The Latino Center Alternative Spring Break Application

For the cost of round-trip airfare, spend your spring break in Arizona, creating sustainable, community-led change from the ground up.

The 2022 Latino Center Alternative Spring Break, March 12-March 19, 2022, will take 10 NIU students to the Pinetop-Lakeside area (about 3 hours from Phoenix) where they will participate in projects related to water, food, agriculture, and education.

The Latino Center will provide for the following costs:
✅Housing
✅3 meals / day
✅All transportation (excluding airfare)
✅Supplies and materials for volunteer work

A limited number of spots are being made available. Please fill out the online application:
go.niu.edu/LatinoCenterSpringBreak

This opportunity is open to all NIU students in good academic standing.

***All activities are subject to modification or cancellation based on Covid-19 restrictions, as they evolve.***

Cosponsored by the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies, and the Latino Resource Center.

https://go.niu.edu/LatinoCenterSpringBreak

 

BIOS Spring 2022 seminar schedule

There's some awesome seminars in the biology department this spring. Check out below. Seminars are at 3:30pm.

February 10 - Rebecca Barnes, Colorado College Reimagining STEM to make it more inclusive & welcoming (Erin Rowland, Jones Lab) 

March 8 (TUESDAY) - Jacob Podesta (University of York –Koop lab) 

March 10 – Dominique Limoli (University of Iowa, Dikshyant Gautam, Swingley Lab) “War and Peace: Polymicrobial interactions during cystic fibrosis airway infection" 

March 24 - Ana Davidson, Conservation and community ecology in the West. Colorado State University (Andrew Dreelin, Jones Lab) 

March 31 – Jennifer Koop (Promotion to Associate, NIU) 

April 14 - Greg Sandland Host-parasite interactions and diseas ecology (UW-La Crosse, Emma Grindle – Koop lab) 

April 21 - Heather Bergan- Roller (Promotion to Associate, NIU) 

April 28 - April Blakeslee, Population genetics, parasite ecology, biogeography (East Carolina University, Cheyenne Beach – Koop Lab) 

Please note that this seminar will be in hybrid format; if you would like to attend in person, please proceed to MO 443 on Thursday. For those who would like to attend virtually, please use the following Zoom link: 

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://niu-edu.zoom.us/j/87933494057?pwd=RmVrREpvTUpaQ2lmclQvZ2d0Mk1SZz09

 

Meeting ID: 879 3349 4057

Passcode: 641238

 

We will be using the same Zoom link throughout the semester. 

IBC BIOS 370 Outreach

Description:

The Inclusive Birding Club at NIU has launched a project to help solve the issue of bird-window collisions on campus and contribute to the understanding and prevention of this phenomenon on a broader scale. Students interested in participating in this project are eligible to take 1-3 credits of BIOS 370 (Directed Research in Biology). Under direction of the Inclusive Birding Club’s Conservation Coordinator, students can expect to become fully involved in project activities including: surveys, data entry, data analysis techniques, reading literature, summarizing scientific findings, writing scientific reports, and presenting project findings. This is an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students to become involved in an important scientific project, while also gaining important experience and skills related to biological research.

 

Grading:

BIOS 370 is graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory scale (S/U). To receive a satisfactory grade, students must perform assigned tasks completely and thoroughly as directed by the Conservation Coordinator and Instructor of Record. In addition to performing quality work, students must meet the minimum semester hours required of the credit load that is being taken. Students are eligible to take 1-3 credits per semester. Each credit requires a minimum of 45 hours of semester work.

 

Time Commitment:

It is up to the student to keep a detailed record of their hours spent on the project. An incomplete amount of hours spent by the end of the semester may result in an unsatisfactory grade. It is highly recommended that new students to the project take one credit of BIOS 370 unless additional arrangements are made (see Additional Credit). Below are examples of how you can expect to complete 45 hours of work for this project this semester.

