Culture

​Agricultural Automata

October 12th, 2016

By Ben Haugmo

benhaugmo@yahoo.com

The NDSU annual Bison BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) Robotics competition was started to encourage middle school and high school students to become interested in engineering, science and technology careers.

Before the main competition kicks off, community members are invited to preview submissions during Mall Day this weekend.

Each Bison BEST competition has had a different theme, and this year, robots will be designed to perform…

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​Clubs for LGBTQ+ students

October 12th, 2016

By Faye Seidler

fayeseidler@gmail.com

A report called The 2013 National School Climate Survey was released a few years ago by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network). This report, which can be found on their website, takes a deep look into the lives and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students and goes into detail about the impacts of homophobia and transphobia on the daily lives of LGBTQ+ students.

Essentially, the findings were that students in schools…

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​The new buzzword: IoT

October 12th, 2016

By Chuck Solly

rcsolly@gmail.com

It is very hard to keep up with the new buzzwords/buzz phrases in the world of technology and computers. The INTERNET of THINGS means ALL of the devices that connect to the Internet including refrigerators, thermostats, cameras, etc, ad nauseam.

Coupled with a general lack of awareness of poorly marketed smart home products and their benefits, worries about data privacy and a lack of interoperability between various IoT products, the current market was in…

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​ValleyCon re-animates for its 42nd year

October 12th, 2016

john.d.showalter@gmail.com

The landscape of nerd and geek culture has changed a lot in recent history, Tony Tilton and I realized. Tony, the longtime chairman of ValleyCon, recalled that back in his childhood his television only had three whole channels and the cultural phenomenon known as Star Wars had just been released in theaters. Things like reading comic books and watching science fiction were fringe hobbies that were likely to get you picked on.

Fast forward to the present and…

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​Cowboys and Indians

October 5th, 2016

By C.S. Hagen cshagen@gmail.com

Racism against Native Americans is prevalent across North Dakota. Nearly every activist who stands to speak in Big Camp’s Sacred Circle mentions oppression and genocide, in one form or another.

From the logo emblazoned on State Highway Patrol vehicles – Sitting Bull’s killer Marcellus Red Tomahawk – who was from Cannon Ball area, to whistleblowers in 2012 condemning federal and state authorities for allowing native children to be placed in homes…

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​Winning Streak: Eichelberger’s MMA Quest

October 5th, 2016

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport combining techniques from combat sports and martial arts. The first documented use of the term mixed martial arts dates back to 1993, to the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Fargo native, Jos Eichelberger has a very important MMA match, Legacy 60, on October 7th in Hinckley, Minn. We talked to Jos and a few fans to tap into the excitement of the event.

For those somewhat new to the sport, like myself, here are some…

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​Build anything you want!

October 5th, 2016

By Chuck Solly

rcsolly@gmail.com

Photo by Chuck Solly

The geeks love this headline. 3D printing allows your imagination to run wild, provided you have the computer savvy and computer software to control the printer.

3D Printing began in 1984 with the Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) printer invented by Stratasys.

The original printers were limited to plastics, but since then, suppliers large and small have developed techniques to print with a variety of materials and solve new use problems,…

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​Norsk Hostfest celebrates Scandinavian culture

October 5th, 2016

By Amy Venn

amyvenn86@gmail.com

The 39th annual Norsk Hostfest promised “pure Scandinomium” this year and delivered over four days in Minot, ending with a performance from Big & Rich on Saturday night. The North Dakota State Fairgrounds was the sight for a celebration of Scandinavian culture, big name entertainment, and traditional food. 12 years old, plays the violin and sings with her father, with whom she’s also recorded a cd.

Dwight Yoakam, Sara Evans, and Chicago had…

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​Green Card Voices

September 28th, 2016

By Brittney Goodman goodmanbritg@gmail.com

Minneapolis-based Green Card Voices uses digital and written storytelling to share personal narratives of America’s immigrants, with current special emphasis on immigrant students.

They began in 2015 with a teaching guide: " Voices of Immigrant Storytellers: Teaching Guide for Middle and High Schools" which focuses on teaching immigration for middle and high school students using stories, along with lessons, worksheets and activities. This…

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​Ludonarrative: what now?

September 28th, 2016

by Ben Haugmo

benhaugmo@yahoo.com

In 2011, Bethesda released “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim,” an open-world action-adventure game putting players in control of the Dragonborn, a hero blessed with a dragon’s soul. I clocked a significant number of hours playing Skyrim and remember my experience with the game fondly.

The question remains though, why did the citizens of Skyrim still treat their hero as a common drifter? By the end of the game I had stopped a civil war and thwarted a…

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