Sam Ringwaldt’s Post

On Tuesday and Wednesday this week I was volunteering for a cause close to my heart - the Gatsby Plant Science Summer School, a Philanthropic venture from Lord David Sainsbury which aims to inspire young people with the amazing things that can be achieved from studying and working in plant science. Innovators in all sectors are already realising that more sustainable, smarter Agriculture is one of the biggest challenges - and one of the biggest areas for opportunity - going into the future. It was lovely as always to meet the students, who are invariably intelligent, inquisitive and practically-minded. If you are one of these students who has recently added me (or even if you're from last year!) and you have questions, I am happy to help - just send me a message! In the meantime, here's some links you might find useful regarding my talk: 1. Research Experience Placements for Undergraduates: https://lnkd.in/eDxzSAWt 2. BBSRC-funded PhD Programmes: https://lnkd.in/ejNPhmQj 3. NERC-funded PhD Programmes: https://lnkd.in/efamMPs5 4. CENTA Website: www.centa.ac.uk - here, you'll find information about the programme I work for and there's an FAQ section on PhD study in general. #GPSSS2024 #GPSSS #CENTADTP #PlantScience

Deadline E X T E N D E D! Exciting news! Our Fee Waiver call is now open and the deadline is extended until December 15th, 2023. Application Details: Who Can Apply: PhD students and Postdocs. Course Eligibility: Open for any upcoming course open for registration. Deadline: December 15th, 2023. How to Apply: 📖 Read the Fee Waiver Information carefully. 📝 Fill in the form via https://lnkd.in/dFiTgqZe  What's Covered: 🌐 Course fees are fully covered! (Note: Other associated costs are not included.) This initiative aims to break barriers and foster collaborative learning. Spread the word, encourage eligible people, and let's make knowledge accessible to all! 🚀🌍 #TScourses #KeepLearning #Scholarship #Fellowship #Funding #Fundingopportunity #OnlineLearning  #FeeWaiver #ResearchCommunity #TransmittingScience #KnowledgeForAll

Beyond Baking Soda Volcanoes: Why Science Fairs Spark a Love of Learning The science fair. For some, it conjures memories of erupting volcanoes and the ever-present vinegar and baking soda reaction. But these exhibitions are about far more than just a fizzy display. Science fairs are crucial events that ignite a passion for science, cultivate essential skills, and prepare students for a future driven by innovation. At the heart of a science fair lies the scientific method. Students embark on a journey of discovery, formulating questions, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. This hands-on approach transforms abstract concepts into tangible experiences. They don't just learn about photosynthesis, they design experiments to observe it in action. Science fairs aren't just about scientific knowledge; they're about building essential skills. From research and critical thinking to problem-solving and communication, the process of creating a project hones these abilities in a real-world context. Students must manage their time, overcome challenges, and present their findings clearly and concisely – all valuable tools for future success, regardless of their chosen path. The exhibition itself fosters a sense of curiosity and exploration. Students are exposed to a wide range of scientific topics, sparking an interest in areas they may not have considered before. Witnessing the creativity and ingenuity of their peers can further ignite their passion for scientific exploration. Science fairs also play a role in shaping future generations. By showcasing the practical applications of science, they open students' eyes to the exciting possibilities of STEM careers. They might discover a fascination with environmental science, be inspired by the latest robotics project, or develop a talent for medical research. The impact of science fairs extends beyond the individual student. These events cultivate a community of scientific inquiry. Students have the opportunity to share their work, exchange ideas, and learn from each other. This collaborative spirit is essential for fostering a future generation of scientists and innovators who can tackle complex challenges together. So, the next time you see a science fair project, remember, it's not just about the volcano or the prize. It's about igniting a love of learning, developing critical skills, and inspiring the next wave of scientific discovery. #ScienceFair #ScienceExhibition #InquiryBasedLearning

June 6 webinar: Join National Science Foundation (NSF) program directors from the Division of Research, Innovation, Synergies and Education (RISE) in the Directorate for #Geosciences (GEO) regarding the new Focus on Recruiting Emerging #Climate and Adaptation Scientists and Transformers (FORECAST) program (NSF 24-558) in a virtual webinar to learn more about this new opportunity. The FORECAST program seeks to facilitate transitions from status-quo graduate career preparation to student-centered models with an emphasis on building entrepreneurial and innovation capacity through intentional professional development activities. Focused on developing cohorts of innovative scholars from emerging research institutions (ERIs) and groups historically excluded in STEM, FORECAST should help develop STEM talent adept in community resilience and the translation of research outcomes for societal benefits. NSF Program Directors will provide an overview of the FORECAST program followed by a question-and-answer session at a virtual webinar.  https://lnkd.in/gT_nqtCy

