What Army Wives Need to Understand About Female Soldiers, The Washington Post
Much is said about bridging the military-civilian divide, but as writer (and wife of a veteran) Lily Burana realizes, there’s also a distance between the women who proudly sport the uniform and those who are married to someone wearing it. Knowing that the military is full of inspirational females — including those now serving in the Ranger division — Burana set out to build a bridge the only way she knew how: by sitting down to lunch and having a chat.
Are Doctors the Key to Ending Philly Gun Violence? Philadelphia Magazine
Renowned for providing lifesaving medical treatment to kids, doctors from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia are focusing their efforts on reducing the cycle of youth violence that plagues the City of Brotherly Love. The hospital’s Violence Intervention Program (VIP) grew out of internal discussions about the Sandy Hill Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., and a shocking report from the city government, which found that 5,051 Philadelphia youth were shot or murdered between 2006 and 2012. It’s difficult to know for sure if the screenings, bully prevention lessons and intensive counseling sessions, which make up VIP, is reducing the number of gunshot victims, but the outlook is hopeful, considering most participants say they desire to be a normal teenager, not one packing heat.
The Power of Vision in Urban Governance, Governing
Every politician may have the goal of being dubbed a “visionary leader,” but Indianapolis’s former four-term mayor, Bill Hudnut, actually was. In order to bring forth the Midwestern city’s potential, Hudnut enlisted help from Indianapolis business and philanthrophic leaders and economic development experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Together, these heavy-hitters combined their strengths, collaborating on a plan that eventually brought $1 billion to the local economy — proving that collective vision and use of community assets is key to long-term impact.
Tag: innovation
What Do Standout Innovative States Have in Common?
Innovation districts have become the norm in cities across the country, but creation of these areas do not always equate to success. Previous research has shown just because a city supports entrepreneurial efforts or is in close proximity to a research university doesn’t mean it will produce more innovation.
But one business school professor is measuring the best indicators of innovation by looking at the effectiveness of research and development (R&D) investment of all public firms in all 50 states using a measure called research quotient (RQ). Washington University business professor Anne Marie Knott’s method measures the effectiveness of a company’s R&D compared to the competition to see what changes affect the bottom line and a company’s market value.
Knott found that California and Minnesota are leading the way when it comes to innovation. California notches a RQ score of 103.5, with the highest number of publicly-traded firms doing R&D (435), while Minnesota earned an above average score of 101.5 and also had a big portion of companies doing R&D (38).
So what makes these states so successful? Both welcome a wide range of industries and no single type of work comprises more than 15 percent of companies in either state. It’s certainly not features, as California’s sunny climate is a far stretch from Minnesota’s freezing temperatures. Both states are also vastly different in culture and each located in very different parts of the United States.
According to Knott, California and Minnesota share one institutional component: how they approach non-compete agreements. Both states restrict the enforcement of a non-compete, thus creating an environment that enables more people to pursue entrepreneurial ventures without having to leave the state.
As research has shown, states that de-emphasize non-competes result in more innovation as employees have more freedom to start new business ventures in the same industry, which creates an innovation cluster around a successful larger innovator. Comparatively, states that enforce non-compete contracts may retain some employees in the long-term, but the entrepreneurs who are going to leave regardless will end up leaving the state, ultimately hurting the overall production of innovation.
So while California and Minnesota’s friendliness may look like it hinders business production, it’s one of the biggest reasons these states are leading the way in entrepreneurship.
MORE: 7 Key Drivers to Turn Social Innovation into Success
5 Inventors Under 20 That Are Changing the World
Remember that list teachers had you make in elementary school? It was filled with all of the amazing things you wanted to accomplish in your life, most of which were grandiose. And while most of us probably won’t have the opportunity to cure cancer or travel to the moon, some teenagers are already making an impact. All under 20, these kids are using their ingenuity and everyday objects to solve the world’s problems.
