CENI Newsletter — March 2024

CENI Spotlight

This month, we feature Megan Atkinson, our CENI liaison for Pulaski County Public Schools.

Megan Atkinson, EdS, is the Director of Career & Technical Education for Pulaski County Public Schools and is the liaison between Virginia Tech and Pulaski County Public Schools. With over two decades of experience spanning educational leadership, career, and technical education, health, physical education, athletics, and arts integration, she passionately advocates for integrating diverse fields of study to empower students for academic success, meaningful careers, and lifelong learning. In her current capacity, Megan spearheads initiatives that bridge academic theory with practical skills, enabling students to integrate knowledge across disciplines. Additionally, as an Adjunct Professor at New River Community College, Megan imparts essential skills for lifelong wellness and academic achievement. Her commitment to breaking down educational silos underscores her vision for lifelong learning and holistic growth among students, educators, and communities alike.

Fun Facts: Beyond her professional role, Megan actively engages in workforce development and community enrichment initiatives. As a member of the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce and various regional advisory councils, she collaborates with industry partners to align educational programs with the evolving needs of the workforce, equipping students with the competencies required to excel in a competitive job market.

Campus Engagement Network Updates

CyberGirls @ Virginia Tech
Date: Sunday, March 10, 2024 (Applications deadline)
Camp Application

CyberGirls @ Virginia Tech will offer an incredible opportunity for rising 8th- 9th-grade young girls who enjoy solving puzzles or learning new things to help make the world safer! Their program will allow students to learn multiple facts about cybersecurity and possible careers through hands-on activities led by the Virginia Tech faculty and staff. This camp will occur from July 29- August 2, 2024, at the Virginia Tech Research Center in Arlington, Virginia. Previous experience is optional. Learn more about the program and the registration process.

C-Tech² - Computers and Technology at Virginia Tech
Date: Sunday, March 10, 2024 (Applications deadline)
Camp Application

C-Tech² provides exciting opportunities for rising junior and senior high school girls interested in pursuing computer, electrical, material science, chemical engineering, or other related fields to learn about college life from classrooms to residence halls and more. Students will also be able to access information and technology necessary to prepare them for their future in these related fields. This program will be offering two distinct sessions. Learn more information about the sessions and the registration process.

•  The first session of C-Tech² will take place from Sunday, June 30 to Saturday, July 13, 2024. This session will focus on exposing students to various engineering disciplines. 
•  The second session, the University Partnership for Workforce Advancement and Research & Development in Semiconductors (UPWARDS), will take place from Sunday, July 14, to Saturday, July 27, 2024. This session will focus on microelectronics, cleanroom fabrication, and career opportunities. An overnight excursion to Micron Technology in Manassas will be included.

VIRGINIA TECH LEARN LAB: Connecting Math and Reading
Date: Varies
Research Study Participation Form

Virginia Tech’s Learning and Development Lab invites mid/late elementary students (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade students) and their parents to participate in an exciting research study. This research focuses on studying students’ math and vocabulary development to better understand how different math and vocabulary skills are related. It will be a 45-50-minute one-time visit; participants will be doing math activities (comparison, estimation, problem-solving) and vocabulary questions for children and parents. Participants will be compensated with $15 in cash for their time and effort. Parents and children have the option to opt-out at any point in the research. For more information, click here.

CENI and CENI Partners in the News

• Associate Director of Broader Impacts and Outreach Position Posted: This role will work both collaboratively with the director as well as autonomously to help grow the outreach and broader impacts portfolio of the Science Outreach Initiative. Please feel free to email Julee Farley at jpfarley@sas.upenn.edu if you have any questions. The director, Dr. Farley, previously worked at VT and with CENI and Montgomery County Public School.
• Jamming with Junk: The Moss Art Center is celebrating Earth Day with its Jamming with Junk event, where students of all ages are challenged to help their communities by using the junk they collect to create musical instruments! Click the link to see how they are using things such as toilet paper tubes, plastic & glass bottles, bottle caps, and straws in a new way.

Liaisons Corner

Floyd County Public Schools

Floyd County Public Schools looks forward to sharing opportunities with educators, students, and families regarding spring and summer outreach. Recent shares include Nano SMIST and CEED AMP It Up! Women in Data Science Event and VCOM Summer Enrichment programs. These camps cater to various interests ranging from STEM to medical/nursing fields.

Organizing an event? Please share with CENI liaisons to get the word out promptly. Successful communications often include a one-page flyer with the following information:  

• event title
• date/time
• location
• description (may consist of purpose, activities, notable presenters, or sessions)
• target audience (grade level or age range)
• costs associated and scholarship availability (if applicable) sign up/registration link (and QR code)
• contact information of the person in charge
•  VT-affiliated program, department, or group branding

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-grade students from Dublin Elementary School and Pulaski Elementary School enjoyed learning what is like to be a Hokie for a Day.

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

Radford City Public Schools

Jonathan Dickerson, VT Turfgrass Management instructor, talks to Radford High School students about VT’s Agriculture Technology two-year program and careers in turfgrass management. 

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

Science Museum of Western Virginia

The Eye Planetarium at the Science Museum of Western Virginia’s momentous grand opening on February 14th offered a fantastic evening show, “Stars Over the Star City,” to celebrate. The Eye Planetarium also provides an immersive, diverse array of ticketed shows, including interactive experiences, astronomical journeys, immersive full-dome films, and educational programs dedicated to all ages. The Eye welcomes school groups, private groups, and individuals. This unique experience with its state-of-the-art technology, has schedules and tickets and their website.

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.

Upcoming Deadlines and Events

• 3/13 Hokie for a Day - Patrick Henry Elementary School
• 3/20 Hokie for a Day - Albert Harris Elementary School
• 3/27 Hokie for a Day - Indian Valley Elementary School, Willis Elementary School, Check Elementary School