"Our Green Future" High School Internship

Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) is offering a high school summer internship to expose students to the exciting fields of research in biology, plant pathology, the environment, climate and bioinformatics. This week-long program consists of several research activity labs, research-related tours, and a discussion/lecture series.

High school students interested in math and science, and are able to provide their own, reliable transportation to VBI each morning, are eligible for participation in the program. The main objective of this high school internship is to show students the fun and excitement of scientific research. Students will have the opportunity to explore the world of genomics and the environment with world-renowned research scientists in professional labs.

Dedicated work is key for success in any career, especially one in bioinformatics research. The internship experience will strengthen the principle of dedicated work through intensive laboratory research and journal keeping exercises given throughout the week. A highly motivated attitude is encouraged throughout the program! | 2011 promotional flyer

2011 Program Dates July 11 - July 15

2011 Application Deadline June 13, 2011

Program website- click here!

Our Green Future is funded by NSF Award Number IOS-0922747

Reminder!- Fractals due tonight at 9 pm!

Kids' Tech University is hosting a fractal contest! Children and parents are welcome to submit in one fractal in one category: Artsy, Mathematical, Combination, and Most Creative.

See the KTU Virtual World of Patterns website for more information-- click "Contest" on the right hand side

Contest rules:

1.) All submissions must be in before 9:00pm on April 27th, 2011.
2.) This contest is open to kids and adults, students of all ages!
3.) Every contestant must submit their fractal through email to fractalcontest@vbi.vt.edu. You should also specify which category your submission is included in.

Fractals due April 27th!

Kids' Tech University is hosting a fractal contest! Children and parents are welcome to submit in one fractal in one category: Artsy, Mathematical, Combination, and Most Creative.

See the KTU Virtual World of Patterns website for more information-- click "Contest" on the right hand side

Contest rules:

1.) All submissions must be in before 9:00pm on April 27th, 2011.
2.) This contest is open to kids and adults, students of all ages!
3.) Every contestant must submit their fractal through email to fractalcontest@vbi.vt.edu. You should also specify which category your submission is included in.

"The Fantasticks"...a musical at VT

Hi Everyone,

Cara Rawlings, the professor who lead the "Dance with Math" activity at the Jan. 29, 2011 KTU program wanted us to pass on this information about a play at VT! All are welcome to attend!

Virginia Tech celebrates the 50th anniversary of the classic musical The Fantasticks, a beautiful and simple store of a forbidden love. The narrator, El Gallo, invites us to embark on a journey of the imagination as he creates a world of moonlight and magic, then heartbreak and disillusionment, “until the boy and girl find their way back to one other.” Songs include “Try to Remember,” “They Were You,” “Much More,” “Soon It’s Gonna Rain,” and “I Can See It.” Directed by faculty member Cara Rawlings.

The Fantasticks
Music by Harvey Schmidt, Lyrics by Tom Jones
Squires Studio Theatre - Reserved Seating
Wed., Apr 13th @ 7:30pm
Thurs., Apr 14th @ 7:30pm
Fri., Apr 15th @ 7:30pm
Sat., Apr 16th @ 2pm
Sun., Apr 17th @ 2pm& 7:30pm
Tues., Apr 19th @ 7:30pm
Wed., Apr 20th @ 7:30pm
Thurs., Apr 21st @ 7:30pm
Fri., Apr 22nd @ 7:30pm
Sat., Apr 23rd @ 2pm& 7:30pm
Tues., Apr 26th @ 7:30pm
Wed., Apr. 27th @ 7:30pm
Tickets: General $10, Senior $8, Student $8
On Sale: Wed. Mar., 23rd

For Tickets:
Call (540) 231-5615 or visit http://www.uusa.vt.edu/tickets/events.php

Ticket Office:
129 Squires Student Center (0138)
Blacksburg, VA 24061

KTU Interactive Mathematics Website

On the KTU homepage we've added a new link to a KTU Interactive Mathematics Website.

