Business or Engineering Students: QUEST Program Applications are Open

 Attention all first-year students in the Clark School of Engineering, Smith School of Business, and/or CMNS! The QUEST Honors Program is a hands-on learning community for motivated students with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. Over the course of three years, QUEST students take classes focused on experiential learning projects. These projects solve complex problems for real-world clients and enable you to gain teamwork skills and new perspectives from students outside of your major.

Students graduating in Fall 2023 or later in the A. James Clark School of Engineering, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, or the Robert H. Smith School of Business are eligible to apply at apply.questumd.com. Applications are open between December 15th and February 1st! 

 

Be sure to follow us on Instagram (@questumd) to learn more about the program and stay updated on the application!

Fulbright Research/Study/English Teaching Grants - Early Access

 The Fulbright US Student Grant Program offers thousands of opportunities to do research, study, or teach English around the globe. 

Current juniors and seniors, and recent graduates, are eligible to apply for Fulbright grants this coming autumn 2021. (US Citizenship is required.)

Click here to get a head start in learning about Fulbright international research, study, and English teaching opportunities, to gain access to our ELMS resource site for Fulbright applicants, and to receive notice about our winter Fulbright info sessions.

You can visit the Fulbright US Student Grant Program website by clicking here.

UMD National Scholarships Office    fulbright@umd.edu

Alternative Breaks Applications are Open!

 Alternative Breaks (AB) applications are open for our Spring Alternative Breaks Dialogue Program! AB is a great opportunity for students in the Honors College to get involved in engaging discussion, education and reflection centered around global social issues and community service-learning.

Join us for the Spring 2021 Alternative Breaks Dialogue Program!

Program Details:

• The Alternative Breaks Dialogue Program looks to build a world in which UMD students are empowered learners in community together, taking action toward just causes.

• Through deliberative and reflective dialogues addressing global social issues, student participants will exchange and evaluate different ideas and approaches that challenge specific social, political and economic structures of our global community. 

• Direct service with a local community partner will demonstrate how students can turn their knowledge into action in safe, responsible, and sustainable ways.

• Interested students must be willing to commit 1.5 hours/week for 8 weeks between February 15th, 2021 - April 9th, 2021. 

• The experience is free.

Who should participate?:

• Any student that wants to explore community development, civic engagement, local issues, leadership, and service.

• Undergraduate and graduate students interested in exploring social issues that include environmental conservations, education, socioeconomic inequality, healthcare, and more. 

How will you benefit from participating?:

• Connect with a community of peers from across campus  and create new friendships. 

• Develop and practice personal and group leadership skills such as active listening, reflection, critical thinking, and communication. 

• Learn how to effectively engage in constructive dialogue

What should I expect?

• Active engagement in personal reflection, listening, small group dialogue, and small group activities.

• Thought-provoking questions and dialogue around social issues.

• Making connections between social issues and your academic, personal, professional, or civic life.

• Engaging in direct service alongside a local community partner. 

• Identifying at least one action step to take towards a social issue you are passionate about.

Application Information:

• Visit alternativebreaks.umd.edu to sign up starting Monday, December 7th, 2020.

• The deadline to apply is Sunday, January 31st, 2021. 

For more information or questions, visit Alternativebreaks.umd.edu or contact us at alternativebreaks@umd.edu

Terps In Space Microgravity Experiment Competition

 We are seeking freshmen, sophomores and juniors interested in research to participate in a microgravity experiment competition. No previous background in research is required.

Terps in Space gives science and engineering undergrads the opportunity to design and propose REAL experiments that compete for a spot on the International Space Station (ISS). Experiments spend 4-6 weeks in space then return to the students for analysis.

Find out more on our site.

If interested in participating, please complete this form.

Timeline:

Spring 2021 (virtual):

Teams of 2-4 students work with a mentor to design and propose an experiment. This involves literature research, experiment planning, and gathering preliminary data. In May, three finalist teams will be selected.

Note: Non-finalist teams will conclude their participation in the program having gained a semester of independent, student-driven research experience.

Summer 2021-Fall 2021:

The three semi-finalist teams will have time to further develop their proposals and, optionally, do preliminary experiments. In December, the winning team will be selected.

Spring 2022:

The winning team will conduct lab work to optimize their proposed experiment, and then load their experiment and ship it to be flown to the ISS.

Summer 2022-Fall 2022:

The winning team will receive their experiment from the ISS and conduct analysis and do report writeup. They may also attend the SSEP conference in Washington, D.C. and present results.

Terps in Space is part of the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program of the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education.

Two Technology Research Asst Positions

 Position 1: Website Development 

CECEI is seeking a Research Assistant who will primarily assist with developing a new website. The website will support a national expert working group focused on trauma. This is a great opportunity to build your project portfolio and gain applied web development experience. Tasks include: researching current web design best practices, reviewing similar websites, building the website in Drupal, user experience testing, and content management. The ideal candidate has strong web development experience.

Position Details

• 10 hours/week through each semester.

• In the spring and fall semester, RA is to enroll in an independent study for which their work will count for course credit.

• Priority will be given to applicants who are available/interested in working for 2 consecutive semesters.

• Graduate AND undergraduate students may be considered.

For best consideration, please send all materials by December 21st, 2020. Please contact us with any questions or for more information. To apply, please email a resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcript to Naomi Patton at CECEI@umd.edu, with the subject line “Project Technology RA 2021.”

