My "Visit" to NICERC

Last Friday, my wife and I went out to play for the day. We decided to drive to Shreveport (an hour and a half west of Monroe in I-20). We were going to shop, go to a couple of coin shops, bookstores, and eat, I thought it would be fun to see the NICERC offices in Bossier - since we would be right there - and especially since I've discovered all the great things they are doing with Robotics and Education in our area. They've worked a lot with Parallax and are developing a new robot called the cyber:bot, designed to work with the micro:bit.  

I got the address before we left, and grabbed some of my "robot" business cards to share.

A cropped copy of my card.

We got to Bossier before lunch - stopped to use the bathroom, and drove to the address. There were no signs. We went into the nearest building with a sign - part of the Bossier Parish Community College. Inside, I found an office of Louisiana Tech. It was part of their Cyber Training Center. I had no idea they had anything like that!

 

I met who I later learned was the director. I had my Louisiana Tech hat on. He said, "Nice hat!" and I introduced myself and explained that I was looking for the NICERC offices. He said, "Are you going to a training event." I said, "No, I just want to visit and introduce myself."

He walked me to the windows in the space shown above and pointed to the Cyber Innovation Center. I was about an eighth of a mile down the road. He said to go there, but that I might not get very far... Talk to the guard, he said.

 

We drove down to the building and my wife parked. I walked via a large concrete plaza with flag poles and a fountain and through the very large doors into a huge (mostly empty and eerily quiet) lobby. At the end was a very wide wooden desk. As I entered, a young man looked up and moved to an open space in the middle fo desk and watched me all the way as I walked the hundred or so yards to the desk. Behind the desk was a huge military aircraft company logo. "Hi!" I said, "I am looking for the NICERC offices. Are they located here?" 

He sat, quietly for what seemed like an eternity. "........................Yes..........................." he said. 

"May I visit?" I asked. 

Another long pause. "..................Do you have an appointment?.............."

"No, I have heard about NICERC. I wanted to introduce myself. I guess I can't do that?" I said. 

He just continued to look at me.

"I guess I should contact them directly. Should I do that?" 

"................Yes..........................", he finally said.

"Okay," I said and walked back out to the car. 

It was like I imagine a visit to Area 51 in Roswell! I've since found out that the whole place is part of the National Cyber Research Park - right in Northwest Louisiana.  It is advertised all over the web - but not very welcoming - to put it mildly! :-)

Ha! It was really weird.

I have messaged them on Facebook and gotten no answer either. 

Will try to contact them via their contact info email. 

Thought you might enjoy the story. Maybe I can meet some of them one day...

Further Thoughts: I guess as I reflect on this, it is not so strange. NICERC is the educational branch of the Cyber Innovation Center.

Together, they represent a huge financial investment to foster collaboration between the government, industry, and academia in our region and in the country! Its goal is to accelerate technology, research, and development. One of its primary missions is to develop a sustainable knowledge-based workforce.

Most of my work in robotics is with educators and much smaller customer oriented companies like Parallax. This is a not a small organization!