Local Science and Technology

Metro Grand Rapids is home to a remarkable number of companies and individuals who know how to make anything from turbine blades to tasty power bars. 

West Michigan also harbors a treasure trove of science phenomena that includes mastadon teeth, waterspouts and spontaneous combustion.

Matthew Gryczan launched this website in 2011 to cover technology and science news and the Maker movement in West Michigan, everything from Exploding hay bales to Fishing for Lightning. If you have a story idea or topic that you think may make a good SciTech story, please contact Matthew at mgryczan (at) scitechcommunications.net.

 

 

 

Makers United

Gary Snow Hones His Skills at Making Knives

Friday, April 27, 2018
Gary Snow is soft spoken and unassuming, always ready with a friendly smile. But start talking knifemaking, and Snow gets edgy – in a good way.

Detroit Maker Faire 2011 Celebrates the DIY Spirit

Monday, June 27, 2011
Where would you find an 18-foot-tall statue of TV personality Red Green made of duct tape that belches fire? No where else than the Maker Faire Detroit.

Maker Faire Founder Dale Dougherty Turns Tables on Grand Rapids Makers

Thursday, April 28, 2011
National TED lecturer and MAKE magazine publisher Dale Dougherty turned the tables on a crowd of creatives who braved tornado warnings last night to hear his talk at GRid70 in Grand Rapids on the do-it-together trend that is sweeping the nation.

Science in Metro Grand Rapids

Fairy Shrimp, Water Fleas and Scuds are Dancing in Marshes and Ponds

Thursday, April 26, 2018
While the woods around metro Grand Rapids may seem somewhat lifeless and dull brown now as they shake off the long winter slumber, marshes and ponds are teeming with life.

Female Flying Squirrel at Blandford Needs a Name

Tuesday, April 24, 2018
A lady flying squirrel will be making her debut this month at Blandford Nature Center, and she’s certain to attract the attention of visitors with her huge brown eyes, charm and poise. You’d say she’s got it all except for one thing – she needs a name.

Snowdrop Flowers Appear as First Sign of Spring

Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Visitors who braved the cool weather these past few weeks on walking trails near the east edge of the Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids were rewarded with a glimpse of our first signs of spring: the appearance of Snowdrops at the base of a few trees.

New and Forgotten Technologies

New/Forgotten Technologies

Sunday, January 15, 2017
SciTech Communications covers stories that highlight new and forgotten technologies and retro future topics.

Space Age Building Blocks Form a Catenary Arch

Friday, July 15, 2011
A catenary arch is a remarkable thing -- just think of the grandeur of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the tallest man-made monument in the United States. And it all started with observations from scientists and engineers of centuries past who wondered why a chain or cable always makes the same curve when it hangs -- the word catenary itself means "chain" in Latin.

Steelcase Explores If Wormholes Aid Communication

Sunday, July 10, 2011
Crain's Detroit Business covered how Steelcase in Grand Rapids was experimenting with "wormholes" to foster communication between far flung corporate locations.