SPTC offering Home and Business Automation Technology and Security Workshops
Have you always wanted a ‘connected’ home or business for energy efficiency, audio/video, or security? Join the SPTC for these informational sessions that will help you find answers to these questions. Come on Thursday night for an introduction to the subject matter and to network with SPTC. Then on Friday, join SPTC for an in-depth workshop. Plus here about the City of Danville’s Home$ave Rebate Program.
Speakers: Sanjay Patel, TiO (Turn It On) and Steven Carrigan, Danville Community College
WEEK 1
Thursday, September 28 - 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Ballard Brewing (600 Craghead St, Danville, VA 24541)
Free admission
Friday, September 29 - 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Regional Center for Advanced Technology and Training (RCATT) - 121 Slayton Avenue, Danville, VA 24540
Free for SPTC members | $10.00 for non-members
WEEK 2
Thursday, October 5 - 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company (209 Trade St, Danville, VA 24541)
Free admission
Friday, October 6 - 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Regional Center for Advanced Technology and Training (RCATT) - 121 Slayton Avenue, Danville, VA 24540
Free for SPTC members | $10.00 for non-members
About the Speakers
Sanjay Patel has 20 years of experience as a product development executive and consulting service industries. TiO has been recognized by Sound & Vision, a leading Audio Visual publication. and a 2017 Consumer Technology Association Mark of Excellence winner at CES. To quote Sound & Vision “Unlike a lot of systems that specialize in one aspect of home automation (such as lighting and security), TiO is a “jack of all automations” system that’s capable of governing your home (lights, motors, cameras, etc.) as well as your home entertainment gear, including whole-house audio distribution.
Steven Carrigan, Associate Professor of IT and Program Director of the Cyber Center at Danville Community College
About Steve: Steven Carrigan, Senior IT Assistant Professor at Danville Community College, is the Director of the Cyber Center. Mr. Carrigan’s educational background includes Associate in Applied Science Degrees in Microcomputer and in Networking disciplines through Danville Community College; Bachelor's Degree in IT from Old Dominion University; and Master’s Degree in IT from Old Dominion University. Mr. Carrigan also has a Network Security Certificate from Radford University offered through the NSA. Some Industry Certifications held include Microsoft MCP-I and MCSE, Cisco CCNA, Cisco CCAI, and CompTIA Network+.
About Steve: Steven Carrigan, Senior IT Assistant Professor at Danville Community College, is the Director of the Cyber Center. Mr. Carrigan’s educational background includes Associate in Applied Science Degrees in Microcomputer and in Networking disciplines through Danville Community College; Bachelor's Degree in IT from Old Dominion University; and Master’s Degree in IT from Old Dominion University. Mr. Carrigan also has a Network Security Certificate from Radford University offered through the NSA. Some Industry Certifications held include Microsoft MCP-I and MCSE, Cisco CCNA, Cisco CCAI, and CompTIA Network+.
Workshop held in Danville teaches basics of mobile development
When his son was in grade school, Franklin County High School teacher Bill Schmachtenberg loved to seek out old educational computers 
games so the two could learn and have fun at the same time.
games so the two could learn and have fun at the same time.
Titles from the 1990s like Math Blaster and Reader Rabbit provided them with hours of fun.
Now, many video games have moved on to smartphones and tablets. Still seeing a need for educational games, Schmachtenberg founded Educational Virtual Worlds, and began creating mobile games with an educational focus.
“Everything is in the app store,” Schmachtenberg said. “There’s lot’s of educational software out there, but I wanted to do 3D educational software.”
Schmachtenberg and fellow instructor Vasili Giannoutsos helped several dozen participants develop their own mobile apps at the “Develop a Game/App in One Day” workshop Tuesday and Wednesday at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville.
“We’re teaching participants how to make games and apps for mobile devices,” Schmachtenberg said. “I’ve streamlined the process and I’ve tried to make it as simple as I can.”
Noblis partnership paves way for education engagement
For the past school year, hundreds of Danville middle school students have been learning about career pathways and opportunities with the help of a community partner: the nonprofit research center Noblis, which has invested thousands of dollars and hours into the school system.
“They’ve made an investment with our students,” said Danville Superintendent Stanley Jones.
Officials from Noblis, which moved to the Danville River District in 2011, met with Jones in 2015. Jones and Noblis CEO Amr ElSawy eventually decided a middle school academic and career plan program would be the most successful first step in the partnership, said Jon Horin, senior manager and program coordinator at the Danville site.
“It was really fun working with Danville Public Schools to make this happen,” Horin said.
Finally, the Passport Program was ready to debut in the 2016-17 school year. Serving 450 middle school students at Bonner and Westwood middle schools, the program helps students create a career pathway to post-secondary education.
