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ABOUT THE JACKSON SCHOOL HAERTLEIN TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION FUND
After reading an article in the Jackson School of Geosciences 2021 Newsletter about researchers collecting landscape data using a lidar-equipped drone, Jackson School alumnus Mr. Albert Haertlein, ’78, asked, “What happens when your lidar stops working?” The conversation that followed inspired Mr. Haertlein to establish a new endowment fund for providing ongoing support for the purchase and upkeep of new and existing technology and equipment with a focus on innovation in the geosciences.
WHY WE ARE FUNDRAISING
Our goal is to generate $75,000 for the Jackson School Haertlein Technology and Innovation Fund to contribute to the purchase and upkeep of instruments and technology, such as handheld tools, microscopes and visualization technology required to conduct today’s cutting-edge geosciences.
To inspire others to give, Mr. Haertlein will match gifts 2:1 up to $50,000! That means your gift will have triple the impact. A $100 gift will become $300!
Drone flight in the Bahamas
Researchers at the Jackson School of Geosciences need the right tools for the job. Drones carrying cameras or lidar have revolutionized fieldwork by making it easier to capture landscape data. But not all tools come from off the shelf. Jackson School researchers also create custom-made equipment borne of elbow grease and hardware store runs that show the power of creativity in problem solving.
A radar survey of Alaska’s Sourdough Rock Glacier
using a home-built “Pod Racer.”
Eric Petersen, Ph.D. ’18, and Tyler Meng, a former Jackson School postdoctoral researcher, now a graduate research associate at the University of Arizona, studied rock-covered glaciers in Alaska by building a sled that could carry a ground penetrating radar system. Petersen came up with the idea while walking radar equipment across parts of Alaska’s Sourdough Rock Glacier.
A Jackson School seed grant covered the travel and the supply costs of building the “Pod Racer,” the name of the two radar-toting sleds put together with PVC pipes and nuts and bolts. It cost less than $200 to build, but the radar setup led to a significant boost in the data quality. It also made for quicker work! Petersen and Meng went from surveying about 200 meters per day on foot to 630 meters per day pulling the sled on skis.
A pint-sized seismometer.
Another example of technology increasing research efficiency is the pint-sized seismometer. Replacing bulkier, older devices with smaller more advanced ones simplified what was once a time-consuming and arduous installation process.
“We used to spend hours in the field installing seismometers – mixing sand, cement and water, and moving heavy batteries and sensors,” said Rob Porritt, former Jackson School postdoctoral researcher, who is now a research geophysicist at Sandia National Laboratories. “This advancement simplified the installation process, and has changed the type of work that is possible and who can participate."
Technology and equipment are just a part of solving challenges in the geosciences. But they are an important part. From high-tech and high-dollar devices to humble DIY projects, they enable geoscientists to work creatively, more effectively, and see more of the planet than ever before.
“Funding for technology innovation and acquisition and maintenance of equipment represents a major challenge,” said Danny Stockli, the Chair of the Department of Geological Sciences at the Jackson School. “The ability for the administration to fund or leverage funding will allow Jackson School faculty and research scientists to keep up with rapidly evolving developments in cutting-edge technology critical to today’s geosciences. Having access to designated resources for the purchase and upkeep of essential equipment is a tremendous benefit to the Jackson School community."
UTIG graduate student Allison Lawman prepares fossil coral samples
for the Jackson School's mass spectrometer.
YOUR IMPACT
Your donation will assist with the purchase and upkeep of technology and equipment for this Spring/Summer 2022 and beyond that will generate opportunities for student research, expand research possibilities for our faculty and research scientists, and enhance classroom and laboratory opportunities in the Jackson School of Geosciences. Please make a gift today!
Thank you and Hook’em!
FAQ's
What is an endowment?
Endowments are a sound investment in a better future. With an endowed gift, you provide permanent support for the University. Your gift is invested — never spent — and each year a distribution, like dividends on a mutual fund account, is made to your chosen program or area. Investment earnings above the dividend rate help the endowment value grow over time, to keep pace with inflation and maintain your endowment’s spending power.
What is a pledge?
A pledge is a promise to pay a specific amount over a set period of time. Pledges for the Jackson School Haertlein Technology and Innovation Fund can be made over a 5-year window. For example, if you make a $2,000 pledge today you can pay off the pledge by making a $500 gift each February for the next four years. We will send you a reminder each February. If you would like to make a pledge today, click here.
Can I utilize my company match?
YES! Many employers sponsor matching gift programs (ExxonMobil, Google, Microsoft, etc.) and will match any charitable contributions made by employees. To find out if your company has a matching gift program, please click here.
Your donation will provide funding for rock kits, hammers, chisels and more.
Geological data visualization software is a vital part of education and research. Your contribution will help offset the cost of software and upgrades.
Your donation will provide seed grants in support of innovative thinking and work for those students who show creativity in problem solving.
Your donation will offset the cost of essential tools such as GPS devices, seismometers, spectrometers and more.
Lidar, drones, and complex microscopes make it possible to reach hard to see places. Your donation will help with the purchase and upkeep of these items and more.