Eesha Khare
Just 18 years old, Khare knows more about batteries than most of us combined ever will. This Saratoga, Calif. teenager revolutionized their function by inventing one that can be charged in 20 seconds and keeps power 10 times longer than the average battery. [ph]
Param Jaggi
With carbon dioxide emissions (particularly from cars) becoming a more prevalent environmental hazard, Jaggi decided to look to the environment for a solution. The answer? Algae. Using the water weed, the 17-year-old Jaggi created Algae Mobile – a device inserted into the tailpipe of a car, which converts exhaust into oxygen. [ph]
Marion Betchel
The daughter of geologists and a music lover herself, Betchel found a way to combine her experience with both to fight violence. Using the sound waves from the piano, Betchel created a keyboard-based device that can detect hidden land mines — which, in many areas, are still a huge cause of death, particularly among children. Betchel’s device could prevent many of those unnecessary deaths. [ph]
Ryan Patterson
In Colorado, 17-year-old Patterson just found a way to ease the lives of the deaf using a glove. Equipped with sensors, a radio frequency transmitter and a microcontroller, this glove can interpret hand motions, thereby, translating sign language for the user. [ph]
Raquel Redshirt
In New Mexico’s Navajo Nation, poverty runs rampant while electricity is scarce. Many of the residents can’t afford an electric oven — making food options very limited. That is, until 16-year old Redshirt created a solar-powered one. Comprised of anything lying around — old tires, aluminum foil, shredded paper, dirt — Redshirt created a simple device that’s changing the lives of her family and community. [ph]
Considering all of these great things were accomplished during their teen years, just imagine what these youth are going to do in the next 50 years.
To read about more teenage inventors, click here.
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Study: The Aging of the Population Will Have Unexpected Economic, Environmental and Health Benefits
As we all know, America’s population is getting older and older. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, by 2030 there will be 72.1 million people over age 65 in this country — more than double what there was in 2000.
Normally, following statistics such as this are comments about what this rapid increase in elderly people will do to the healthcare system and the labor market, but a new study published in the PLOS ONE journal suggests that it might also enhance innovation and produce other positive benefits.
The “The Advantages of Demographic Change after the Wave: Fewer and Older, but Healthier, Greener, and More Productive?” study, led by researcher Fanny Kluge of the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, finds a number of silver linings to the approaching demographic cloud.
For instance, the researchers speculate that the fact that these older people will drive less and consume fewer goods will lead to a decrease in CO2 emissions. “The expected reduction in the levels of carbon emissions due to population decline could be even greater if more environmentally-friendly technologies are adopted,” they write.
They observe that the overall educational attainment level of the population is increasing, which could lead to productivity gains that may offset the loss of workers. They write, “The higher educational attainment at the population level can be advantageous for economic growth.”
In an analysis of the research published in the Washington Post, Dominic Basulto writes that with more of the population enjoying greater free time, there could be a surge in innovators, inventors and entrepreneurs. In other words, we might have to change our image of college-age entrepreneurs working so furiously at startups that they can’t even properly eat to that of a more seasoned entrepreneur, launching a business at age 65 and staying active and financially secure in retirement.
“Life expectancy is increasing almost universally,” the researchers note, “and the health status of the older population is improving.” These are both good reasons to cheer up and look forward to America’s grayer future.
MORE: These Startups Offer Sleek Technological Innovation for the Elderly
The Leaders of California’s Most Tech-Friendly Cities Say Governments Need to Do These Three Things
It takes more than just technology to join the government 2.0 movement that’s swept the country over the past few years. Beyond big data, it takes vision and leadership to create governmental strategies that will better serve communities through a multitude of tech-driven solutions.
Discussing those tools and policies at the California Leadership Forum last week were a panel of some of the state’s public-sector innovation leaders. Highlighting some of their discussion, here are three strategies to keep in mind as more municipalities take on the task of creating a more transparent and efficient government:
Foster a cultural change in the workplace.
Encouraging employees to experiment with new ideas while at work is essential in shifting government out of antiquated practices, according to Lea Deesing, chief innovation officer of Riverside, Calif. That task is a job belonging to the new mainstay in local governments: chief innovation officers.
Jeremy Goldberg, deputy chief of staff for San Jose, Calif. Mayor Chuck Reed and head of the city’s civic innovation efforts, agrees, adding that recognizing “internal champions” who can coordinate projects with third parties in short periods of time also helps.
Engage citizens to help spur ideas.
Rather than simply highlighting success stories, officials need to focus on what changes need to happen to continue fostering a more innovative environment, according to Robert White, chief innovation officer of Davis, Calif.
“I would love to see at the state level, some kind of recognition or awarding of folks who in their daily jobs, are just changing the way we think about delivering government services,” he says. “That would be a very meaningful way to get others to be engaged and see these best practices and opportunities.”
