Mysterylights Group Message 0144

Subject: Re: Looking for some suggestions
From: "dbercaw2001" <dbercaw@...>
Date: 10 Mar 2002 18:44

--- In mysterylights@y..., "rocks1" <rocks1@s...> wrote:

> I LIVE IN SOUTHERN MISSOURI AND MY WIFE, SON, AND MYSELF SAW THE 
SPOOKLIGHTS NEAR OUR LAKE.

I take it that you are not referring to the Hornet light.  Are you on 
Table Rock or Bull Shoals?  Perhaps part of the project needs to be 
to catalog all of the areas in the Ozarks where these are seen.  This 
may be more of a common phenomenon than is recognized.
 
> WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR INTEREST 
IN THE LIGHTS.

My professional background is in law and finance.  This is a side 
interest resulting from a long running interest in geomagnetics and 
geology and having heard about these lights all of my life.  The 
project for which I am working on the proposal is what I think an 
ideal method for studying the lights would be.  I have finally come 
to the conclusion that the concept is too big for me alone and that I 
will not live long enough to develop all of the skills necessary to 
execute the project while trying to make a living.

However, I am also the parent representative on a committee which is 
developing a technologically oriented charter school within our 
public school district.  All of the charter schools in Arkansas have 
failed, and so, with the blessing of the Arkansas State Board of 
Education, we are trying a new approach to serve as a model for 
Arkansas schools (check out the standings for state education . . . 
we even got beat by Mississippi last year . . . we have to do 
something).  This is a long answer to say that in looking at the 
student body, we have some incredible talent that needs to be 
challenged.  The approach that I want to take with the proposal is 
that it will teach the kids the scientific method, involve research 
and hands on experience in computer science, mathematics, physics, 
and geology, as well as exposure to instrument building, and will 
give them the opportunity to contribute to the body of knowledge in 
an area where mainstream researchers cannot go because of funding.  
We also have the University of Arkansas close by as a resource.  I am 
looking at a 2 to 3 year time line on developing the project while 
the charter school gets underway.  I will also need to lay out the 
project well for them or I will not be able to generate the necessary 
interest.

> WE HAVE 130 ACRES HERE AND WOULD WELCOME A MONITORING SETUP - IF IT 
WERE SETUP AND OPERATED WITHOUT FANFARE.

That is a most gracious offer.  As envisioned the station would have 
as small as possible footprint and would definitely be setup and 
operated without fanfare.  A concern for any such station if it is 
well publicized is vandalism and theft of equipment.

Stay in touch.

D. Bercaw

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