This site was created by Kathryn Brewer, a Math Education major working with Dr. Reinhard Laubenbacher and Kris Monger at VBI. The site features interactive sections including Ask Dr. L (i.e. Dr. Reinhard Laubenbacher), What's Wrong?, Fractal Maker, Game of Life, and you can watch Dr. L's Lecture Video from the Jan. KTU!

You can even tell us what you've learned from the site or from Dr. L's video.

Parents, don't forget to check out the Info for Adults site!

CONTEST!

KTU is hosting a “Most Beautiful Fractal” contest. Fractals are due on April 27th via email. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in 4 categories. Everyone (adults and children) are welcome to submit a fractal (limit of 1 fractal person). Check out the KTU Interactive Mathematics Website for more details!

The Happy Scientist

As I (Kristy Collins) was searching the internet I came across this website- The Happy Scientist

In my opinion its a pretty cool site. There are a bunch of free resources on the site including "Science Photo of the Day", and the Experiment of the Week newsletter, and a "Free Stuff" page, with videos and experiments that are free for everyone. If you facebook "like" his page he periodically displays unique pictures from his travels and gives fun science facts about what is happening in the picture.

Also, from now through April 20, Mr. Krampf (i.e. The Happy Scientist) has granted free access to every student and teacher in Florida. He is trying to show his support for science education, and hopefully helping students perform better on the Science FCAT, Florida's high stakes science test. Mr. Krampf is also offering to anyone reading this blog a piggyback of sorts on this free access. All you have to do is go to the site, and click on the "Florida FCAT Crunch Time" link in the upper, right side of the page. That will end on April 20th, the day of the test.

You can also check him out on twitter @happy_scientist

2011 Garlic Mustard Challenge!

How You Can Help

Join the US Forest Service and Potomac Highlands CWPMA on April 30 at the Cascades and help them pull garlic mustard. We will pull the plants, carefully getting the roots, and then bag them for disposal.

Bring a pair of gloves unless you don’t mind getting your handsdirty! The Day Use fee is waived for participants, so you can help pull garlic mustard and then hike to the falls. Help spread the word and bring some friends.

The Problem

Garlic Mustard has gained much attention in recent years for its ability to rapidly invade wooded habitats from disturbed areas. Garlic mustard is highly invasive and threatens the abundant wildflowers and diverse forest ecosystems where it occurs. Garlic mustard is spreading throughout river floodplains, forests, roadsides, edges of woods, and along trails.

Enjoy a fun day helping to improve the Cascades Trail environment.

When: April 30th from 10:00 to 3:00 - Rain or Shine!

Where: Cascades Day Use Area*-Jefferson National Forest, Pembroke, VA. Free Day Use Pass for participants

Try to carpool as there is limited parking For more information about the event contact: Fred Huber, Forest Botanist, at 540-265-5157 or email at fhuber@fs.fed.us

* To reach Cascades Day Use Area, travel along VA 460 to Pembroke and turn onto VA 623. Continue along VA 623 for 4 miles to the parking area.

For more Garlic Mustard Challenge information, please visit:

http://www.phcwpma.org/GarlicMustard.cfm

Baby chicks!

Poultry Club will be having baby chicks for the kids to handle along with eggs to candle and maybe a chart of embryo development.

The purpose of the Poultry Club is to help bridge the gap between poultry students and the poultry industry.

Dr. Skip Garner's lab is exhibiting at KTU on April 9th!

Have you ever wondered what your DNA looks like? Several members from Skip Garner’s lab at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute will be demonstrating how to make a paper origami model of DNA. You can also help solve a crime scene mystery in Crime Scene:KTU by using DNA evidence to pinpoint the criminal! The Garner Lab studies differences in types of DNA sequences known as microsatellites. These highly variable Sequences are often used as markers, and are the basis of many forensic identity tests.

Virginia Tech's American Medical Student Association

Virginia Tech's American Medical Student Association, is hosting a presentation where kids will be able to do a hands on activity on proper hand washing techniques.

