VT KTU Feb. 25th exhibit hosted by CS^2

CS^2 is a student organization at Virginia Tech dedicated to bridging the "digital divide" in the New River Valley. This is accomplished through volunteer sites at local elementary schools and community centers, where we teach basic computer skills and lessons meant to spark an interest in technology.

Our display demonstrates a number of activities we perform at our sites, including logical problem-solving using Lightbot, computer model design using Google Sketch-up, game/software design with Scratch, and data visualization with Google Earth.

VT KTU Feb. 25th exhibit- “Where in the world am I?" hosted by Virginia Cooperative Extension Agents

“Where in the world am I?" hosted by Virginia Cooperative Extension Agents, Emily Nester, Tazewell County 4-H; Daniel Collins, Smyth County 4-H and Sarah Jones, Carroll County 4-H. We will be exploring the world of GIS and Google Earth; youth participants will be able to electronically pinpoint their 'world' address on a projectable map! We will provide information on Google Earth, GIS, and Geo-Caching!

BGSU Kids' Tech University Feb. program

"Seeing is believing: how being able to 'watch' individual protein molecules can tell us how protein enzymes work"

An interactive session led by Dr. Peter Lu

Ohio Eminent Scholar in the Department of Chemistry and a member of the Center for Photochemical Sciences

Proteins play crucial roles in living cells and in life. Proteins perform their functions under constant motions, adopting different shapes, flexibility, and interactions with other biological molecules. Typically, proteins do not act alone, and they often form complexes with other proteins to perform a specific task. Traditionally, protein biology has been studied through measuring thousands and even millions of molecules at a time, just like watching thousands of jellyfish in a snap shot photo picture. In recent years, novel microscopic and spectroscopic imaging approaches have followed the motions of a single protein in action just as you would if you were looking at a movie of a single jelly fish in a tank. In this talk, we will show you movies of single protein molecules in motion and see how this information is being used to understand how proteins actually work.

Dr. H. Peter Lu is an Ohio Eminent Scholar in the Department of Chemistry and a member of the Center for Photochemical Sciences. Dr. Lu was born in China and came to the US to obtain his PhD at Columbia University after first receiving his M Sc in Chemistry at Peking University in China. He was recruited from the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest Laboratory to join BGSU in 2006. Dr. Lu is a pioneer in the field of single-molecule spectroscopy, and has developed new techniques that enable the imaging of single protein molecules as they bind and transform their substrates. These studies have revealed that protein change their conformation when they interact with substrates. An understanding of these dynamic changes is critical to a molecular understanding of the many proteins that perform essential functions in our bodies.

VT KTU Exhibit- Feb. 25th-"Computing and Gaming through the Ages"

Abstract: An exhibit of computing through the ages. Come see what gaming looked like in the 70's and 80's! Ever wonder what a "punch card" or a "slide rule" looked like? What did kids in the 70’s use to listen to their favorite music? (Hint: There were no MP3 players!) Find out what year the Internet was born. Kids will have a chance to take a sneak peek into Computers Through the Ages: The Evolution of Computing. We will have several dinosaur computers and gaming units on display as well as a PowerPoint presentation highlighting their evolution.

Presented by the Techsupport Community at Virginia Tech, a collaborative discussion group, facilitated by a listserv, of Central and Departmental Information Technology faculty and staff.

Hokiesaurus Presents: Earthquakes in Virginia!

Thursday, February 9th, 2012 from 4-5pm.
Open for all age groups, focusing on K-9.
Virginia Tech Museum of Geosciences in 2062 Derring Hall
Parking passes available in the Museum, please come early if you need one.

Did you feel the earth shake on August 23, 2011 and you want to know why?
Please join us for an afternoon of learning and hands-on activities on why earthquakes happen and why we felt one near our home!

Watch for more Hokiesaurus Presents:... museum programs for kids and families offered by the GeoSTEM Outreach Team.

Kavli Science Video Contest- STEM Opportunity for Grades 6-12

The Kavli Science Video Contest was founded as a USA Science & Engineering Festival student competition. The contest promotes S.T.E.M subject learning by challenging students to research, brainstorm, and communicate creatively through video . This year the contest theme is "Save the World Through Science and Engineering" , inspired by the National Academy of Engineering's Grand Challenges. We are asking students to use their
imaginations and investigative skills to tackle global challenges, explore new frontiers, and to discover and discuss the inventions that will help mankind and improve life on our planet. Grs. 6-12 students make a short video( :30-:90) that shows how scientific discoveries and inventions can improve our lives and change our world, either right now or in the future.

The winners receive cash prizes. The first place winner will also receive a travel stipend to attend the Expo in DC. Entry deadline is Mar. 21 2012. See here for more information

Shenandoah National Park is seeking applicants for the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher (TRT) program

The TRT program is seeking teachers to assist park staff with creating and implementing programs and educational materials on climate change impacts and environmental sustainability. Applicants should have a basic knowledge of climate change issues, public speaking experience, and skill in writing effective lesson plans. The Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program provides an opportunity for a teacher to work as a park ranger during the summer and then take his/her experience back to the classroom.

More detailed information and application procedures are posted on the Shenandoah National Park webpage