|
|
|
|
Happy October! There are many exciting events and opportunities this month, so we'll cut to the chase with a linked list. Enjoy!
|
|
|
Jake Grohs named CENI's Interim Director
|
|
|
This month's featured member is Jake Grohs, an Associate Professor in Engineering Education and also Interim Director of CENI as of the start of Fall 2023.
|
|
|
His degrees at Virginia Tech include a BS in Engineering Science and Mechanics, MS in Engineering Mechanics, and then MAEd and PhD in Curriculum and Instruction (Educational Psychology focus). He has worked full-time for VT since 2009 -- as A/P faculty member in VT Engage: The Community Learning Collaborative from 2009-2014, an Instructor in Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics (2014-2015), and then with Engineering Education since 2015. His primary research interests focus on systems thinking, applied educational research through multi-stakeholder partnerships, and collaborative change. An example project in has been NSF K-12 education funded VT PEERS, featured here: https://eng.vt.edu/magazine/stories/spring-2020/discovering-the-rural-engineer.html.
Some fun facts about Grohs: Together with his partner Courtney, he has three young kids - Jude (11), Crosby (8), and Béla (6), one giant Newfoundland dog (Rhody), and a fluctuating number of chickens. "Life with little kids leaves a bit less time for hobbies but we do together enjoy camping (in a small pull-behind pop-top camper), hiking, and live music, and I like to run, read, and very casually play disc golf. The kids would say their favorite camping spot so far has been on the Oregon coast or Custer State Park in South Dakota. Best live music we have listened to recently has been Amythyst Kiah, Allison Russell, Sierra Hull, and Nickel Creek as part of the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion a few weekends ago or Brandi Carlile's solo session at Maymont in Richmond last year (or when her whole band played FloydFest in summer 2019!)."
|
|
|
Kristy Collins exhibits "Art Bot" at Hokie for a Day
|
|
|
|
Last month CENI hosted this semester’s first Hokie for a Day! 5th graders from Belle Heth Elementary had the opportunity to envision what it would be like to be a college student on campus. One of the many hands-on activities they participated in included “Art Bot with Fralin Life Sciences Institute” led by Kristy Collins. Kristy teaches students to build an art bot using a glue stick, battery pack, markers, and a cup. Using their creativity, they learn to create art bots that can move and draw on their own. Many students, from across several elementary schools, truly enjoy Kristy’s exhibit. She has been a wonderful exhibitor for Hokie for a Day, playing a huge role to our hands-on experience and being a positive role model. Thank you, Kristy!
|
|
Meet our New CENI Student Employees
|
|
Sanjana Rayani
Data Analyst Assistant
Hi, my name is Sanjana Rayani. I am a current junior studying Statistics and Economics here at Virginia Tech. I am excited to join CENI as a part of the Data Analysis team. I hope to use and grow skills and a knowledge to contribute to the community outreach and educational engagement that CENI focuses on. Additionally, I hope to grow an expertise in data analysis and evaluation through my time at CENI. In my free time I enjoy reading, watching movies, and hiking.
James Mathai
Data Analyst Assistant
Hi, my name is James Mathai. I'm a sophomore majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Music and Creative Writing. In my free time, I write code and poems, and make music. I'm very excited to be able to merge the technical side of things with my passion for more artistic pursuits at ICAT, where I am working on the da Vinci's Cube project as part of VT's National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Research Lab.
|
|
SpaceDrones
The Sep 22 ICAT Playdate featured "SpaceDrones: Leveraging Unmanned Vehicle Systems to Emulate Space." This project by Kevin Schroeder, Minzhen Du, and Patrick Thomas utilizes low-cost UAV's within a VR framework to emulate on-orbit platforms for hardware-in-the-loop testing of autonomous space systems.
|
|
|
Campus Engagement Network Updates
|
|
|
Research Participation Opportunities
|
|
- Parents of 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th graders: You are invited to participate in a VT research study “Connecting Math and Reading” (IRB #21-669) which is a one-on-one session for your child to practice their math and vocabulary skills with a VT student on campus (~45-50 minutes). You can directly visit this form for more information and to schedule a visit to VT: https://bit.ly/VTMathandReading. Questions? Email learnlab@vt.edu.
|
|
Floyd County Public Schools
Join us at the Floyd County High School Career Fair on Thursday, October 26! Set up an outreach booth to ignite curiosity and expose career options that fall within your department, school, or discipline. Attendees will be high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are contemplating their near- and longer-term futures. If you are interested, please register here.
The timeline for the day will be:
- 8:30 a.m. Pull up to the CCDC to unload items for set up, as well as for directions on parking any trucks or other equipment you want to show off. Tables are available upon request through the registration link.
- 9:15 a.m. Career Fair begins and students begin walking through
- 11:30 a.m. End of the Career Fair
Consider visuals, samples, small giveaways, etc. to help students envision the possibilities!
Interested in partnering with Floyd County Public Schools? Contact Kim Keith.
|
|
Giles County Public Schools
Giles County Public Schools is looking for tutoring support for high school students in all subjects. GCPS is also looking for ELL support for our Spanish speaking students.