Emphasizing an open environment and inviting residents to share ideas on a technical level is another strategy to generate more local participation, Deesing adds. One example? Riverside’s transparency portal, Engage Riverside, links to the community share tool MindMixer, which prompted a program for free computer training for low-income families.
Keep a focus on cybersecurity.
With more transparency and big data comes the concern about privacy. As governments continue to utilize data and develop online community tools, protecting it is paramount.
“It’s fun to talk about all the great things we’re about to do with technology, but if we’re not protecting our current assets, our department of justice data, our police data, our fire data, if we’re not doing that, I think we’re doing a disservice,” Deesing says.
Why Schools Should Emphasize Skills Over Knowledge
Tony Wagner began his education career in an alternative public high school in Montgomery County, Md., working with at-risk students. It was during that time that he began to notice something troubling about his teaching lessons. “I was worried increasingly about what I saw as the mismatch between what students were learning in school and what the real world was going to demand of them out of school,” says Wagner, who has since identified this as a fundamental flaw in the country’s education system.
Decades later, Wagner’s classroom has gotten a lot bigger. Today, he speaks to audiences around the world as an author and leading advocate for transformative change in America’s education system, which he believes is rooted in a shift from teaching knowledge to teaching skills. “Content should no longer be key, competency should be” says Wagner.
Which States Are Tops in the Open Data Movement?
As more local municipalities join the open data movement, the Center for Data Innovation, a think tank, has assessed which state governments are actually measuring up with the best policies.
A new report ranks states based on progress with open data policies and digital accessibility to data portals. Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Oklahoma and Utah are the top six states, respectively, in making strides with the open data movement.
The report also finds that 10 states currently maintain open data policies, and all but one offer an open-data portal. (New Hampshire being the exception as the only state with an open-data policy that doesn’t offer complete datasets.) Over the last two years, five states have created new policies while four have amended existing ones. Overall, 24 states offer some form of an open data portal, including some without policies in place.
The rankings were determined based on four categories including the presence of an open-data policy, the quality of the policy, the presence of a open-data portal and the quality of that portal, according to Government Executive.
The report also explores common elements among those states with the most successful open data campaigns, including data being open by default — which includes public, expenditure and legislative records — as well as being released in a non-proprietary format or a machine readable format. A universal format is important in order for nonprofits, businesses and other users to process and translate the datasets. For example, if a state releases data in a PDF or DOC, it may not be considered effective because the format is not machine-readable.
While some states have polices on government transparency, the report points out that often that translates to publishing data on only a few topics, which is a good starting point, but not comprehensive enough.
“While a general transparency portal is a good start, open data portals can help increase transparency and accountability by opening up all government data, non just certain types of records,” the report says.
MORE: To Increase Government Transparency, San Diego Joins the Open Data Movement
What’s the Best to Spark Creativity Among City Workers?
Philadelphia has long served as a reminder of America’s past, but the city is hoping to be a part of the country’s future with the addition of a new innovation lab.
Mayor Michael Nutter unveiled the new facility on Friday, Aug. 1 as a new refuge for city employees, students and tech experts to get creative. Located inside the Municipal Services Building near City Hall, officials hope the lab will serve as a backdrop for future problem-solving and collaboration between government and technology sectors, including events like hackathons.
“The lab will bring the spirit of startups inside of city government,” said Chief Innovation Officer Adel Ebeid. “The goal is to create a culture of innovation, to sustain it and grow it long term.”
Modeled on a lab designed at the University of Philadelphia, this version will cycle through different topics — ranging from public health to poverty— every 90 days, with the aim of solving a variety of problems the city faces. The new facility will be incorporated into the city’s Innovation Academy, a program launched earlier this year to educate officials and lawmakers in creative problem-solving and business innovation.
Philadelphia also hopes to attract experts in a range of subjects from the more than 80 nearby universities and other institutions, according to Government Technology.
“The lab is a way to show that government can solve problems, and it is also a way to attract new talent,” Ebeid said. “There are a lot of younger people who are choosing to help solve the problems of city government, rather than be on the outside. The lab and the academy show them that we are not your typical government.”
The city also plans to invite children to participate in lab programs, partnering with the Philadelphia school district to expose students to new technology, according to City General Manager Richard Negrin.
