BGS Career Development
Making It Count!
Join SACNAS next week for an NSF GRFP Writing Workshop! Dr. Sunny Shin and a student panel of successful NSF awardees will be there to help advise students on how to apply for NSF.
Date: Tuesday, September 24th, 2019
Location: Reunion Auditorium, John Morgan Building
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Interested in improving your science communication skills? Wish you had the confidence to ask questions in a crowded seminar or conference? Want to become a better networker?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should sign up for the upcoming FREE BGS Improv Workshop this October and November!
Improv is not stand-up comedy; it is acting without a script. It is about thinking on your feet, problem solving, being authentic, encouraging effective communication, projecting confidence, facilitating teamwork, and not being worried about making mistakes. Gain transferable skills needed in the lab and for communicating science to colleagues and to the general public.
This 6-week workshop, led by professional instructor Sharon Geller, will provide a fun and supportive learning environment for exploring improv techniques and improving communication skills.
Join us:
Mondays, October 7th – November 11th from 5:30-7:30PM
Room 425 Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center
Instructor: Sharon Geller (Improv instructor at the Walnut Street Theater)
We have limited capacity so if you are interested, please sign up by filling out the application form: https://forms.gle/9x5ra7DYLqJAw5qr8
Questions? Please contact Laura Ohl: Laura.Ohl@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Workshop planning committee: Laura Ohl, Yunshu Fan
David Garbe (CAMB alum and Outreach Educator for nonprofit Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research) invites BGS to donate unused or gently-used lab items, and to volunteer!
Read more about PSBR’s volunteer opportunities here: https://bgscareerdevelopment.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Volunteer-Leadership-Opportunities.pdf
The Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group has two exciting events next Tuesday September 17, 2019.
David Garbe (CAMB alum and Outreach Educator for nonprofit Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research) invites BGS students to volunteer. More info below:
“PSBR was established in 1990 with the goal of educating K-16 students about the importance and value of biomedical research, including the role of animals in that research. We currently offer outreach and educational programs to schools throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia. You can find information describing many of our programs here on our website (http://www.psbr.org/programs-18) as well as educational materials here (http://www.psbr.org/resources-53). We are on a mission to build outside relationships that support our work in hopes of developing additional programs, content, and digital media to share our message.
Students who are interested in community science outreach might love to participate in a PSBR-sponsored activity. Additionally, students with an interest in informal science instruction might like to design a new biomedical-related program or activity that could be adapted for use throughout the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Other ideas might involve assisting in the development of 1) an informal “coffeehouse” science seminar series for the general public or 2) a summer camp for local underserved students, or 3) creating a video/phone app to support our mission. These are just a few examples!”
For more information about PSBR and to learn about their novel Mobile Science Program titled SPARC (Science Program And Research Coach) see the following document. Contact david@psbr.org with questions and to get involved.
In this ASCB article, the author describes her surprise at the simplicity of scheduling a meeting with one’s Congressional representatives. She states, “It turns out I didn’t need a lofty title. I already had all of the qualifications I needed to have a meeting on Capitol Hill—I am a constituent, I am persistent, and I care about scientific research.”
After a quick briefing on how the Congressional budget works, the author provides sample scripts to engage your members of Congress on Twitter, over the phone, or by email.
Read the full article here!
Students interested in a career in science policy or who are looking for ways to advocate for their research interests may also be interested in ASCB’s Advocacy Toolkit.