Cheers: To Washington’s role in groundbreaking scientific discovery. This week, scientists at the California Institute of Technology announced that they have detected gravitational waves — remnants of a collision between two black holes 1.3 billion years ago. This, the experts say, could eventually lead to a better understanding of the universe.
This state has played a significant role in the discovery, with a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory being located at Hanford and working in tandem with a similar facility in Louisiana. Together, workers at the observatories detected miniscule waves reverberating through the universe.
“We did it!,” a project leader said. “It’s mind-boggling.” It might be only confusing for many of us, but anything that helps label Washington as a place for science will pay dividends for the state.
Jeers: To con artists. Clark County’s 911 agency is warning that tax season also means a prevalence of tax scammers. One trick that is triggering warnings has scammers calling victims and claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service while demanding payments and threatening arrest.
IRS officials recommend that anybody who receives such a call should hang up immediately. They also say that an IRS representative would never call without a letter being sent first. If you suspect a scam, go to the IRS’ investigative services website at www.irs.gov/uac/Criminal-Enforcement-1, or call 800-366-4484. Tax season can be daunting enough without having to worry about cheats and frauds.
Cheers: To students from Mountain View High School. In keeping with our science theme for this week’s Cheers, we offer kudos to a Mountain View squad that was the top local finisher at the Bonneville Power Administration Science Bowl.
Senior Ming Liu, who was honored as a Science Bowl All-Star, said: “I am honored that I got to compete against so many talented teams this year. It has also been great getting to know the smart people on other teams competing here.” Among the sample questions: What is the most common term used in genetics to describe the observable physical characteristics of an organism caused by the expression of a gene or set of genes? The answer: Phenotype. Congratulations to all the smart students who participated in the Science Bowl.
Jeers: To the Clark County council. As the council continues to wrangle over a proposed 20-year Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, it stands in danger of missing state-mandated guidelines for submitting the plan.
The delay is the fault of councilor David Madore, who last year transformed the process by unilaterally devising a new alternative for the plan. The most important aspect of adopting a proposal is to find the proper one for Clark County, regardless of state deadlines. But Madore threw an unnecessary monkey wrench into the process that has hampered the county’s ability to demonstrate effective management.
Cheers: To Vancouver Public Schools. Completing our trifecta of science-related Cheers, we acknowledge an honor for the schools’ technology curriculum. This week, the district was one of 25 nationwide to be honored by the White House for its commitment to expand computer science instruction.
Vancouver Public Schools offer a number of courses at the middle- and high-school levels connected to programming, coding and project-based learning. The recognition from the White House could have tangible results that go beyond the pride of being honored. With potential funding from the White House initiative to expand technology learning, Vancouver schools could reinforce and expand their programs.
