Students can win $35,000 in Army UAV competition
The FirePoint Innovations Center at Wichita State University is hosting its first-ever FirePoint C3 Challenge, inviting university students from around the U.S. to submit their best designs for the Army's future unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) intended for next-generation combat and defense.
To enter, teams must first register and submit an Intent to Compete by Oct. 18. The entire program runs through February 2021, when the final reports and demonstration of the completed UAV will be presented to the U.S. Department of Defense, along with other industry experts in aerospace, aviation and manufacturing.
The C3 Challenge brings together teams of the best and brightest student designers, engineers and innovators, along with the U.S. Army and industry partners, to converge, collaborate and create advanced technologies to fuel the Army Futures Command's product and workforce development initiatives.
Read complete story on Army UAV competition.
Fire sprinkler testing to be conducted this week
Starting today (Monday, Sept. 16) through Friday, Sept. 20, WSU Fire & Safety will conduct quarterly fire sprinkler flow tests in campus buildings from 6-8 a.m. Campus Housing tests will be conducted after 10 a.m.
The fire alarm in the building may sound multiple times for a few seconds. There is no need to evacuate during these short alarms, however, if the alarm sound continuously for longer than 20 seconds, then evacuate the building. With the exception of campus housing, any alarm after 8 a.m. is an actual fire alarm, and evacuation procedures must be followed.
Free webinar opportunity
NSF’s new Project Pitch requirement gives quick feedback on whether your project meets the agency’s program objectives of supporting innovative technologies that show promise of commercial and/or societal impact and involve a level of technical risk. All of this has to be accomplished in three pages that determine if your proposal can move forward.
Attend this webinar at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, and learn from national experts, BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting, how Project Pitch works and how to address your project’s Technical Innovation, Technical Objective and Challenges, Market Opportunity and Company and Team in a succinct, compelling pitch.
This event does not cost, but registration is required. Registration here for the Project Pitch Webinar. Once you register, a registration link will be sent to your email.
Learn how to prepare a competitive NSF Graduate Research Fellowship application
The National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP) is one of the most prestigious programs to recognize and support outstanding graduate students. The NSF-GRFP is open to first- and second-year domestic graduate students and undergraduate seniors in a STEP discipline who are or will be pursuing a research-based master's or doctoral degree.
Awardees receive a lucrative annual stipend and education allowance for three years to support training.
If you fit this description, join the Graduate School and Dennis Livesay, dean of the College of Engineering, from 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, in 313 RSC, to learn how to prepare a competitive application!
Professional Development and Research Events
Join SAC for Adulting 101!
Adventuring into adulthood without a clue? Join Student Activities Council to receive resources for effective budgeting, learn basic recipes, show you how to tie a tie, and teach you some laundry basics from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. today (Monday, Sept. 16) on the RSC first floor. Visit all of the stations and you can be entered into a raffle for prizes that will help with all of your grown up responsibilities! For more inform
Study Abroad Fair tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 17)
Are you interested in studying abroad? Do you want to learn more about study abroad
programs offered by Wichita State University?
Come to our Study Abroad Fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, on the first
floor, RSC, to visit more than 20 different informational tables and hear about student
experiences. Each student who attends our fair will receive a small prize and be entered
to win a $500 study abroad scholarship.
Questions? Contact Ann Burger at ann.burger@wichita.edu or call 978-5374.
Study Abroad Fair Sept. 17, 2019
WSU Symphony Concert features faculty soloist
Faculty artist Rachelle Goter will appear as soloist with the WSU Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 17) in Miller Concert Hall. The concert, featuring music by Beethoven, Holst, and Oscar Navarro, will be conducted by Mark Laycock.
Tickets ($12 for general admission with discounts available) may be purchased through the Fine Arts Box Office at 978-3233 or online at http://www.wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice. Admission is free for students with a WSU ID.
Perfecting an elevator pitch - Making your message clear
You have 20 seconds to get me engaged, curious, excited about -- insert your company -- your product, your skills, the job you’re looking for…. Go! Can you deliver your Elevator Pitch?
From 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, in 264 Experiential Engineering Building, we will work together to craft, improve and deliver your pitch, in a friendly, supportive environment. Marc Colcord, founder of Speak Easy ICT, will be the special speaker for this event. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m., or you can register online at gocreate.com/classes. This event is free for all who attend.