AMSA, the American Medical Student Association, is a national organization for students who wish to become physicians or have a career geared towards health. The local chapter at Virginia Tech offers premedical students the opportunity to build their professional network and help them be the best medical school candidate.

L2Ork concert- World's First Linux Laptop Orchestra

Hello,

L2Ork -- World's First Linux Laptop Orchestra ( http://l2ork.music.vt.edu/ ) will be performing a special concert and hands-on experience on April 9th to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Roanoke, VA ( http://disis.music.vt.edu/main/events/110409.html ). As a partner with L2Ork for this concert, we are announcing this opportunity to Kids' Tech University students, their siblings, friends, and parents. Imagine an orchestra where performers instead of playing traditional instruments perform using networked laptops, wiimotes, nunchuks, and hemispherical speakers fashioned out of IKEA wooden salad bowls. While this may sound like a truly odd combination, laptop's ability to fulfill many different roles has enabled us to design an entirely new kind of an ensemble as well as to explore novel ways on how to combine Arts, Sciences, and Education at an unbeatable price.

There are 2 showings of L2Ork on April 9th:
1. CHILDREN'S PROGRAM- The 7 pm attendees will listen to a 20-30-minute program featuring Boys & Girls Club laptop orchestra and a few numbers co-performed with L2Ork. The audience will be invited to join us on-stage for a hands-on experience of the laptop orchestra until 7:50 pm.
2. 8 pm CONCERT

Tickets for each showing are $5 for the general public or $3 for VT students (including children) and can be purchased at the at the Squires Box Office 1 hour in advance. You are welcome to make a larger donation if you wish!

In summary:
WHEN- April 9th, 2011, 2 showings-- 7 pm meet the orchestra, see the instruments and concert; 8 pm concert only
WHERE- Virginia Tech Squires Recital Salon
WHO- All are invited to come; child require adult supervision
COST- Tickets are $5 for the general public or $3 for VT students (including children). All proceeds will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Roanoke, VA. You are welcome to make a larger donation if you wish!

Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=136468179758733&index=1

Wheelchair obstacle course by VTCSOM

Many times we don’t think how amazing is to be able to walk and move around. About 50 million Americans have a disability according to the US Census Bureau (about 1 in 5 of us). Roughly 40 Million of those with disabilities need NO ASSISTANCE to carry out their daily activities. If you want to learn more about this fantastic capacity to move with disability, please, come to our exhibit and take the challenge!

In our exhibit, faculty and students from the medical school at VTCSOM, physician assistant students from Jefferson College of Health Sciences will help you to go thru a wheelchair challenge and learn more about the challenges that so many have living with disability.

The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute joins the basic science, life science, bioinformatics, and engineering strengths of Virginia Tech with the medical practice and medical education experience of Carilion Clinic. The school seats small class sizes of around 42 students each, fostering a rich educational experience. Unique focuses on four value domains - basic sciences, clinical sciences and skills, research, and interprofessionalism - develop physician thought leaders through inquiry, research, and discovery. Virginia Tech Carilion is located in a new biomedical health sciences campus in Roanoke, adjacent to Carilion Clinic and near Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Fitness and Nutrition Club’s April 9th Kids’ Tech University Activity

The Fitness and Nutrition Club at Virginia Tech is committed to promoting nutrition and physical health to students and the surrounding Blacksburg community. We feel it is important to make others knowledgeable on the benefits of eating healthy and engaging in physical activity for an overall healthy lifestyle.

Our goal is to find a healthy balance between eating the foods we enjoy while still meeting our nutritional needs. We will be discussing the importance of portion sizes according to MyPyramid and learning how to choose more nutritious options. Along with eating healthy, we want to show students how to make exercising fun! They will have the opportunity to participate in a short group circuit training exercise that involves fun moves to improve strength, cardio, endurance, and flexibility.

Ever wondered about how forces relate to rockets?

Ever wondered about how forces relate to rockets? Come join CanSat for a hands-on water bottle rocket activity!

