University of Alabama students tutor Hillcrest students in rocket contest
Tuscaloosa News – March 24
Instead of footballs, sixth-grade Hillcrest Middle School students on Tuesday launched water rockets up to 40 yards across the football field. Counting down from 10, students watched as team Bazinga sent its rocket flying, a blur of black-and-red duct tape, into the air on wings made of cardboard. Team member Caleb Robbins, 11, said the air-pressurized launch pad pumps air into the rocket, which is made of two 2-liter bottles. He said the air compresses inside the chamber of the rocket, propelling it forward with the water inside spewing from the nozzle. The students are now studying space and space exploration in their science class. As part of their STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) project, the students worked with two University of Alabama groups — members of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space and a design team of aerospace engineering students called Project Firefly that focuses on rocketry — to create water rockets and learn about science during the rocket launching contest Tuesday.
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – March 24
Tuscaloosa News (Gallery) – March 24
UA guest lecturer to speak on ‘What We’re Still Learning about Race, Gender, and the Civil War’
Al.com – March 24
The little known story of a slave girl turned Union spy during the Civil War is set to be the fulcrum of an upcoming lecture at the University of Alabama. Lois Leveen, an academic and novelist, will give a lecture titled “Fighting Memory: What We’re Still Learning about Race, Gender, and the Civil War” Wednesday, March 25 at 6 p.m. in the Gorgas Library. Leveen is the author of the novel “The Secrets of Mary Bowser,” based on true events. “History is often passed on to the public as much through novels and movies as through historical texts,” Lynne Adrian, chair of the UA American Studies department, said in a release. “What better way to discuss questions of race, gender and the war than through the fascinating story of an African-American woman spy in the heart of the confederacy? I know (Leveen) will bring a new level of interest for students to what seem to be ‘old’ questions.”
Startup Weekend back in town
Crimson White – March 24
Entrepreneurs will have the chance to collaborate on business ideas this weekend with the return of Startup
Weekend Tuscaloosa. The 54-hour event, hosted by Pam Hill and the STEM Path to the MBA program, aims to bring together university students and community experts to share ideas and contribute to a more sustainable world. Entrepreneurs with ideas for companies are encouraged to participate in this three-day event beginning March 27. According to the event’s website, day one involves pitching ideas, voting for favorites and forming or joining teams. Day two involves building a product, team and brand. Day three involves presenting work to a team of judges. “They come in with just an idea,” Hill said. “You’re not supposed to already have a company. On Friday we’ll have a speaker that’s an inspirational type of speaker. Each student will do a one-minute pitch about their idea. We’ll vote, and the top ones will go forward. People build teams, and with those teams work on and build the idea.” Judges include people who have started their own company. “They present to a group of judges,” Hill said. “Prizes are related to their business moving forward.”
Trouble sleeping? Poke your feet out of the covers
Southland Times (New Zealand) – March 24
As far as sleep aids go, they don’t come much simpler. But keeping your feet outside the covers may be one of the best ways to induce a night of quality shut-eye. The trick’s premise is that our body temperature decreases when we go to sleep. By the time you reach the deepest stage of the night’s sleep, your core body temperature is one or two degrees below normal. Maintaining airflow over your feet (or hands) assists the thermoregulation process – at least in the summer months, when your room is warmer … According to New York magazine, the feet-out-of-the-covers trick has never been the subject of scientific investigation. But Natalie Dautovich, of the University of Alabama, said the principle makes sense. “Sticking your toe out or your foot out could bring you to a more restorative sleep,” she told the magazine.
