Dropping that plastic water bottle into a recycling bin is just the beginning of the story. And far too often, we're all making big recycling mistakes.

On an average day, Brian Gesler works as a computer programmer at a Cleveland insurance company. But for one weekend last month, he was busy creating jet packs that could one day be used by astronauts on Mars.
 
He crowded around tables in a conference room at NASA’s John H. Glenn Research Center campus with a team he’d just met. Some sketched prototypes across sheets hung on the walls, others pecked away frantically on laptops. They called themselves Moon Tang Clan.
 
Gesler and his team were one of 17 groups in Cleveland that took part in the 2016 International Space Apps Challenge. Since 2012, the hackathon has brought together coders, artists, and general tinkerers to use open data provided by NASA to spark solutions to many of the aeronautics and space agency’s most pressing hurdles. The event now spreads across 161 locations around the globe.

Continue reading here.

Fresh Water updates five major development projects that will prove to conventioneers this July that Cleveland is a city on the move.

On May 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., NASA’s Glenn Research Center will host a free public open house at its Lewis Field main campus, 21000 Brookpark Rd.
 
The center will offer plenty of things to do and see on both days, including walking tours and glimpses inside vacuum chambers, wind tunnels and other world-class facilities that have advanced aviation and space exploration.
 
NASA aircraft will be on display and Glenn engineers, scientists and technicians will be on hand for questions and discussions. The event will also feature exhibits, demonstrations, hands-on activities and special presentations.
 
Food, beverages and NASA souvenirs will be available for purchase. This is NASA Glenn’s first public open house since 2008. The event is part of a yearlong celebration of Glenn’s 75th anniversary year.
 
Complete information is available here.

 

Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) has announced 21 finalists for its 2016 Vibrant City Awards. Winners will be revealed on May 2 at the second annual Vibrant City Awards Lunch, hosted by CNP and presented by Key Bank and Community Blight Solutions.
 
“We are proud to convene community partners and stakeholders to celebrate city neighborhoods. These leading efforts in neighborhood revitalization are what help us all create a vibrant city,” says Joel Ratner, president and CEO of CNP. “The organizations and individuals being honored have displayed tremendous passion, dedication and collaboration. We’re excited to recognize them for their successful efforts in community development.”
 
CNP received more than 70 nominations for this year's awards.

Learn more about all 21 finalists and continue reading.

Researchers at NASA’s Glenn Research Center are about to start a fire - on purpose.

Per NASA:

"Understanding how fire spreads in a microgravity environment is critical to the safety of astronauts who live and work in space. And while NASA has conducted studies aboard the space shuttle and International Space Station, risks to the crew have forced these experiments to be limited in size and scope.

Now a new experiment, designed, built and managed at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, will ignite an understanding of microgravity fire on a much larger scale. The Spacecraft Fire Experiment, known as Saffire, is a series of experiments to be launched on three different flights beginning (this month)."

The release continues: "As NASA continues to send astronauts to the space station and continues the path toward a human mission to Mars, improving understanding of the structure of spacecraft fires is critical. 'Saffire is all about gaining a better understanding of how fire behaves in space so NASA can develop better materials, technologies and procedures to reduce crew risk and increase space flight safety,' says Gary Ruff, Saffire project manager."

Get all the futuristic fiery details of this experiment here.
 

Stephen Manka has installed public art throughout the city. His subtle methods, however, reveal myriad connections between Clevelanders, their spaces and their history.

Cross-pollinating Cleveland's charter and CMSD schools by transferring educators between them - along with their experience and ideas - helps advance the Cleveland Plan's goal of ensuring quality education for all students.

The Birchwood School offers area families a unique educational opportunity for the Pre-K through middle school set, with an energized curriculum and a keen focus on character and hard work.

Joe Calabrese, CEO and General Manager of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) advocated for more transit funding in testimony on Feb. 16 at the Statehouse.

"RTA is the largest public transportation agency in Ohio. My employees, who reside in 16 of Ohio counties, serve approximately 50 million customers each year in Cuyahoga and several neighboring counties," said Calabrese in his address.

"Public transit in Ohio is a $900 million industry that supports many manufacturers, suppliers and jobs.

Public transit gets workers to work, students to school, connects important destinations, drives economic development and provides mobility to many Ohioans who have no other mobility option due to economic realities or disabilities."

Read his comments in their entirety here.
 

Whether the mild winter continues or Jack Frost breathes chilly air over us and lays a snowy blanket beneath us, the Cleveland Metroparks offers a host of activities for people of all ages and abilities throughout the winter months.
 

The Cuyahoga River's watershed extends south to Stark County. While the infamous fire of 1969 has faded, the river is still troubled, but efforts both natural and beautiful are underway to turn the tide.

An upcoming Global Cleveland event will encourage area companies to share best practices in hiring foreign-born brainpower.

The September events will celebrate the contributions of immigrants and entrepreneurs to their communities.