2024 Engineering PLUS Alliance New England Regional Hub Retreat
#2024EngPLUSNERH
We are well on our way to the 2024 Engineering PLUS Alliance New England Regional Hub Convening. Our team has been hard at work to bring you this community opportunity. We are excited to offer this opportunity for our community members, and perspective community members to join us as we come together as scholar practitioners to further our work advancing the Engineering PLUS Alliance’s mission, and our ability to further our experience as a community of peers and colleagues.
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WELCOME LETTER:
Dear Participants,
On behalf of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Eddie Bernice Johnson Includes Alliance Engineering PLUS (Partnership Launching Underrepresented Students) leadership team, we wish to extend a very warm welcome to you to the first New England Regional HubxLSAMP Convening at our partner, Brookhaven National Labs.
Despite some significant investments, the number of engineering degrees awarded to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and women remains low. The overarching goal of the Alliance is to increase the number of undergraduate and graduate engineering degrees awarded to BIPOC and women to 100,000 and 30,000, respectively, by 2026.
The New England Regional Hub (NERHub), led by the University of Connecticut (UCONN), focuses on building partnerships among institutions in New England and the Northeast who share the mission of the Alliance. The multi-year plan for the NERHub includes efforts to address issues related to; 1) Retention and Enrichment, 2) Recruitment/Admissions and Readiness, and 3) Institutional Culture and Climate.
We are thrilled to be able to host this inaugural event at Brookhaven National Labs in Upton, NY. This event brings together up to 75 students from across the New England Region, as well as faculty, staff and educators from both the region and across the northern United States.
Thank you,
Engineering PLUS Alliance Leadership
Attire:
The Dress code is business casual, jeans and shirts or sweaters are appropriate. Long pants and closed toed shoes are required.
Convening Agenda
Day 1: Sunday, October 6th |
Time | Session Topic |
3:00 – 5:00PM (120 minutes) | Check In:
Students: Dormitories; Compton Dormitory Bldg. 170, BNL Dorm, Compton; 14 Brookhaven Avenue, Upton NY 11973 Sunday, October 6th: Once you have settled into your dorm room, you will walk to Berkner Hall, Bldg. 488 for dinner. You should be there no later than 6:00 pm. https://www.bnl.gov/maps/488map.php Staff: Home 2 Suites by Hilton; Long Island Brookhaven 101 Boulevard East, Yaphank, NY 11980, USA |
6:00 – 8:00PM (120 minutes) | Welcome Dinner |
Welcome Dinner
Description: This is a time for attendees to connect with people from multiple institutions. Attendees can choose where to sit at round tables. Speaker: Stephany Santos, Executive Director and Endowed Chair of the Vergnano Institute for Inclusion at the University of Connecticut; Lead of the Engineering Plus New England Regional Hub Meal Information: Uncle Giuseppe’s Complete Backyard BBQ Buffet Meat Options: St Louis Ribs, BBQ Chicken on the Bone, Sweet Italian Sausage with Peppers & Onions, Pulled Pork DIY Sliders Vegetarian Options: Corn on the Cob, Spring Pasta Salad, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Chickpea Salad Dessert: Chocolate Chip Cookies |
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8:00PM | End of Day 1 Goodnight |
Day 2: Monday, October 7, 2024 |
Time | Session Topic |
9:00 – 9:30AM (30 minutes) |
Breakfast
You will meet again at Berkner Hall, Bldg. 488, for breakfast by 8:15 am and to start your day. |
Breakfast
Meal Information: Tuscany Gourmet Market Hot Breakfast Buffet |
|
9:30 – 10:00AM (30 minutes) |
Brookhaven National Lab Welcome Description: JoAnne will welcome all attendees to Brookhaven National Labs and provide a high-level description of the history of the national lab, and the type of work that is done there. Speaker: JoAnne Hewitt, Laboratory Director |
10:00 – 10:30AM (30 minutes) |
Overview: Who and What is Brookhaven National Labs
Speaker:John Hill, Deputy Director for Science and Technology Description: John will provide an intricate and in-depth description of the organization and different research areas at BNL. John will also provide examples of some exciting work and outcomes from the different scientists and interns at BNL. |
10:30 – 10:45AM (15 minutes) |
Welcome by NSF Program Director
Speaker: Jesus Soriano Molla, Program Director; Directorate for Engineering| Engineering Education and Centers (EEC)| Broadening Participation in Engineering Description: Virtual welcome remarks and inspiration from the NSF Program Director for Engineering, and Broadening Participation in Engineering. |
10:45 – 11:15AM (30 minutes) |
The Eddie Bernice Johnson National Science Foundation INCLUDES
Engineering PLUS Alliance Speaker: Richard Harris, Associate Dean, Diversity & Inclusion, Northeastern University Description: Richard will provide an overview of the history of the Engineering Plus Alliance, the goals of the Alliance, and some key highlights of the work down across the alliance so far. Richard will also discuss the connection between the attendees and the collective mission of the alliance. |
11:30 – 12:15PM (45 minutes) |
Poster Session
Description: All students are invited to submit a poster to highlight past or current research. Faculty and staff are invited to submit a poster to highlight a high impact practice that supports equity or inclusion in engineering. BNL scientists are invited to present posters as well. All attendees are encouraged to interact with posters and presenters. |
12:15 – 1:00PM | Lunch |
Lunch
Meal Information: Tuscany Gourmet Market Grilled Panini Buffet Buffalo Chicken – Crumbled Bleu cheese, w/ our signature wing sauce. Side Options: Garden Salad, Tomato & Cucumber Salad, Classic Potato Salad Soup Options: TBD, but gluten free Dessert: Gourmet Chocolate Brownie |
|
1:15 – 3:00PM (105 minutes) |
Lab Tours
Description: We will break into groups of ~10 to tour the Brookhaven National Lab campus. Highlights include the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the National Synchotron Light Source II (NSLS-II).The tour includes light walking, and busing will support transitions between buildings. |
3:30 – 6:00PM (105 minutes) |
Track Section Students and Faculty/Staff have their own tracks from 3:30-6:00PM. For your ease and convenience, we have separated it out below. Please scroll to your appropriate Track. |
STUDENT TRACK |
Time | Session Topic |
3:30 – 4:15PM (45 minutes) |
Field Fit Finder
Description: This is an interactive session where students can explore the different fields or subfields at Brookhaven National Lab. This session encourages students to think beyond their major, or beyond common applications of their major, to consider interdisciplinary projects that address national needs or challenges. |
4:15 – 5:00PM (45 minutes) |
BNL Intern Panel
Description: This is a panel of students who have previously completed an internship during the summer or during the academic year at BNL. Students are encouraged to ask questions of the panelists to understand their experience or hear relevant advice. |
5:15 – 6:00PM (45 minutes) |
What Does Working or Researching at a National Lab Mean?
