announced a DOE plan to lease land to AI data centers in a public-private partnership. One possible site is NREL’s Flatirons campus.

This plan builds on a Jan. 14 order issued by then-President Joe Biden’s administration.

Wright said he believes this public-private partnership would help both sides, as the data centers would have land to build on and the DOE would get money and maybe additional computing power for its national labs. It would also help the United States stay competitive in the international AI race, Wright added.

NREL Director Martin Keller tells members of the media about U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright's visit to the Golden campus.
On April 3, NREL Director Martin Keller tells members of the media about U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright’s visit to the Golden campus. Keller explained that, when Wright took over the U.S. Department of Energy, he helped NREL accelerate its ongoing construction projects. Credit: Corinne Westeman

Keller agreed that integrating data centers into the community is a very important discussion for the country, and he said he believes there’s great potential for collaboration between national labs and data centers, particularly regarding energy efficiency.

Overall, Keller said, he and his NREL colleagues are excited at the prospect of partnering with a data center.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visits NREL's Golden campus April 3.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visits NREL’s Golden campus April 3. Wright said he had “a tremendous day” meeting with local scientists and engineers to learn more about the critical work they’re doing. Credit: Corinne Westeman

“Thank you for pushing us, to ask us, ‘How can we go faster?’” Keller said to Wright about how his work has affected NREL thus far. “Because, here at NREL, we love to go fast, because we want to create a better planet, so we have to move fast.”

During the April 3 press conference, Wright also fielded questions about his stance on climate change and “climate alarmism,” as he described it, as well as Trump’s tariffs that were announced the previous day.

In addressing both NREL employees and the media, Wright championed advancing the United States’ electric grid by “increasing supply without impacting costs.” He said the country’s demand for electricity has been relatively flat for at least 20 years while costs have gone up, making consumers angry.

“We need to produce more electricity and stop the price rises that are making life tougher for consumers and making it harder for businesses to locate in the United States,” he said.

Wright said he believes NREL employees and others across the DOE would be critical components in reaching that goal.

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Children craft their own robot statues at Golden Library event https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/04/02/golden-library-robot-building-activity-2025/ https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/04/02/golden-library-robot-building-activity-2025/#respond Wed, 02 Apr 2025 19:29:18 +0000 https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/?p=563174 Adalie Gonzalet Prehn, 5, smiles with her completed robot statue and her new Bristlebot, which is on top of the statue, during a March 27 event at the Golden Library.

Roll aside, R2-D2 and WALL-E, because there are new robots in town. Ten local children recently assembled their own Bristlebots — tiny robots the size of toothbrush heads — at a March 27 event at the Golden Library. They then made their own robot statues out of cans, bolts, gears, magnets, tin foil, pipe cleaners, […]

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Adalie Gonzalet Prehn, 5, smiles with her completed robot statue and her new Bristlebot, which is on top of the statue, during a March 27 event at the Golden Library.

Roll aside, R2-D2 and WALL-E, because there are new robots in town.

Ten local children recently assembled their own Bristlebots — tiny robots the size of toothbrush heads — at a March 27 event at the Golden Library. They then made their own robot statues out of cans, bolts, gears, magnets, tin foil, pipe cleaners, pom poms, googly eyes and more.

The “Create Your Own Roz” event at the Golden Library was inspired by “The Wild Robot” book series, the first installment of which was recently adapted into an award-winning film.

The young participants were encouraged to build their own versions of the titular robot, Rozzum 7134, also known as Roz. However, Kids & Families Librarian Dawn Lewallen ultimately wanted the participants “to be as creative as they want” in their concepts. 

At right, 5-year-old Orion has fun building his robot statue alongside his dad, Roy Katz, during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
At right, 5-year-old Orion has fun building his robot statue alongside his dad, Roy Katz, during a March 27 children’s event at the Golden Library. About 10 children built their own robot statues from various materials, along with Bristlebots. Credit: Corinne Westeman

Josie Garner, 8, and several other participants said they’d read one or more of “The Wild Robot” books, seen the movie, or both. Josie’s dad, Patrick, said the family stops by the library weekly for books and usually participates in other events, like PAWS for Reading.

The “Create Your Own Roz” event was the perfect opportunity for not only Josie and her sister to meet up with their friends, but also for their dads to hang out too, Patrick explained.

Roy Katz said his 5-year-old Orion enjoys “The Wild Robot” books and library events, so the family thought it would be the perfect activity. Orion said he enjoyed building his Bristlebot and crafting his Roz-inspired statue.

Cousins Adalie Gonzalez Prehn and Emmett Smith, both 5, said they enjoy doing the library’s LEGO Build and Play events, and thought this would be a fun building-type activity as well. The magnets were particularly fun to play with, Emmett said.

Peej Kramer, 7, and Colette Garner, 6, sort through parts for their robot statue during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
Young patrons sort through parts for their robot statue during a March 27 children’s event at the Golden Library. The event allowed young patrons to build their own Roz, the titular robot from “The Wild Robot” book and movie series. Credit: Corinne Westeman

While other Jefferson County Public Library branches have done other “The Wild Robot”-inspired activities, Lewallen said this activity allowed the participants to create something in both the Bristlebots and their own Roz-inspired robot statues.

The “Build Your Own Roz” activity was part of the monthly Golden BEYOND Days program, which is an hour of activities and crafts for elementary-school-aged patrons. Lewallen said the library has a lot of activities for preschool-aged children and teens & tweens, but the Golden BEYOND Days program was designed for the age group in between.

The next Golden BEYOND Days event will be on April 10 to celebrate National Unicorn Day, with unicorn-themed activities and games.

Then, on May 15, the “Dragons Galore” activity will give young patrons a chance to make their own dragon eggs and dragon-eye magnets, to celebrate the “How to Train Your Dragon” book and movie series.

Over the summer, activities include paper circuitry, superheroes and art.Pre-registration is required for some of these events. For more information, visit jeffcolibrary.org/locations/gn.

Click through additional photos from the March 27 event:

  • Orion, 5, watches his newly constructed Bristlebot vibrate and move around the table during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
  • Lennon, 3, works on a robot statue with her dad, Andrew Kramer, during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
  • At center, 7-year-old Peej Kramer works on a robot statue while other children collect parts for theirs during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
  • Josie Garner, 8, watches her Bristlebot vibrate and move around the table during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
  • Colette Garner, 6, configures craft pipe-cleaners into parts for a robot statue during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
  • Young Golden Library patrons sort through various materials to build their robot statues during a March 27 children's event
  • Josie, 8, and her dad, Patrick Garner, build a robot statue during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
  • Adalie Gonzalet Prehn, 5, smiles with her completed robot statue and her new Bristlebot, which is on top of the statue, during a March 27 event at the Golden Library.

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