The Journey to Pluto: The New Horizons Mission

Wednesaday, March 29 from 6:30 - 8pm at Howard County Room, Building 1 APL (11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel MD 20723)

Join Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU-APL) for a SWE membership meeting and exciting space talk! The presentation will focus on the New Horizons Spacecraft and will describe the Spacecraft, Science Objections, and some of the challenges encountered in preparing for the flyby event. Some early science discovery highlights will also be presented. For more information and event registration, visit http://www.baltwashswe.org/event-2497026.

Spring into Action: Helping Students Grow their Network Using Informational Interviewing

Lauren R. Barrett

Some of the most valuable networking resources for students are rooted in their family, friends and community connections. These are aunts and uncles, neighbors, members of religious and community organizations, and colleagues of family members. To help students bridge networking connections, family members will often facilitate introductions, pass along resumes, and make calls on the behalf of students; however, one of the best ways to help your student build a stronger, more influential network is by encouraging them to grow their informational interviewing skills.

These transferable skills help students grow as more confident communicators and enable them to articulate their strengths and goals to others, which is an essential skill for the “big” interview! Practicing interviewing skills within their network can help students polish their delivery, and as family members, you can help your student to gain this valuable skill.

Step One: helping students identify networking connections within the community. Your family, friends and colleagues can all be career resources, and part of this is teaching students to identify these individuals. Drawing on connections related to industry and skill set, you can help your student map their most valuable resources and focus their attention on building these networking connections. Remember, meaningful network connections have relationships built on something in common – a field of study, a passion for a topic, or a shared skill set. Encourage your students to seek out UMBC alumni in their career field, or come to the Career Center to gain networking skills through one of our events. The wider a student’s network, the more potential opportunities exist.

Step Two: allowing your student to do the talking! Family members are eager to help students make these connections, but the students are best served by taking the connection and building their own relationship through informational interviewing. The best informational interviewing is not based on job seeking; rather, it’s based on having an open mind and a willingness to listen and learn from a professional in the field, and asking questions that will spark conversations and build rapport. Encourage students to set up a separate meeting time in a professional environment so that they can gain perspective about the work environment while having some of their questions answered. Some sample informational interviewing questions are:

·         What skills and characteristics are most important to do well in this type of work?

·         What might I expect in a typical day working in this job?

·         As a student, what do you recommend that I do prior to graduation to make myself a marketable candidate for this work?

·         Are you a member of any professional organizations related to this field, or can you recommend any for students?

Step Three: encouraging students to foster their network. Often, we make wonderful networking connections in passing moments at events or through shared connections; however, without continuing these conversations and following up, these connections fizzle out, so the art of following up is essential. Encourage your students to write thank you notes, reach out with career updates, and make time for using LinkedIn and other networking platforms to keep these connections thriving. These seedlings may blossom into opportunities in the big picture!

A year after it was passed, a new accountability measure instituted by the SGA Senate and Finance Board has begun to yield results. In its debut year, the Stipend Review Committee has determined 16 compensated SGA officers will receive only half of their stipends, based on the work they have done this quarter.

“It’s important that the people getting paid are actually doing work,” said Collin Sullivan, one of the officers who drafted the SRC legislation, currently serving as one of its co-chairs.

The SRC consists of seven voting members. Two are from the senate, two from the finance board and two from the executive branch, with the SGA advisor serving as the last voting member. All have a term limit of one semester, with the exception of the SGA advisor. To prevent bias, they alternate facilitations and responsibilities quarter to quarter.

With the stipend review, SGA members who receive stipends must complete bi-weekly reports, which are then published on the SGA website at the end of every quarter. The SRC uses those reports, as well as anecdotal evidence, to evaluate paid members and determine whether they have contributed adequately in order to receive their full stipend.

After evaluation, the SRC voting members decide if paid members will receive their stipends in full, or if they will be halved. If a member receives a half stipend, they have up to five days to appeal the SRC’s decision. For now, that appeal goes to the Student Activity Fee Review Board, but legislation for an appeals board has been passed, meaning that as soon as after spring break, appeals could directly be heard there.

