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Among the casualties of the Ukraine war are the 2 million-plus children who have been forced to flee their homes, which has upended what should be a joyous time filled with laughing and learning. In an effort to restore some sense of normalcy to their education years, University of Delaware professor Roberta Michnick Golinkoff has developed a website with free interactive e-books, games and other resources to Ukrainian children. Golinkoff—a nationally known expert in childhood literacy—worked together with developers to stock the site, Stories with Clever Hedgehog, with materials in both Ukrainian and English. The multilingual platforms allows displaced families all over the world to engage in shared reading with their children, facilitate early literacy development and promote well-being during a time of stress. Golinkoff, who has appeared in numerous national outlets including NPR, ABC News and The Conversation, is available for interviews. Just click the "View Profile" button to get in touch.
Almost 30% of adults in the U.S. lack basic numeracy skills, meaning they don’t understand simple processes like counting, arithmetic and calculating percentages. Two professors from Georgia Southern University’s College of Education (COE) are part of a collaborative effort, funded by a $3 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, aimed at improving that number for upcoming generations. Sam Rhodes, Ph.D., assistant professor of elementary mathematics education, and Antonio Gutierrez de Blume, Ph.D., professor in curriculum, foundations and reading, were awarded almost $400,000 of the overall sum. In collaboration with researchers from the University of Minnesota and the University of Pennsylvania and CueThink, an online application focused on improving math problem-solving and collaboration skills, they will help middle school students better understand numerical and mathematical concepts. “The grant is important to me because I am passionate about helping students improve their abilities to engage in mathematical problem solving,” said Rhodes. “Collaborating with peers to tackle challenging problems is one of the most exciting parts of learning and doing mathematics. I want to work to bring these experiences to all students in ways that are engaging and that effectively support their learning of mathematics.” The four-year grant is part of NSF’s Discovery Research preK-12 program. Georgia Southern’s COE offers students multiple program opportunities, including undergraduate and more than 30 graduate program options that span campus locations in Savannah, Statesboro and Hinesville, and online. Programs offered by the COE prepare future teachers, school psychologists, counselors, school library media specialists, instructional technologists, researchers and leaders through intensive field experiences, cutting-edge technology and research-based instruction. Interested in knowing more? To arrange an interview with Sam Rhodes or Antonio Gutierrez de Blume simply connect with Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.
The National Science Foundation announced a $2.5 million award supporting Georgia Southern University researchers in addressing high-demand workforce needs in information technology and computer science fields. The funded project, “Enabling Lifelong Success in an Information Technology Workforce,” adapts and evaluates evidence-based student support activities within the IT Department, one of the units in the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing. The goal of the project is to identify a group of highly qualified students and to render 161 scholarships over a six-year period in an effort to increase student retention and graduation rates. “This is great news for the IT program at Georgia Southern, and it will provide a positive impact to the surrounding area as businesses’ needs for IT professionals increase,” said interim Vice President of Research and Economic Development Chris Curtis, Ph.D. Georgia Southern Professor and Department of Information Technology Chair Yiming Ji, Ph.D., is taking the lead on the grant, which, he noted, has the potential to have a profound impact on students. “This project will train a pool of talented students, especially those with financial needs, and prepare them for successful careers in IT,” said Ji. “With scholarships from the grant, students will have time to focus on studying, instead of having to work to make ends meet. These students will also receive dedicated support, including academic advising, research opportunities, internship and career service and much more. The result is that these students will become confident and have a greater future in IT careers.” The project involves four researchers, including Lei Chen, Ph.D., (co-PI), professor of IT; Hayden Wimmer, Ph.D., (co-PI), associate professor of IT; Elise Cain, Ph.D., (co-PI), assistant professor of leadership’ and Kania Greer, Ed.D., (external evaluator), program coordinator of the Center for STEM education. The project also received support from the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) and the Georgia Southern Office of Research. The national and regional demand for computer and IT professionals remains high. “This project will directly benefit our local, regional and national economies,” said CEC Dean Craig Harvey, Ph.D. “High-tech industries are already in and being attracted to the Savannah area, and the locations of Georgia Southern University’s campuses provide unique opportunities to train high-quality computing and IT professionals who are in high demand.” The Department of Information Technology offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate computer and IT programs at Georgia Southern, in addition to a new Ph.D. program in applied computing. This grant is the first of its kind to be received by the IT department. The department hopes that through the use of this grant, they will build stronger partnerships with businesses and federal or state government organizations, among others. Interested in knowing more? To arrange an interview with Yiming Ji or Chris Curtis, simply connect with Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.