Position 2: App & Web Development

CECEI is seeking a Research Assistant who will primarily assist with app and web development projects. The app is on iOS and Android and helps families connect with what their children are learning at school and offers activities and resources. Websites are hosted on Drupal and highlight the CECEI and its projects. This is a great opportunity to build your project porHolio and gain applied app and web development experience. App tasks include: researching and implementing improvements including user testing, reviewing similar apps and research on them, and troubleshooting/maintenance. Web tasks include: researching current web design best practices, building website(s) in Drupal, UX testing, and content management. The ideal candidate has strong SwiP and/or Android as well as web development experience.

Position Details

• 10 hours/week through the course of the academic year.

• In the spring and fall semesters, RAs are to enroll in an independent study for which their work will count for course credit.

• Priority will be given to applicants who are available/interested in working for 2 consecutive semesters.

• Graduate AND undergraduate students may be considered.

For best consideration, please send all materials by December 21st, 2020. Please contact us with any questions or for more information. To apply, please email a resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcript to Naomi Patton at CECEI@umd.edu, with the subject line “CECEI Technology RA 2021.”

About Us

The Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention (CECEI) is a joint initiative between the Department of Counseling, Higher Education and Special Education (CHSE) and the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology (HDQM). The mission of CECEI is to conduct high quality research on early childhood education and early intervention programs in order to inform State and Federal policy, to translate research into scalable education programs and best practices, to build capacity in schools and communities, and to promote family engagement in their children’s education.

The Diamondback's multimedia desk is hiring!

 The Diamondback, the university’s independent student newspaper, is hiring a multimedia reporter for the spring semester! This position is an excellent opportunity to gain reporting experience, publish videos and get involved with the publication. 

Multimedia reporters are expected to pitch story ideas, attend weekly staff meetings and produce straight news packages and/or longer-form feature videos over the course of the semester. You can check out some of our recent videos here. Multimedia reporters will also have the opportunity to work with The Diamondback’s news feature podcast, Offbeat. 

All interested applicants should send an email including a resume, why you’re interested in the job, two clips that showcase your video experience and one story idea for the spring. Please include whether or not you own camera equipment and if you will be on campus in the spring, though this is NOT required for the position.

Applications are due by Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 11:59 p.m. to multimedia editor Kimi Fleming. All applications and questions go to kimberlyfleming16@gmail.com.

Rangel Summer Enrichment Program for International Affairs

 Are you an undergraduate student planning a career in International Affairs? Do you receive need-based financial aid?

If so, you should learn about the Rangel Summer Enrichment Program for students with strong interests in pursuing careers in international affairs. The program provides undergraduate students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in international affairs, a greater understanding of career opportunities in international affairs, and the enhanced knowledge and skills to pursue such careers.

Duration: This program takes place at Howard University from June 14 to July 23, 2021. 

Award Amount: The program includes courses (with transferable credit), a full range of extracurricular activities and career-development support, travel, and room & board, and a $3,200 stipend.

Program Preferences: The Rangel program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service; the program has a strong focus on students who receive need-based financial aid (demonstrated by FAFSA).

Eligibility: Rangel is open to undergraduate students and requires U.S. citizenship. Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors are eligible. Rangel requires a GPA minimum of 3.2.

Deadline: February 9, 2021 

For more information and to learn how we can assist you with the application process, please contact us at scholarships@umd.edu.

Brain Exercise Initiative - Virtual Volunteer Opportunity (for Pre-med students)

Looking for a way to help your community during the pandemic? Interested in neuroscience and helping others?

The Brain Exercise Initiative is a student-run non-profit organization that uses math, reading, and writing as a form of cognitive development for the elderly. It is found that simple math exercises and reading for just 30 minutes a day can have a positive impact on memory for those with Alzheimer's. We currently have chapters at 50 universities including UCLA, Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, Notre Dame, Brown, and numerous others. We go to retirement homes for about 30-45 minutes a day and do simple math (addition, subtraction, etc), read aloud, and writing exercises with the seniors. 

 

We are currently looking for volunteers to be a part of our non-profit. As a volunteer, you would virtually meet with the seniors at retirement homes and hold these exercises with them. If you have an interest in neuroscience and Alzheimer’s and enjoy volunteering with elders, we encourage you to apply! We would love to have committed people on our team. Applications are due on Friday, December 18th. Apply here: ter.ps/bei2020

You can also visit our website at www.brainexerciseinitiative.com to find out more. If you have any questions please contact us at umd.bei@gmail.com. Thank you!

McNair Scholars - PhD Prep Program

 Thinking about Graduate School and Pursuing a Ph.D.?

 

The McNair Scholars Program Can Help You Get There!

 

The Academic Achievement Programs' Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is a graduate school preparation program designed to identify high academic achievers from traditionally underserved groups and to prepare its Scholars to matriculate into graduate programs & to earn doctoral or terminal degrees.

 

Benefits of Being a McNair Scholar:

-- Paid Summer Virtual & In-person Research Experience with Faculty

-- GRE & Graduate School Application Fee Waivers 

-- Graduate School Application Preparation Assistance

 

Online Information Sessions:

December 7         12:00 - 1:00 pm

December 10       12:00 - 1:00 pm

February 1           12:00 - 1:00 pm

February 4           12:00 - 1:00 pm 

Zoom Link

https://umd.zoom.us/j/92048380676?pwd=VlIyWDdyeCt6UzBMeWNOK0RBRjBUQT09

Application: 

Priority Deadline: December 31, 2020

General Deadline February 13, 2021 (rolling admission based on space availability thereafter)

Visit: http://ugst.umd.edu/AAP/mcnair-about.html

 

Contact:  

Rhea Roper Nedd, Ph.D.

(301) 405-4749 or  rnedd@umd.edu