CanSat @ VT is in its third year at Virginia Tech. We compete in a year-long annual design competition where we have to design a rocket payload to carry a raw hen egg that is launched and recovered while completing a variety of tasks upon descent. CanSat has three Virginia Tech teams to compete in this year's international competition in Texas.

Pre-Dental Club is exhibiting on April 9th at KTU!

This year Pre-Dental Club has a variety of exciting dental hygiene related activities! In addition to learning the proper way to brush teeth and floss, kids can participate in “Guess Whose Smile” to win a bag full of dental hygiene goodies. Also, we will have plenty of informative posters, activity sheets, and even a fun video on the benefits of a healthy smile! Smiles are all about expressing yourself, and what better way to express yourself than to personalize your own toothbrush? Good oral hygiene is crucial for growing kids, and the sooner they develop good habits the healthier they will be!

April 12th public lecture by Dr. Young-Kee Kim, Deputy Director of Fermilab

The VT Physics Department is invites all to a public lecture by Dr. Young-Kee Kim, deputy director of Fermilab, entitled "E = mc^2: Opening Windows on the World", at 7:30 pm on Tuesday April 12 in the Latham Ballroom at the Inn at Virginia Tech. This lecture, for a lay audience, will explore the frontiers of particle physics and cosmology.

Kim’s lecture is free. A reception will follow. Ample free parking is available at The Inn.

For more information about the event see the VT Press Release - click here.

"The Frog Scientist"

Hi everyone,

Dr. Tyrone Hayes, March's KTU lecture, had a book written about him and his research called, "The Frog Scientist." Click here to see a video book trailer.

For teachers or parents interested in knowing about lesson plans about his work please see: "ALARMING FROGS: THE LIFE AND WORK OF EMERGING EXPLORER TYRONE HAYES", the National Geographic Society (found here).

Please note that Tyrone does not receive any funding from the sale of his book (neither does KTU). This post was meant to be informative!

Food Animal Practitioners Club – Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

The FAPC exhibit will be showcasing the differences in the gastrointestinal tracts of different species. The differences between horses, cattle, pigs and dogs will be discussed, and how these differences in the anatomy of their stomachs affect their diet. We will have pictures and diagrams for the kids to look at and touch to explain the differences.

Rumen fluid from a cow along with rumen microbes will be on display to allow the kids to see the microbes moving around in the fluid. We will discuss the importance of the microbes to the cattle’s digestive tract, and how they cannot function without them. Many people know that microbes exist in their own digestive tract, but are not aware of the importance to microbial populations in animal’s digestive tracts.

Common parasites affecting animals will also be on display. Difference species of worms, lice, and flies will be available for the kids to look at and examine. Short displays teaching how to treat these common parasites will be available so that the students can learn how to deal with a parasite if one of their pets gets this disease.

The Food Animal Practitioners Club is a club at Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; we have a large group of veterinary students with interests in cattle, swine, sheep, goats, camelids and poultry. Every month we have a meeting with a speaker that covers topic important to animal agriculture and food animal medicine. On Tuesday of each week the club provides rounds for its members, a clinician will provide a case and the students will work through the case as a group discussing how they would treat the animal in a specific situation. Our goal as a club is to provide an opportunity to learn more about large animal welfare and husbandry while teaching about veterinary medicine.

How do we recognize so many different flavors? The chemical senses by the VTCSOM

Hum…delicious food smells so good! Isn’t it sad when we have cold and cannot smell our food? It seems like nothing tastes good without smell. That is because our senses of taste and smell are very close related. The sense of smell is very important, much more than improving the taste of what we eat. It also plays a role in our protection. When something is burning your first clue is the smell. Smell is also related to memory and emotions. Sometimes a smell seems to bring us to places or remind us of people we know but is not even nearby.

In our exhibit, faculty and students from the medical school at VTCSOM, physician assistant students from Jefferson College of Health Sciences will show you some interesting aspects of how we taste and smell. Come and have fun with us!

