Name: Megan Mellon
Internship, Co-op or Research Site: UMBC Dance Department and URA Scholars Program in Baltimore, MD
Position Title: Scientific Choreographer
Major(s)/Minor(s): Dance and Biological Sciences
Expected Graduation: May 2017
Briefly describe your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and assignments.
My research project analyzes the physiological and anatomical principles of dance movement. I attended the Bates Summer Dance Festival in Maine this summer to gain more dance education about the human body. From my experience, I did scientific research to better understand the muscular and skeletal design of our body that enables us to move in various ways. I translated my findings into dance choreography which was presented at the Senior Dance Concert, and it will be presented at URCAD 2017.
During the process I was responsible for generating movement and constructing choreography to create a ten minute long dance. I spent individual time experimenting with movement ideas, and then I held rehearsals to set choreography on my five, fantastic dancers. I spent several hours a week crafting and refining my choreographic work. Additionally for this project I needed to decide on music, costumes, hair, and makeup for the dance, while continuing to research the scientific principles underlying the human body.
Describe the process of obtaining your internship, research, or co-op opportunity.
I was interested in combining my passions of art and science together and wanted to participate in an independent research project. The URA Scholars Program provided me the platform to be able to do just that. I applied to the program and was fortunate enough to be given a scholarship to help fund my project.
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization/company?
I have loved being able to bring my passion for science into the dance department here at UMBC, and the support that they have given me throughout this process.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I believe I was able to provide an alternative to educate people about science through movement, instead of a traditional written or oral form. I believe integrating other concepts into dance is a way to have others experience a fun, creative journey, while still learning. I hope to continue to share scientific concepts through movement.
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]]>Audubon’s gardens clean our urban air and filter storm water before it reaches the harbor, they provide food and shelter for resident and migratory birds and other beneficial wildlife, they beautify Baltimore’s best backyard, and they serve as a learning space for thousands of children in Audubon’s school and community programs.
Audubon’s Habitat Team of volunteers (anyone from the community who’d like to join) meets the first Saturdays of the month in Patterson Park from 9:00-10:30 am to participate in whatever maintenance tasks are needed – from planting and mulching to weeding and watering.
An organized group can also work with Audubon’s Education Manager – Erin Reed, ereed@audubon.org – to schedule a specific date and time for just that group to lend a hand in the garden. This includes weekdays or any time that fits the group’s schedule.
Visit pattersonpark.audubon.org/programs/volunteer to learn more about how you can lend a hand.
**This is not a UMBC Serves event
]]>The Society of Toxicology (SOT) Annual Meeting is in Baltimore, Maryland, March 12-16, 2017. This is a special opportunity for students to participate in a large interdisciplinary science meeting at minimal cost. Undergraduate registration is complimentary and SOT will waive registration for faculty (non-SOT members) who accompany a group of undergraduates attending the meeting. A special program on Sunday, March 12, for undergraduates includes a special set of lectures and breakout sessions to introduce students to toxicology, graduate studies, and the opportunity to meet one-on-one with directors of academic toxicology programs and internship hosts. Although we especially encourage undergraduates to attend on Sunday, complimentary registration provides access at any time during the meeting.
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“What’s Going On”
Life, Love, and Social Justice
Special Invited Dress Performance
March 3rd at 7:30pm
Tickets are $5 with your student ID!
Baltimore Theatre Project
45 West Preston Street
Baltimore, MD
Watch the official trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqhOvXbgyDo
You are invited to a special invited dress performance. This is open to all students at area colleges and universities in the Baltimore metropolitan area- Towson University, Goucher College, University of Baltimore, UMBC, Morgan State University, Johns Hopkins University, Stevenson University, Loyola College, Coppin State. Come be part of the excitement, fun, dialogue, and community bonding.
Tickets are $5 with your student ID!
Vincent E. Thomas (Artistic Director) is a dancer, choreographer and teacher. His choreographic work has been presented nationally and internationally. He is Artistic Director of VTDance and Professor of Dance at Towson University. Ralph Glenmore (Choreographer) is a former principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. His illustrious Broadway career includes A Chorus Line, Bob Fosse’s Dancin’ and Bubblin’ Brown Sugar. Sylvia Soumah (Choreographer) is Founder/Artistic Director of Coyaba Dance Theater, performing traditional and contemporary West African dance and music.
The “What’s Going On” company is made up of 8 new and established dancers, many of whom will be familiar faces from the DC, Maryland, and Virginia dance scene.