Volume V Issue 12
December 2009 |
|
 |
 |
 Ocean
Observatories Initiative
 The
Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) is a transformative
infrastructure project that will provide an expandable and adaptable
network for observing complex ocean processes such as climate
variability, ocean circulation, and ocean acidification across a range
of spatial scales at several coastal, open-ocean, and seafloor
locations. Continuous data flow from hundreds of sensors will be
integrated by a sophisticated computing network and will be openly
available to scientists, policy makers, students, and the public. The
OOI is expected to transform ocean science research and education by
providing unprecedented power and bandwidth for an interactive
connection to the ocean through diverse sets of sensors, and near
real-time access to data.
As OOI construction begins, a series of science community workshops will
introduce ocean scientists and educators to the full scope of the OOI
construction design, its core capabilities, the completion schedule,
timing of data stream availability and data access, procedures for
adding sensors and conducting experiments, and use of the OOI as a
framework for advancing ocean research and education.
 Find
out about careers in science
and engineering...
Researching
Algae-based Fuels
 Can
algae someday make the fuel that fills the tanks of our cars and trucks?
It's a question that could make a difference to our energy future and
our environment. Scientists already know that certain algae produce oils
that can be converted into diesel and other fuels. What we don't know is
whether we can make affordable, large-scale quantities of algae fuel.
That's why ExxonMobil has teamed up with Synthetic Genomics Inc., in a
long-term project to research and develop next-generation biofuels from
photosynthetic algae. The goal is to produce a commercially scalable,
renewable fuel that is compatible with today's gasoline and diesel. Why
algae? Biofuels made from algae could be transported and used like
today's conventional fuels, therefore avoiding the expense of creating a
new infrastructure. Algae-based biofuels also have potential
environmental advantages. Algae absorb carbon dioxide -- the main
greenhouse gas -- and convert it to useful products, like oils and
oxygen. As a result, algae fuels could reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Also, while today's biofuels made from plants like corn and sugar cane
are an expanding energy source, they impact global food supplies by
requiring fertile land and fresh water. Algae production has no such
requirement and could yield more than three times more biofuel per acre
compared to other biofuel sources.
Find
out more about 180 career paths
in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and
healthcare...
Undergrad
Research Experience and Mentoring
 Semiconductor
Research Corporation and Intel Foundation are partnering on an
innovative program that provides science and engineering undergraduates
with valuable, hands-on research experience and mentoring. The
Undergraduate
Research Opportunities (URO) program, designed to stimulate and
assist the next generation of technology leaders, supports hundreds of
students each year at 14 university campuses nationwide. The SRC and
Intel Foundation are seeking additional partners to expand the program
over the coming year. The URO program supports qualified undergraduates
interested in physical science and engineering disciplines in advanced
research projects, workshops and other resources that encourage and
enable them to continue their education beyond a four-year degree. The
program has awarded research fellowships to more than 1,000 students.
More than 95 percent of participants stayed in science or engineering,
nearly 60 percent of graduates from the program continued to graduate
school in science or engineering and 62 percent of program participants
were women and/or under-represented minorities.
Find
out more about student support
programs and coops/internships...
Degree
Profile: Computer Science
 The
rapid and widespread use of computers and information technology has
generated a need for highly trained workers proficient in various job
functions. These computer specialists include computer scientists,
database administrators, and network systems and data communication
analysts. Job tasks and occupational titles used to describe these
workers evolve rapidly and continually, reflecting new areas of
specialization or changes in technology, as well as the preferences and
practices of employers. Computer scientists work as theorists,
researchers, or inventors. Their jobs are distinguished by the higher
level of theoretical expertise and innovation they apply to complex
problems and the creation or application of new technology. The areas of
computer science research range from complex theory to hardware design
to programming-language design. Some researchers work on
multidisciplinary projects, such as developing and advancing uses of
virtual reality, extending human-computer interaction, or designing
robots. They may work on design teams with electrical engineers and
other specialists.
Computer scientists and
database administrators hold about 542,000 jobs in the U.S. Median
annual earnings of computer and information scientists were $93,950 in
the most recent data. And, according to a recent salary survey, computer
science graduates were offered an average salary offer of $61,407. Entry
level positions in the field typically require a four year
bachelor-of-science degree. According to the U.S. Department of Labor
Statistics, computer scientists and database administrators are
projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the next
decade.
Find
out more about a career in
computer science...
