Kopp's Weekly - Spring Opportunities

Look beyond the sciences.

Dear Students,

Friday my family went to see the musical Wicked thanks to some free tickets my girl scout daughter won in a raffle, and I was reminded of the remarkable opportunities on campus to expand your sights.  I can honestly say that experiences outside the classroom will help shape your professional as well as personal interests. Years from now, you will appreciate how the seeds of the self you become were planted many years earlier across this campus.  That was true of the cultural opportunities I experienced as an undergraduate and also true of the departmental lectures I attended. They made me realize the kind of scientist I wanted to be.

Right here on campus, we have theater, dance, visual arts, history and geological museums, among others.  Many can be found here.  Within CNS, we have a concert by the group Arcattack coming soon; when former electrical engineers turn rock stars by building giant Tesla coils and zapping themselves with 100,00 Volts on the Main Mall, how can you go wrong?  Stay tuned for more information.  Last week we also had the first of the Science for Change lectures which showed us the many rewarding careers in public service for those with a scientific background.  On a related note: applications for an Archer Internship in Washington, DC, are due Feb 17.  These are the kinds of discoveries I hope you'll make in college.

On the professional side, challenge yourself to attend some of the departmental lectures.  All departments have specialized seminars and general colloquia -- broader presentations intended for non-experts.  Check out the calendars for Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Astronomy, Computer Science, Human Ecology, or Math.  The college also maintains a calendar.  You should be aware of the public outreach "Hot Science, Cool Talks" lectures run by the Environmental Science Institute, bringing in scientists from around the country.  These are your chances to perhaps discover your scientific passion.  Then, once you have found it, check out the info sessions on how to get involved in research put on by the SURGE student group.