Marine Science Institute Hosts Big Blue Oceans Day

A marketing expert and entrepreneur, Jason Strober serves as a member of the board of trustees for the Marine Science Institute. Aside from his charitable interests, Jason Strober currently serves as founder of 280 Media, a company that builds, designs, and markets apps for the education and entertainment industries.

The Marine Science Institute (MSI) recently announced the date for its Big Blue Oceans Day, which will be held June 8, 2013, on board the MSI’s big blue boat, the Robert G. Brownlee. In commemoration of World Oceans’ Day, MSI is inviting all of its members and supporters to participate in this celebration.

On Big Blue Oceans Day, members will take two trips around the San Francisco Bay. They will have the opportunity to explore the waters and learn about the creatures that inhabit the bay.

Established in 1970, MSI is dedicated to putting students in direct contact with the environment surrounding the local bay. Their hope is that this connection will encourage a sense of curiosity among the students, enhance their understanding of science, and nurture a sense of responsibility to protect the environment.

Hiking Yosemite’s Half Dome

Jason Strober, a Stanford University graduate and business
executive who currently serves as entrepreneur in residence for
Archimedes Labs in Palo Alto, California, is also an avid hiker. Jason
Strober cites the Half Dome as his favorite hike at Yosemite.

Each year, approximately 4 million people travel to Yosemite, and each one
of them is able to witness a precipice that offers magnificent panoramic
views of the region: the famed Half Dome. Here is a brief overview of
Half Dome to help hikers prepare to climb this Yosemite icon.

Half Dome’s elevation stands at 8,842 feet above sea level. There are
several trails available to hike, ranging in distance from seven miles
to 14.2 miles roundtrip. It takes approximately 10 to 12 hours to
complete the hike.

Hikers are not allowed to climb Half Dome
unless the required cables are up, which takes place from mid-May or
early June to approximately the second weekend in October. With the Half
Dome hike rapidly gaining popularity among visitors, the park began
requiring all hikers to obtain a permit to use the cables in 2010. Only
350 permits are issued each day. The cables enable hikers to climb to
the top of Half Dome without the use of their climbing equipment.

“The Douglas SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber in WWII,” by Jason Strober

As the premier dive-bomber for the United States Navy in World War II, the Douglas SBD Dauntless served with distinction in the Pacific Theater. Originally developed at Douglas Northrop in California, its design included several innovative features, including breaks that were perforated with holes, which allowed it to achieve greater accuracy during bombing runs. The aircraft’s wings spanned over 40 feet, and it stood nearly thirteen feet off the ground. Capable of delivering over a ton of bomb payload, the Dauntless was among the most devastating and effective weapons deployed by the United States Navy in that era.

Though the Dauntless holds the distinction of destroying four Japanese aircraft carriers during the Battle of Midway, as well as being the only aircraft to have participated in all of the naval engagements of WWII that were fought principally by carriers, it also served the United States Army. Nearly 800 Dauntless aircraft were built under the name A-24 Banshee for the U.S. Army Air Corps but, more often than not, the Army used these aircraft for training, rather than for combat. Still, the mere fact that the Dauntless saw use in such different capacities testifies to the dynamism of this aircraft.

Jason Strober is a WWII history enthusiast and an entrepreneur.

The Marine Science Institute, By Jason Strober

A nonprofit organization founded by Bob Rutherford over forty years ago, the Marine Science Institute (MSI) is an advocate for the environment around the San Francisco Bay Area. By educating students, and providing them with a tangible link to their surroundings, the MSI hopes to inspire future generations to help fight against the environmental degradation of the Bay Area. When it first started, the MSI was able to involve around 4,000 students in its educational program – by 2007 that number had expanded to 38,000 students.

The MSI has a wide variety of programs, including Discovery Voyage, which brings students aboard MSI’s research vessel, the Robert G. Brownlee. MSI also founded the Marine Camp, which has expanded from its initial group of 30 students to eventually include over 1,000 campers. MSI has in-class programs as well, and often presents live marine animals to students.

