12 Broadcaster Press September 17, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com How and Why to Keep Up With the Latest Tech Trends (StatePoint) Whatever industry you work in and no matter what your role is, it’s possible you have wondered how emerging technologies will affect your job in the years to come or whether you’ll even have to switch careers entirely at some point. Experts say that while such concerns are understandable, embracing the newest tech can empower individuals and businesses to do great things. Previous technical revolutions have consistently led to net job gains. In 2018 the number of job postings for positions in emerging tech increased 74 percent over 2017, according to Cyberstates, a resource on the U.S. tech industry. “Unease about innovation is understandable, but education can alleviate the concerns,” says Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO, CompTIA, a leading technology association that created Future of Tech, a new education hub designed for anyone interested in learning about technology. Thibodeaux points out that if it feels like things are shifting quickly at work, at home and in the world around you, it isn’t your imagination. “It’s been decades since we’ve had this many paradigm changing technologies hitting the market at the same time. Artificial intelligence (AI), augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), big data analytics, robotics, bionics, and digital health are a few examples,” he says. “We want to normalize these technologies for people.” Whether you’re feeling lost in the sea of all this new tech or you simply want to get a handle on the trends, Fun Ways to Develop Your Children’s Interests (StatePoint) The games children play can inform the way they see the world. Here are some fun ways to make playtime an opportunity to help young kids explore new ideas and develop their interests: • Art: Dedicate a little corner of a room to kid-friendly arts and crafts projects. Stock the space with finger paints, watercolors, play-dough, crayons and construction paper to encourage kids to refine their skills and gain a deeper appreciation for art. Have kids draw and paint from their imagination or take them on trips to a local park to capture what they see. • Food: Inspire kids’ interest in the culinary world with fun toys that let them be the chef. With the LeapFrog Smart Sizzlin’ BBQ Grill, for example, little grill masters can pretend to grill by placing eight different play food items on an interactive skewer. Utensil hooks keep the tongs and spatula at the ready to serve steak, fish, green peppers and more. The smart grill recognizes the food’s name and color and knows if the heat is too high. Kids can twist the skewer to count along with the grill, then turn the temperature dial from 1 to 10. With sizzling and cooking sounds, as well as safety messages, grilling suggestions, melodies and phrases, this interactive grill is a fun way to get kids interested in cooking and food. • Sports: You don’t have to enroll kids in a formal, competitive team to spark an interest in sports. Instead, get the ball rolling by going outside to catch, kick and dribble. Having an opportunity to practice sports in a fun, pressure-free environment will help kids develop athletic skills on their own time, while building their confidence and opening the door for a deeper interest in the future. • Music: It’s never too early to develop a sense of rhythm and gain knowledge of musical genres and instruments. New toys like the Learn & Groove Dancing Panda will inspire kids to get up and move. The panda shakes, dances and spins around to the music and his guitar lights up consider using resources such as Future of Tech to familiarize yourself with new concepts. Learning units include such topics as cybersecurity, the internet of things, AI and AR/VR. Designed for anyone interested in learning more about technology, such resources are great for teachers, professionals, business leaders and the intellectually curious, and will leave anyone who uses them with a good conversational knowledge and understanding about new technologies. To learn more, visit www.futureoftech.org. “There is no reason to fear the future,” says Thibodeaux. “By understanding the newest tech, you’ll be in a better position to harness it for your success.” Helpful Hacks to Ease School Hassles (StatePoint) Whether your life revolves around cubby holes and recess or rolling campus hills and term papers, helpful hacks can ensure students, teachers and with shapes, letters and numbers. families are organized in dorm rooms, classrooms and Kids can play Freeze Dance and households. other games, press the musical It’s all about having supplies on hand that keep items instrument buttons on the panda’s light-up shoes to hear a saxophone, tidy and them you saw it Even regular household Tell make cleaning easier. in the Broadcaster! staples can be repurposed to help students stay trumpet, drum and guitar, or press 624-4429 organized. For instance, plastic cups in a muffin tin can the whammy-bar music button to select from dozens of different tunes. become an instant art supply holder, and binder clips can separate tangled cords and chargers. An over-theThe same line of toys also features door shoe organizer can make for great storage space for the Learn & Groove Shakin’ Colors snacks or other dorm room essentials. Maracas. One maraca includes When heading to the store, consider versatile colorful shaker beads and the products like EasyLiner brand shelf liners by Duck brand, other features a light-up dome that which can be used to line desk drawers, protect craft changes colors and plays maraca Tell them you saw it in the tables, decorate mini dorm room fridges and more to sound effects. Little ones can add help items stay in place, guard against spills and add a rattling sounds to the songs that Broadcaster! touch of personal style. Shelf liners can even be used to play, count from 1-10 with every make book covers and mouse pads. shake, and press the six light-up With proper organization and the right tools, everyone buttons to hear color and instrument can concentrate on school work and a successful year. names. Switching between English and Spanish mode lets kids explore all of the content in both languages. 624-4429 Young children are absorbing everything they see and hear, so be sure to introduce them to a range of hobbies through games, toys and activities. VERMILLION HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION Tell them you saw it in the Broadcaster! 201 W. Cherry • Vermillion, SD 624-4429 Tell them you saw it in the Broadcaster! 201 W. Cherry • Vermillion, SD 624-4429 Why can’t I just throw Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) away? Certain types of HHW have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets, and present hazards to children and pets if left around the house. Read product labels for disposal directions to reduce the risk of products exploding, igniting, leaking, mixing with other chemicals, or posing other hazards on the way to a disposal facility. Even empty containers of HHW can pose hazards because of the residual chemicals that might remain. When and where can I dispose of my HHW? On October 4th, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, bring your HHW to the Missouri Valley Recycling Center. The cost per vehicle is $10. The Missouri Valley Recycling Center is located at: 840 N Crawford Rd • Vermillion SD, 57069 Vermillion Household Hazardous Waste Collection When: Friday, Oct. 4th, 2:00 PM–6:00 PM Where: Vermillion Recycling Center Why: To get rid of hazardous waste that can harm you, your family or the environment. Examples of HHW •Latex and Oil Based Paints •Household Cleaning Products •Fluorescent Light Bulbs •Batteries •Pesticides •Anti-Freeze •Oil BROUGHT TO YOU BY: THE CITY OF VERMILLION MISSOURI VALLEY RECYCLING • CLAY COUNTY