Navatek and Wichita State University collaborate to develop inflatable wing technology.
Research firm Navatek to open WSU office; partnership will greatly grow military research
Navatek LLC, a contractor focused on technology research for U.S. government agencies such as the Department of Defense and NASA, is opening an office on the Wichita State University campus in fall 2020.
This collaborative partnership between Navatek and WSU will grow combined applied research capabilities for the military, provide critical hands-on learning opportunities for students and help diversify the local economy.
Among its work, the Navatek-WSU partnership will explore using inflatable wing materials and structures to extend the range that airborne personnel can travel in squirrel wingsuits. The effort promises to open up a whole new set of mission possibilities using the lightweight flight suits, spotlighted in popular culture by daredevils jumping out of planes and off cliffs.
Inflatable technology will be used further to build wings and structures for lighter, smaller unmanned aerial vehicles, or “drones,” and is being used in the design of new space habitats for NASA. The Navatek-WSU team will perform research into new materials, structures, fabrication and deployment techniques, and the aerodynamic performance of prototypes to push this technology to the next level.
Teaching This Fall: Day 4 Questions about Teaching Online
To support instructors who are prepping their classes for fall, the Faculty Curricular Design Working Group has created 10 sets of featured questions related to our new teaching environment. Each day we will post one set of frequently asked questions to respond to issues that faculty have raised about how to be prepared.
FAQs Set #4: Questions about Teaching Online
- How do I build personal relationships with students I don’t meet in person?
Create a Wiki or use the Discussion Board for students to introduce themselves, share your own background so students feel comfortable sharing something about themselves; Include an introductory video in Bb; Participate in (don’t just observe) discussion board posts; Send personal communications, not just instructions directed to the entire class; Start every individual communication with the student’s name so it feels personal. More ideas are available.
- Will university staff build the online portion of my class?
IDA can put a course template into your Blackboard class. This service includes setting up Discussion Boards, Assignments and the Grade Center. While instructors are responsible for the creation and uploading of actual course content, these services will help alleviate some of their technical burden to course design. If you would like IDA to set up your summer or fall courses with a template, please fill out this request form.
Additional FAQs about teaching this fall can be found on the COVID-19 university webpage.
FirePoint Innovations at Wichita State provides assistance to US military
Partnered with the US Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) and Aviation & Missile Center, Wichita State University’s FirePoint Innovation Center is building collaborations with the US Department of Defense.
The partnership, which started two-and-a-half years ago, helps US Army researchers develop technologies and deliver new capabilities to army warfighters. The program accelerates joint technology development and transfers among the CCDC, universities, industry and government organizations.
Scholarships now available for WSU Badge Courses!
Apply, be admitted and enrolled in a badge course by Wednesday, Sept. 9, to be eligible for a scholarship that will cover the tuition and fees for one badge course (fall 2020 semester only). Scholarships are limited and will be available on a first-come basis until all funds have been awarded.
Badges are academic short courses of one credit hour or less that are designed for working, non-degree seeking professionals. They are online and self-paced. Badges allow students to demonstrate to employers their knowledge, skills and competencies in a subject area. Students who successfully complete a badge will receive a digital recognition of their accomplishment that they can share on social media and link to a digital resume.
Enrollment is open now! You can begin the badge course between Aug. 17-Nov. 9. All coursework must be complete by Dec. 3.
To enroll and view the badge course catalog, visit badges.wichita.edu. For questions, please contact workforce@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7579.
KMUW's newsroom receives three national PMJA awards
Three KMUW staff members are recipients of 2020 Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA) awards. The awards recognize the best work in public media journalism from across the country.
KMUW competes in Division B, stations with four-to-seven full-time news staff members. Carla Eckels, KMUW’s director of cultural diversity for news and engagement and host/producer of Soulsations, was awarded second place in the arts feature category for her commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Gordon Parks’ 'The Learning Tree.'