The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute joins the basic science, life science, bioinformatics, and engineering strengths of Virginia Tech with the medical practice and medical education experience of Carilion Clinic. The school seats small class sizes of around 42 students each, fostering a rich educational experience. Unique focuses on four value domains - basic sciences, clinical sciences and skills, research, and interprofessionalism - develop physician thought leaders through inquiry, research, and discovery. Virginia Tech Carilion is located in a new biomedical health sciences campus in Roanoke, adjacent to Carilion Clinic and near Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

SEEDS Summer Camps - Only a few spaces left

See here for more information on the SEEDS summer camps at: http://www.seedsguys.org/fieldcamps.html

SEEDS Blacksburg Nature Center
Nature Center, Environment, Discovery and Engagement

Operated by SEEDS Seek Education, Explore, DiScover

With Contributing Partners:
Town of Blacksburg Dept. of Parks and Recreation
VT Dept. of Biological Sciences Outreach Program

Located at the Historic Blacksburg Price House, 107 E. Wharton St.

http://www.seedsguys.org

Founded in 1995, SEEDS has a mission to teach kids to be active citizens
in a sustainable society. SEEDS is a 501(c)(3) charitable not-for-profit
youth education organization. Your Donations are tax deductible.
Our FIN # is 541782139

How can we hear? The auditory system by the VTCSOM

Most of us use sounds to communicate with each other. Isn’t it amazing how we recognize so many different sounds? The auditory system is a complex and very efficient system that detects sound vibration and brings the information to be processed by our brain. It is the mental processing that makes sense of the sounds. We can identify where the sounds come from because we have two ears on each side of our head. If you want to learn more about hearing and how it is processed by the brain to give it meaning come to our booth!

In our exhibit, faculty and students from the medical school at VTCSOM, physician assistant students from Jefferson College of Health Sciences will show you how the auditory system works and how we identify and recognize the origin of sounds.

The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute joins the basic science, life science, bioinformatics, and engineering strengths of Virginia Tech with the medical practice and medical education experience of Carilion Clinic. The school seats small class sizes of around 42 students each, fostering a rich educational experience. Unique focuses on four value domains - basic sciences, clinical sciences and skills, research, and interprofessionalism - develop physician thought leaders through inquiry, research, and discovery. Virginia Tech Carilion is located in a new biomedical health sciences campus in Roanoke, adjacent to Carilion Clinic and near Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

VT-WFU Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Student Chapter

The VT-WFU Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Student Chapter is a joint organization whose mission is to encourage the development, dissemination, integration and utilization of knowledge in biomedical engineering. Students in our chapter are conducting exciting biomedical research in the areas of musculoskeletal biomechanics, imaging, cell and tissue engineering, and nanotechnology for medical applications. At our exhibit, kids will make hydrogel scaffolds used to regenerate tissue in the lab, learn about molecular analysis through extraction of DNA from strawberries, examine changes in body temperature using a thermal camera, and measure brainwave activity playing the brain game!

Dr. Jean Peccoud's lab is exhibiting at KTU on April 9th!

The Synthetic Biology booth is hosted by the synthetic biology research group at Virginia Tech. The group is led by Dr. Jean Peccoud works on problems related to the engineering of biology.

Understanding what goes on inside living cells is a difficult problem. There are all kinds of molecules bouncing around inside the cell, and we would love to be able to see what was going on. The problem is that we usually can’t see inside of the cells without killing them first. One way to see inside is to modify the cells so that when they make a protein, they also make a fluorescent protein that glows enough to be seen from outside the cell. By measuring the fluorescent proteins, we can get an idea of what the other proteins are doing. At our booth, we will show this idea with movies, clay models, and candy.

E. Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is exhibiting at the April 9th KTU!

