DITCH & DASH

This is the sign up sheet for Ditch and Dash! (formally known as Give and Go!). I really want to encourage you to sign up, this is a very simple way for Golden Key to get involved in both NIU and the DeKalb community. Completing the bin monitoring will only take an hour of your time. This project is responsible for keeping more than 20 tons of materials out of landfills from NIU in three years! In the last two years, we have also added a canned goods and toiletries drive that has supplied many students and people in need in the Dekalb community.  

All that is required is walking (or driving) to the listed dormitories, and recording the percent that each bin is full (the Goodwill bin, canned goods bin, and toiletries bin will be at each location). The attached image will help you determine how full each bin is! If driving, it is very easy to park with flashers during this time in front of each building. This should be done at approximately 6:00pm each night (plus or minus two hours or so) before lock-out times.

Steps for filling out the form (click here: DITCH AND DASH Fall 2016 SIGN UP SHEET)

1.) Please sign up next to the date that you would like to participate ASAP.

2.) On the date(s) that you (or you and a partner if you like) sign up for, complete the "percentage full" section. Bins are considered "full" when items reach the top of the bin (again, see the attachment). Please note overflow and tube televisions, we are trying very hard to avoid them! It is very important that these are completed ASAP (around 9:00pm) so that we know whether to schedule a pick up from Goodwill, who monitors these forms nightly. 

Directions can be found on the map attached below. Please note, Northern View is on the map but not part of your responsibility to monitor. 

It is VERY important that if you CANNOT make the date that you sign up for, you contact me immediately so that I can find someone else to monitor the bins. They must be monitored every night! Call/text me at 224-558-6500, and, for extra measure, send me an email too.  

Do you need any more reasons to volunteer, other than it is an easy way to get service hours and a refreshing break from exams?

1.) Donation bins save the school money that would be used otherwise on disposal fees and renting extra dumpsters during move-out.

2.) Donating instead of discarding materials takes up more space in landfills, which is disappointing because many of these items can be reused. 

3.) Goodwill provides needed jobs, training, and all sorts of good throughout the country. Employment in Goodwill gives job experience/training, addition education, and even language training to variety of individuals, including the disabled, veterans, and immigrants. 

Please contact me with any questions...  

Thanks! 

Ryan

224-558-6500

Summer Research 2017: Radionuclides & the Environment

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Participants will spend 10 weeks at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL), a research unit of the University of Georgia located on the US Department of Energy Savannah River Site (SRS), where they have the opportunity to gain hands-on training in radioecology. General themes include: i) the fate of radionuclides in environmental systems; ii) the impact of radionuclides on the environment; and iii) biogeochemical and physiological processes via tracer studies. Students will conduct research in the field and laboratory in areas such as ecotoxicology, ecophysiology, environmental restoration, remediation, risk assessment, ecosystem ecology, and radioecology. Access to a variety of natural and impacted areas on the SRS, SREL's analytical capabilies, and SREL's history of radioecology research in national and international arenas (e.g., Chernobyl and Fukushima) combine to make this a unique learning environment. SREL's REU in Radioecology is the only program of its kind in the world for undergraduate students.

Details

The 2017 program will run 22 May to 28 July. Housing will be provided at the University of South Carolina - Aiken dormitories, approximately 30 minutes' drive from SREL. (No housing facilites exist on the SRS.) In addition to free housing, students will receive a stipend of $525/week, a small food allowance, and travel reimbursement. (More details will be provided to selected participants.) Participants should be prepared to work outdoors in hot, humid conditions, and to comply with SRS safety and security requirements. Questions regarding the program should be directed to undergrad@srel.uga.edu.

Application requirements

Only US citizens or permanent residents who will be enrolled as undergraduate students at the time of the REU are eligible to apply. Students need a minimum GPA of 3.0 to participate in the REU. To complete the application form, you will need a CV, a copy of your academic transcript (unofficial copies are acceptable), and the names and email addresses of two faculty members who will provide letters of recommendation for you. Your references should submit their letters using the form located at http://srel-reu.uga.edu/reference_form.html Your application and their letters must all be received by January 31, 2017. Notifications are expected to take place in March.

Outdoor Education Intern Lorado Taft Field Campus

Outdoor Education Intern

Lorado Taft Field Campus

Northern Illinois University

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Outdoor Education Coordinator, this person is primarily responsible for the instruction of resident environmental education experiences for elementary and middle school groups at Lorado Taft Campus, Oregon, Illinois.  This person works closely with other staff to develop and deliver outdoor education programs. This person will also be responsible for creating an educational display for a classroom bulletin board.  Training programs include, but are not limited to, Taft Campus policies and procedures, Taft Campus safety and risk management procedures, writing lesson plans, group management techniques, observing seasoned educators, and co-teaching.