Learn about patent basics at tomorrow's workshop
Join University Libraries tomorrow for our Entrepreneurship Research Series!
The workshop, Intellectual Property Basics, will be from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, in 217 Ablah Library. This workshop will introduce new inventors to types of patents and applications, patent eligibility, parts of a patent, how to find free legal assistance, patent searching, and more.
For more information, call Sara Butts at 978-5017, or click here.
Grab lunch this week at the Food Truck Plaza!
Check out this week's food truck line up! Follow us on Facebook (@WichitaStateFoodTrucks) or Twitter (@wsufoodtrucks) for any updates to the schedule.
Join Silent Reading Club Tuesdays during September!
Join us for a reading invasion! Bring a book or find one in the Reading Room. Join the new Silent Book Club from 4-5 p.m. Tuesdays in September, in the Reading Room, Ablah Library. #WSUSilentBookClub
Psssst. Can I see your notes?
How would you answer that question? Do your notes even make sense? Are they organized and in an appropriate format from which to study? If the pages of your textbook are covered with highlighter because you aren’t sure what information is important (so you highlighted it all), or if you need tips on how to organize your notes or prep for an exam, we can help!
Visit www.wichita.edu/studyskills to get some quick tips online, or go to the new Shocker Learning Center in 107 Lindquist Hall, for help in person.
Shocker Innovation Corps now accepting applications
Wichita State University is a National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps site. The Shocker Innovation Corps nurtures and supports Wichita State entrepreneurial teams interested in accelerating their STEM ideas, research and product commercialization. Ideas / projects can originate from student or faculty work, research, and institutional / industrial projects. The application deadline for the fall 2019 cohort is Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Constitution Day event tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 17)
The Department of Political Science in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is planning a Constitution Day 2019 event from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, in 208 Hubbard Hall. Admission is free.
A legislator qualifications panel will discuss “Who gets to run for office?” Panelists are T. McGuire Johnson, former chair, Sedgwick Co. Democratic Party; Dalton Glasscock, Sedgwick Co. Republican Party; and Neal Allen, chair of the WSU Department of Political Science.
Wichita State Blood Drive coming Sept. 19-20
Make your life-saving appointment for the Wichita State Blood Drive from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, and Friday, Sept. 20, in the Heskett Center lobby. To schedule your appointment, go to www.redcrossblood.org; enter sponsor code: Wichita State or call 1-800-Red-Cross.
Don’t forget to save time by using RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history online before you come to your appointment. More information is available at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.
All presenting donors will receive a coupon for a free Sports Clips haircut following the donation. You must provide a valid email address to receive your Sport Clips coupon. Your coupon will be included in your post-blood drive thank you email from the American Red Cross.
Let's play some GAYmes!
Gayme Night will be held from 6-8 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 17) in 258 RSC.
This GAYme Night will feature plenty of board games, interactive games and a big-screen video game too! Bring your favorite game to play and we will have plenty to share. For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034 or go to wichita.edu/odi.
Student Involvement hosts Open House
Student Involvement invites you to attend their fall Open House from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, in 216 RSC. Stop by to learn about all the great opportunities to get involved, meet our staff, and engage with our student leaders. You’ll even get a chance to meet our office fish, Swim Shady! Refreshments will be provided.
For more information, call Student Involvement at 978-3022.
DIY Day at GoCreate
Want to learn to print design on to T-shirts?
Need to fix that missing button?
At GoCreate's semi-annual DIY Day, you can learn all that and more!
Take a tour of the facility, grab some free refreshments, and enter for a chance to win a free three-month membership.
All at GoCreate's DIY Day from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19.
Explore campus like never before during Late Night Scavenger Hunt
Come explore campus like you never have before on the hunt for clues, interactive puzzles, and challenges all over WSU -- in the dark from 8-11 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, on first floor, RSC! The hunt may sound easy, but are you up for this flashlight challenge? Scavenger Hunt winner will receive some awesome prizes. Free for all to attend.
SAC Wipeout coming Sept. 21
Water Wipeout will be filled with slip-and-slide kick ball and other water games at. It will be held at noon Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex fields.