Spark Curiosity and Ignite Innovation: Why Science Fairs Matter (and Fun Science Games You Can Try at Home!) Ever wondered why that volcano erupts in baking soda or how a homemade battery can light up an LED? Science fairs are fantastic opportunities for students (and adults!) to explore these questions and delve deeper into the fascinating world around us. Here's why science fairs are so important: Learning by Doing: Science fairs encourage hands-on exploration and experimentation. They allow students to move beyond textbooks and lectures, actively engaging with scientific concepts through projects they design and build themselves. Boosting Creativity and Critical Thinking: Science fairs spark curiosity and challenge students to think creatively. They learn to formulate hypotheses, test their ideas, analyze results, and draw conclusions – all valuable skills for life. Building Confidence and Communication Skills: Presenting projects at a science fair fosters confidence and public speaking skills. Students learn to explain their work clearly and concisely, making them more effective communicators. Problem-Solving Prowess: From troubleshooting experiments to analyzing data, science fairs encourage students to develop problem-solving skills that benefit them both in and out of the classroom. #UlaanbaatarEmpathySchool #ScienceFair #ScienceExhibition

Congratulations to Principal Investigator Susan Lehman and Co-PI Paul Bonvallet from The College of Wooster for a successful proposal to the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program! REU Sites engage a cohort of students in intensive research projects related to a theme. The three-year project, entitled "REU Site: Physics and Chemistry Research at The College of Wooster" aims will focus on attracting participants early in their academic careers (20 out of 30 participants with two or fewer years of college during our most recent grant cycle) and those with #communitycollege backgrounds (5 out of 30) to broaden access and participation in the national STEM landscape. Thank you for the opportunity for Carinci Consulting, LLC to coach the team through preparing this impactful proposal. Cheers also to McAllister & Quinn Jessica Gerrity and Jessica Schor for organizing and Amanda Rousu for editing. Award Abstract #2348889: Supported by the Division of Materials Research, this REU site in the Physics and Chemistry departments at The College of Wooster involves students as collaborators on innovative research projects in materials science, physics, and chemistry. Each summer, 8 students will participate in a 9-week program focused on research and including additional professional development and outreach activities. As faculty at an institution specializing in undergraduate research, the REU mentors are experienced in transforming students from tentative beginners into confident scientists. The program particularly targets beginning students and community college students and prepares and motivates them for future careers in science through a direct, mentored research experience. A welcoming and collaborative environment provides a place for students who have been marginalized in the STEM community to thrive. The program's range of research areas provides an intellectual home for students who use experimental and computational methods to explore interdisciplinary topics across materials science, physics, and chemistry. Projects address systems and phenomena across vastly different scales, ranging from molecules to galaxies. Through engaging students in these projects and professional development, the program results in broadening educational access, developing professional interest in STEM, and increasing the competitiveness of the American workforce. https://lnkd.in/e4JY7aWV #stemforall #undergraduateresearch #fundingsuccess #grantconsultant #federalgrants

It's #BritishScienceWeek! Find out about what APHA’s science, technology, engineering and maths (#STEM) ambassadors have been doing recently to bring our biological science to life for students. https://lnkd.in/eMT9GUSr #APHAscience #STEMeducation

Sounds like a great program! Teach those students the "art" GCMS identificaiton of unknowns. Use my FREE course which includes all the necessary resources including software, files, database, structure drawing, etc. https://lnkd.in/gC88AiVn

Yes — 100%! The collaborative nature of STEM research fosters a close-knit community of international scholars, so arrange meetings with your professors to seek recommendations for universities with robust research programs in your areas of interest. Your professors likely know a great deal about renowned experts and excellent programs; and professors often find advising undergrads a gratifying aspect of their careers, as it contributes to the guidance of future scholars. #passion #gradschool #fellowship #scholarship #GRADLab #GEM #westillseescientificimpact #advancingscientificimpact #GEM #HiddenGEMs #alchemist #stemgems

‘Tis the Season…..Science Fair It is Science Fair season in the US. The stories, the interruptions, the expense, the logistics of running a smooth science fair. It is all there. (There is even a movie about it). It may be that having a science fair at your school is viewed by some as prestigious or demonstrates a commitment to good education. I think (and I seem to be a minority) if it is not an integral part of the science curriculum, all work is not done in class by every student, and it is a competition, it is inequitable. Period. The process of science is critical for learners to experience so they can understand aspects of our lives. Students can gain a good understanding of how science is conducted by doing a self-chosen and self-designed science project. A science fair can be great umbrella for presenting a project. Science investigation is so important to understanding science, science fair projects should be included in the curriculum and scheduled to be done in school. There are so many reasons to do the science fair this way, but the biggest is it is EQUITABLE. All students participate. It is the students' own design and work. The teacher can monitor and guide the progress and help if conflicts arise. The students can learn cooperation, self-control, and pacing skills during the project. Competition in science is famous or infamous (think Franklin, Watson, Crick, and Wilkins in their rush to beat Linus Pauling to the structure of DNA.) It makes great drama, but much of science is cooperative. Having a competition is not necessary and may send the wrong message about science. Judges? I find it hard to understand. What is the purpose of outside judges? If the teachers use their class rubrics for behaviors during preparation and their lab report grading rubric for the product, the process will fit into class expectations and be grounded in student development. Skip the judges. Invite families and the community to a science fair night where students present their chosen experiments and collect more data or at least show how they did their data collection. This can be an incredible experience for all participants. Let’s be sure the science fair is equitable, part of the curriculum, and helping our students participate in and understand the process of science. I have written an eBook about how to set up a science fair like this. It includes a timeline, grading rubrics, and more. https://lnkd.in/gm-uiH5V