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Mon & Tues All Day Allan Brown Regular Member Workshops (Class limit 15 per day)
Kevin Teaford, Phillip Legge, Ron Legge, Ryan Tate
Monday on the Bench: Ron Legge 250ml Solvent Distillation Head
Monday on the Lathe: Ryan Tate No Hold Up Still Head (Angled Ring Seal)
Tuesday on the Bench: Phillip Legge Vacuum Jacketed Short Path Head
Tuesday on the Lathe: Kevin Teaford 80mm Fritted Chromatography Column” For additional information and to register please visit the Allan Brown regular member page
Mon & Tues All Day Joseph S Gregar Junior Member Workshop (Class limit 16 per day)
Christopher Bock
Buchner Funnel, glass to metal seals, sealing quartz frits on the bench, sealing quartz capillary tubing and bending, vacuuming and testing for leaks, making a jacketed mug that can be taken home. For additional information and to register please visit the Joseph S Gregar Junior member page
Seminar 1: Introduction to Glass Chemistry
Lenorah Haight-Stott
Participants will be introduced to principles of glass chemistry including the behavior of different glass networks such as silicates, borates, and phosphates; phenomena that allow scientists to hone glass properties; and processes used to produce and shape more exotic glass compositions. The sources of color in glasses will also be discussed.
Seminar 2: Communication for Glassblowers
Erich Moraine
Your technical skills may get you the interview, but your interpersonal “soft skills” will get you hired or fired as well as land that big customer. Let’s talk and share experiences about how relational skill building is essential for success as a scientific glassblower in industry, research, or for the self-employed.
Seminar 3: Dotstack and Opal Encasing with JuJu
Julia ‘JuJu Glass’ Straight
Synthetic opal encasement and dotstack demonstration. Combining the two techniques to make dotstack pendant with opal inclusion.
Seminar 4: Professional Writing
Lauren Aria
Writing is an essential tool to communicate ideas and information to others. With effective writing, one can publish important research in journals, receive grant awards, and have clear communication with collaborators/customers. This seminar will provide you with organizational methods to compose your writing, then cover grammar and revision tools to consolidate professional writing and publications. If you have writing you are already working on (grants, presentations, personal bios, Fusion journal articles, etc.), please bring them with you for editing and reviewing.
Seminar 5: An Introduction to Kovar Sealing
Vic Nunn
Objective: In this hands-on training session, Vic will help participants learn the art of sealing Kovar metal to glass using Litton lathes. This comprehensive introduction will cover the essential skills and techniques required to successfully make Kovar seals.
Course Outline: Precision metal preparation techniques for optimal sealing performance, glass compatibility considerations for a successful seal, sealing techniques using Litton lathes, hands-on practice to reinforce learning.
Seminar 6: Expert in a Dying Field
Danielle James
Join neon bender and historian Danielle James (DJ) from Hex Neon (Durham, NC) as she delves deeply into the fascinating history of the neon bending industry. Unearthing the often-overlooked ups and downs of neon’s remarkable 115-year journey, she tackles thought-provoking questions such as: Who truly deserves the title of the “granddaddy” of neon? How did the tumultuous events of WW2 shape the vibrant explosion of neon in America? Were women really prohibited from working with neon? And how can you play a part in saving this mesmerizing art from fading away? All of this unfolds while she demonstrates the intricate patterning, bending, and “bombarding” of a clear neon skull. This seminar is to DIE for, don’t miss it.
Seminar 7: Bethlehem GL-100 Maintenance and Adjustments
Christopher Bock
Learn about the intricacies of the GL-100 and how to keep it running straight and smooth.
Seminar 8: Overview of Neon Bending and Processing at Lightship Neon
Jared Haworth
Take a field trip to Lightship Neon in Raleigh to learn more about the history, art and science of neon sign-making. This seminar includes a tour of our workshop and demonstrations of glass tube bending and neon sign processing. Participants will have an opportunity to get hands-on in our bending torches and create their own illuminated souvenirs that will be shipped to you after being processed.
Seminar 9: (Companion Program) Painting with a Drink
Kelly Hall
Enjoy a painting tutorial while partaking in some beverages. This is a fun no pressure way to mingle with old and new friends. This is open to all members, non-members, guests and companions
Seminar 10: (Companion Program) Self-Guided Museum Tour
Kelly Hall
Have a day away from the hustle and bustle of the symposium with a trip to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and The North Carolina Museum of History. A shuttle will whisk you away from the hotel and bring you back with a bag lunch provided. This is open to all members, non-members, guests and companions
Seminar 11: (Companion Program) Fire Extinguisher Training
North Carolina Fire Department Members
Learn how to use a fire extinguisher by putting out a small fire. This is a hands-on affair with real fire, real fire extinguishers, and real firemen! This is open to all members, non-members, guests and companions. Space is limited, however spectators are welcome.