Teams must pre-register at Wichita.edu/waterwipeout by Friday, Sept. 20.
Physical therapy students looking for research project subjects
Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Wichita State, and their research advisor, Barbara Smith, PhD, PT, are looking for participants for our research study on the effects posterior pelvic tilting (the flattening of the back in sitting or standing) on core strength and endurance. Your participation in this study may help the field of physical therapy to help better understand core strength / endurance and its effects on the body.
If chosen to participate in our study, you will be required to come to the Wichita State University Old Town Campus at 213 N. Mead, on Friday, Sept. 20 or Saturday, Sept. 21, for an initial evaluation.
You will be able to select a 30-minute time block that is convenient for your schedule. At the initial evaluation, you will be asked to complete the health history questionnaire that you filled out in the screening process. You will perform a muscle endurance test for your back muscles and a strength test for your abdominal muscles. At this time you will be assigned to a group, which may include an eight-week posterior pelvic-tilting exercise program starting at 25 reps, progressing to 50, 75, and 100, every two weeks. At the four-week mark you will submit a video check-in via text or email to check for proper form.
These exercises should take no more than 10-15 minutes per day. All materials and instructions will be provided. Each group will be required to return to the Wichita State University Old Town Campus on Nov 15-16 for an eight-week re-evaluation lasting about 10-15 minutes.
If you are interested in participating, click here to complete a survey. It will only take about 15-20 minutes. Once you have completed the survey, you will receive an email with more information within five-to-seven business days.
Your participation is graciously appreciated, voluntary, and your responses will remain confidential. Should you have any questions / concerns, feel free to email Ethan Winter at ecwinter@shockers.wichita.edu or Barbara Smith at barb.smith@wichita.edu.
SGA Week is from Sept. 23-26
Get excited because SGA is going to be hosting an entire week of fun events to get you involved with your Student Government! Keep your calendars clear and be on the lookout for more information to come.
Step Afrika coming Sept. 27
Join Student Activities Council and the Multicultural Greek Council for a fun and exciting event, Step Afrika! at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, in the CAC Theater.
Step Afrika! is the first professional dance company dedicated to the African-American tradition of "stepping.” Step Afrika! Blends the percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, African traditional dance, and influences from a variety of other dance and art forms. The blend of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and leaves the audience with their hearts pounding.
Admission is free to WSU students with Shocker ID, $3 faculty/staff; $5 general admission, and $1 for kids 12 and under. Doors open at 5 p.m. No advance ticket sales. Cash or check only accepted at the door.
For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to wichita.edu/sac or contact us at sac@wichita.edu.
Looking for Native American students to start a professional organization
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a national organization that celebrates students of Native heritage in STEM fields. There are more than 180 chapters at colleges all across the United States, but there is not a chapter at Wichita, which is why we are recruiting members to establish the WSU chapter.
AISES offers…
- A community for Native Americans
- A community for STEM students
- Future job opportunities
- Possible scholarships and paid internships
- Other benefits TBD
In order to start this organization, five members are required to sign up. If you are interested, contact wsuaises@gmail.com.
More information about AISES is available at https://www.aises.org/.
Sales at the Shocker Store this week
The Shocker Store has some great sales this week for those of us holding on to the warm weather! This week, take 20% off tank tops and fashion color apparel (hats not included). Sale is at both RSC and Braeburn Square locations.
‘Class Act,’ ‘InstaArt,’ on exhibit in the Cadman Art Gallery
“Class Act” by Kaden Lawrenz features a series of mixed media works which he considers to be visually aesthetic compositions based on different states of emotions. Kaden is a 19-year-old graphic designer / mixed media artist from Haysville, Kansas. He is inspired by the typography work and collages by graphic designer David Carson. His exhibit will be on display in the Cadman Looking Glass.
“InstaArt” takes the digital images of Instagram and brings the to the gallery walls of the Cadman. Using Instagram, tag @the.cadman or use #cadmanartgallery to have your images added to the exhibit.
“Class Act” and “InstaArt” are on exhibit in the Cadman Art Gallery now through Friday, Sept. 27.
To see the complete list of exhibits, go to wichita.edu/CadmanGallery and follow us on Instagram.
Join WSU’s largest volunteer opportunity!
