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| Wednesday, September 6, 2023 science.gmu.edu
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Dean’s blog: Meeting students where they are to close all gaps
by Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm
Over the past week, you may have read articles about efforts to close gaps in math proficiency sourced from an Associated Press story quoting our Department of Mathematical Sciences Chair, Maria Emelianenko. Months before the articles started appearing, a few of our college leadership and faculty across and within the biology, chemistry, physics departments shared concerning national trends regarding proficiency in mathematics and reading that might negatively impact our STEM students both now and in the future. They highlighted the critical need to consider new and enhanced ways to help our students succeed.
Coupled with this proficiency situation is the wellness state and engagement level of students. Whether it be due to illness, or a preference for the flexibility of online or remote learning, national data show a rising number of students across the nation are not attending class as often or even just not returning to high school at all. If they are not in class, they are unable to learn or build their confidence in subjects where they may be struggling.
Some of the articles suggested students across the country were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Others noted this had started to occur prior to the pandemic, yet the drop became more pronounced over the past few years. Both NSEC and ACT reports indicate some concerning trends, although undoubtedly there are many variables in this equation and more data would be needed to arrive at definitive conclusions about the root causes. Regardless of the cause, we realized we needed to creatively meet our students where they are and establish and expand programs to help get them to where they want to go.
So we did just that.
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Register to attend ScienceConnect 2023
Start off the semester by meeting College of Science faculty, staff, and students while exploring college programs, research, and professional opportunities. Be sure to grab some food and win college SWAG. ScienceConnect will be held on both the Mason Fairfax and SciTech campuses. Register to attend and share the event with your students by downloading this PPT graphic.
Fairfax Campus
Tuesday, September 12 | 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Exploratory Hall Atria
Science and Technology Campus
Thursday, September 14 | 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | Katherine G. Johnson Hall
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Updated STEM Bridge Camp successfully launched
Summer bridge experiences are well known to help first-year college students. The College of Science STEM Accelerator has offered summer programming for new patriots every summer since 2011. This year, the college integrated the one-week Math Boot Camp with the one-week STEM Camp, to create a new two-week STEM Bridge Camp that involved faculty from seven different departments in the college.
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#FacultyFriday highlights forensic science experts
For the first #FacultyFriday of the month, we congratulate our Forensic Science experts Kelly Knight, Associate Professor, and Georgia Williams, Assistant Professor, for contributing to the recently published textbook, “Methods in Molecular Biology: Forensic DNA Analysis, Methods and Protocols.” View original Instagram post.
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Mason physicist receives NSF EAGER Award to guide computational search for practical superconducting materials
by Elizabeth Grisham
Igor Mazin, Professor of Practice for Advanced Studies in Theoretical Physics, Quantum Materials Center, Physics and Astronomy, is set to receive funding for the project: "Collaborative research: Ab Initio Engineering of Doped-Covalent-Bond Superconductors." This EAGER award will support a joint computational and theoretical effort to guide the search for practical superconducting materials.
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Mason Science researchers support discoveries in Earth science and heliophysics
by Elizabeth Grisham
Chaowei Yang, Professor, Director, NSF Spatiotemporal Innovation Center, Geography and Geoinformation Science,and Jie Zhang, Professor, Physics and Astronomy, received funding for the project: "Transitioning a Training Dataset Labeling Tool (TDLT) to Support Discoveries in Earth Science and Heliophysics." The researchers are creating a generalizable training dataset labeling tool for both Earth and heliophysics by improving upon a prototype tool designed for Earth science. Photo by NASA.
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'Valley fever' cases rise over the past 20 yearsby Sara Klimek
In a recent article on Yahoo!News, AOES Associate Professor Daniel Tong said that an increase in drought conditions are linked to the increase in dust storms over the last few decades. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 20,000 cases in 2019 alone. Photo by Paul Robert on Unsplash.
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Math represented at ICIAM 2023
Every four years, the International Congress of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (ICIAM) brings together mathematical scientists, researchers, and industry members from across the globe to discuss and exchange state-of-the-art ideas on research and education in Industrial and Applied Mathematics. The Department of Mathematical Sciences was well represented—faculty and students gave six talks, hosted two mini-symposia, presented two posters and delivered one public lecture. All these Mason Science faculty are also members of the U.S. Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.
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Wexton’s visit to SciTech explores research and economic impact
by Roddena I. Kirksey
U.S. Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton toured George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus on Tuesday, August 29. The campus is located in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, which Wexton represents.
During her visit, Wexton delved into Mason’s economic impact and partnerships with Prince William County and the City of Manassas and explored SciTech’s research labs. Neuroscience PhD student Dylan Scarton was among the researchers presenting their work. Photo by Evan Cantwell/George Mason University.
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Mandatory Annual IT Security Awareness Training
Information Technology Services (ITS) has assigned the Mandatory 2023 IT Security Awareness Training(s) to your Mason Learning, Evaluation, and Performance System (MasonLEAPS) account.
Similar to last year and to fulfill the annual compliance requirement, the training(s) have been assigned to all Mason employees, including contractors, affiliates, and student wage workers. It is designed to equip you with knowledge about how to recognize phishing emails, other cybersecurity risks and provide you with information about online safety and security. Assigned training(s) must be completed by Tuesday, October 31 to avoid having your NetID disabled, which interrupts your access to Mason’s IT services including Patriot Web, Office 365, and Wi-Fi networks.
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9/11 Day of Service
September 11, 2023
A variety of service projects are available for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. Registration is now open. For details on service projects, the service fair, blood drive, opening ceremonies, and lunch for first responders and veterans, visit 911day.gmu.edu. As part of the day's events, there will be a clothing donation box in the Exploratory Hall lobby on Mason's Fairfax Campus.
ScienceConnect 2023
September 12, 2023 | 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Fairfax Campus
September 14, 2023 | 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | SciTech Campus
Encourage your students to attend. Meet Mason Science students while discussing your programs and sharing research and professional opportunities with free food and chances to win Mason Science SWAG. Register to attend.
Mason Science Career STEMinar: Intro to Federal STEM Pathways & Security Clearances
September 14, 2023 | Noon to 1 p.m. | Virtual
Just in time for Government Careers Week, Mason Science students are invited to a STEM-focused overview of civil service internships and early-career opportunities (Federal and Military Pathways, Intelligence Agencies, and Government Contracting), federal resume tips and resources at Mason to prepare for your security clearance.
Mason Adjunct Faculty Social Hour
September 19, 2023 | 5 to 6:30 p.m. | Merten Hall 1202
All Mason adjunct faculty are invited to attend the Adjunct Faculty Social Hour. Meet Provost Ginsberg and mingle with fellow adjuncts. Register to attend.
Evening Under the Stars
September 20, 2023 | 8 to 10 p.m. | Research Hall Interstellar Dreams Space Center
Join the Department of Physics and Astronomy for an out of this world evening in the Research Hall Interstellar Dreams Space Center.
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