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CENI Newsletter — August 2023

August 1, 2023

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Chelsea Haines on her new position as Chief of Staff in Student Affairs at Virginia Tech. As Associate Director of Broader Impacts, Chelsea has transformed CENI's ability to contribute to our community, to ICAT, and the university. Her strategic acumen, evaluation skills, and depth of care will be missed. As one of our Educator Liaisons put it, "Chelsea is a star!" As you relish the last days of summer, read on to learn about the great work of our partners, including new exhibits at Wonder Universe and the upcoming Rural Education Summit (featuring a keynote by Dopesick author Beth Macy). 

Lisa McNair
Deputy Executive Director, ICAT

Chelsea, Phyllis, and Lisa stand in front of an old structure in the forest
Chelsea, Phyllis, and Lisa spent a day back in time at Blue Ridge Mountaineer Scout Camp in Snowville, Virginia.

National Intern Day

Happy National Intern Day to our student staff at CENI! Virginia Tech is committed to providing students with experiential learning as they navigate their professional career paths. The Campus internEXP is one of the many programs offered that partners with VT offices to give students that experience. Jennifer Huang, Kalilah Kroll, Davia Wiley, Lauren Melton, Arul Kumar, Sarah Howell, and now Sanjana Rayani are some student interns at CENI that have been or are in the program now. We are lucky to have these incredible interns and their contributions to our team. 

internEXP Alumni Spotlight

a portrait of Cody Klein wearing a tie and jacket, standing in front of a tree
Cody Klein

Cody Klein has been working as a reporting analyst at the Bank of Clarke in Winchester, VA since September of 2022. “The work that I did while I was a student employee for CENI was the key to me getting this position, so thank you so much for giving me that invaluable experience!”

CENI and Partners in the News

Liminal Spaces: A first-of-its-kind sonic journey through the spaces between
Liminal Spaces is the first piece to make use of a layered immersive spatial audio system. Performed inside the Cube at Virginia Tech, audiences explored the time that exists between morning and night, between near and far, and between calm and storm. Watch a short video where Ben Knapp and Eric Lyon explain their collaborative journey. 

High school teachers gain hands-on training in STEM
Biotech in a Box is a science outreach program that sends high school teachers biology lab kits that they can bring into their classrooms. High school teachers from across Virginia participated in a workshop to learn how to use STEM projects with their students this coming school year. 

Division's outreach and recruitment efforts support student learning and career opportunities
The Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities have collaborated with university partners to create enrichment opportunities for local K-12 schools. Read about VT Electric Service visit to career day, Stormwater Education days, and Tech Tracks. 

Center for Rural Education to host second annual Rural Education Summit
This year's Rural Education Summit is focused on Community Health and Wellness where there will be workshops for rural educators to explore topics such as trauma-informed rural schooling, hope, and well-being for learners. Click the link for more information about the summit or to register. 

Black College Institute helps students find home at Virginia Tech
“BCI is the reason I chose to attend Virginia Tech. At BCI, we are big on family and community. BCI ensures that no student gets left behind..." said Taylor Whitehurst. Read more about how BCI offers students a safe place where they feel they belong. 

C-Tech² explores engineering and campus life at Virginia Tech
The C-Tech² program is offered to rising junior and senior high school girls for two weeks of hands-on learning, college experience, and professional development. Watch a short video to learn more about its impact.  

Inspiring the next generation of scientists and STEM leaders
Kids' Tech University sponsored by the Fralin Life Sciences Institute and Virginia 4-H was held both in-person and virtual this spring, allowing 190 students to participate. Read about the experiences of the KTU program.  

Science on Tap: 'Moving Minds: Dance and Interpersonal Synchrony'
Moving Minds: Dance and Interpersonal Synchrony is led by Julia Basso and Rachel at Science on Tap. All participants will learn how to dance and other movements that affect the mind- no dance experience is necessary! 

Researching a possible hazard in the ocean air
Hosein Foroutan, an associate professor in the College of Engineering, is researching the prevalence of microplastics in ocean spray, and how microplastic particles re-enter the air given the movement of ocean water and air. Watch this short video to learn about his research findings. 

Highlights from the Campus Engagement Network

Science on Tap 

Where? Rising Silo Brewery 
When? Wednesday, August 23 (5:30-7:00 p.m.)
Who? All families and children

Sketching in Nature: Local artists Matt Gentry will share his process for drawing in nature and assist us in making our own artwork. More information about events in the NRV can be found on Science on Tap's Facebook page.

Wonder Universe - Looking for STEM Saturday Volunteers!

Where? Uptown Christiansburg, 782 New River Rd Ste. 812, Christiansburg, VA 24073
When? Saturdays
Who? Volunteers 

Wonder Universe is looking for summer STEM Saturday volunteers! These volunteers host an engaging STEM activity or demonstration for ages 0-10 for 1-2 hours on a Saturday morning. Please email if interested in volunteering, either as an individual or a group.

Wonder Universe - New Exhibits

Wonder Universe is also excited to announce that two new exhibits will be coming to the Museum in 2023. The first is a Freeman Foundation Asian Cultures Exhibit from the Association of Children's Museums focused on play and Chinese, South Korean, and Japanese cultures. The second is a Dragon's Cave Literacy Corner, a collaboration with Roanoke College and the Dragon Research Collaborative group made possible by a Virginia Humanities grant. Stay tuned for updates and grand opening celebrations for each of these unique additions to our regional children's museum.

Summer Reminder of Policy 4815: Minors at Virginia Tech

As we see an increase in minors on campus during the summer months as a result of various youth camps and events, faculty and academic staff are reminded to refer to Policy 4815: Minors at Virginia Tech which was established to bring awareness to the presence of minors in programs conducted or hosted by the university and to set minimum requirements for the screening and training of individuals working with minors.
 
The policy was recently revised to reflect the creation of the Virginia Tech Office of Youth Protection, compliance expectations, criminal background screening requirements, and expanded training requirements. The Office of Youth Protection is available to answer questions that faculty and staff may have about planning events, activities, programs, or camps serving minors.
 
Virginia Tech is committed to the safety and welfare of its students, faculty, staff, and visitors through the establishment of reasonable practices that support a safe and secure environment in all university facilities, as well as to promote safety through policies and programs. If faculty or academic program staff are planning to work with minors or invite them to participate in a program hosted at Virginia Tech, please review carefully the revised policy.
 
If you have any questions or need more information about Policy 4815 or programs with minors at Virginia Tech, please read this campus notice or email the Youth Protection Associate Specialist.

CENI Educator Liaison Corner

Floyd County Public Schools
Interested in partnering with Floyd County Public Schools? Contact liaison Kim Keith.

Pulaski County Public Schools
Interested in partnering with Pulaski County Public Schools? Contact liaison Megan Atkinson.

Radford City Public Schools
Interested in partnering with Pulaski County Public Schools? Contact liaison Jamie Little.

Science Museum of Western Virginia

2023 Summer Camps at the Science Museum of Western Virginia launched on June 12 with “Sea Explorers” Camp, featuring a guest appearance by Hosein Foroutan, who shared research on the aerosolization of microplastics in the ocean from wave action.

This year’s camps will feature collaborations with the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center, the Virginia Tech MOVIS and ARIES “Virtual Reality Solar System Explorer” teams, visits from the American Society of Civil Engineers, and more.

Registration is still open for some camps. Visit our website to learn more!

Interested in partnering with the Science Museum of Western Virginia? Contact liaison Phyllis Newbill. 

Virginia Tech Roanoke Center
Interested in partnering with the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center? Contact liaison Don Pizzullo.

Upcoming Deadlines and Events