February 25, 2016
Nominate a graduate student for national science and engineering workshop
K-State has again been selected to participate in the Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering workshop.
Through funds supplied by the Graduate School, Office of Research and Sponsored programs and the Government Relations Office, two students will be sponsored to attend the workshop April 17-20. The workshop will be held at AAAS Headquarters at 1200 New York Avenue, NW, in Washington, D.C.
• K-State may select two graduate students in STEM-related fields to attend the workshop.
• Each college may nominate two students.
• The nomination packet is to include: 1) a short — approximately 100 word — paragraph from the student's graduate program director or department head on why they are nominating the student; and 2) a short — approximately 100 word — paragraph from the student addressing why he or she would like to attend the workshop, what they expect to gain from the experience, and how it would fit into their career plans, as well as a short curriculum vitae.
• Each college liaison to the Graduate School must submit nominations to Kate Taylor at kat0807@k-state.edu by 5 p.m. March 4.
About the program: A coalition of scientific and engineering societies, universities and academic organizations have created an exciting opportunity for upper-class undergraduate and graduate students in science, mathematics, and engineering disciplines to learn about science policy and advocacy.
Elected students will participate in a three-and-a-half day program in Washington, D.C. During the workshop portion, participants will learn about the structure and organization of congress, the federal budget and appropriations processes, and tools for effective science communication and civic engagement. In addition, students will participate in interactive seminars about policymaking and communication. By the end of the workshop students will have an opportunity to learn about ways to remain engaged through on campus activities.
The day after the workshop, students will form teams and conduct meetings with their elected Members of Congress and congressional staff members, putting into practice what they have learned.
This entry level program is organized to educate students who are interested in learning about the role of science in policymaking, to introduce them to the federal policymaking process and to empower them with ways to become a voice for basic research throughout their careers. Space is limited to two students per institution.