Back to School: Experts Available to talk ChatGPT, Food Insecurity and Education Leadership
With the school year starting very soon, the University of Delaware media team have rounded up some education stories, experts and research to consider for feature/publication. Experts: Gary Henry is dean of the University of Delaware’s College of Education and Human Development and professor in the School of Education and the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration. He specializes in education policy, educational evaluation, educator labor markets, and quantitative research methods. Gary can lend context and steps to take to reverse/adapt to this new educational landscape. Allison Karpyn is an associate professor who can speak to topics related to hunger, obesity, school food, supermarket access, food insecurity, healthy corner stores and strategies to develop and maintain farmer’s markets in low-income areas. She has spoken extensively about food in schools and can offer context to those subjects. Joshua Wilson is an associate professor and has been featured in WaPo for his AI/ChatGPT knowledge in the past. His research broadly focuses on ways to improve the teaching and learning of writing and specifically focuses on ways that automated writing evaluation systems can facilitate those improvements. Stories: UD professor partners with Sesame Workshop to create Stories with Clever Hedgehog Among the casualties of the Ukraine war are 2 million-plus children. In an effort to restore some sense of normalcy to their education years, University of Delaware professor Roberta Golinkoff—a nationally recognized expert in childhood literacy—has partnered with Sesame Workshop and others to develop Stories with Clever Hedgehog, a website with free interactive e-books, games and other resources. Books are available in both Ukrainian and English, prompting a global experience for readers of any background. There are photos and video ready for this coverage. Golinkoff and Sesame Workshop leadership are open for interviews. Research: Study finds teachers’ anxiety in mathematics and science was associated with the mathematics and science anxiety of their low-SES students To reach out to specific experts, please click on their "View Profile" button.
Georgia Southern University’s annual economic impact soars to record of more than $1.1 billion
New reports from the University System of Georgia (USG) show that Georgia Southern continues to have a remarkable economic impact on the region it serves and on the students it graduates. The USG recorded a $20.1 billion total economic impact from July 1, 2021 until June 30, 2022, while Georgia Southern’s annual economic impact has soared to more than $1.107 billion for FY 2022, a 7.3% increase over the previous year and a new recorded impact total. Conducted on behalf of USG by Jeffrey M. Humphreys, Ph.D., director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, the study showed USG generated 159,034 full- and part-time jobs across Georgia last year. In a companion study, Humphreys found that USG bachelor’s graduates from the Class of 2022 will earn over $1 million more during their lifetimes than they would have without their college degree. “Work-life earnings increase dramatically with education level,” the report said, noting that “work-life earnings estimates for Georgia show that the Class of 2022 can expect to realize work-life earnings of $183 billion.” For the 5,502 degree recipients from Georgia Southern University in FY 2022, they can expect their work in Georgia to total lifetime earnings of $14.4 billion. The report also broke down total Georgia lifetime earning predictions by degree and said: The 99 GS graduates with doctoral degrees will earn a total of $340 million. The 1,207 GS graduates with master’s degrees will earn a total of $3.3 billion. The 4,134 GS Graduates with bachelor’s degrees will earn a total of $10.5 billion. In terms of economic impact, there are 3,250 jobs on Georgia Southern’s campuses in Statesboro, Savannah and Hinesville. Because of institution-related spending, 6,795 jobs exist off-campus, meaning that a total of 10,045 jobs exist due to institution-related spending in fiscal year 2022. The report also noted that Georgia Southern students spent $430,509,422 in the region in fiscal year 2022. “Georgia Southern’s record annual regional economic impact illuminates the university’s profound significance throughout this region,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. “We are meeting the needs of Southeast Georgia – now and in the future – developing talent, solving regional needs through our public impact research agenda and serving as the catalyst for economic development and vibrant communities.” “These economic impacts demonstrate that continued emphasis on colleges and universities as pillars of the state’s economy translates into jobs, higher incomes, and greater production of goods and services,” the report said. Interested in knowing more? Simply connect with Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.