This past quarter, a total of 16 out of 52 compensated members received half-stipends after the SRC’s evaluation of their reports and had the opportunity to appeal that decision until last Wednesday (03/08). As of Sunday (03/12), only four of them have.

While the SRC may bring to attention instances in which members are not contributing fully, it cannot be used as grounds for impeachment. Rather, it can prompt further investigation from other SGA members, as well as start conversations about how a member’s contributions can be improved.

“It’s a really helpful conversation. I think it becomes dangerous when that conversation becomes repetitive,” said Sullivan. “We recognize that 16 out of 52 members is a very high portion. The President has been having conversations with those members about what’s going on and how we can fix it.”

The SRC awarded all members their full stipends on their first quarter after being hired, no matter what. After their first quarter, members receive feedback on what they can improve in order to ensure they receive their full stipends the following quarter.

According to Sullivan, one of the reasons for cutting a member’s stipend can be failure to submit bi-weekly reports.

“It’s really critical for the SRC to have those reports, because that is something that we are publishing for the student body, and we’re trying to become more transparent.”

However, even if the member has not submitted as many reports as others, if they can prove they have been contributing adequately, their stipends may not be cut. This can be done by the members themselves or non-members through anecdotal evidence at SRC meetings, which are open to the public.

The SRC has saved the SGA approximately $1500 due to half-stipends. While it is unknown what will be done of this money in the long-run (as it cannot be reallocated), it will remain in the SGA’s stipend budget for the time being.

The post Sixteen SGA members have stipends cut upon review appeared first on The Retriever.

Please be advised that necessary sterilization of the purified water lines (lines labeled “RO water,” ”Distilled Water,” “Line Distilled,” etc) leading to lab benches, water polishing stations, and various other pieces of equipment will take place on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, beginning at 7:00AM. For approximately 24 hours the affected water lines will have a cleansing solution circulating through them in a closed loop.  

The sterilization solution will be circulating in the pure water loop only, the Baltimore County water feed (bathrooms, drinking fountains, most bench sinks) will not be affected.

The steam autoclave, water polishing stations and departmental dishwashers will be out of service during this period, so please plan accordingly.

All research users are a specifically cautioned against using water from the purified water loop during this period.  Laboratories with dedicated polishing or ‘final finishing’ stations fed by the pure water loop, and/or labs with equipment which employ water from the loop automatically (e.g. some dishwashers, the autoclave), are encouraged to isolate these systems from the loop prior to close of business March 21. If you will not be on Campus on the 20th or 21st, it is recommended that you use the, stopcock, gate valve (T valve) or  compression valve tomorrow (Friday) to isolate your millipore or hydro system and then unplug the unit.

It is anticipated that the building’s purified water system will return to normal by 9:00 AM  on Thursday, March 23, 2017.

Supplies for the Millipore units are scheduled to ship to the university on March 24th, service for these units under contract will be scheduled shortly after we receive the supplies.  

We apologize for any inconvenience this will cause ongoing research.

More than 500 kids, ages 9-14, on 72 teams gathered at UMBC on Saturday, February 25 to participate in the Maryland State FIRST LEGO League Championship tournament, completing a set of challenges designed to showcase their innovation and creativity. The event also drew hundreds of spectators and volunteers, including UMBC faculty, staff, and students, particularly from the mechanical engineering department, Center for Women in Technology, and Meyerhoff Scholars Program.

During the morning portion of the tournament, the teams presented solutions that they began working on in August to the judges. Each team was tasked with developing an innovative solution related to the overarching tournament theme: animal allies. The teams also continued to modify and practice with their robots, in preparation for the championship’s signature event, held in the afternoon. Before long, the Robot Challenge matches were underway, with teams guiding their robots through a series of missions with different difficulty levels and point values.

The White Tailed Paradox team from Chapelgate Christian Academy in Marriottsville, MD, took home the top prize at the championship and reflected, “Once you are a team, anything is possible if you work hard and believe in what you are doing.” The also shared how much they enjoyed the opportunity to meet teams from across Maryland—kids from different parts of the state who share their interest in robotics.

