2021 Skill SeriesAmes Laboratory Learning & Development (L&D) is continuing to expand offerings beyond safety and compliance training. In addition to development programs for Scientists and Supervisors, L&D will be providing a monthly ServiceNow Knowledge Article for learning new skills.
Lack of time is a common barrier for upskilling and these articles are formatted with that concern in mind. Each article is organized by subheadings, bulleted 'take away' messages, and links to training videos that are often only 2-5 minutes long.
- January's Article: Preparing for Annual Performance Reviews
- February's Article: Difficult Conversations & Conflict
Future topics will include time management, writing skills, successful meetings, project management, etc.
If you have feedback or ideas for future articles please email Learning & Development at training@ameslab.gov
Marvel-ous Materials ScienceAre you a big Marvel fan? Marlee Baldridge, our videographer, wants t
o put together a video about the materials science behind Marvel superheroes in film. It’s called a “technique critique” video, here’s an example that Business Insider did, and another that WIRED did. If you’ve ever watched a superhero movie and thought: That’s not how that works! Now is your chance to share your knowledge. Here is a list of potential scenes to break down from a materials science perspective. If these interest you, or if you have your own, please reach out to her at marleeb@ameslab.gov.
Ames Laboratory History Profile: Samuel P. MassieAs part of Black History Month, we profiled the career of Black chemist Samuel P. Massie, who contributed to Ames Project’s landmark accomplishments in purifying uranium for the Manhattan Project during WWII. He went on to teach at a number of historically Black colleges and universities, and became the first Black faculty member at the U.S. Naval Academy. Read more HERE.
Lab’s first virtual Science Bowl wraps up with Ames Schools sweepThe Ames Laboratory Iowa Regional Science Bowl wasn’t quite the same this year. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition moved online, with students Zooming in using a new remote competition format.
In January, high school teams competed in two preliminary rounds each throughout the monthof January, earning total point scores based on the number of correct answers. In the final elimination rounds, Ames High School emerged as the first place winner, West Des Moines Valley High School placed second, Iowa City’s Liberty High School placed third, and Dowling Catholic High School placed fourth. In February, middle school teams moved through the same virtual format, with Ames Middle School placing first; Stilwell Middle School (West Des Moines) placing second; Indian Hills Middle School (West Des Moines) placing third; South Waukee Middle School placing fourth.
The winners of the elimination rounds advance to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy’s national competition, with virtual preliminary rounds scheduled in April, and a virtual elimination tournament May 8, 2021.
Education and Outreach would like to thank all the volunteers who helped us roll with these big changes and provide our Science Bowl contestants with a successful virtual competition. Because there was no live, in-person competition this year, organizers needed fewer volunteers than usual. However, next year’s National Science Bowl date is already on the calendar (April 28 - May 2, 2022). We have every hope of the Iowa Regional Science Bowl being back on campus in January and February of 2022, better than ever, and we’ll be looking forward to having our full force of volunteers back. Stay tuned!ANNOUNCEMENTS
Severe Weather Awareness Week March 22 - 26The National Weather Service has declared March 22 – 26, 2021 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa. The statewide tornado drill is scheduled for March 24. Ames Laboratory will be conducting its annual Severe Weather Sheltering Drill on that day at a time to be determined. More severe weather info will be forthcoming as we get closer to the date. Keep your eyes to the skies!
Thomas L. Hill Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE)Iowa State University will be offering a virtual two-day conference on race and ethnicity on March 4 & 5. A pre-conference is also offered to faculty and staff on March 3. This is the 21st annual Thomas L. Hill ISCORE event which continues to inspire change in regard to issues of race and ethnicity. Attendees will be provided with a virtual format this year, and still have access to sharing and applying new knowledge through numerous presentations and workshops. The full schedule is available here.
Register for this event online at https://www.iscore.iastate.edu/conference/.
Nominations are now open for the 2021 Director’s Operations Excellence AwardAmes Laboratory operations and administrative staff who demonstrate excellence in their work through our core values are eligible for this award. Additional criteria for the award and the nomination form can be found here. The deadline for nominations is April 16, 2021.
