Upcoming Science Cafe: The unbearable lightness of being (squishy): an introduction to ctenophorology

Our next Science Cafe is at 6:30pm on April 7th:

The unbearable lightness of being (squishy): an introduction to ctenophorology

Register to Attend

Ctenophores are a group of gelatinous marine invertebrates whose outwardly “simple” physiology belies a host of intriguing and impressive adaptations. In this presentation, I will give a broad overview of the phylum, highlighting a few areas of particular interest to my research, including swimming biomechanics, DNA metabarcoding studies of ctenophore diet, and the unique glue cells called “colloblasts” that they use to ensnare their prey. I will also discuss the immense diversity of ctenophore body plans and lifestyles, highlighting the many yet-unknown aspects of this fascinating animal group.

About our Speaker:  

James Townsend, Postdoctoral researcher – Providence College/Marine Biological Laboratory

Dr. Townsend is a marine biophysicist specializing in the physiology and ecology of ctenophores, a group of enigmatic, jellyfish-like animals found throughout the world’s oceans. His current research is focused on developing techniques to study the diet of ctenophores living in the open ocean using DNA metabarcoding.

Our Sciences Cafes are sponsored by:

“How to Lie with Maps” – Science Café on March 3rd

Join Sigma Xi and University Libraries for our next public science lecture Science Café!

Where: Online via ZOOM, register HERE 

When: March 3rd 6:30pm EST

Title: How to Lie with Maps 

 Summary:  

Maps are an effective form of communication: they use visualization to engage the audience and convey complex ideas in an accessible manner. As such, maps have been abused to spread misleading information for political purposes. This talk will present a few ways that maps are being abused with a range of examples from the past elections to national propaganda. It will conclude with approaches to fact-checking and detecting “lies” in maps.

About our Speaker:  Huyen Le, OSU Department of Geography

Huyen Le is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at OSU. Her research focuses on urban mobility, environment and health impacts of everyday transportation. She teaches courses in geographic information system and transportation.

 

Sponsors:

Sigma Xi – The Ohio State University Chapter
The Ohio State University Libraries

Get Involved with Science Night!

The Ohio State Chapter of Sigma Xi Honor Society (u.osu.edu/sigmaxiohiostate/) has teamed up with Hilliard Horizon Elementary School to plan a virtual Science Night, which aims to engage young students (K-5th grade, ages 5-10 years) in science in a fun and educational manner. We are currently recruiting members of the Ohio State community who would like to get involved in planning and running this event. The Science Night will occur as a one- or two-night online event for two separate age groups: kindergarten to 2nd grade and 3rd-5th grade. The event will take place virtually in late April/early May. We are looking for volunteers to help plan the event and/or participate in it, which could include any combination of helping plan topics/activities, pre-recording or presenting in the session, and/or providing logistical support (i.e. moderating Zoom sessions).

 

This is a great opportunity to participate in science outreach, practice science communication skills, and help inspire young students’ interest in science during a socially distanced time! If you are interested in participating, please fill out the following survey: go.osu.edu/hh2021.

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to email Dr. Karch, our chapter Director of Outreach at karch.22@osu.edu.

Become a Sigma Xi Mentor for Bloom-Carrol Science Students

The students at Bloom-Carroll High School are gearing up to take part in the 2019-2020 science fair circuit and need your help! We are looking for people within the scientific community at large willing to mentor a student on an as-needed basis as they work to develop their science fair project. Volunteers should be willing to partake in at least two in-person meetings with the student (one at the start of the mentoring program and one before their local science fair). All other communication can take place in a manner that is convenient for you (e-mail, telephone, video call, etc.). This is your opportunity to help a young budding scientist succeed and thrive!

Sigma Xi will be hosting a meet-and-greet session at Bloom Carroll High School on September 10th, 2019 (2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.). Join us then!

To access more information and to become a mentoring partner, please e-mail adrianna.matos@nationwidechildrens.org

Three upcoming science events near you!