Both of these values—believing in the power and tenacity of teamwork, and appreciating every chance to connect with like-minded friends of different backgrounds—are central to UMBC’s vision and reputation, and, organizers suggest, reflect what draws participants and spectators to the event at UMBC each year.

“UMBC is known for its exceptional STEM programs,” said Jamie Gurganus, associate director of engineering education initiatives, and instructor of mechanical engineering. “This event represents our commitment to increase STEM diversity bringing together the university’s partnerships in K-12 and industry.”

“UMBC has always considered community involvement to be a cornerstone of the institution,” Gurganus explained. “This is a wonderful opportunity for UMBC community members to build relationships with each other, give back, and help encourage the next generation of students.”

The White Tailed Paradox team will compete in the world championship in St. Louis next month, against teams from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Northrop Grumman has sponsored the FIRST Lego League since 2007.

In an innovative new production of Mary Zimmerman’s “The White Snake,” Baltimore Center Stage takes on a time-old tale of love, acceptance and friendship set against a backdrop of magical realism. The legend of the White Snake has existed within Chinese oral tradition for thousands of years and is brought to life in a brilliant display of projection art, puppetry and fight and dance choreography, effectively creating a world of color and intensity.

Adapted from a famous Chinese fable, “The White Snake” tells the story of the title character, played by Aimé Donna Kelly and her best friend, Green Snake, planned by Eileen Rivera, as they turn into humans to see what it’s like to live on Earth. As they spend more time on Earth than they had planned White Snake falls in love with a pharmacist’s assistant and begins a life with him. Later, when an evil monk discovers White Snake’s secret identity as a spirit, she must fight to save her relationship.

Center Stage’s “White Snake” is the first production not directed by Zimmerman and Rivera, the only member of the company who has seen the play before, calls this rendering completely different – a “rotating door of things” that combines the literal with the fantastical. Rivera says the role is physically demanding – but, she said, “The role is so amazing.”

Kelly and Rivera use puppets, parasols and fans in order to portray themselves as snake spirits before transforming into humans, but even though the props are put away on Earth, the puppets do eventually return in a twist to the tale. Kelly “loves the idea of embodying fantasy” as it “forces the audience and [me] to be in another world.” Even though “White Snake” is fantasy, it does embrace many universally-acknowledged ideals, like love and happiness.

“The White Snake” bridges a cultural gap, allowing audiences to see into a different culture’s narrative history and to appreciate both the similarities and differences to their own traditions. “There are parallels [within “White Snake”] to what’s happening in our world today,” Kelly said. “It’s important for people to open their minds.” She advises theatre-goers to come see the production “without barriers up” and to be their “most awesome and open, available self.”

The aspect of multicultural representation within the play also feeds into this idea of universality. Rivera, an Asian-American actress, is delighted with both the opportunities “White Snake” provides and the prevalent themes of love throughout the show. “It’s great to use other fairy tales because it brings you into another [culture],” Rivera said. “But it’s the same lesson of tolerance.” A whirlwind of spectacle and theatrics with, as Rivera put it, “a ton of heart,” “The White Snake” is sure to amuse, enchant and inspire.

“The White Snake” will be performed in Baltimore Center Stage’s Head Theater and will run through March 26. Tickets can be purchased online or through the Box Office and cost $20 with a valid college ID.

The post ‘The White Snake’ retells ancient Chinese folktale appeared first on The Retriever.

The Walters Art Museum seeks enthusiastic and creative individuals to join our dynamic team of Museum Educators as Part Time Education Assistants, reporting to the Manager of Family Programs. Education Assistants facilitate programs at the museum and off-site, including but not limited to: family festivals, weekly drop-in art activities, birthday parties, scout workshops, early learning programs, interactive family tours, accessibility programs, and studio classes for prek-12 students.

The Walters Art Museum has an immediate need for a dynamic and energetic full time Lead Café Assistant to work in the Museum Café operations. Reporting to the Manager of Retail Operations, the individual will carry out routine food, staffing and customer services strategies as set out by the Manager, and providing daily feedback of issues, problems or restocking needs. Responsibilities include: