Tuesday, December 1, 2009
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CES News
- Senior thesis presentations, December 2 (Wednesday)
- CES fall seminar series, December 3 (Thursday)
On Campus
- Department of Geological Sciences Fall Colloquium Series, December 3 (Thursday)
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Brown Bag Lunch Series, December 4 (Friday)
- “Terra Mobilis: Fire & Ice” colloquium, December 4-6
- GIS Institute in January
Off Campus
- Charles and Marie Fish Lecture In Oceanography
Internships & Opportunities
- Reminder: Deadline approaching for EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships
- Common Tides Volunteer Trips
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CES News_________________________
Thesis presentations for graduating seniors:
Brendyn Brooks-Stocking
Megan Whelan
Amanda Zarrilli and Helen Mou
Dec. 2 at noon, UEL
Pizza will be served for $1.00/slice
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CES Noon Seminar
“Climate Change and Culture: the Missing Link
Why we won't really understand climate change until we see it through the eyes of artists and visionaries”
Peter Gingold
Co-Director of Tipping Point (www.tippingpoint.org.uk)
Peter has a very widespread background in business, the arts and charity work. For the past 5 years he has been trying to understand why artists are not more involved in the subject of climate change, and working to increase their engagement with the subject. This has been through the creation of TippingPoint, of which he is now Co-Director; this organization commissions new work, and holds a range of events world-wide which bring together artists, climate scientists and others. These events help those who attend to realize that we won't make real progress on the subject unless we achieve at least two unusual things: new, creative insights on the artistic and cultural dimensions of the subject; and reminding ourselves that the disciplinary silos in which almost all of us now work are a very recent invention, whose sterility is a hindrance to developing the worldview we need to survive and prosper.
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at Noon
UEL Room 106
On Campus_____________________
Department of Geological Sciences Fall Colloquium Series
Title TBA
Daniel Lizarralde, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Thursday, December 3, 4pm
115 MacMillan Hall
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Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Brown Bag Lunch Series
Friday, December 4, 12pm
Graduate Student, Brainerd Lab, Playing with your food: Prey-processing mechanics in teleost fish
Eddy Auditorium, Biomed Center 291
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‘Terra Mobilis: Fire & Ice’ colloquium
December 4-6
Joukowsky Institute, 108 Rhode Island Hall
Keynote speaker: Professor Emerita Julie Cruikshank, University of British Columbia
Do Glaciers Listen? Melting Glaciers and Emerging Histories in America's Far Northwest
Friday, December 4, 5:30pm
Paper presentations and discussions
Saturday, December 5, 8:30am-4pm on
Roundtable discussion
Sunday, December 6, 9-11am
For more information visit: http://proteus.brown.edu/terramobilis/Home.
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GIS Institute in January
Some openings remain in the GIS Institute that will be conducted January
11-22, 2010. At this point, applicants would need
to contact Seth Spielman directly: seth_spielman@brown.edu.
GIS is a set of tools for mapping and spatial analysis that is useful in
many modes of research from econometrics to ethnography. The institute will provide intensive 2 week training in tools for analysis and visualization of spatial relationships. Topics range from cartography to spatial statistics. With guidance from faculty and
staff, participants will learn to apply GIS to a problem of their choosing. The Institute is a free cooperative activity of S4, the University
Libraries, Earthlab, and PSTC. Graduate students, post-docs, faculty, and staff are eligible to enroll.
We particularly encourage participation by doctoral students who may
have a use for these skills in their research. Additional details are
available on our webpage
(http://www.s4.brown.edu/S4/Activities_Institute.htm).
Off Campus_____________________
Charles and Marie Fish Lecture In Oceanography
"The Search for the Last Virgin Coral Reefs" by Dr. Enric Sala, National Geographic Fellow
Friday, December 4, Noon
Coastal Institute Auditorium
URI Narragansett Bay Campus
Dr. Sala's public lecture will focus on his National Geographic’s Pristine Seas expeditions. Sala believes what we think are natural coral reefs are not, because most scientific studies have been conducted on degraded reefs. A series of recent expeditions to a few remote, pristine reefs in the central Pacific have revealed a world that was unknown to most people, including reefs where predators are more abundant than their prey. His research has provided clues to what is truly natural in the ocean, offering important implications for their future.
The lecture is free and open to the public. Seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
BOOK SIGNING EVENT (before & after the guest lecture)
World Ocean Census: A Global Survey of Marine Life
This beautifully illustrated 256-page book tells the amazing inside story of the Census of Marine Life. Published by Firefly Books and written by Census Education & Outreach Team members Darlene Crist, Gail Scowcroft, and James Harding, with a foreword written by Sylvia Earle, the book highlights the stories behind the Census through lively text and over 250 images, the majority graciously provided by Census scientists. The book sets the stage for the release of the first Census of Marine Life in 2010.
Friday, December 4,11 am-Noon and 1-2 pm
Books may be purchased at the Coastal Institute Bookstore prior to and following the Fish Lecture.
For more information, contact 401-874-6211 or omp@gso.uri.edu.
Internships & Opportunities_______
Reminder: Deadline approaching for EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships
2010 Academic Year EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships for
Undergraduate Environmental Study
http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2010/2010_gro_undergrad.html
Open Date: 09/15/2009 - Close Date: 12/10/2009
Summary: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Center for
Environmental Research (NCER), invites applications for the Greater Research
Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships for undergraduate environmentally related
study for bachelor’s level students. The deadline for receipt of applications
is December 10, 2009. Subject to availability of funding, the Agency plans to
award approximately 30 new fellowships by July 30, 2010. The fellowship
provides up to $19,250 per year of academic support and $8,000 for internship
support for a combined total of up to $46,500 over the life of the fellowship.
The GRO program enhances and supports quality environmental education for
undergraduates, and thereby encourages them to continue their education beyond
the baccalaureate level, and pursue careers in environmentally related fields.
The actual amount awarded per year will vary depending on the amount of
tuition and fees and the number of months the stipend is required. This
fellowship is intended to help defray costs associated with environmentally
oriented study leading to a bachelor’s degree.
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Common Tides Volunteer Trips
Period: Trips run for 4-9 weeks throughout the year. Expedition length includes training sessions and wrap up.
Background:
Common Tides is a non-profit organization whose mission it is to offer free marine science education along with sail training to children from developing countries. This in turn will provide the local children an opportunity to take steps towards protecting their aquatic environments, developing environmentally friendly eco-tourism, and increase their future job opportunities. Currently, a vast majority of local kids of Central American and Caribbean countries do not have the opportunity to learn about the ocean or to be taught about how their actions affect their ocean habitats, despite this environment being an essential part of the community. Without these opportunities, these children will likely grow up without a strong background or appreciation for their marine environment, which will keep them from being able to sustainably benefit from or help protect the ocean they depend on. To accomplish our mission, we have developed a volunteer-based marine science and sailing program for local students ranging in grades from K-12. The program will bring these students out onto the ocean via boats to their local marine habitats while volunteers help offer interactive classes about marine animals, basic sailing skills, and present ways that the children can help preserve the oceanic habitats, including the third largest barrier reef in the world.
Internship Description:
Trips will range in length from 4-9 weeks during which volunteers will get certified in lifeguarding, first aid, and CPR. All volunteers will be taught the marine science and sailing curriculum used by Common Tides. Once comfortable, volunteers will instruct and lead student snorkel groups, teach basic sailing skills and hands-on marine science classes. No experience in marine biology or sailing is necessary, just a strong willingness to learn and an excitement for teaching local students. This position will provide excellent career development opportunities to acquire or enhance your teaching ability and marine science background along with allowing you to learn or build on sailing skills as we sail around the beautiful Caribbean waters. The most important aspect about your volunteer program is that you will be an integral part in teaching and providing a marine science program to local students that do not have this opportunity.
Living Description:
During the 4-9 week trip you will be living and learning on a sail boat. Living aboard this floating classroom will allow you a unique and amazing chance to experience the Caribbean and the Islands in a completely different light. During the day, volunteers work directly with local kids providing first hand insight into their way of life. Throughout the trip you will be able to enjoy the Caribbean Sea including the coral reef and all its fishes, sea turtles, dolphins, and even whale sharks. Along with snorkeling with the students and on free time, certified divers will also have the chance to SCUBA dive in the warm clear waters. Time will be given to explore the different islands that we visit and nights will generally be yours to enjoy.
Requirements:
l Must be 18 or over
l Must be willing to live on a boat in close quarters with other volunteers and staff
l Be in good physical condition to participate and instruct snorkeling and sailing classes
l Have a personal insurance policy (DAN Trip Insurance is a great option)
Payment: The cost for the trip will be determined by the length. A deposit will be required to secure a spot.
Contact: Please visit www.commontides.org or email commontides@gmail.com for more information.
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Please send questions, comments and stories to:
CES Newsletter Editor, Kelly Nichols
Thanks!