Are you looking for a way to make a big impact in your community and have fun? Sign up for WSU’s largest volunteer event, Wu’s Big Event from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5.
Join the Community Service Board and 250 of your fellow classmates and community members for a morning of volunteering with local nonprofits. T-shirt, lunch and transportation to volunteer sites provided.
Preregister here for Wu's Big Event.
For questions, email CSB@wichita.edu.
Language and comics study
Are you interested in participating in an in-person psychological / linguistic study about comics and language? You have the opportunity to earn $10 after completing the study. We will schedule an appointment to meet in the library and administer a computer-based study that takes less than an hour.
To be eligible to participate, you must:
- Be an undergraduate student
- Have no non-corrected visual impairments
- Speak only American English (not bilingual)
- Have no learning or reading disabilities.
If you are interested in participating, email Kathleen Bozarth at ktbozarth@shockers.wichita.edu
Fraternity and Sorority Life collecting books for Storytime Village
Fraternity and Sorority Life is partnering with Storytime Village to collect children's books. Storytime Village is a Wichita-based nonprofit that provides literacy resources and programming to underserved children in Kansas.
They are currently needing new books for their many book distribution events, and to fill their little free libraries that are popping up all around Kansas. They are seeking books that are appropriate for ages 0-8, including board books, chapter books and picture books. All books should be new or lightly used.
Books can be dropped off to Student Involvement in 216 RSC, anytime during regular business hours (M-Th 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).
If you have questions, contact Rani Somers, coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life, at rani.somers@wichita.edu or call 978-7017.
Join CAPS for the Autism Spectrum Support Group
Go through the semester with a community of support. Connect with other students on the spectrum, build a social group, and learn skills to promote your social and academic success. No appointment needed. Hope to see you there!
Go to wichita.edu/caps for more information.
Volunteer opportunity at the Boys and Girls Club
Help the youth in our community by providing homework assistance in a variety of subjects! Join us from 4-6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30, at the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas.
Volunteer at Boys and Girls Club
Volunteer with the Community Service Board at the Lord’s Diner
Join the Community Service Board in serving a meal at the Lord’s Diner on from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 2825 S. Hillside St.
For questions, email CSB@wichita.edu.
Volunteer for the Lord's Diner
First Pee for Pizza event of the year!
Pee for Pizza is a free sexually transmitted disease-testing event for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Walk in and submit a urine specimen, and walk-out with free pizza and a piece of mind from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, in 209 Ahlberg Hall.
#SURVIVOR Flag Football Tournament coming Oct. 5
The Alpha Theta Chapter of Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority Inc., will hosting its 4th annual #SURVIVOR event this October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Participants of #SURVIVOR will have the opportunity to help spread awareness and raise money for the Wichita Family Crisis Center, a local domestic violence shelter in Wichita.
The #SURVIVOR Flag Football Tournament will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Hughes Metropolitan Complex.
Sickle Cell Knowledge and Perceptions Study
Participants are needed to help with the study “Assessing the Knowledge, Perceptions, and Attitudes of Sickle Cell Disease in Healthcare, Black and Latinx American, and General Populations within the Midwest.”
In this study, we hope to learn about your understanding of sickle cell disease and trait, the complications, stigma, and perceptions related to the disease. The survey will ask questions to gauge your knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes about sickle cell disease. For example, you will be asked questions about knowledge, such as “True or False. Sickle cell disease can be inherited if one parent has the trait and the other parent does not.”
Questions about perceptions may include, for example, “Who gets sickle cell disease?”
Lastly, questions about attitudes, for example will ask how strongly do you agree or disagree that “Having a child with sickle cell disease would be very scary?”
Sickle Cell Knowledge and Perceptions Study
First-Year Interest Groups start this week, including Shocker Strong, ICT Keepers and Mi Gente
Student Affairs' First-Year Interest Groups are beginning for the fall semester! Three different groups will be meeting this week.
Shocker Strong Resilience Program will meet from 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, in 314 RSC.
ICT Keepers (for students from Wichita and its suburbs) will take place from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, in 142 RSC.
Mi Gente (for Latinx students) will meet from 3-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, in 266 RSC.
Not sure what all this is about? Learn more at wichita.edu/fyig.