Purdue TAP reports record results for 2008-09
Purdue University's Technical Assistance Program reported record results for the 2008-09 fiscal year - working with more than 700 companies - as it geared its initiatives toward helping Indiana businesses emerge even stronger from the economic downturn.TAP, a partnership among Purdue, the state and local communities, works with companies and health-care providers to improve performance and enhance the quality of life for Indiana citizens.

Racing technology on display April 23 at Motorsports on the Mall
Racing fans can get an up-close look at a variety of racecars during the second annual Motorsports on the Mall event April 23.The event, sponsored by the Purdue Motorsports Association, will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Purdue Mall (commonly known as the engineering mall), rain or shine. It is one of several activities planned during the week leading up to Purdue's annual Grand Prix kart race, which is April 25.

'Lunacy' to take over Purdue Armory
Thirty-five teams of students from the Midwest will attempt to defy gravity for the fifth annual FIRST Boilermaker Regional Robotics Competition March 19-21 at Purdue University.FIRST -- For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology -- combines sports with science and technology to create a high-tech event for high school students. The 2009 game, called Lunacy, features fast-paced matches in which robots race around a track and toss moon rocks into trailers attached to opposing teams' robots. The track will be covered with plastic sheets, which will simulate the low-gravity surface of the moon.

IU, Purdue establish alliance Web site; next step input from state Legislature, businesses
Indiana and Purdue universities have launched a Web site to promote an unprecedented broad-based research alliance to help the state grow its bio- and life-sciences industries, improve health, and increase the number of physicians trained in Indiana.The joint effort is called the Indiana Innovation Alliance, and the two universities are requesting that the Indiana General Assembly appropriate $35 million in each year of the 2009-2011 state biennial budget.

Appointments, honors and activities
• Appointments and promotions:— Lance Wright, founder and chief operation officer of BioConvergence LLC in Bloomington, Ind., has been selected to serve a three-year term on Purdue University's Technical Assistance Program (TAP) advisory council. A Purdue industrial engineering graduate, Wright has more than 20 years of combined work experience in the precision machining and pharmaceutical industries. BioConvergence offers drug product development, supply chain and materials management, toxicology and clinical materials manufacturing and packaging, quality control testing, and consulting services for the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. TAP supports performance improvement in Indiana companies and organizations by connecting them with Purdue ...

Washington Township teachers gear up for fall with science institute
Science teachers in Washington Township in Indianapolis will conduct hands-on, interdisciplinary activities designed to energize their classroom instruction.The Summer Science Institute, sponsored by Purdue University's College of Science, will take place July 22-24. It will feature a workshop on improving classroom instruction and developing scientific literacy for K-8 students.

Academic boot camp gives leg up to college newcomers
To help 42 incoming freshmen adjust personally, socially and academically to college, Purdue University is sponsoring its third annual Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Academic Boot Camp. Students who are registered in the College of Engineering are attending the camp through Aug. 1, while students enrolled in technology or science will attend July 6 - Aug. 1. Founded by the Minority Engineering Program, the camp features intensive seminars that provide tools for succeeding in and outside of the classroom.

Manufacturing Extension Partnership helps companies get 'lean'
Companies throughout Indiana are taking advantage of a Purdue program that helps improve operational efficiency and increase profits.The Manufacturing Extension Partnership, administered by Purdue's Technical Assistance Program, helped 290 companies eliminate waste and implement process improvements in fiscal year 2007-08. Partnership director David Snow said these lean manufacturing advancements translated into an economic impact of almost $96 million.