Category: Education & Outreach

November 2017 was one of our busiest months of the whole year! At the start of the month we had our annual Research Symposium in partnership with the New Mexico Academy of Science, and at the end of the month we held our final RII-4 All Hands Meeting, as well as a State Committee meeting. See below for recaps on the NMAS Symposium and the All Hands Meeting.

The Externship Program is a research exchange program that allows New Mexico graduate students (with an existing assistantship) to spend a semester or summer doing research at a partnering New Mexico university or research facility. This report is from New Mexico State University student Meshack Audu (pictured center in the group photo) about his time as an extern at the Santa Fe Community College (SFCC).

For the past four summers, I have visited our STEMAP students at the midpoint of their research experiences at UNM, NMT and NMSU. Over lunch the students share their experiences. For some it is their very first research experience, for others it is the first time they have been given a chance to explore their own research question. This July, I had lunch with our fourth and final STEMAP cohort for Energize NM. 12 students from across NM make up our most diverse cohort yet.

New Mexico EPSCoR created a video about the STEM Advancement Program for the 2017 NSF STEM for All Video Showcase, and the video is now live! The STEM for All Video Showcase features 171 NSF and other federally-funded projects through three-minute videos of their innovative work to improve STEM and CS teaching and learning. This event showcases cutting-edge NSF-funded work as well as work funded by other federal agencies aimed at improving teaching and learning of STEM, and encourages communities to learn about and discuss each other's work.

On Thursday, April 27th at our All Hands Meeting, we recognized two faculty members with the inaugural NM EPSCoR Mentoring Award. The NM EPSCoR Mentoring Award is designed to recognize two NM EPSCoR participants who not only build relationships with students and support their academic, research, and career endeavors, but also work to create inclusive environments for our diverse students. I was honored to be the emcee for the Ceremony. The Award and Ceremony would not have been possible if it weren’t for three groups of people.

In preparation for the March for Science on Earth Day, April 22nd, Senator Martin Heinrich penned an essay touting his support of science and research in New Mexico. Earlier in the week, Senator Heinrich visited the University of New Mexico to visit with the Vice President for Research Gabriel Lopez as well as students and faculty to discuss the importance of federally funded research in STEM areas.

The Externship Program is a research exchange program that allows New Mexico graduate students (with an existing assistantship) to spend a semester or summer doing research at a partnering New Mexico university or research facility. This report is from University of New Mexico student Asifur Rahman about his time as an extern at the USGS New Mexico Water Science Center.

The November 2016 issue of the National Science Teacher's Association (NSTA) journal The Science Teacher features an article co-authored by Becky Bixby, one of our Bioalgal Energy component co-leads. Together with Molly Sultany, a high school science teacher in Portland, Oregon, Becky emphasizes the importance of including diatoms in lessons for students in biology, chemistry, and environmental science.

Dr. José Cerrato (pictured above, center-right, receiving his Faculty of Color Award), co-lead of the Uranium Transport and Site Remediation team and Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico, has received numerous awards in the last year in recognition of his outstanding research and commitment to science.

Our very own Diversity Coordinator, Chelsea Chee, was a guest on a recent episode of Native America Calling. She was joined by Sandra Begay and Sarah Echohawk to discuss STEM education, STEM careers, and the importance of the presence of Native students in STEM for the future. Keep reading to hear the show!