events...

Forums on our Energy Future

The College of Engineering and Computing is presenting a series of Forums on our Energy Future. The role of nuclear energy will be described and discussed in the first Forum, followed by Forums dedicated to coal, hydrogen, renewables, and energy conservation, respectively.

In each Forum, a representative for one kind of energy will make the case for its future, and a second speaker will give a response. Environmental and consumer interests will also have voices in these forums. The Democratic and Republican Parties will also have a chance to speak briefly in these election-year events.

As a result of this series of forums, CEC will show the people of South Carolina that we face difficult decisions ahead, that our decisions need to be informed by good science, and that the University of South Carolina has both the imagination and leadership for our energy future.

All Forums begin at 6:30 pm.

• Wednesday, April 30 - USC Aiken
  "The Place of Nuclear Power in Our Energy Future"

• Wednesday, May 14 - Florence-Darlington Technical College
  "The Place of Coal in Our Energy Future"

• Wednesday, June 4 - USC Columbia, AMOCO Hall
  "The Place of Hydrogen in Our Energy Future"

• Wednesday, June 25 - USC Upstate (Spartanburg)
  "The Place of Renewable Forms of Energy in Our Energy Future"

• Wednesday, July 23 - Claflin University (Orangeburg)
  "The Place of Energy Conversation in Our Energy Future"

For more information:
Contact Chris Toumey, Ph.D.
USC NanoCenter
1212 Green St.
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
toumey@sc.edu
803-777-2221

Website: www.engr.sc.edu/energy/index.html

New Ideas for a New Carolina

When: Contest officially open to accept ideas starting January 28th; last date to submit ideas is May 1st. Winners announced at the ThinkTEC Innovation Summit in Charleston on June 4th.

Where: Submit ideas online: www.newideassc.com.

Website: www.newideassc.com

Topic: Business ideas for a greater South Carolina

Description: A Business idea competition open to all SC residents. New Ideas for a New Carolina is calling for ideas that stoke your fire, blow your mind, show your get-up-and take-charge-of-my-dream spirit. Your idea could bring new jobs, new energy, new talent new life, and new wealth to South Carolina. The purpose of the contest is to: promote change and innovation at a grassroots level and get South Carolinian’s creative juices flowing; encourage entrepreneurship in SC; bring together entrepreneurs with venture capitalists, banks, Business, government, and education leaders; connect innovators in the state; and help people grow their ideas into a business.

Main Sponsor: SCLaunch!

Supporting Sponsors: New Carolina, FastTracSC, ThinkTEC, SwampFox, NEXT, the Florence Chamber of Commerce, GSATC, PluginHybrid Coalition, SC Technology Alliance, OrangeCoat

FastTrac Tech Venture comes to Columbia

When: April 8th - June 17th, 6-9 PM

Where: USC Columbia Technology Incubator

Registration: Class Full

Website: http://www.fasttracsc.org/

The Midlands is quickly becoming a hotbed for talented technology gurus. So, you've found a way to cure cancer. We know you have the vision, now how do you make your vision a reality? Are you a techy? Do you think your idea has commercial value? Would you like to collaborate with like-minded techpreneurs? Join us for the 11-week FastTrac Tech Venture seminar where youll team up with seasoned business facilitators, technology savvy coaches, and the region's budding technology entrepreneurs.

Graduates of FastTrac Tech describe the program as one that encourages technology entrepreneurs to determine the economic feasibility of their business concept, reevaluate the feasibility of the technology, design a business model that matches a personal vision, and create a business plan to communicate the opportunity to investors. FastTrac Tech is a two-phase, multi-session program created by technology entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, like yourself. Delivered locally by seasoned entrepreneurs in the community, FastTrac Tech's hands-on program uses your business as a case study, giving you the opportunity to put proven business practices to work in today's environment.