NASA Leading the Way: Educating, Experimenting and Exploring

Upon hearing NASA, the acronym for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, most people immediately think of the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts and probably Tom Hanks’ role in the movie “Apollo 13.” While those are all fair interpretations, it is important to understand that NASA is so much more than rockets and movie sets. In addition to space exploration and research, one of NASA’s main points of interest is education, and the organization offers educational opportunities that begin with children in grade school and continue through high school and college.

West Virginia: The State of 3-D Printing

Looking at the current state of 3-D printing makes science fiction almost relatable. Who wouldn’t want an ice cream sundae on demand via a food replicator like those used in “Star Trek?” While it’s not quite a reality yet, a Barcelona-based research group, aptly named Robots in Gastronomy, already uses cream cheese, cake dough, eggs, pasta, honey and fruit or vegetable puree to print culinary creations—and they recently added ice cream to the list.

Shake It Up: Mountain State-Inspired Cocktails

Fall and winter are upon us, which means it’s time for everything from tailgating spreads and holiday parties to intimate get-togethers and cozy evenings for cuddling. With all those engagements, you’ll need something to serve up for others—and yourself. Here is a collection of West Virginia-inspired cocktails that are sure to exceed expectations and prove to be anything but boring for your meet-ups. Next time you’re looking for something with a spark, try out these drinks that are sure to pack a bigger punch than punch and put the gin in West Virginia.

The Next Step: The Future of Higher Education

West Virginia’s industries are evolving, and accompanying this progress is a host of new and unique needs within the state’s business community. With the growth and shifts in dynamics, more jobs are available, raising the question of how the state will supply a large enough work force to get the work done. As the demands of the world market expand and technology continues to change, the creation of specialized jobs is producing an immediate need for specialized training.