There are three big science events coming up over the next few weeks that we wanted to make sure you were thinking about:

1) COSI Science Festival

Just as s reminder, the 2019 COSI Science Festival is coming up over the next few days. With more than 100 events taking place over the first three days of the COSI Science Festival, there are sure to be a few that spark your curiosity! Whether you want to attend a “Stuffed Animal Vet Clinic” as a family, have a date night at “Why Roasted Foods Taste So Good,” or check out one (or more) of the 15 Citywide Star Parties, there are plenty of options for you to be an element of the fun! You can search the event listings here.

The 2019 COSI Science Festival culminates in an exciting and fun celebration of science along the Peninsula surrounding COSI, including Washington Blvd., Genoa Park, Town St., and Dorrian Green Park! This FREE event is something you won’t want to miss – with dynamic experiments, incredible demonstrations, and engaging hands-on activities hosted by Franklin County’s own science, technology, engineering and mathematics focused organizations, the Big Science Celebration is sure to provide entertainment and learning opportunities for the whole family. More information can be found here.

 

2) Ohio Academy of Science State Science Day

The Ohio State Chapter of Sigma Xi is looking for judges to evaluate projects at Ohio Academy of Science State Science Day. This will be at 8 am on May 11, 2019 at the French Field House (460 Woody Hayes Dr. Columbus, OH 43210) at The Ohio State University. Each year, thousands of students from all over Ohio complete independent research projects. These students present their research at the local and the District level, and the highest-rated projects go on to compete at State Science Day. This event is the high-point of student-based scientific-research, and in 2019 it will be entering its 71st year.

Our Sigma Xi chapter sponsors three special awards; 1) the Interdisciplinary Research Award, 2) the Science of Evolution Award and 3) the American Physiological Society Award. If you can assist with the judging projects at State Science Day please RSVP online (go.osu.edu/CwUX) by May 7. You will receive additional information on judging by email on May 9. If you have any questions please contact Noah Weisleder (noah.weisleder@osumc.edu).

 

WestFest Science and Sustainability Fair

Ohio State’s West Campus is hosting a festival May 18 that showcases science, sustainability and beyond. Experience the technology, discoveries and resources across central Ohio at this free event, which explores what Ohio State researchers and community partners are discovering to protect our environment, improve how we use natural resources and enhance our daily lives. More information can be found here.

Judges Needed for Ohio Academy of Sciences State Science Day

The Ohio State Chapter of Sigma Xi is looking for judges to evaluate projects at Ohio Academy of Science State Science Day. This will be at 8 am on May 11, 2019 at the French Field House (460 Woody Hayes Dr. Columbus, OH 43210) at The Ohio State University. Each year, thousands of students from all over Ohio complete independent research projects. These students present their research at the local and the District level, and the highest-rated projects go on to compete at State Science Day. This event is the high-point of student-based scientific-research, and in 2019 it will be entering its 71st year.

Our Sigma Xi chapter sponsors three special awards; 1) the Interdisciplinary Research Award, 2) the Science of Evolution Award and 3) the American Physiological Society Award. If you can assist with the judging projects at State Science Day please RSVP online (go.osu.edu/CwUX) by May 7. You will receive additional information on judging by email on May 9.
If you have any questions please contact Noah Weisleder (noah.weisleder@osumc.edu).

 

sigma xi ohio state university chapter state science day

Reminder: Suds n Science Tour of Orton Museum

Join us for the next Sigma Xi Suds and Science event to be held on Tuesday, April 30th at 5 pm at the Orton Geological Museum (155 Oval Dr S, Columbus, OH 43210) where we will explore rocks, minerals and fossils from Ohio and around the world!

The Orton Geological Museum was founded in 1893 by Edward Orton, Sr., a geologist and the first President of The Ohio State University. Originally the Museum contained about 10,000 specimens from Dr. Orton’s teaching collection. Today the Orton Geological Museum holds more than 54,000 numbered specimens and is visited by scholars from around the world. The displays and collections are an important part of many Ohio State University courses and the Museum is also open to the public (https://ortongeologicalmuseum.osu.edu/).

