NSF NEWS

Keep up with today’s research news from the U.S. National Science Foundation. This is a daily look at noteworthy scientific findings from researchers around the country.

• Experiments in space will deliver benefits on Earth (Science experiments that could advance treatments for heart disease and osteoporosis, develop early warning systems for dangerous mudflows, and lead to more efficient power plants and improved food and personal care products will be conducted aboard the International Space Station, or ISS, where the microgravity environment could offer new insights into solving challenges we face on Earth…)
• NSF-powered dashboards you should bookmark (Big Data is the new oil — researchers and businesses have said it for years. Though no longer new, data, like oil, requires refining, processing, and — so people can use it — an interface or dashboard. Data dashboards are visual means to communicate the key information provided by data in an easy-to-consume method the public can access. Dashboards are key tools across all scientific disciplines, and NSF supports dashboards created by other organizations across the U.S. Here are five you should bookmark to keep track of critical issues…)
• Researchers address environmental weathering of microplastics, pollutant uptake (Microplastics have become a new form of plastic pollution, reaching an alarming level worldwide. Commodity plastics are widely considered to be…)
• Democratizing science through advanced cyberinfrastructure (Enormous data sets are shaping nearly every field of science, and sophisticated sensors and high-speed processors are essential to collecting, analyzing and deriving knowledge from Big Data. That means access to many fields of science depends in large part on access to data and data tools. But access is not universal, often limited by a multitude of technical, cultural and geographic barriers…)
• Scientists use modified silk proteins to create new nonstick surfaces (Researchers at Tufts University have developed a method to make silk-based materials that refuse to stick to water, or almost anything else containing…)
• Gravitational forces deep in Earth impact landscape evolution (Research led by Stony Brook University scientists focuses on the interplay among the evolution of the landscape, climate and fossil record of mammal…)
• Butterfly wing patterns emerge from ancient 'junk' DNA (Butterfly wing patterns have a basic plan, which is manipulated by noncoding regulatory DNA to create the diversity of wings seen in different species…)

Foundational for any position and skill level on campus, MSU IT training courses cover primary collaboration tools like Zoom, Spartan 365, and specific Microsoft applications like Teams, OneNote, OneDrive, and Forms. These courses are offered at no cost to all MSU faculty, staff, and students in support of your success in teaching, learning, research, and outreach collaboration.

Visit SpartansLearn for details, course dates, and to register.

Whether you are on campus, fully remote, or a mix of modalities, MSU IT offers a variety of training options to suit your busy schedule. In-person training courses, virtual-led training courses, and on-demand course recordings are all available in addition to weekly office hours for those who have questions or need help.

Click here for the list of on-demand course recordings and here for the live courses available for the course topics below.

Spartan 365 Overview - As one of the premiere tools for collaboration in teaching, learning, and working at MSU, this course will give an overview of the main Microsoft 365 apps including Forms, OneDrive, OneNote, and Teams. On-demand course recording available now

Microsoft Forms - Forms can help you survey classmates, students, coworkers, or any group where feedback is needed. Learn how to create forms and surveys; format, branch, and collect data; and share with others. Next virtual-led class: Forms – Creating Forms and Surveys, 11/17, 1:30 p.m.

Microsoft OneDrive - OneDrive is a great place to store files in the cloud, share documents, and ensure document security. Discover strategies, optimize settings, learn how to manage the accessibility of files and folders, and more. Next virtual-led class: OneDrive – Working with OneDrive, 11/8, 10 a.m.

Microsoft OneNote - Explore this helpful tool to organize your information and content with notebooks, sections, and pages. Faculty and managers can also use the special notebook functionality of OneNote to organize important information for students or staff. Next virtual-led class: One Note – Special Notebooks, 11/9, 1:30 p.m.

Microsoft Teams - Teams is one of the best tools for effective communication and collaboration. Discover how to chat and have virtual meetings with individuals, groups, and entire teams. Intermediate users can also learn how additional integrations and settings can optimize your ability to collaborate with others. Next virtual-led class: Teams – Managing Teams and Settings, 11/10, 1:30 p.m. / Next in-person class: Teams – Getting Started, 12/21, 1:30 p.m.

Zoom - A great tool for scheduling and hosting virtual meetings. Learn how to access Zoom at MSU to explore its settings and setup a successful meeting or webinar. Next virtual-led class: Zoom – Meetings 11/16, 1:30 p.m. / Next in-person class: Zoom – Getting Started, 11/17, 10 a.m.

Attention: Faculty, Academic Staff, and Instructors, New or Experienced with Community-Engaged Learning

Community-engaged learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community partnerships with instruction and critical reflection to enrich the student learning experience, teach civic and social responsibility, and strengthen communities. Implementation strategies range from direct service to advocacy to research to philanthropy, and more! Through presentation and discussion, attendees will learn how to get started or enhance what they are already doing and connect to a network of peers and resource supports. If you are interested and not able to attend or would like one-on-one consulting, please email the Center for Community Engaged Learning's academic programs team to discuss ideas, plans, and or partnership support at Michelle Snitgen, msnitgen@msu.edu or Stephanie Brewer, sbrewer@msu.edu.

Participants can register for one workshop or all sessions.

Community Conversations: The Elements of Community Partnerships

November 18, 2022 | 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Location: Zoom

This session will discuss elements of strong partnerships to effectively co-create community-engaged learning opportunities for students. Hear examples of successful faculty/community partnerships, discuss considerations for initiating and sustaining partnerships, and explore resources to assist you in partnership development or enhancement.

The Community-Engaged Learning Student Experience

December 7, 2022 | 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Location: Zoom

This session will help practitioners think through the community-engaged learning experience from the student perspective. What are the benefits and challenges for our students, and what is our responsibility as practitioners to ensure students are prepared? How can we really work toward a transformative learning experience?