“You’re going to see city employees, for the first time, sitting side-by-side with children from our communities who are interesting in technology and innovation, and representatives of the local tech community,” Negrin told CBS.
Created with $100,000 of city money, officials are uncertain of how to sustain the innovation lab, but as a breeding ground for ideas, they’re likely to cook one up.
MORE: The 7 Smartest Uses of Technology in Government Today
The 21st-Century Take on Citywide Transformation
As we grow increasingly Facebook-connected, Twitter-obsessed, and otherwise socially networked, a funny thing is happening in our cities: They, too, are seeing the benefits of becoming more connected, networked, and social themselves.
Case in point: Cities are ditching old approaches to economic development — which tended to involve building a sports stadium and sprinkling some housing and retail space around it — in favor of making room for new “innovation districts” that layer some combination of startups, major firms, research universities, housing, and plenty of coffee shops.
One of the most important aspects of these districts? They’re walkable — allowing for happy collisions among creative types that spark new ideas.
As the National League of Cities (NLC) blog explains, innovation districts are emerging around the world — with recent sightings in Baltimore, Barcelona, Pittsburgh, Portland San Francisco, Seattle, Stockholm, St. Louis, and Toronto.
But Boston may provide the most archetypal example. Over the past four years, 1,000 acres along the rundown South Boston Waterfront have been transformed into what the NLC blog calls “a unique live-work-play innovation community.” The new hub has drawn 200 companies and over 4,000 jobs. Many of those jobs (30 percent) are in the tech space, but not all: Another 21 percent are in advertising and design, and 16 percent represent green technology and life sciences.
Other cities are taking note. The Michigan Municipal League, for one, is taking a close look at innovation districts around the world to isolate best practices. As cities around the world continue to share their innovation-district successes and missteps, this is an area where we can definitively say that over-sharing would only be a good thing.
America’s Future: Meet the 2014 White House Science Fair Exhibitors
On Tuesday, the White House was the backdrop to the country’s brightest students and their innovations — including hovercrafts, robots, and solar energy-powered contraptions — that potentially could be the game-changing ideas that make up America’s future.
At the fourth annual White House Science Fair, President Barack Obama welcomed a host of youth from across the country to share their ideas, designs, and experiments in science, technology, engineering and math (more commonly known as STEM subjects). This year’s event also focused on females excelling in STEM fields, according to the White House website.
“If you win the NCAA championship, you come to the White House. Well, if you’re a young person and you produce the best experiment or design, the best hardware or software,” said President Obama, “you ought to be recognized for that achievement, too.”
Among the host of young people was 12-year-old Peyton Robertson. As a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Robertson is familiar with flooding and salt-water damage since he grew up in the area of the Sunshine State where hurricanes often strike. So he created a “sandless” sandbag that efficiently protects flood zones. He was recognized as America’s Top Young Scientist at the 2013 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge and received $25,ooo for his lightweight, effective design.
Elana Simon, 18, also presented her work, which focuses on patients coping with fibrolamellar, a type of rare liver cancer that she herself endured at age 12. Simon worked with one of her former surgeons to gather tissue samples from fibrolamellar patients to perform genomic sequencing tests and discovered a common genetic mutation among them. Her results have been published in the renowned journal Science, plus she is a recent winner of the American Association for Cancer Research’s Junior Champion in Cancer Research Award. She has also presented her work in front of 16,000 cancer researchers and will attend Harvard this fall to study computer science.
Girl Scout Troop 2612 of Tulsa, Oklahoma, were also among their much-older peers, presenting their design for a “Flood Proof Bridge,” which includes a computer program that automatically retracts the bridge when flood conditions are detected by a motion sensor embedded in the river bed. Eight-year-olds Avery Dodson, Natalie Hurley, Miriam Schaffer, Claire Winton, and Lucy Claire Sharp came up with the model as part of the Junior FIRST Lego League’s Disaster Blaster Challenge, which prompted elementary school students to experiment with simple machines, motorized parts, engineering, and math to create solutions for natural disasters like floods and earthquakes. The intrepid troop built the idea on the notion that first responders had trouble reaching certain communities because of bridges in the wake of the Estes Park, Colorado flood. They not only built the model but also developed the computer program, too.
Check out the rest of the exhibitors here.
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