·       Bird-window collision surveys: Surveys will be conducted starting in late March and lasting through the end of the semester. Surveys are conducted early in the morning (starting at about 7AM) and lasting for about two hours. Students are expected to survey two mornings per week, adding up to about 20 hours of work this semester. Students are eligible to conduct more than two surveys per week if their schedules allow for it. However, students should not expect to be able to complete all of their semester hours through surveys alone.

·       Literature review: A literature review is being conducted on prior scientific literature relevant to this project. Students can complete semester hours by reading articles, summarizing articles, and entering relevant data into a data file. Specific instructions will be given by the Conservation Coordinator. Students can expect to spend up to 15 semester hours on this task.

·       Data analysis: Specific opportunities for entering, proofing, and analyzing data may arise as needed during the semester. The Conservation Coordinator with provide specific direction when the opportunity arises. Additionally, resources for learning how to analyze data in program R are available and time spent on these learning modules can count towards semester hours. Students can expect to spend up to 5 semester hours on this task.

·       Project report: Students can submit an end of the semester scientific report on their involvement with the project. Project reports will be written in a scientific format (Intro, Methods, Results, Discussion) and give students and opportunity to summarize their involvement in the project, what they learned, and suggestions for improvement. A rubric for project reports will be provided to interested students. Students can expect to spend 5-15 hours on this task.

·       Presentations: An opportunity to assist in the development and delivery of a poster or talk presentation at NIU’s Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE) is available to interested students. Presentations must be completed by April 11^th and CURE takes place on April 26^th. Participation in CURE will not be required unless a student is taking more than one credit.

 

Additional Credit:

For student wishing to take 2 or 3 credit hours, a separate plan of additional tasks must be created and approved with the help of the Conservation Coordinator. Each additional credit taken involves an additional 45 hours of semester work.

 

Course Registration:

Pick up a BIOS 370 form from the main office (MO 349), fill it out, and return it to Dr. Koop's office (MO 449) or drop it in her mailbox in the main office. Forms must be submitted to Dr. Koop by Thursday January 27^th at 4PM in order to ensure course registration prior to the 1/30/2022 deadline.

 

Contact Information:

Conservation Coordinator: Julia Graczyk (z1902356@students.niu.edu)

Instructor of Record: Dr. Jen Koop (jkoop@niu.edu)

Grad Student Assistant: Tony Del Valle (adelvalle@niu.edu)

Grad Student Assistant: Carly Crow (ccrow2@niu.edu)

 

EOP-Potential SPAM DANTA Tropical Biology and Conservation Field Courses in Costa Rica

Danta is pleased to announce their summer 2022 field courses in tropical biology. Their courses are intended for undergraduates or early graduate level students who have a keen interest in tropical ecosystems and conservation, but have little or no experience of working in a tropical environment. Participants may enroll on either a credit or non-credit basis.

As much of their advertising is done by word-of-mouth, we encourage you to spread the word by forwarding this information to students or friends who may be interested in their programs.

For more information, please visit their website at www.DANTA.info [danta.info] and/or email conservation@danta.email. For an alumni perspective on our programs, please see their blog DANTAisms - http://dantablog.wordpress.com/ [dantablog.wordpress.com].

Methods in Primate Behavior and Conservation

Date: July 3-18, 2022

Program Fee: $2600

Application deadline:  May 15, 2022

 

Course Description:  DANTA Tropical Biology and Conservation Field Courses 2021/2022 [dantablog.org]

Wildlife Conservation and Sustainability

Dates:  June 13 - 28, 2022

Program fee: $2600

Application deadline: May 15, 2022

Course Description: DANTA Tropical Biology and Conservation Field Courses 2021/2022 [dantablog.org]

Field Excursion

All courses include a visit to a wildlife rehabilitation center, sustainable chocolate plantation and dolphin and snorkeling trip of the Golfo Dulce. We will stay overnight on the Boruca Indigenous Reserve where we will learn about the community and their traditional lifeways, and help with needed projects. Every effort is made to implement eco-friendly and socially responsible practices into our day-to-day operations, field courses and overall mission.

