VT Museum of Geosciences GeoFair and Mineral Sale

Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, 10:00-4:00

at the Museum, 2062 Derring Hall, 1405 Perry St. Blacksburg.  Free parking.

Family-friendly hands-on activities presented by geoscience students using Museum teaching kits and exhibits including the OmniGlobe and the stream simulator.

Specimens for sale range from inexpensive student samples to fine collector-quality items.  Find unique gifts!

Directions and additional info at www.outreach.vt.edu

Last year over 400 people attended and had a great time!

Proceeds support the Museum of Geosciences Education and Public Outreach programming.

Virginia Tech Police Department to hold Community Day Sept. 29

BLACKSBURG, Va., Sept. 19, 2013 – Virginia Tech students, faculty, and staff, as well as the general public are invited to learn more about the university’s award winning police department on Sept. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

About 250 people are expected to attend the free event, which will take place on Virginia Tech's Drillfield and will include activities for people of all ages.

"This annual event is a great opportunity for us to show the community all of the resources that are offered from our police department as well as many other campus partners," said Officer Nicole Quesenberry. "It's a fun social event where people can get to know our officers and learn important safety information."

Participants will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of interactive activities, including

• Drunk Goggle Carts;
• VIN etching;
• DUI simulator;
• Dunk-A-Cop;
• Seatbelt convincer;
• K-9 demonstrations;
• Texting and Driving simulator (co-sponsored by the Police Department and the Office of Emergency Management); and
• Car Seat Installation.

A Texting and Driving Simulator will allow participants to measure the difference in their reaction time when they’re behind the wheel while texting and driving.

Certified child passenger safety technicians will be on hand to inspect child safety seats. Technicians will also check for recalls and defects, and can provide advice on many child passenger safety issues.

The event will also include free food and prizes. Several community organizations will be on hand to share information and talk with participants about their organizations. The Virginia Tech Rescue Squad, Blacksburg Fire Department, and Carillion Lifeguard (helicopter) crew will have ongoing demonstrations throughout the day. The Virginia Tech Police Department’s Dive Team and K-9 Team will lead demonstrations as well.

The Drillfield is located across the street from Burruss Hall at 800 Drillfield Dr. in Blacksburg. Free parking is available in the Perry Street lots and the Perry Street Parking Garage near Prices Fork Road with a visitor's pass. A visitor's pass may be obtained Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Visitor Information Center, located at 965 Prices Fork Road, near the intersection of of Prices Fork and University City Boulevard next to The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center. A visitor's pass may also be obtained from the Virginia Tech Police Station, located on Sterrett Drive, outside of the Visitor Information Center hours. Find more parking information online or call 540-231-3200. 

More information is available on the Virginia Tech Police Department’s Facebook page.

Announcing the 2014 Virginia Tech Kids' Tech University program!

Find out answers to: "How can mathematics help us understand certain diseases of the eye?" "How do you see inside the human body?" "Why sew smart e-pants? A discussion of wearable computing and electronic textiles" "Why hang with your friends? Answers from an African Wild dog" 

Spring 2014 Registration Procedure

• Online enrollment begins at 6 p.m. on Nov. 12, 2013
• 450 children (ages 9-12) will be accepted into the program
• Those accepted will represent a geographically diverse area.
• Registration is on a “first-come, first-served” basis that is open to children satisfying the age restriction, regardless of place of residence or academic achievements. A waiting list will be available after registration is full for a county or for the program.

Registration Fee
In order to keep up with the costs of providing a quality program, there will be a registration fee of $100.00 per child, payable upon registration (no refunds). The registration fee must be paid by check; further directions will be given at the time of enrollment. Parents have an option to apply for a scholarship for your child at the time you register online. If you have any questions regarding the scholarship please contact Dr. Kristy Collins at kdivitto@vbi.vt.edu. Lunch cards and a KTU t-shirt will be given to all children who attend KTU.

Virginia State University KTU program announced!

