Meet RSM Pursue Your Passion Winner: Jay Brown

Jay Brown | Senior Associate | Cedar Rapids, IA

I plan to enthrall my community youth’s interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) by combining cutting-edge multimedia technology and one of the most phenomenal sights that human eyes can convey to a brain, the first North American total solar eclipse in nearly half a century! 

My lifelong enthusiasm for astronomy, science, and the pursuit of knowledge has guided me to where I am today; a technology geek with a STEM background. Even now, I can distinctly remember the moment as a child when a troop leader brought out their telescope to watch the Alpha Monocerotids meteor shower on our fall camping trip. For the first time in my life, I realized science could be fun. 

I want to make the same impact, spark the same interest, and grow the same passion in kids today. Despite being one of the fastest growing job sectors, interest in STEM fields is steadily decreasing in today’s youth. The shortfall in the talent pool for STEM jobs is expected to be over 200,000 by 2018, and that number is only growing! 

The first step in bolstering America’s Talen pool is to bolster student interest in STEM. 

On August 21, 2017 the first North American total eclipse since 1979 will occur. For the first time in over 40 years, the continental United States will experience the incessant dance of the cosmos, a complete solar eclipse with the moons trajectory guiding it between the Earth and the Sun. A momentous moment, the magnitude of which cannot be understated. 

Unfortunately, our state is not on the path of the total eclipse. It is not even close. So I asked myself, how I can turn this once in a lifetime experience for me, a goal I have had for over 15 years, into a positive impact on my community and the world. 

With the resources and time afforded by this opportunity, I will accomplish four specific goals:

1. Lesson Planning: First, I will be engaging local school district teachers in the months prior to the total eclipse. Assisting them with the lesson plans, presentations, and supplies required to prepare students for the big day, and foster interest in the event. 
2. Live Video Stream: On the day, I will be live streaming the entirety of the experience to audiences around the world. In the minutes prior to the eclipse, I will be presenting educational information via poster board slides on the scientific explanation for, and impacts throughout history of total solar eclipses. The video will be freely available online throughout the globe, viewed by our local schools, and even available to RSM employees and clients to enjoy from home. 
3. Classroom VR Exhibits: Though live streams can reach an enormous audience, I realize watching a live stream is unlikely to make a large impact on my community’s youth. Therefore, in the week following the eclipse, I will be traveling to various community schools to present an interactive virtual reality (VR) rendition of the event. Using 360 degree cameras, binaural audio capturing equipment, and Gear VR headsets, we will be able to capture and playback the live experience for classroom students in 3D. The full emersion of the experience will enthrall students in not only the event itself, but in many cases will be student’s first exposure to this advanced new technology. 
4. Knowledge Sharing: Finally, I will put together and publish all lesson plans, videos, and classroom instructions. This information will be freely available to anyone in the world to repeat this experience in their own classrooms for years to come. 

As can be seen, the bulk of the cost lies in the cutting-edge technology required to execute goals #2 and #3; 360 degree cameras, VR headsets, and satellite internet live streaming equipment are emerging technologies on the forefront of innovation. This expense is followed by travel expenses, which are expected to be reasonable. However due to the ephemeral nature of the event, travel plans must be flexible to last minute change to adjust for changing weather conditions. 

Those that have seen a partial eclipse may find it interesting but forgettable. A total eclipse, however, is a memorable, life-changing event which burns itself into memory – and never fades. Help me bring this life shaping experience to kids in our community, and across the world. 

In conclusion, winning the 90-90-9 contest means the difference between having just a once in a lifetime experience, and taking that experience and sharing it with our community youth and youth throughout the world to inspire young minds. 

“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known” - Carl Sagan