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CENI Newsletter — December 2023

December 14, 2023

This year was about reigniting how we work together, and we all added a lot of fuel. Please take this time to celebrate accomplishments, rest, and prepare for more. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! 

Yours truly, Lisa McNair

Hokie for a Day

This fall, we successfully hosted eight engaging Hokie for a Day field trips for our local elementary schools. Nearly 400 fifth graders had the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the college experience, gaining insights from students and faculty here at Virginia Tech. The day featured a diverse range of STEM exhibits, ranging from understanding how planes fly to the VTDITC team's demonstration of hip-hop studies, all aimed at igniting curiosity about higher education. Students enjoyed interacting with current college students, sharing lunch at D2 with our Corps of Cadets, and stepping into Lane Stadium for a Q&A session with VT athletes about college sports. As the day concluded, students were encouraged to envision themselves as future college students and provided with college access information. The exhibitor form is open now for spring 2024 Hokie for a Day exhibits. Slots are open until filled.

CENI Spotlight

This month, we feature Ashley Carter, Virginia Tech Community and Engagement Recruitment Specialist.

Ashley Carter
Ashley Carter

Fun Fact: Ashley loves traveling with her husband and two children. They hope to visit every continent and are busy planning a summer trip to three countries in Africa!

Ashley Carter is the Community and Engagement Recruitment Specialist on the Talent Acquisition team within the Department of Human Resources at Virginia Tech. A graduate of Virginia Tech and an active community member, she believes strong relationships are crucial to bridging gaps in our workforce.

In her role, she serves as a liaison between community organizations and local schools to build partnerships and showcase career paths available at Virginia Tech. Bringing high-quality work-based learning opportunities to students is vital to building a talent pipeline. Ashley strives to listen and meet the needs of educators, students, and Virginia Tech departments. Being a member of CENI has helped her make more connections, learn about new initiatives, and develop better programming like Tech Tracks, an annual event for high school juniors to visit campus and hear from department experts about careers offered at Virginia Tech.

CENI and CENI Partners in the News

The annual Virginia Tech Science Festival was held last month with a strong turnout of 3,600 attendees. 

Campus Engagement Network Updates

The Virginia Tech College of Science is thrilled to share some exciting updates on opportunities that will enhance the learning experiences of both educators and students alike. They will host Professional Development Workshops for Math and Science Teachers and Summer Camp for students. Save the date and be sure to register, as spots can fill quickly!  

Professional Development Workshops for Math & Science Teachers 
Date: June 18-20, 2024
More Information and Registration

Secure your spot to be part of a transformative learning experience you can apply in the classroom! Virginia Tech College of Science offers STEM teachers a chance to learn science, get inspired, and earn professional development points. These workshops are FREE for teachers, but spots are limited. Read about all the benefits of attending and how to register. Registration is open now.  

Summer Camps 2024
Date: Varies
More Information and Registration

Mid-January marks the opening of summer camp registration, inviting students to explore all kinds of science while immersing themselves in the college experience. This is a fantastic opportunity for students, grades 7th-12th, to make summer 2024 unforgettable by nurturing a love for STEM subjects through experiential learning. There are many summer camp offerings, each unique to a specialized area of interest in the sciences. Learn more about the opportunities available.

Liaisons Corner

Floyd County Public Schools
Floyd Elementary second graders delved into insect characteristics and adaptations through up-close encounters facilitated by the Department of Entomology students. This hands-on exploration provided a unique opportunity for our young learners to deepen their understanding of the natural world.

Second graders interact with a Madagascar hissing cockroach
Second graders interact with a Madagascar hissing cockroach

During their recent visit, the Virginia Tech Game Development Club brought excitement to Floyd County High School. This immersive experience saw club members sharing their insights and showcasing games they had personally programmed. Computer Science students at FCHS had the opportunity to try out these games, fostering a dynamic exchange of knowledge and igniting interest in game development. 

FCPS would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the faculty, staff, and students at Virginia Tech who have provided diverse opportunities and significantly impacted our students' growth and positive learning experiences. Here's to another year of meaningful collaboration and shared success!