. The E. Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is a medical school located in the corporate research center of Virginia Tech. The mission of the college is to train individuals to practice medicine in the rural Appalachian regions of the United States. VCOM will provide Kids’ Tech participants with an exhibit of human anatomical organs that have been plastinated in our facilities. Plastination is a process that preserves anatomical tissues (organs) using plastics. Methods. The specimens are hardened and water-proofed by the plastic; yet retain most of their original properties. They can be handled and manipulated, enhance the learning experience. Results. The specimens are typically used for teaching gross teaching and research purposes. The exhibit will be hosted by medical students from VCOM along with faculty from the anatomy department. Participants will be provided additional hands-on opportunities; one will be to replicate a regional spinal vertebra using clay (prizes will be given to those who can replicate human vertebrae with the clay). Conclusion. Taking part in Kids’ Tech University is an innovative means to stimulate interest in the anatomical, biological and chemical sciences as they pertain to the medical education and the practice of medicine.

IVMC exhibit on April 9th.

The IVMC will be bringing out unique dogs to show.

The purpose of Integrative Veterinary Medicine Club (IVMC) is to educate and provide information to students as well as graduates and faculty members who are interested in learning about holistic veterinary medicine. Integrative Medicine Club shall deliver educational resources, hands-on experiences, and networking opportunities to those individuals in order to further their knowledge in the holistic veterinary medical community. IVMC shall also help students and recent graduates gain professional certification and assist in their search for employment in the area of holistic veterinary medicine. Finally, IVMC will provide opportunities for members to improve their knowledge and understanding of current issues regarding holistic medicine.
IVMC is a recognized chapter of the Student American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (SAHVMA).

How do you make a white frog? VBI’s African Clawed Frog (Xenopus) colony and its applications.

How do you make a white frog? VBI’s African Clawed Frog (Xenopus) colony and its applications.

Presenters: Dr. Pawel Michalak, Graciela Santopietro, Catherine Galecki, Brittany Ralph
Representing: Virginia Bioinformatics Institute

Most differences between organisms can be traced back to changes in DNA, the ultimate hereditary material. Albinism, a rare variety characterized by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, is a good example. Human albinos have very pale skin and are very sensitive to sun exposure. There are albino animals as well, including frogs, and it turns out that albinism in all species results from similar DNA defects in genes responsible for dark pigmentation. Participants will have the opportunity to watch live albino and “normal” frogs and learn how a single change in DNA leads to a dysfunctional protein and how this in turn results in lack of pigmentation and white skin color. They will also learn about African Clawed Frog (Xenopus) in general and their significance in research. Virginia Bioinformatics Institute is proud to house a colony of more than 100 Xenopus frogs from multiple species and verities.

Organization: VT Chapter- Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS)

About us:

MANRRS is a national society that welcomes membership of people of all racial and ethnic group participation in agricultural and related sciences careers. MANRRS members are encouraged to be full participants in other professional societies for their basic disciplinary and career interests. However, MANRRS attempts to provide networks to support professional development of minorities.

The VT chapter of the society pledge to support endeavors that will always foster and promote the agricultural sciences and related fields in a positive manner among ethnic minorities. We also pledge to initiate and participate in activities and programs that will ensure that ethnic minorities will also be involved in and associated with the agricultural sciences and related fields. We pledge to work for the inclusion, achievement, and advancement of all people in the agricultural sciences.

KTU Exhibit: Red light, green light with a twist! (Theme: Nutrition)

-One 3x6 table will be needed-

Participants will be given a handout that provides a little detail about the revised food pyramid and promoting nutrition as a youth. After a brief discussion we’ll move into the activity. The participants will be shown pictures of foods that are healthy, somewhat healthy, and unhealthy. When they see the picture, they have to react to the category that food fits.

Healthy foods= Go ( Green)

· Perform a stationary activity that requires rapid movements

· Examples: Running in place, jumping jacks, sit-ups, push-ups, lunges, or jumping in place

Somewhat healthy foods taken in moderation= Slow (Yellow)

· Perform a stationary activity with slow movements

· Examples: Stretching, yoga or pilates poses, or creative dance moves

Junk food= Stop/Freeze (Red)

· Hold a stationary position until the next picture is shown

· Examples: Becoming a statue, sitting, or freezing in place

These categories help explain the idea of eating and practicing good nutrition. We want the participants to understand that “Go foods” mean you can have as much as you want because those foods have great nutritional benefits and they are healthy. “Slow foods” represent foods that can be eaten but with caution and moderation. “Stop foods” are those foods that are totally unhealthy and provide no nutritional value to our health.