KMUW reporter Stephan Bisaha received second place in the news feature category for "Kansas Is In Danger Of Losing A Generation Of Hunters And Their Conservation Money."
Tom Shine, KMUW’s director of news and public affairs, was awarded first place in the interview category for his conversation with Branch Rickey III, president of the Pacific Coast League, "On Baseball, Wichita's New Team And The 'Beautiful Legend' Of Jackie Robinson."
These features and all of KMUW's award-winning coverage can be found at kmuw.org/awards.
Virtual support offered by university subject librarians
University Librarians are here (virtually) to support instruction.
As Wichita State faculty plan summer and fall classes, remember librarians can help you every step of the way. Let your subject librarian:
- Make custom research guides for your classes
- Help you redesign research assignments to better fit the hybrid learning environment
- Locate electronic course materials (e-books, articles, or streaming audio and video) and embed them directly into your Blackboard course shell
- Support your students as an embedded librarian in Blackboard by answering questions, participating in discussions, providing point of need announcements, linking to electronic resources, and providing feedback on research assignments
- Provide synchronous or asynchronous virtual instruction for your classes (at least two weeks advance notice is preferred)
Contact subject librarians at libraries.wichita.edu/subjectlibrarians.
IRB moving to Phase 2 of Human Subjects Research Restoration Plan
The WSU Institutional Review Board is ready to move to Phase 2 of our Human Subjects Research Restoration Plan today (Wednesday, July 1). During Phase 2, researchers are permitted to conduct studies without maintaining physical distancing. However, researchers should strive to achieve as much physical distancing as possible and precautions to prevent viral spread (e.g., PPE, disinfecting, etc.) will still need to be taken. A Virus Protection Plan (VPP) must be submitted to the IRB for review and approval prior to the start date.
Authorization to conduct research will be granted following review of the VPP by the IRB.
Please visit Wichita State’s IRB website for more information or contact irb@wichita.edu with any questions.
Power of Prep - Lunch & Learn on July 15
Have questions about financial aid and what to expect throughout the semester? Are you in a time crunch? We know you're dedicated to enhancing your life for the long run, we get it! With school starting, we've gathered so many powerful resources to fuel your academic goals.
We are hosting a Lunch and Learn event for Online and Adult Learners. Pop in and say hi from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, July 15. We will be featuring the Office of Financial Aid and discuss the following:
- How to pay for school and what are my options
- What to expect your first semester
- Q&A with your peers
- Attending the event will automatically place you in a drawing for WSU Back-to-School Gear
Please join the WSU community in recognizing Steve White
After 29 years of service to the State of Kansas, Director of Purchasing Steve White will officially retire on July 10.
Steve has been a valuable asset to WSU with his hard work and dedication. His contribution to the overall procurement process, the daily operations of the department, and the individual guidance he has provided will be sorely missed.
Retirement will surely offer him new opportunities, which we know he will embrace wholeheartedly, just as he did here at WSU.
Congratulations on a standout career and best wishes for your next chapter in life!
Please send best wishes to Steve at purchasing.office@wichita.edu.
Chemical Clean-Out Week continues
Old, expired or unwanted chemicals being stored in your department can create potential hazards for employees and students and can be an environmental and regulatory liability.
From now to tomorrow (Friday, July 10), the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Department will pick up any university-related waste chemicals or other hazardous items. This event is an opportunity for all departments to clean out these items in a safe and compliant manner. Items will be picked up in your department by the EHS staff. Items include paints, solvents, lab chemicals, acids, oils, light bulbs, batteries, etc.
If you have items for pick up, please submit a Facilities Services work order before Friday, July 10.
Safety note: If any of your chemical containers have crystals or powder build-up on the container, do not attempt to move them. Some crystals on old chemical containers can be shock-sensitive and can explode.
If you discover a chemical container with crystals or powder build-up, contact Mike Strickland at 978-3347 or Andrew Clem at 978-7904 immediately.