Shaping the Future of Science

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  K-12 Educators: Acts of Kindness Lesson Plan Competition

  February is here and so is Random Acts of Kindness Day! ORISE wants to challenge you and see how you incorporate kindness into your STEM lesson plans. We want to see how your lesson engages students in acts of kindness whether it be to one another or to their communities. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a STEM lesson plan that includes kindness. THREE teachers will be selected to receive mini grants up to $1,500 to help buy equipment for their classroom!

  The deadline for this contest is February 28. Visit the STEM Competitions for K-12 Educators page for more info!

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  Attention 6th-12th graders: Ecosystems: A Balancing Act

  Have you ever thought about the importance of balance? Balance is critical in all natural systems including the human body, water cycle, and ecosystems which brings us to our competition! Invasive species are new species introduced to an area that upset the balance of the ecosystem; they need to be controlled to restore harmony. ORISE invites you to research and explore the effects of invasive species as well as create an infographic by hand or on a computer! It’s your job to restore balance to the ecosystem! SIX prizes will be awarded with three winners per grade band—three for 6^th-8^th and three for 9^th-12^th.

  The deadline for this contest is February 28. Visit the STEM Competitions for K-12 Students page for more info!

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  K-5th graders: Exploring Habitats

  Have you ever thought about all the different places you can go in the world? Well now is your chance because the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) wants you to be an explorer! For this competition, you will choose a habitat to explore and tell us all about what you find on your adventure! SIX prizes will be awarded with three winners per grade band— three for K-2^nd and three for 3^rd-5^th.

  The deadline for this contest is February 28. Visit the STEM Competitions for K-12 Students page for more info!

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  6th-12th Graders: JSTI Applications are now open!

  JSTI is an all-expenses-paid residential STEM research experience in Maryland or New Mexico. Join us to participate in a hands-on research project mentored by scientists while living on campus at a university! You will gain research experience and problem solving skills while learning about STEM careers and meeting new people.

  The deadline for this research experience is March 31. Visit the JSTI East website or JSTI West website for more info!

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  Research Spotlight

  Environmental videographer uses multimedia art to spread scientific awareness

  ORISE research participant Chloe Malouf is creating multimedia content to assist the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its mission of protecting human health and the environment.

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  ORISE Featurecast: The Science of Mentorship in STEMM, a conversation with Melissa McDaniels, Ph.D.

  Mentoring is associated with academic and career success across disciplines and career stages in higher education. However, inadequate training can reduce the effectiveness of the mentor-to-mentee learning experience. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, host Michael Holtz has a conversation with Melissa McDaniels, Ph.D., associate executive director and scientist at the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They discuss the importance of mentorship, and how both mentors and mentees can prepare for and effectively communicate for a successful experience. McDaniels will lead an interactive webinar on Tuesday, January 31, that will address the importance of mentor training, and explore resources and opportunities available for mentorship education.

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