Washington is one of the best states for nurses – here’s why, University of Washington wins NASA grant to create spacey contest for Artemis Student Challenges, and more from this week’s Seattle in the Spotlight.

Washington is One of the Best States for Nurses – Here’s Why

Seattle PI | Callie Craighead | May 7

https://www.seattlepi.com/coronavirus/article/Washington-is-one-of-the-best-states-for-nurses-15251493.php

“Wednesday was National Nurses Day, and while there are a whole host of companies offering discounts and freebies to those healthcare workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study is illuminating how the nursing industry is growing in Washington. The analysis by personal finance website Wallethub found that Washington ranks as the second best state in the country for nurses. The research took into account 22 key metrics to analyze the industry, breaking them into two main rankings: work environment and potential for growth.”

University of Washington Wins NASA Grant to Create Spacey Contest for Artemis Student Challenges

GeekWire | Alan Boyle | May 7

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/univ-washington-wins-nasa-grant-create-spacey-contest-artemis-student-challenges/

“NASA has awarded the University of Washington a $499,864 grant to develop a competition that calls on students to turn a simulated lava tube into a habitat suitable for harboring humans on the moon or Mars. • The exploration and habitation skills competition will be funded as part of NASA’s Artemis Student Challenges program, which plays off the themes of the Artemis moon program to inspire the next generation of explorers and engineers. The competition will involve navigating a rover through a facsimile lava tube and surface structures, generating maps, identifying valuable resources and deploying an airtight barrier to seal the lava tube as a potential living quarters.”

U.S. Venture Capital Activity Nosedives in April, but Washington State’s Number Aren’t Too Bad, Yet

GeekWire | John Cook | May 6

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/u-s-venture-capital-activity-nosedives-april-washington-states-numbers-werent-bad/

“Venture capitalists are typically known for their optimism. But that core belief was shaken during the month of April as COVID-19 forced startup investors to tap the brakes on investing…In Seattle and Washington state, the picture wasn’t quite as bleak. In fact, April’s totals — $190 million invested in 21 deals — outpaced the months of January and February, prior to the coronavirus pandemic taking root in the U.S. Of course, it is difficult to discern trend lines on a month-to-month basis with such a small sample size.”