To learn about volunteer opportunities, or to donate to the Marine Science Institute, please visit its website at sfbaymsi.org.

Jason Strober serves as board member at the Marine Science Institute.

Jason Strober on Gaming for the New Generation (Part 1 of 2)

Jason Strober plays board games in the San Francisco Bay and Silicon Valley regions. A software engineer by trade, Strober especially enjoys Agricola.

If you, your friends, or your siblings have children, you have probably been forced to sit through tear-filled games of Candyland, Life, and Chutes and Ladders. It’s a wonder that anyone grows up to game at all, given the soul-crushing quality of the games we play with children. Fortunately, there are a number of children’s games that play quickly and are fun for everyone involved. Oddly enough, the games that involve strategy actually reduce the number of tears. Children are less likely to mourn a loss when they can analyze their moves and figure out what they can do better the next time. Here are a few games that may help you endure, or even enjoy, gaming sessions with the under-10 set.

-Richard Scarry’s Busytown Eye Found It Game. This game involves a six-foot-long board, cooperative play, and a seek-and-find element. While it’s aimed at the preschool set, older children enjoy the Goldbug challenges. It plays very quickly, so it’s possible to play a game in less than 10 minutes.

-Spot It. This is a competitive game that involves quickly finding matches. It’s challenging for adults and children, and age doesn’t determine ability in this game. It also plays quickly, and is small enough to throw in a backpack as a handy distractor for boring waits with antsy nieces and nephews.

-Rivers, Roads, and Rails. This tile-laying game is a hit with small children, especially those who love trains. The world-building aspects can overwhelm the gameplay, but it teaches basic game mechanics and sets the stage for later, more complex games.

In the second part of this article, Jason Strober will discuss games that provide a good bridge between children’s games and adult games.

My Favorite Lower Back Exercises, by Jason Strober

If you know anything about developing a strong core, you know that you need more than just strong abdominal muscles to complete the package. Building a strong lower back is key to supporting your spine while accomplishing everyday activities such as walking or standing. Here are a few of my favorite lower back exercises to avoid bad posture and reduce risk of injury.

The Superman

Lie flat on your stomach to begin. Reach your arms out past your head with palms and forehead facing the ground. Tighten your abs and raise your head, left arm, and right leg five to six inches off the floor, holding for three seconds. Perform this 10 times and repeat on the opposite side. For advanced variation, lift both arms and legs for a total of 10 repetitions.

Ball Bridges

Lie on your back with your arms at your sides and your feet on a foam roller for the easy version or stability ball for an advanced version. Slowly lift your lower back and buttocks off the ground until your legs form a straight line. Hold this position and squeeze your lower back muscles and buttocks for two seconds. Do 10 repetitions.

Knees to Chest

This stretch is great for loosening up your lower back. Lie on your back with knees bent, feet touching the floor and arms at sides. Slowly bring both knees to your chest and then clasp your hands together around your legs. Pull your knees towards your chest with your arms until you feel a stretch in the lower back. Hold for three seconds. Perform 10 repetitions.

About the author: Jason Strober is a marketing expert based out of California’s Silicon Valley. In his spare time, Strober enjoys cooking, spending time with his family, and hiking and exercising.

Jason Strober Discusses Agricola

As a fan of board games, I regularly look for newer items to supplement the classic ones. Recently, I discovered Agricola. Made for up to five people, Agricola allows you to play as both a farmer and his or her spouse.

On every turn, you complete two actions that involve traditional chores—from collecting wood and clay to building fences. As the game continues, the couple gives birth, and you must figure out how to feed their children.

Agricola features a “no-frills” set of rules for beginners, and more advanced players can experiment with alternate forms of gameplay involving different decks of cards.

About the Author

Not only interested in board games, Jason Strober served as co-founder of Treasure Games, Inc. His firm enabled people to play tournament-based skill games for money, and Strober assisted with product development and marketing strategy until selling the company 18 months after its creation.