How can we see? The visual system by VTCSOM

We are visual creatures and we acquire most information by sight. It is amazing how our eyes can automatically adapt to the distance of an object or the amount of the light in the room. Bright light and contrasting patterns can cause optical illusions. Our brain and eyes work together to create images in our brain. It is the mental processing that determines how we see the world. Many times our brain seems to play tricks with us!

In our exhibit, faculty and students from the medical school at VTCSOM, physician assistant students from Jefferson College of Health Sciences will show you how we can trick our brain, based on how our visual system works and we will have fun learning about 3 dimensional vision and seeing some optical illusions.

The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute joins the basic science, life science, bioinformatics, and engineering strengths of Virginia Tech with the medical practice and medical education experience of Carilion Clinic. The school seats small class sizes of around 42 students each, fostering a rich educational experience. Unique focuses on four value domains - basic sciences, clinical sciences and skills, research, and interprofessionalism - develop physician thought leaders through inquiry, research, and discovery. Virginia Tech Carilion is located in a new biomedical health sciences campus in Roanoke, adjacent to Carilion Clinic and near Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

April 9th- L2Ork concert

L2Ork -- World's First Linux Laptop Orchestra ( http://l2ork.music.vt.edu/ ) will be performing a special hands-on experience and concert on April 9th to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Roanoke, VA ( http://disis.music.vt.edu/main/events/110409.html). As a partner with L2Ork for this concert, we are announcing this opportunity to Kids' Tech University students, their siblings, friends, and parents. Imagine an orchestra where performers instead of playing traditional instruments perform using networked laptops, wiimotes, nunchuks, and hemispherical speakers fashioned out of IKEA wooden salad bowls. While this may sound like a truly odd combination, laptop's ability to fulfill many different roles has enabled us to design an entirely new kind of an ensemble as well as to explore novel ways on how to combine Arts, Sciences, and Education at an unbeatable price.

There are 2 showings of L2Ork on April 9th:
1. CHILDREN'S PROGRAM- The 7 pm attendees will listen to a 20-30-minute program featuring Boys & Girls Club laptop orchestra and a few numbers co-performed with L2Ork. The audience will be invited to join us on-stage for a hands-on experience of the laptop orchestra until 7:50 pm.
2. 8 pm CONCERT

Tickets for each showing are $5 for the general public or $3 for VT students (including children) and can be purchased at the at the Squires Box Office 1 hour in advance. You are welcome to make a larger donation if you wish!

In summary:
WHEN- April 9th, 2011, 2 showings-- 7 pm meet the orchestra, see the instruments and concert; 8 pm concert only
WHERE- Virginia Tech Squires Recital Salon
WHO- All are invited to come; child require adult supervision
COST- Tickets are $5 for the general public or $3 for VT students (including children). All proceeds will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Roanoke, VA. You are welcome to make a larger donation if you wish!

All families who may be interested in attending are welcome!

Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=136468179758733&index=1

"Heart Sounds" by GenBioOrg

Abstract

In this Hands-On Exhibit we will teach the kids about the basic physiology of the human heart and why and how the heart sounds are produced. We will use animations and heart sounds samples to teach the kids how these sounds can help physicians to diagnose heart diseases. In general, the kids will learn about basic anatomy and physiology of the heart and importance of heart sounds in health and diseases.

Founded in 2006, GenBioOrg was established to help provide academic, educational, and social cohesiveness for Genetic, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology graduate students. The group works to promote the program and field of study to the Virginia Tech community by inviting external speakers to give campus-wide seminars at the university and by participating in outreach activities such as KTU.