Not your Typical College Day: Transform this Camaro
The Educated Mom (Blog) – March 19
Kaylie Crosby is the project manager overseeing a team of 134. Using the special technology of the auto industry, VDP (Vehicle Development Process) she and her team of engineers are working on making a Chevrolet Camaro more fuel-efficient while “retaining the vehicle’s performance, safety, and consumer appeal.” Kaylie’s a fourth year student at the University of Alabama. Yes, she’s still in college. While some of the work on this multimillion-dollar project is integrated into course work, the large majority of it is in addition to her studies in the University of Alabama’s 5-year STEM path to the MBA program. I spoke with her on the phone a few days ago to learn more about what this mechanical engineer and her classmates are doing with their EcoCar 3 vehicle, the latest incarnation of the Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition, or, in the world of abbreviations, AVTC’s. The AVTC’s have been around for more than 25 years and has involved 16,500 students across North America. This latest four-year competition is focused on fuel-efficiency, hence this round’s title: EcoCar 3.
Hunt for Easter eggs Sunday on University of Alabama campus
Tuscaloosa News – March 24
A free Easter egg hunt will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday on the front lawn of the President’s Mansion on the University of Alabama campus. The egg hunt, hosted by the Alabama Panhellenic Association, is for children 12 years old and younger. “We organize this annually in order to build relationships with the families in the Tuscaloosa community,” Lindsay Rieland, director of community development and outreach, said in a news release. Refreshments from Bama Dining will be available, there will be candy-filled eggs, a face-painting station and the Easter Bunny will be there for photographs with the kids. Parking will be available behind sorority. No parking will be allowed in the lot behind the President’s Mansion. The hunt will last until 4 p.m. or until the last egg is found.
Alabama Symphony and Tuscaloosa Symphony young orchestras performed Sunday
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – March 24
The Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Tuscaloosa Symphony Youth Orchestra took the stage together Sunday at Moody Music Hall on the University of Alabama campus. The groups give young musicians opportunities to learn through rehearsals and concerts. Director Blake Richardson discussed the goal of Sunday’s concert: “They don’t know each other. One is from Tuscaloosa, and one is from Birmingham. This was a way to bring two groups of people together — together through music.” The Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra is now accepting applications for the fall. For more information, visit its website at AlabamaSymphony.org.
Pups with a Purpose: Guide dogs provide help, stability to many students
Crimson White – March 25
On a sunny afternoon, many University of Alabama students will bring their pets to the Quad for some fun and a little exercise. Most of these relationships are purely for companionship, but some of these animals provide an important service to their handlers. Tara King graduated from The University of Alabama in 2013 with a master’s degree in social work. While she was here, she had her service dog Libra by her side. Libra came from Guide Dogs for the Blind, a charitable organization based in San Rafael, California. King said she wanted to go through an organization rather than a private trainer … Judy Thorpe, the director of the Office of Disability Services, said the University doesn’t have very many restrictions on the use of service dogs on campus. The Americans with Disabilities Act has clear regulations on where the animals must be allowed and where they can be restricted. “Generally speaking, the University allows service animals assisting individuals with disabilities in all facilities and programs on campus that are open to the public or to students with a few exceptions,” she said. “Service animals may be excluded in areas where the presence of the animal fundamentally alters the nature of a program or activity or presents a safety hazard.”
Latitudes and Longitudes showcases local artists
Crimson White – March 25
This week is the last chance to see Latitudes and Longitudes, the Tuscaloosa and University Painters’ exhibition being featured at the University of Alabama gallery in the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center located downtown.Oil paintings, acrylic paintings and watercolors from 15 artists have been on display in the gallery throughout the month of March. Most of the artists are University of Alabama alumni who started painting after reaching retirement.
Chinese study abroad program provides language, culture
Crimson White – March 25
The UA study abroad language and culture program in China is one of many international programs the University offers through its study abroad program. Xiang Zhang, the director of the program, leads a select group of students on a five-week trip that includes visits to Beijing and Shanghai. Students study at Xiamen University, located in the coastal city of Xiamen. A typical week includes roughly 25 hours of Chinese language study. In addition, students embark on cultural journeys such as trips to the Great Wall and the Forbidden City in Beijing. When asked about the biggest difficulty students face when traveling to China, Zhang said it is that many students have not embarked on such a foreign journey. She said traveling to China is truly an experience that most UA students are not accustomed to and it can often induce culture shock. Ultimately, she said, these new experiences can be beneficial. “After five weeks, they have more confidence in their eyes,” she said.