  

Colorado Undergraduate Field Studies Course | Rocky Mountain Field Institute

WHAT: Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) is recruiting undergraduate students for its annual college-accredited field studies course, Earth Corps. Earth Corps is an 18-day field studies course that provides motivated, environmentally conscious undergraduate students the opportunity to live and learn in the incredible natural classroom of the Colorado mountains. Students who complete the program will earn 4 college credits in Geography transferable to their respective college/university and will also receive a Natural Resource Technician Certificate. 

 

WHERE: In 2022, Earth Corps students will live at the Crags Campground near Colorado Springs, Colorado for 18 days and will help construct the new Devils Playground Trail to the top of Pikes Peak - America's Mountain! In addition to gaining experience in trail construction, students will develop key outdoor skills throughout the program and through excursions to the summit of Pikes Peak and other outdoor pursuits. Academic and industry experts will also provide lectures on public lands management, geography, cultural history of the Pikes Peak Region, botany, and other related topics. Students will learn and practice outdoor leadership, Leave No Trace ethics, backcountry navigation, and risk management skills.

 

WHEN: July 18 - August 4, 2022

 

PROGRAM COST: $1,500 (This will cover program costs including tuition, staff, and all project equipment, food, supplies, and course materials). Needs-based scholarships are available for those who qualify. Upon completion of the course, students receive 4 credits in Geography from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs transferrable to the student's respective college or university. 

 

HOW TO APPLY: Early bird deadline is March 1, 2022 after which the application fee will increase to $25. Please visit https://www.rmfi.org/earth-corps to learn more and apply today. Final application deadline is April 1, 2022.

 

 

Resources for the Future is hiring a Research Analyst

Resources for the Future is hiring Research Analysts, with an expected start date of summer 2022. This position is a great fit for a recent graduate with a background in environmental economics, environmental sciences, economics,  engineering, mathematics, computer science, or natural sciences. 

 

The job description and instructions on how to apply are here. 

Nachusa hiring college interns

Nachusa Restoration Technician jobs are now available. Apply with The Nature Conservancy: nature.org/careers. Scroll down to the "Current Job Opportunities" button. Enter the Job ID#: 50866. Submissions are accepted through February 18, 2022. 

Internship Opportunities for Summer 2022 - Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

 

U.S. DOE Launches Clean Energy Corps!

The U.S. Department of Energy announced our most ambitious hiring campaign yet – the Clean Energy Corps. We wanted to make sure you heard the news from us, and we ask for your support in sharing this across your networks! Social media links and press release are below.

Addressing the climate crisis will require a large, ambitious, and talented team of America’s best and brightest. The Clean Energy Corps is dedicated to fighting climate change through public service and supporting American competitiveness on a global scale. The U.S. Department of Energy is hiring a team of hundreds of industry veterans, experienced technical experts, and the next generation of climate leaders. We’re looking for individuals who are ready to act at this critical moment, and shape generations to come through delivering clean energy solutions for America with the U.S. Department of Energy. Jobs are available across the country, and across experience levels. 

Secretary Granholm's posts 

·         Share on Facebook  

·         Retweet on Twitter  

Department of Energy's posts 

·         Share us on Facebook 

·         Retweet us on Twitter  

·         Share us on LinkedIn!  

·         Like us on YouTube 

 

Announcing the Clean Energy Corps 

While not an exhaustive list, we are looking for candidates in the following career fields to support the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which infuses over $62 billion dollars to the Department of Energy, the largest investment in our agency since our founding in 1977: 

 

·         Program and Portfolio Management Positions 

·         Project Managers 

·         Energy Technology Program Specialists 

·         Grants Management Specialists 

·         Infrastructure Systems Analyst 

·         Engineers 

·         Safety and Occupational Health Specialists 

·         Business/Mission Support 

·         Communications Specialists 

·         Legislative Affairs 

 

Thank you for sharing this news as we roll out the Clean Energy Corps!  

 

Jennifer Kramb (formerly Rivers)

Intergovernmental and External Affairs Office

US Department of Energy

240-449-6867