An FCHS student plays a game programmed by the Virginia Tech Game Development Program
An FCHS student plays a game programmed by the Virginia Tech Game Development Program

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

Giles County Public Schools
Interested in partnering with Giles County Public Schools? Contact Caitlin Thorn.

Pulaski County Public Schools
Fifth graders from Snowville Elementary participated in an event to learn more about being a student at Virginia Tech. They toured the Ware Lab, wove CDs to add to a part of a large-scale art installation, experienced virtual reality in the Construction Industry, and learned how math and music go together.

Snowville students toured the Ware Lab and learned how engineering students compete on racing teams.
Snowville students toured the Ware Lab and learned how engineering students compete on racing teams.
Mixtapestry woven CDs at the Moss Arts Center
Mixtapestry woven CDs at the Moss Arts Center
The School of Construction showed students how VR is used to learn more about the construction industry.
The School of Construction showed students how VR is used to learn more about the construction industry.
Craig Arthur with VT Digging in the Crates, shows students how math and music are connected.
Craig Arthur with VT Digging in the Crates, shows students how math and music are connected.
Fifth graders toured Laurie Steelink’s exhibit, “Spirit is Alive, and Magic is Afoot.” The exhibit included mixed-media assemblages and sculptures, photographs, installations, and a video by Steelink, alongside traditional weavings and beadwork by Victoria Ferguson, director/docent for the Solitude-Fraction site in Virginia Tech’s Office for Inclusion and Diversity.
Fifth graders toured Laurie Steelink’s exhibit, “Spirit is Alive, and Magic is Afoot.” The exhibit included mixed-media assemblages and sculptures, photographs, installations, and a video by Steelink, alongside traditional weavings and beadwork by Victoria Ferguson, director/docent for the Solitude-Fraction site in Virginia Tech’s Office for Inclusion and Diversity.
Students from Riverlawn Elementary saw what it was like to be a Hokie for a Day on December 6th. They heard from the Office of Admissions, enjoyed a STEM expo, ate lunch at D2 and heard from Virginia Tech Athletics.
Students from Riverlawn Elementary saw what it was like to be a Hokie for a Day on December 6th. They heard from the Office of Admissions, enjoyed a STEM expo, ate lunch at D2 and heard from Virginia Tech Athletics.

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

Radford City Public Schools
Students at Dalton Intermediate School, Radford High School, and Radford Public Library wove CDs using upcycled materials. The Moss Arts Center, in partnership with Virginia Tech University Libraries, New River Creative Reuse Center, and New River Art and Fiber, sponsored the collective regional project. The artwork will be displayed at the Moss Arts Center from December 8 to 17.

Two students weaving CDs using upcycled materials.
Two students weaving CDs using upcycled materials.
Radford High School sophomores learn about on-the-road safety from Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s “Sharing the Road” program.
Radford High School sophomores learn about on-the-road safety from Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s “Sharing the Road” program.
VT Dining Services hosted Radford High School culinary students for behind-the-scenes tours of Southgate Center, Owens Dining Hall, Hokie Grill, and Dietrick Dining Hall.
VT Dining Services hosted Radford High School culinary students for behind-the-scenes tours of Southgate Center, Owens Dining Hall, Hokie Grill, and Dietrick Dining Hall.

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

Science Museum of Western Virginia
The Science Museum of Western Virginia is thrilled to announce its latest collaboration with leading researchers from Virginia Tech, Dr. Dorothea Tholl and Dr. Paul O'Maille, as they unveil a groundbreaking new exhibit titled "What's That You Smell? How Insects Use Perfume to Communicate." This captivating exhibit promises to take visitors on a fascinating journey into the world of insect communication through scents. The Science Museum invites the community and visitors from afar to join us in exploring the intriguing world of insect communication through scent. "What's That You Smell?" promises to be an educational and sensory experience like no other. Learn more at smwv.org.

Ribbon cutting for new exhibit titled "What's That You Smell? How Insects Use Perfume to Communicate” at the Science Museum of Western Virginia.
Ribbon cutting for new exhibit titled "What's That You Smell? How Insects Use Perfume to Communicate” at the Science Museum of Western Virginia.

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

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