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