As a reminder, Suds n’ Science is a free, biannual Sigma Xi program in which a host scientific group presents their research, and/or guides a tour of their facilities for other science and research professionals within the Ohio State community. The tour group and host group then generally adjourn to a campus pub for further discussions. These events provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about key research groups on campus, and establish interdisciplinary collaborations. Following this session, the tour group will then adjourn to Ethyl & Tank (19 E 13th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201) for further discussion.

This event is free to attend but space is limited, so please RSVP by email to Bailey Dye (bailey.dye@nationwidechildrens.org) by April 26. Please contact her with any additional questions you might have.

The Annual Banquet and Research Symposium

The Annual Banquet and Research Symposium for our Ohio State chapter of Sigma Xi is THIS week! Our banquet will be on Thursday, April 18 from 5-9 pm in room 115 of the Biomedical Research Tower (460 W. 12th Ave). Our keynote speaker for this year will be Dr. Omowunmi (Wunmi) Sadik from the State University of New York. The cost for tickets will be $30 and student tickets will be available at a discount price of $10. Tickets can be purchased by credit card on Eventbrite (go.osu.edu/Cr55). Please contact Dr. Lynette Rogers (Lynette.Rogers@nationwidechildrens.org) for information or to purchase your ticket by check.

The research symposium will include a poster session that will be judged and poster prizes will be provided. If you are interested in presenting please register for a poster board by the end of the day on Friday, April 13 at go.osu.edu/Cukg. Boards are limited so apply now. More details on presenting your poster will be provided by email on April 13.

Please let me (noah.weisleder@osumc.edu) know if you have any questions.

Suds n’ Science: Orton Museum Tour

Join us for the next Sigma Xi Suds and Science event to be held on Tuesday, April 30th at 5 pm at the Orton Geological Museum (155 Oval Dr S, Columbus, OH 43210) where we will explore rocks, minerals and fossils from Ohio and around the world! The Orton Geological Museum was founded in 1893 by Edward Orton, Sr., a geologist and the first President of The Ohio State University. Originally the Museum contained about 10,000 specimens from Dr. Orton’s teaching collection. Today the Orton Geological Museum holds more than 54,000 numbered specimens and is visited by scholars from around the world. The displays and collections are an important part of many Ohio State University courses and the Museum is also open to the public (https://ortongeologicalmuseum.osu.edu/).

 

As a reminder, Suds n’ Science is a free, biannual Sigma Xi program in which a host scientific group presents their research, and/or guides a tour of their facilities for other science and research professionals within the Ohio State community. The tour group and host group then generally adjourn to a campus pub for further discussions. These events provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about key research groups on campus and establish interdisciplinary collaborations.

Following this session, the tour group will then adjourn to a location TBA for further discussion.

This event is free to attend but space is limited, so please RSVP by email to Bailey Dye (bailey.dye@nationwidechildrens.org) by April 23rd. Please contact her with any additional questions you might have.

Two Great Sigma Xi Events!

There will be two great events from our Ohio State Sigma Xi chapter on Wednesday. April 3:

First, at 5:30pm on April 3 we will have a general members meeting in room 352 of the Research Commons on the third floor of the 18th Avenue Library (175 W 18th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210). Please plan on attending to talk the chapter leadership about goals for the chapter, learn about our activities and see about ways you can be more involved in the chapter. There will be cookies provided!

Second, at 6:30 pm (after the general meeting) one of our own Sigma Xi members will present the Science Café lecture in the Research Commons. Professor McKee got his BA degree from Miami University and his MA and PhD from Washington University (St. Louis). He then spent a decade teaching at the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School (Johannesburg,South Africa) and leading excavations at the early hominin fossil sites of Taung and Makapansgat. He returned to Ohio State’s Department of Anthropology in 1996, conducting research on paleoecology, modeling of evolutionary processes, and contemporary biodiversity and demography. Dr. McKee will present on “Surviving South African Apartheid”. His presentation is an anthropological look at apartheid, told through personal experience.

Please plan on attending these two great events!