Interested in partnering with Giles County Public Schools? Contact Caitlin Thorn.
|
|
Pulaski County Public Schools
Interested in partnering with Pulaski County Public Schools? Contact Megan Atkinson.
|
|
|
Radford City Public Schools
|
|
|
Belle Heth Elementary attended CENI's first Hokie for a Day field trip of the semester.
|
|
Interested in partnering with Radford City Public Schools? Contact Jamie Little.
|
|
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.
|
|
Hokie for a Day
Hokie for a Day field trips for fifth graders, on Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Applications are open until filled. Virginia Tech affiliates only. More exhibitors needed for October 18th and October 25th.
Hokie for a Day Information and Application
|
|
Health Sciences Career Advisory Summit
Save the Date! On Thursday, October 19, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Blue Ridge Partnership for Health Science Careers (BRPHSC) will be hosting the Health Sciences Career Advisory Summit at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carillon 4 Riverside Circle. This is a free, interactive event for educators, counselors, and advisors highlighting the career paths and critical jobs needed in Healthcare and Biosciences in our region. Register Here Now! Register and full detailed agenda information is available. For more information, contact Cynthia Lawerence: celawrence@carilionclinic.org.
|
|
STEAM Day
Last call for exhibitors, registration will end this Friday, October 13th: STEAM DAY Application. The fourth annual Roanoke STEAM Day will be held on Friday, October 20, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Roanoke. Exhibitors will be able to set up starting at 8 a.m. on the day of the event. The event is a collaboration among the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Taubman Museum of Art, Virginia Museum of Transportation, the Science Museum of Western Virginia, Radford University, and Carilion.
|
|
STEM and College Fair
We need volunteers to lead hands-on STEM activities, staff display tables, serve as student panelists and general support for the event. The STEM and College Fair will take place October 28th, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fracis C. Hammond Middle School, Alexandria, VA. This is an event hosted for K-12 students to introduce them to different STEM fields, colleges, and career through fun activities and info sessions. Transportation to Alexandria on Friday afternoon, returning to Blacksburg at the conclusion of the event, and lodging for the night before the event will optionally be provided to volunteers. Click this link to sign up to volunteer and more detailed information.
|
|
Explore, Learn, and Soar with KTU Graduate School for Teens
Are your kids eager to embark on an exciting educational journey? We've heard your requests loud and clear, and we're thrilled to announce the return of the KTU Graduate School program for 13-16 year olds! Mark your calendars: October 28th and November 4th, 2023. This unique program offers an immersive experience with small class sizes and a deep dive into fascinating subjects—drones and everyday evolution. Engaging classes with expert instructors, a delicious lunch to keep those minds fueled, and opportunities for scholarships for kids in financial need are included. Get all the exciting details for each day by visiting our website. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity for your teens. Secure their spot now.
|
|
Join the University Libraries Studios Network for our Halloween Open House! Try out some tech, participate in a collaborative art project, and get some Halloween treats. While you're there, check out our suite of resources, including tools and education for AR/VR, prototyping, media production, and more! The event will take place on Tuesday, October 31st, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. on the fourth floor of Newman Library. Additional details can be found on the Library Events Calendar as we get closer to the event.
|
|
The Project Design Studio is currently accepting proposals from students who need a dedicated space to work on a project. Membership can last a few weeks or a few years. Members gain swipe access to a private work space stocked with resources, opportunities for small stipends, and support from the Project Design Studio staff. For more information or to submit your proposal, please visit our webpage.
|
|
Virginia Tech Science Festival
CENI invites faculty, students, student organizations, community members, and community organizations to participate in the Virginia Tech Science Festival. Science is bigger than you think. Science is a way of thinking and includes social sciences, the art of science, the science of arts, humanities based on data, business based on data, and much more. This is an opportunity to show our community the breadth and depth of the work we do at Virginia Tech. This event will take place on Saturday, November 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m at the Moss Art Center. Exhibitor applications close October 14: Virginia Tech Science Festival Information and Application.
|
|
The Nutshell Games
Attention all graduate researchers! Do you want to share your research with the world? Do you want an opportunity to win $500? Registration is open for the Nutshell Games, the fun and fast-paced presentation competition hosted by the Center for Communicating Science. The Nutshell Games will take place on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. at the Moss Arts Center with a preparatory workshop on Wednesday, November 1, 6:30-9:30 p.m. After finishing their 90-second talks about their research “in a nutshell,” contenders will be ranked by a panel of judges including campus and community representatives. Five winners will each receive a prize of $500 in professional development funds. We can only accommodate 30 researchers to give talks, so register soon! Click this link to sign up. You can find more information in our center newsletter.
|
|
STEM Saturdays
STEM Saturdays at Wonder Universe: A Children's Museum. 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., on Saturdays. Special STEM activities, crafts, and demonstrations for young children are presented each Saturday from 10:30 to 12:30.
Contact hello@wonderuniverse.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