Report
Calls for 'New Biology' Initiative
 According
to a recent report from the National Research Council, the emergence of
"New Biology" -- where scientists and engineers from many disciplines
collaborate on ways to take advantage of dramatic recent advances in
biology, such as the ability to sequence entire genomes -- offers an
opportunity to solve some of society's most pressing problems. The
report, A New
Biology for the 21st Century: Ensuring the United States Leads the
Coming Biology Revolution, recommends a National New Biology
Initiative to accelerate such research and apply it to our greatest
challenges. The committee used the term "new biology" to describe an
approach to research where physicists, chemists, computer scientists,
engineers, mathematicians, and other scientists are integrated into the
field of biology to create the type of research community that can
tackle society's big problems. "'The new biologist' is not a scientist
who knows a little bit about all disciplines, but a scientist with deep
knowledge in one discipline and a 'working fluency' in several," the
report says.
The report describes four
broad challenges where the new initiative could accelerate the emergence
of an integrated approach to biology and bear its "first fruits." For
starters, it could meet food security challenges by developing the
capacity to quickly adapt plants to any growing conditions. The
initiative also could be used to address environmental issues by making
it possible to monitor ecosystems and diagnose and repair ecosystem
damage. On the energy front, the new biology initiative could speed the
development of alternatives to fossil fuels by optimizing systems for
turning plant cellulose into biofuel. A fourth goal should be to advance
so-called personalized medicine by making it possible to monitor and
treat a person's health in a manner that is tailored to that individual,
the goal being to provide individually predictive surveillance and care.
The report says that by targeting society's major challenges, the
initiative would provide an opportunity to attract students who want to
solve real-world problems to scientific fields. The initiative will need
to devote resources to interdisciplinary education to support the
training of new biologists, the report adds.
Find
out about careers in science
and engineering...
Encouraging K-12 Engineering Ed Expansion
 The
introduction of K-12 engineering education has the potential to improve
student learning and achievement in science and mathematics, increase
awareness about what engineers do and of engineering as a potential
career, and boost students' technological literacy, according to a
recent report from the National Academy of Engineering and the National
Research Council. The report examines the status and nature of efforts
to teach engineering in U.S. schools. "The problem solving, systems
thinking, and teamwork aspects of engineering can benefit all students,
whether or not they ever pursue an engineering career," said Linda
Katehi, chancellor of the University of California, Davis, and chair of
the committee that wrote the report. "A K-12 education that does not
include at least some exposure to engineering is a lost opportunity for
students and for the nation."
 Engineering
education at the K-12 level should emphasize engineering design and a
creative problem-solving process, the committee said. It should include
relevant concepts in mathematics, science, and technology, as well as
support the development of skills many believe essential for the 21st
century, including systems thinking, collaboration, and communication.
While science, technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction is
collectively referred to as "STEM education," the report finds that the
engineering component is often absent in policy discussions and in the
classroom. In fact, engineering might be called the missing letter in
STEM, the report says.
The
Sloan Career Cornerstone Center offers many
resources for
precollege students wishing to explore STEM degrees and careers.
These can be used by students, teachers, counselors, or home school
facilitators.
Students
Design Car for the Blind
 A
student team in the Virginia Tech College of Engineering is providing
the blind with an opportunity many never thought possible: the
opportunity to drive. A retrofitted four-wheel dirt buggy developed by
the Blind Driver Challenge team from Virginia Tech uses laser range
finders, an instant voice command interface and a host of other
innovative, cutting-edge technology to guide blind drivers as they
steer, brake, and accelerate.
Although in the early testing stage, the
National Federation of the Blind -- which spurred the project --
considers the vehicle a major breakthrough for independent living of the
visually impaired. Sitting inside the vehicle, a blind driver can turn
the steering wheel, stop and accelerate by following data from a
computing unit that uses sensory information from the laser range finder
serving as the 'eyes' of the driver, in addition to a combination of
voice commands and a vibrating vest as guides.
Find
out about career paths in engineering
and healthcare...
Career Cornerstone News is a publication of the
Sloan Career Cornerstone Center. Click here
to subscribe.
The Sloan Career Cornerstone Center has a
limited number
of endowment and sponsorship opportunities for organizations,
foundations, or corporations who wish to support those
considering career paths in science, technology, engineering,
mathematics, or healthcare.
Find out more...
This newsletter may be reproduced in other
non-profit publications with credit and links to
the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.
It may also be forwarded to internal
education or non-profit email lists.
|
|
