The BreakingGround grant program still has funds to distribute between now and June 30! The BreakingGround initiative awards grants of up to $2,500.00 to UMBC faculty, staff, and students to implement educational and community-building courses and programs that foster civic agency: the capacity to initiate and make meaningful contributions to social change.

The options for using these funds are flexible, but some ideas include: experiential learning opportunities for students; student and community-engaged research projects; time to design deep transformations of existing curricula to be oriented toward civic agency; and resources for engagement with social changemakers and local communities. For a list of previous awardees, see here.

For more information and to apply, visit our website at this link. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis, and when you apply, we will contact you within two weeks of submission. However, we strongly encourage you to submit before May 15.

The application is relatively short, with the main criteria being that the submissions should be clear about (a) how the proposed use of funds will contribute to enhanced civic knowledge and engagement for UMBC community members and (b) which administrative unit will hold the funds for the project. If you have any questions, please contact us at civiclife@umbc.edu.

Abstract

Polar science studies many aspects of the north and south poles, and glaciers. In order to better understand the internal structure of ice sheets and how they are impacted by climate change, ice penetrating radar is used. This radar captures the layers inside the ice sheet which can then be used to understand layer behavior and flow inside the glacier. Layers can be picked out of these radargrams and then visualized to give an indication of the internal topology. We explore two areas in which these radargrams are used, namely analysis of machine-picked layers and immersive visualization of these layers. Analysis of machine picked layers is achieved through the development of quality metrics which are independent of number of layers. We present these metrics and analysis of their utility. Immersion is accomplished through WebXR, inspired by recent research in both polar science and other scientific fields. We present the system, its controls and limitations, and evaluations to be performed on this system. 

Committee Members

Professor Don Engel (Co-chair), Professor Rebecca Williams (Co-chair), Professor Tejas Gokhale

Image Note: In the left panel, Naomi Tack is defending her dissertation. In the right panel, Naomi stands with her iHARP mentors, (left to right: Dr. Becca Williams, Naomi Tack, and Dr. Don Engel).

B.A.: Prosthetic Design

Degree Mentors

• Dr. Esther Fleischmann, Senior Lecturer, Biology Biological Sciences
• Dr. Jamie Gurganus, Director and Lecturer of the, Engineering and Computing Education Program (ECEP)
• Steven McAlpine, Lecturer, Individualized Study Program (INDS)

Why did you choose to major in INDS? 

After my first semester at UMBC, I didn't feel like my major at the time was allowing me to pursue my goal. So after conversations with advisors I was referred to INDS. At first I was skeptical about the idea of making a new major and how it can translate to the work after graduation. Ultimately, I decided on INDS because it allowed for a platform to expand and build on your path. I felt like I am deciding how my life is going to unfold rather than going to set paths that lead to a certain destination. 

 What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?

My plans after graduation is to attend Graduate school in either Orthopedic and Prosthetics engineering or in Certified Prosthetics and Orthotics. As I am writing this I am yet to hear from some places I have applied to and also finishing up some applications so hoping for good news. The vision I have for applying my INDS degree is allowing an out of the box mindset on how to develop prosthetics. Engineers tend to get very technical and very limited thinking based on what is possible technologically and Prosthetist rely only on their training of fabrication only based on the materials provided and the patient. I would like to use my Degree to introduce new ways of thinking when it comes to making prosthetics. 

EXTRACURRICULAR

• The National Society of Collegiate Scholars Member 2021-2024
• Sigma Alpha Lambda Honors Society (SAL) (Member) 2020-2022, (Secretary) of SAL 2023-2024
• Physical Therapy Technician/Aide, The Center for Advanced Orthopaedics (2022- 2024)
• Shadow Intern, General Paulos Hospital July 2021 – August 2021
• You Are Welcome Here Scholar, UMBC International Scholar Service 2019-2024
• Global Ambassador 2020-2023
• Pokemon Fan Club Member 2021-2024

For more information on Mohammed's INDS journey please click here:

Hello Retriever Entrepreneurs!

The UMBC Launchpad accelerator is a 9-week cohort-based program where ventures prepare to go from pre-launch to launch, or for early-stage companies, create a pathway to accelerate growth.

Founders who are ready to fully commit to launching their venture and have validated their idea as an opportunity should apply. Participants are awarded up to $8,000 in non-dilutive funding for seed capital ($4k after 1 month and $4k at the end). Mentors will be assigned to each team.

Teams will perform deep customer discovery, develop a business model canvas, and then progress to a full commercialization plan and pitch deck. The goals of the Launchpad are to validate product-market fit and to hopefully formalize the venture and launch.

TIMELINE

Applications are due TOMORROW April 30th at 5PM!

Accepted teams will be notified by May 10th

Program runs from May 23rd-July 25th

Demo day will be hosted in September

Weekly meetings are mandatory and will last 2-4 hours and will likely be Thursdays at 4pm

Learning objectives:

    •    Develop familiarity with Lean LaunchPad concepts and tools such as customer discovery, value proposition design, and a lean business model canvas through the Leanstack model and platform.

    •    Understand customers’ problems (“pain points”) from THEIR perspective

    •    Identify modifications to your assumptions required to achieve product-market fit

    •    Build connections to the commercial ecosystem (i.e. customers, suppliers, funders) for your innovation

    •    Develop a commercialization roadmap identifying key milestones and required resources to move your idea forward

    •    Explore the size of your potential market, assess the competition, and identify a beachhead (first) target market

All accepted teams will be required to complete a contract in order to participate and receive the stipend.

To apply, complete the application here (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://umbc.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Dee2fff53112ade3d728ba8c05%26id%3Da6f2d616bf%26e%3D889cce837d&source=gmail-imap&ust=1714420006000000&usg=AOvVaw3dIvjrNZboSlCVtkBudX7n).