Fort Stewart, Georgia Southern University, sign agreement to offer graduate courses on base
Representatives from Georgia Southern University and Fort Stewart signed an official memorandum of understanding Monday morning that clears the way for Georgia Southern to offer a slate of in-demand graduate courses this fall on base. Col. Manuel F. Ramirez, garrison commander at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, and Kyle Marrero, president of Georgia Southern University, signed the agreement in front of officials from both organizations and the University’s live bald eagle mascot, Freedom, at Fort Stewart’s SFC Paul R. Smith Army Education Center. With the agreement, Georgia Southern will offer the following degree programs at the Fort Stewart education center: Master of Business Administration Master of Health Administration Master of Science in Information Technology Master of Arts in Professional Communication and Leadership Professional Communication and Leadership – Graduate Certificate Cybercrime – Graduate Certificate “This is truly a collaboration that will provide incredible opportunities and possibilities for our soldiers and our family members here on the installation,” Ramirez said. “Here at Fort Stewart, we’ve always believed in investing in our most precious asset, which is our people. And today, this partnership is a shining testament to that belief. By adding Georgia Southern to our stable of schools here at the Education Center, we’re opening doors to advanced education, professional development, and then a brighter future for all of our soldiers and their family members and all those people who call Fort Stewart home.” This partnership allows soldiers and their families to advance their career prospects by equipping them with the knowledge and skills and preparing them for increased responsibility in the Army and afterward, he said. Marrero said the courses that will be offered are being configured to allow Soldiers and their families to pursue higher education without disrupting their duties or relocating, allowing them to strike a healthier work-life balance while investing in their personal growth. Marrero thanked the teams behind the agreement and noted that the courses will be flexible and compressed to meet the unique needs of military-connected students. Marrero said this partnership between Fort Stewart and Georgia Southern University creates valuable educational opportunities for soldiers and their families by offering accessible and high-quality master’s degree programs on-site. It’s also the latest example of the University’s commitment to the military, which has led to Georgia Southern being named a “Military-Friendly” school for six years in a row and a “Gold School” for 2023-2024 by Viqtory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs, STEM Jobs and Military Spouse magazines. “We have had a rich history of partnerships here,” Marrero said. “For us, this is a beginning and a continuation of the belief in the transformational power of education. We are proud and excited to be your partner. Thank you so much for this opportunity.” To learn more about the courses being offered at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, visit think link below: If you are interested in knowing more about this partnership or would like to speak with Kyle Marrero, president of Georgia Southern University, simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.
Bridget Melton, Ed.D., professor in the Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology at Georgia Southern University, is part of a team awarded $1.1 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist with a study aimed to promote wellness in firefighters and first responders. Melton is collaborating with researchers at the University of Kentucky as part of a three-year study that builds on a decade of foundational work by Melton and the Tactical Athlete Initiative team in the Waters College of Health Professions, College of Education and the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health. The grant will help the researchers assist firefighters with injury mitigation, better work outcomes and reduction in financial burdens. “Our tactical research team has collaborated with our local fire department, Statesboro Fire Department, to create an industry-leading integrated health approach to firefighter wellness,” stated Melton. “In this model, the firefighter’s health and wellness is prioritized in a cost-effective approach.” The integrative approach brings the best human performance practices to first responders, infusing strength and conditioning coaches, athletic trainers, nutrition specialists and mental skill experts. A handful of agencies nationwide are beginning to embrace this integrated approach. Even with the model’s success, there is still limited research on benefits to the firefighter, health care costs and the organization with this new model, Melton noted. “The goal of the FEMA study is to provide agencies and government officials with evidence supporting the model,” she said. “We want to be able to demonstrate to these individuals that their return on investment will be worth it, as firefighters using the model will sustain fewer injuries; therefore, the agency’s financial burden will be reduced.” Looking to know more - we can help. To connect with Bridget Melton from Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology at Georgia Southern - simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.
Is dark chocolate really the healthier choice? New study reveals concerns
For those who love chocolate, dark chocolate is often seen as the "better" or "healthier" option. But is it really? This past December, Consumer Reports analyzed 28 dark chocolate bars from a variety of brands and found that 23 of them contained concerning levels of lead, cadmium or both. Melissa Melough, an assistant professor of behavioral health and nutrition at the University of Delaware, recently told The New York Times: “If you’re a regular consumer of these dark chocolates, I would be concerned." This concern is especially heightened if one is pregnant, breastfeeding or have a child who enjoys dark chocolate. For more on why dark chocolate may be concerning, reach out to Melough by clicking on her profile.