Description: This session further explains to students the different types of roles and experiences students can have conducting research or working at a National Lab. |
6:15 – 7:30PM (75 minutes) |
Networking Dinner
Description: For students, tables will have a sign for a major/discipline/field to help attendees connect related to career or scientific interests. Faculty and staff will have suggested assigned tables for dinner. Meal Information: Uncle Giuseppe’s Premium Italian Buffet Salads: Caesar Salad, Garden Salad Meat Options: Chicken Parmesan, Grilled Lemon Chicken (Gluten Free, Dairy Free), Meatballs, Steak Pizzaiola (Dairy Free) Vegetarian Options: Baked Ziti, Penne alla Vodka, Eggplant Parmesan, Roasted Root Vegetables, Dinner Rolls Dessert: Italian Butter Cookies, Cannolis, and Fruit |
7:30PM | End of Day 2 Goodnight |
STAFF/FACULTY TRACK |
Time | Session Topic |
3:30 – 3:45PM (15 minutes) |
Introductions
Description: Each participant will get up to 1 minute to introduce themselves, their role, and how their work aligns with the shared mission of the Engineering Plus Alliance and/or LSAMP. |
3:30 – 4:15PM (45 minutes) |
National Science Foundation Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES Alliance:
Engieering PLUS Alliance Description: This session is a continuation of the overview provided to the large group. This session will discuss evidence-based practices and high impact practices, and how the Engineering Plus Alliance plans to implement this across the nation. This session will also discuss the power of learning communities and regional collaborations towards systems change. Speakers: Richard Harris & Stephany Santos |
4:30 – 5:30PM (60 minutes) |
High Impact Practices Flash Showcase
Description: Based on the results from the faculty and staff pre-survey, there will be labels for themes or keywords that participants shared as interests. Participants will have 30 minutes to individually share their successes and challenges for high-impact practices. Afterwards, tables will report back to the large groups their successes, challenges and questions. Lastly, student feedback from the Sunday dinner will also be shared as a final consideration for this session. |
5:30 – 6:00PM (30 minutes) |
Next Steps: Collaborative Action Planning
Description:This is an interactive session where students can explore the different fields or subfields at Brookhaven National Lab. This session encourages students to think beyond their major, or beyond common applications of their major, to consider interdisciplinary projects that address national needs or challenges. |
6:15 – 7:30PM (75 minutes) |
Networking Dinner
Description: For students, tables will have a sign for a major/discipline/field to help attendees connect related to career or scientific interests. Faculty and staff will have suggested assigned tables for dinner. Meal Information: Uncle Giuseppe’s Premium Italian Buffet Salads: Caesar Salad, Garden Salad Meat Options: Chicken Parmesan, Grilled Lemon Chicken (Gluten Free, Dairy Free), Meatballs, Steak Pizzaiola (Dairy Free) Vegetarian Options: Baked Ziti, Penne alla Vodka, Eggplant Parmesan, Roasted Root Vegetables, Dinner Rolls Dessert: Italian Butter Cookies, Cannolis, and Fruit |
7:30PM | End of Day 2 Goodnight |
Day 3: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 |
Time | Session Topic |
8:00 – 8:30AM (30 minutes) |
Check out of Dormitory & Store Luggage (Bus/Car) |
8:45 – 9:30AM (45 minutes) |
Breakfast
You are to meet in Bldg. 30 for breakfast and closing of the program. https://www.bnl.gov/maps/030-438-488map.php Meal Information: Uncle Giuseppe’s All American Breakfast with Fresh Fruit Vegetarian Options: Scrambled Eggs, Home Fries, French Toast, Fruit, Assorted Pastries Meat Options: Bacon, Sausage Reflections and Implementation in Engineering Equity
|
9:30 – 10:45AM (75 minutes) |
Workforce Development Programs Overview
Description: This session provides specific information for programs that students and faculty can apply to at national labs. This session will discuss components for a successful application, additional resources, and application deadlines. Facilitator: Brandi Toliver, Program Manager; Department of Energy |
10:45 – 11:15PM (30 minutes) |
Evaluation Survey, Closing, Departure
Speakers: Richard Harris and Stephany Santos Meal Information: Gourmet Boxed Lunches: Uncle Giuseppe’s
Sides: Baby Bowtie Pasta and Fruit Salad |
11:15AM | End of Convening Safe Travels |