W&J Will Host Summertime STEM Camp for Middle-Schoolers
The college is one of two in the Keystone State to receive an ExxonMobil Foundation grant for the 10-day camp.
W&J receives ExxonMobil grant to host summer science camp for middle-schoolers
Last month, Washington & Jefferson College became the only school in the region, and one of two in Pennsylvania, to receive one of 20 grants nationwide from the ExxonMobil Foundation to host a Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp this June. The free 10-day camp is for students in grades six through eight from Washington and Allegheny counties; it will provide hands-on experimentation within the science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning sector. Taking on the theme “Foodology: the Science of Food,” students will investigate food safety, nutrition, preservation, preparation and manufacturing through about seven hours of faculty-led instruction daily. Workshops and other activities will help to teach participants time-management skills while also showing them STEM career choices. One activity requires students to use science and technology to learn how much food dye is in various Kool-Aid flavors while another focuses on the science of cheese-making.
W&J strongly encourages underserved and underrepresented students to apply for participation. Call 724/250-3352 for more information.
U.S. News Best Graduate School 2015 rankings recognize local programs
Think about the best college programs to get our high-schoolers started, but consider graduate programs, too. To help narrow down your options, U.S. News and World Report recently released its 2015 Best Graduate School Rankings, which includes some area schools.
The University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University ranked in the top 100 for a number of programs, including education (Nos. 22 and 33), engineering (Nos. 43 and 25), law (Nos. 81 and 51), and business (Nos. 52 and 41). Pitt also ranked highly for such medical categories as primary care (No. 18) and pediatrics (No. 7). Carnegie Mellon University earned equally impressive placements — No. 18 for business and No. 5 for engineering. CMU and Pitt both are ranked for their public affairs programs at Nos. 9 and 33, respectively. Some Duquesne University programs placed higher than they did last year: The university’s part-time MBA program moved to spot No. 125 from 181; its education Ph.D/Ed.D program climbed from No. 161 to 126; the school’s law program rose from No. 144 to 121; and its online nursing program skated from No. 7 to 6. Please view all available rankings at usnews.com
Register for these four events designed with the professional and curious in mind.
Duquesne University
March 21, 1-4:30 p.m. in the Duquesne Union; $20-$40
As the third spring Forensic Fridays event, “The Role of Computer Forensics in Data Breach Response,” a professional seminar led by local attorney David G. Ries, will examine global reliance on digital data and such consequences as identity theft. Half- and full-day registration is available.
Seton Hill University
March 26 from 9-11 a.m. in Cecilian Hall; $20; registration required
Seton Hill’s Social Work Program’s annual Spring Seminar is back with “I’m Coming Home: How to Connect with Today’s Returning Veterans and their Families.” Continuing education credits and a permanent record of attendance for social workers are available.
La Roche College
March 28 at the Duquesne Club downtown; March 29 at La Roche’s John J. Wright Library; free
Register for the ninth annual Global Problems, Global Solutions conference, which aims to connect its theme, Awareness to Action: Combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases, to the UN-established Millennium Development Goals focusing on such issues as poverty, peace, gender inequality and child mortality.
University of Pittsburgh
March 24 at 7:30 p.m. in University Club Ballroom B; free
American Experience Distinguished Lecturer Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg will present “Higher Education in 21st-Century America: The Promise and the Pain” to discuss the future of higher education. Chancellor Nordenberg will retire in August after 19 years at the university’s helm.
April 1 at 4:30 p.m. in the William Pitt Union Ballroom; free
The 2014 Heinz Distinguished Lecturer, Vanessa Farquharson, will present “Sleeping Naked and Showering in the Dark: The Fun Path to Green Living,” based on her yearlong experiment and publications. A cocktail reception will follow. Parking-ticket validation is available.