Sixers' summer soap opera: What the Harden-Morey rift can teach us about organizational dynamics
Did star point guard James Harden quit on the Philadelphia 76ers? Or did general manager Daryl Morey break his promise that a large contract would be coming his way after the former MVP took a pay cut last season? As is almost always the case, the answer sits somewhere in the middle, and that's a complicated place for it to be. But Kyle Emich, professor of management at the University of Delaware, said there are lessons in the latest Sixers' offseason debacle that can be applied to teams and culture in the workplace: When you are part of an organization, you need to feel what's called "task significance" to be motivated to do your job. This means that you need to feel that your job has a positive impact on the organization or broader society. The problems between Harden and Morey indicate that, although playing for the fans may give him some motivation, he no longer believes that the organization is a positive entity. This will greatly decrease his motivation, which influences practice and on-the-court performance (assuming he goes back on his threat to return). There is an even larger potential influence on things he is not paid for, but that are very important for the 76ers (such as informal mentoring of players like rising star Tyrese Maxey; acting as a role model (e.g., arriving early/leaving late), giving the organization positive press and his presence and demeanor at training camp (which he says he won't attend). Whether or not people realize it, organizations are emotional environments. Different emotions do different things and this sense of betrayal and anger is likely to make Harden actively move against the Sixers. This is obviously not ideal. Because Harden is a role model, we need to also be aware of emotional contagion. It is possible teammates will look at the front office with increased scrutiny, which will harm any new players brought in or anyone affected by front office moves. Emich is available for interviews, and can be contacted directly by clicking on his profile.
Bioenergy experts welcome commitment to sustainability in UK’s new Biomass Strategy
New strategy outlines role of biomass in UK’s transition to net zero, with sustainability as major theme Supergen Bioenergy Hub experts worked with government departments to provide scientific evidence and insight They welcome the holistic view of sustainability in the Biomass Strategy and call for action to deliver its ambitions. A group of bioenergy experts have welcomed the Government’s new UK Biomass Strategy, but say urgent action is now vital to shape its ambitions into deliverable policies. Researchers at the Supergen Bioenergy Hub - led by Aston University - worked closely with government departments to provide scientific evidence to inform the strategy, which outlines the role biomass will play in supporting the UK’s transition to net zero and how this will be achieved. Professor Patricia Thornley, who leads the Hub, says: “This is a comprehensive and considered biomass strategy that, rightly, places sustainability at the heart of UK bioenergy development. The challenge is now to produce actions that can deliver the sustainable system of biomass required to achieve net zero.” Sustainability is a major theme within the new strategy. It includes a review of how existing sustainability policies could be improved, as well as a commitment to developing a cross-sectoral sustainability framework (subject to consultation) to ensure sustainability across the many different applications of biomass. This follows previous work led by Dr Mirjam Rӧder, Systems Topic Group Lead in the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, calling for harmonised sustainability standards across different biomass applications, which is referenced in the strategy. Dr Rӧder says: “We need rigorous approaches to sustainability governance that go beyond emissions. Considering wider environmental, social and economic trade-offs is essential for true sustainability and building trust in bioenergy projects.” The strategy considers the amount of biomass resource that might be available to the UK in the future, highlighting the importance of both imported and domestically produced biomass resources. Professor Thornley comments: “It is important that the strategy recognises the potential of imported as well as indigenous biomass in achieving global greenhouse gas reductions. Sustainable systems should grow, convert and use biomass in the locations where they can deliver most impact, ensuring we take account of all supply chain emissions. We shouldn’t shy away from imports where the source is sustainable and the overall system makes environmental, economic and social sense.” The strategy also considers how biomass should be prioritised across a variety of applications to best support the transition to net zero. Biomass applications ranging from transport fuels and hydrogen to domestic and industrial heating are recognised as important, but in the medium to long term the focus is on integration of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). BECCS is an emerging technology where the CO2 that may be released during the production and use of electricity, fuels or products derived from biomass is captured and stored, potentially resulting in negative emissions. Professor Thornley comments: “The priority use framework outlined in the Biomass Strategy makes eminent sense. The UK (and the global energy system) needs carbon dioxide removals to deliver net zero. BECCS has an absolutely key role to play, as reflected in the strategy. Again, while this is encouraging to see, we must not underestimate the challenges of moving towards such a radically different system at scale.” “Relying on future BECCS deployment alone to counterbalance the current excess of greenhouse gas emissions would not enable the full potential and benefits of BECCS. BECCS should be deployed alongside measures to transition away from the use of fossil fuels, not instead of them,” adds Dr Joanna Sparks, Biomass Policy Fellow at the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, who engaged closely with government departments as they developed the strategy. Dr Sparks led an extensive policy engagement and knowledge transfer process to ensure that those developing the strategy had full access to the breadth and depth of UK scientific and engineering academic expertise, ensuring a robust, independent scientific base. Professor Thornley believes continued engagement between policymakers, academics and the wider sector is vital in achieving the next steps in the delivery of the Government’s strategy. She says: “The key to successful long-term results is a close partnership between academia, industry and policy stakeholders so that we can anticipate problems and plan the pathways to success.”
