The Redwood Technology Consortium will hold its monthly meeting November 8, at 5:30 PM in the Sequoia Room at the Humboldt County Office of Education, 901 Myrtle Ave., Eureka.

The program this month will feature Daria Topousis, RTC Board Member and contractor at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will present an overview of Second Life and NASA’s involvement in it.

Second Life is a virtual world built by residents that includes shopping venues, residences, businesses, information areas, and events and meetings. While Second Life has these and other social applications, many businesses are starting to set up areas where they can market their products and have virtual meetings. Universities have also formed a presence in Second Life, and many are now offering virtual classes to heir students.

NASA’s island in Second Life includes a simulation of dust storms on Mars, displays of major missions, meeting places, and other features.

Topousis will give a general overview of Second Life, including how to get started and what to expect while in world. She will then demonstrate NASA’s island and discuss future plans for NASA events and
creating a collaborative environment for engineers.

RTC meetings are free and open to the public.