Events: Science Night

     The Evolution of Science Night

   

 This year Science Night evolved into STEMfest, a three night virtual event with a host of sessions on topics such as innovations in drug discovery, virtual reality techniques, math patterns, coding lessons and snakes of Virginia. The final session, "How did you get here?" was a panel discussion with faculty and professionals sharing their education and career experiences including their struggles and triumphs.

STEMfest was held from March 1 to 3, and had over 300 students, community members, faculty, and staff registered for the event. Session attendance ranged from 20 to over 100. Here are some comments from those who attended the virtual sessions. Presenters included faculty, staff, and other professionals from JMU, VCU, and ODU, as well as Dr. Andre Hudson from Rutgers University.

     Below are links to the sessions in case you missed the event.
      
MONDAY, MARCH 1
 
6 p.m.
The Life of a Biochemist: The quest for new antibiotics
Presented by Andre Hudson, Rochester Institute of Technology
Watch the Recording
 
6:30 p.m.
Why microbes matter. The good, the bad, and the ugly of stuff you can't even see
Presented by Bryan Tims, Hampden-Sydney College and Reynolds Community College.
Watch the recording
 
7:00 p.m.
 
Ratsnake Phylogeny and Taxonomy: What the heck is going on?
Presented by Travis Anthony, Virginia Herpetological Society
Watch the Recording
 
7:30 p.m.
Snakes of Virginia
Presented by Larry Mendoza, Virginia Herpetological Society
Watch the Recording
 
Here is a link if you want to know more about the Va Herpetological Society
https://www.facebook.com/vaherpsociety/

TUESDAY, MARCH 2
 
6 p.m.
Innovative Technology Disrupting Education, Training, Military, & Industry
Presented by Jessica Johnson
Watch the recording
 
Some additional links
www.vmasc.odu.edu
https://www.hiddeninplainsite.org/home/about-hips
https://vartisans.com/
https://vmasc-odu.github.io/Catalhoyuk_WebGL/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybPmmCWOccA
 
6:15 p.m.
AWS Cloud Computing
Presented by Dick Burruss, Professor, Reynolds Community College
Watch the Recording
 
 
6:30 p.m.
RVAir: A Community Science Initiative to Understand Richmond's Air Quality
Presented by Devin Jefferson, Community Science Catalyst
Watch the Recording
https://smv.org/learn/rvair/
djefferson@smv.org
 
7:00 p.m.
 
STEM Transfer Panel
Presented by Elizabeth Heck, VCU STEM Transfer Coordinator
Links
Transfer advising request
Transfer Maps
STEM Transitions
VCU Transfer Center
 
Watch the recording  This session ends at the 31 minute mark
 
 
 
7:30 p.m.
Paradigm Shifts in Healthcare and Research Driven by Advances Technology
Presented by Dayanjan S Wijesinghe, Adjunct Associate Professor, VCU
Watch the recording  This session begins at 32 minutes
 
 
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3
 
6 p.m.
Hanover Coyote Project
Presented by Dr. Richard Groover, Retired professor, Reynolds Community College
Watch the Recording
 
6:15 p.m.
Discovering Patterns in Nature through the eyes of a Mathematician
Presented by Kim Hasley, Mathematics Instructor, Reynolds Community College
Watch the Recording
 
 
6:30 p.m.
Summer Research Opportunities in Biology
Presented by
Corey Cleland, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, James Madison University
Bisi Velayudhan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology, James Madison University
Join the Zoom
REU webpage
 
 
7 p.m.
HAWQS and How you can Help!
Presented by Stecey Heflin, Henricopolis Soil & Water Conservation
Watch the video
 
 
How did you get here?  STEM Professionals and their career journeys
Panel: Jenn Derkits, Otelia Vines, Doug Coleman
Watch the video
 
Other videos
 
Kyle Williams, Code Virginia
Digital Literacy and Safety for Families
 
Dr. John Ochab, Reynolds Physics Professor

Fun with Physics
 
Kitchen Science with Miss America
 
Cooking up Science with Miss America "DNA"
 
Cooking up Science with Miss America "Insane in the Membrane"

Advancement

Scholarships Help Students Stay Afloat in Choppy Waters

While the pandemic has created very choppy waters for many students, scholarship awards are helping hundreds stay afloat. “Even in normal circumstances our scholarship program is a critical lifeline,” said Marianne McGhee, director of development. “This year, we were so fortunate to have our donors continue their giving to help as many students persist as possible. Kim Cain is our scholarship manager, and she and the Financial Aid team do a brilliant job working together and bridging students’ financial gaps with scholarship dollars whenever possible.”  

The J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Educational Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit and receives donations from individuals, local philanthropic foundations, community groups, and businesses. With annual gifts and income generated from endowments, the Scholarship Office assisted nearly 800 students with awards ranging from a few hundred dollars to $2,000 or more in a semester, depending on need and aid eligibility. 

For students like Juliahna, receiving a scholarship is one important step on a life-changing pathway. "I’m one of the first in my family to actually graduate high school and continue to pursue my dreams through college. After Reynolds, I plan to transfer to VCU and possibly study Homeland Security. One of the biggest burdens I have faced in life is a lack of finances. I don’t think I’d be here if it were not for getting a scholarship award.”

“Reynolds employees are among the most generous and enthusiastic scholarship donors every year,” added McGhee. “Look at the success of Stepping for Scholarships, which is a recent example, but there are so many more. Reynolds is a giving institution and part of a larger giving community. It makes a huge difference. We’ve seen students literally cry with relief when they’re told they’re getting an award. Scholarship donors are truly heroes and heroines to our students.”