             

WORK ACTIVITIES

1. Create and deliver lessons to elementary through high school students.

2. Research relevant information regarding Taft programs in order to have the necessary background knowledge to teach classes on topics such as ecology, cultural history, outdoor skills, and team building.

3. Participate in training activities and weekly staff meetings (Monday mornings and Friday afternoons).

4. Research and create a relevant, educational display for a classroom bulletin board.

5. Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS

High school diploma or equivalent.  Prior experience working with youth in a role such as a camp counselor, mentor, teacher, or coach.  Must possess the desire to work primarily outdoors, in all kinds of weather conditions.  Strong verbal communication skills and the ability to represent Taft Campus and NIU in a knowledgeable and professional manner are essential.  A high degree of initiative, mature judgment, and a strong work ethic required.  A pre-employment criminal background investigation is required.

PREFERRED SKILLS

Prior experience working in a similar environment (outdoor/environmental education facility, summer camp, nature center) preferred.

WORK HOURS

15-20 hours/week.  Weekly schedule varies based on the needs of the schools on site.  Willing to work around class schedules.  Some evenings required.

COMPENSATION

$8.50/hour.  A private, furnished room is provided.   Meals when the dining hall is in operation.

DATES OF EMPLOYMENT

January 3 – May 31, 2017

APPLICATION INFORMATION

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Melanie Costello, Director/Outdoor Education Coordinator, via email (melcostello@niu.edu) or via regular mail (Lorado Taft Field Campus, PO Box 299, Oregon, IL 61061.  

Sustainable RIVER project

Sustainable RIVER project 

The Missouri River is the longest river in the United States, and a 160-km stretch of the river has been designated as a National Park, the Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR). The University of South Dakota (USD) is located less than 8 km from the MNRR, which provides an exceptional opportunity to study a big river system. Like nearly all large, North American temperate rivers, the Missouri River is a regulated, “working river” with multiple stakeholders, potentially conflicting management goals, and river management impacts on native ecosystems. Although the MNRR preserves a remnant of the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems that have historically occurred on the Missouri River, a range of invasive elements have affected and continue to affect the MNRR. In order to maintain the MNRR as a thriving and resilient system, we need to understand the factors affecting the river and develop methodologies to ameliorate their impacts.

In the Sustainable RIVER project, students will work with researchers spanning multiple, diverse disciplines in order to address the question: How do invasive elements in the Missouri River and its uplands affect the sustainability of the river and the humans who depend on it?

The Sustainability Program at USD is well positioned to answer cross-disciplinary questions concerning the Missouri River as USD is home to the Missouri River Institute (MRI). The MRI is a research center charged with developing and promoting research, education, and public awareness of the natural and cultural resources associated with the Missouri River Basin. The MRI has faculty affiliates in departments throughout the University including Biology, Earth Science, and Anthropology. REU students in the Sustainable RIVER project will gain disciplinary expertise by working with MRI faculty researchers from a range of disciplines investigating different invasive elements and other stressors affecting the MNRR.

Stipend:  $5,775

Housing:  provided

Food:  $900 stipend

Travel expenses:  $350 

More Detailed Info

Apply Here

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 2017 HS-STEM Summer Internships

Now accepting applications for U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)2017 HS-STEM Summer Internships

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate Office of University Programs sponsors a 10-week summer internship program for students majoring in homeland security related science, technology, engineering and mathematics (HS-STEM) disciplines. The program provides students with quality research experiences at federal research facilities located across the country and allows students the opportunity to establish connections with DHS professionals. It is open to undergraduate and graduate students in a broad spectrum of HS-STEM disciplines and DHS mission-relevant Research Areas.

Undergraduate students receive a $6,000 stipend plus travel expenses.

& 

Graduate students receive a $7,000 stipend plus travel expenses.

10-week research experiences are offered at:  Coast Guard Research and Development Center ● Customs and Borders Protection ● Engineer Research and Development Center ● Federal Emergency Management Agency ● Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Health Service Corps ●  National Security Technologies ● National Urban Security Technology Laboratory ● Naval Research Laboratory ● Office for Interoperabilty and Compatibility ● Transportation Security Laboratory ● DOE National Laboratories: Argonne, Berkeley, Idaho, Livermore, Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, Pacific Northwest, and Sandia

Areas of research: Engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological / life sciences, environmental science, emergency and incident management, social sciences, and more.

U.S. citizenship required

Application deadline: December 7, 2016, 11:59PM EST

How to Apply: Applications and supporting materials must be submitted at

https://www.zintellect.com/Posting/Details/2595

Program Information: Detailed information about the internships can be found at

http://www.orau.gov/dhseducation/internships/

For questions please email us at dhsed@orau.org.