Kids’ Tech University's fall semester events will be held at the Virginia State University (VSU) campus in October and November of 2013! These are all-day events that consist of an interactive session, which is centered on answering a question about the world around us, and a hands-on component, which features the VSU professors, students, clubs, and community. Kids can take part in the virtual labs and forum after the all-day event to continue to cultivate their interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

2013 Interactive Sessions- Virginia State University

October 12, 2013 | "What if a Computer Could Learn Your Feelings?" - Answered by Dr. Shaundra Daily

November 16, 2013 | "Why do we want to touch everything with our fingertips? And more ‘Why’ questions about how our bodies communicate with the world. " - Answered by Dr. Helena Carvalho

Fall 2013 Registration Procedure

• Online enrollment begins at 6 p.m. on Thurs. September 5, 2013• 100 children will be accepted into the program• Those accepted will represent geographically diverse areas within a four-hour drive from the Virginia State University campus in Petersburg, VA.

Registration FeeIn order to keep up with the costs of providing a quality program, there will be a registration fee of $20.00 for the first child, and $10.00 for additional children in a family, payable upon registration (no refunds). The registration fee must be paid by check and pays for both the October & November KTU sessions; further directions will be given at the time of enrollment. The registration fee will cover the lunch for the registered child(ren) and parents and a t-shirt for the registered child(ren).

Arlington Kids' Tech University program!

Kids’ Tech University is a semester-long educational research program developed by the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute and Virginia 4-H, that puts scientists and engineers in front of kids to encourage the exploration of intriguing topics in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

We are excited to offer a semester for the kids between the ages of 9 and 12 (on September 30, 2013), at the Virginia Tech Research Center in Arlington, VA! Kids and parents are welcome to attend three interactive sessions with a scientist over the course of the fall 2013 semester (Sundays, Sept. 15th, Oct. 20th and Nov. 17th). The Interactive Sessions with a Scientists, will be hosted by world-renowned scientists and will address questions from the world around us. After the session, the kids and parents are invited to have a snack and participate in exciting hands-on activities.

Parent/guardian are required to participate. Only registered kids are allowed to attend. Registration is open to 70 kids.

For more information see http://kidstechuniversity-arlington.vbi.vt.edu . 

Registration fee is $200 and is currently open!

Kids’ Tech University to host new programs this fall!

Blacksburg, VA, August 27, 2013---The award-winning Kids’ Tech University has partnered with the Army to host four new Kids’ Tech sessions at historic Fort Belvoir in Fairfax, Virginia. Registration will open on August 26 at 6 pm at http://kidstechuniversity-army.vbi.vt.edu.

The program aims to give children a taste of what it’s like to be part of the university community and to experience how asking questions often leads scientists to major discoveries.

Taking place on September 14, October 19, November 16 and December 7, these sessions will help kids find answers about the world around us. At the Fort Belvoir sessions, children will be invited to discover how network dynamics is used to solve problems, why Antarctica is necessary for understanding geology, and why bees are so important to food production.

"This is a unique opportunity for military children to interact with world renowned scientists and participate in hands-on activities” said Kristy Collins, KTU program director. “We are excited about hosting an event at Fort Belvoir, our first at a military location! This program is made possible by a grant from the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and with partnerships including the US Army Corp of Engineers; Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech; Virginia 4-H; US Army Family, Moral, Welfare and Recreation Programs; US Army Child Youth and School Services; Military Intelligence Readiness Command and Army Reserve Child and Youth Services.”

Because of this unique partnership, only children ages 9 to 12 with a military affiliation will be eligible to participate in the program. Registration is on a first come, first served basis.

US Army ERDC -Topographic Engineering Center’s Deputy Chief Valerie Carney said, "ERDC realizes the importance of STEM outreach to help build our future workforce, and we are very excited to be able to sponsor Kids' Tech University at Fort Belvoir this year in support of our outreach efforts. What caught my attention with KTU is the multi-faceted aspect of the program, having interactive sessions with scientists, hands-on activities with volunteers, and virtual lab activities to be performed later at home. The comprehensive nature of this program should make it fun for children to learn about STEM disciplines."

Kids’ Tech University will also host an inaugural fall program at the VT Research Center in Arlington, Virginia. Start up money for the program is being provided by a VT Research Center grant. The program will be held on September 15, October 20, and November 17^, 2013. Children (and parents) will be invited to discover how network dynamics is used to solve problems, high-flying organisms, and how viruses make us sick. Registration opens Aug. 27 at 6 pm at http://kidstechuniversity-arlington.vbi.vt.edu. Registration closes once 70 children have signed up for the program.

STEM Summer Workshop!

(Click the flyer to make it larger so you can read it!)