• • Access important updates on RAS Academic Advising here: https://ras.seas.upenn.edu/staff-advising-information-hours/
    • Undergraduate Walk-in Advising is available Mondays – Thursdays 2PM – 4PM.  Please find more information on the RAS Advising website linked above.

Want to learn more about energy science and engineering research at Penn? Join us for the Frontiers of Energy Research Poster Session on Tuesday, October 18 from 4:30-6:30PM in the Hall of Flags in Houston Hall (3417 Spruce St #307)). This collaborative event is hosted by the Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology and Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER).

Come learn about amazing energy research from undergraduate and graduate students from across Penn’s campus. Refreshments will be provided, and you’ll have the opportunity to take home some cool giveaways!

Register at: https://upenn.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_06Eb0QdVjKxrZTU

Channel your inner scientist on Mole Day with a fun Mole Run/Walk! Join us on Sunday, October 23 at 11am to run/walk a mole (6km) or a half mole (3km) around campus, then celebrate with food, t-shirts and prizes!

Date: Sunday, October 23rd from 11am – 12pm

Location: Outside Levine Hall

RSVP here by October 17th: https://forms.gle/jRRKEX2JvpeW7GHK9

The Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) is a coordinated dual-degree program at Penn that prepares talented undergraduate students to advance sustainable energy science and technology and become the next generation of energy leaders. VIPER students:

• Gain an interdisciplinary STEM education as they earn both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering

• Receive guidance on how to conduct research and communicate science effectively

• Conduct fully funded research for multiple summers

• Receive conference-travel funding and supplemental research funding, and

• Join a collaborative network of energy leaders.

There are two priority deadlines for application to the VIPER program. We encourage students who are strongly considering VIPER to submit by October 23, 2022 so that we can meet new transfers during Advance Registration. All applications must be received no later than January 4, 2023. For more information, click this link: https://www.viper.upenn.edu/admissions/transfer-policies

ODEI is still offering walk-in advising in the Cora Ingrum Conference Room (enter at 211 Towne) from 11am-1pm every Wednesday. Emily Delany (eedelany@seas.upenn.edu), the Special Programs and Advising Coordinator from Research and Academic Services, would be delighted to meet with you!

Get into the fall spirit with pumpkin painting! Join us on Friday, October 21st from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm at Huston Hall of Flags for Pumpkin Painting and fun fall refreshments! The event is limited to 30 people and is first come first serve so please register quickly!

Register here.

Calling All Entrepreneurs: Join an exclusive program with award winning designer and footwear icon Stuart Weitzman (W’63), Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Stuart Weitzman LLC. The award-winning designer and footwear icon will host student sessions to discuss building his company, creating marketing and branding strategies, and understanding the value of design.

All Penn students can learn from Stuart about building his company, creating marketing and branding strategies, and methods of entrepreneurship by joining the Entrepreneur In Residence Program. This is an exclusive 25-person class offered only once this year.

In addition to the Entrepreneur In Residence class, four selected students will have an additional 30-minute individualized mentoring session in the afternoon with Stuart Weitzman. Due to limited space, mentoring sessions will be highly selective.

Past student testimonial:

“The conversation was guided carefully as it was clear he spent time contemplating what’s the best use of time and what content would be most relevant for us.”

Reach out to Ember Bennett (emberb@design.upenn.edu) with any questions. For more information, visit https://www.design.upenn.edu/eir

October 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. EDT | Studio 414 at Pottruck Gym
Join Penn Campus Recreation and Penn Violence Prevention on Wednesday mornings in October for a trauma-informed yoga practice at Pottruck Gym. Join Nicole from Studio 34 for the classes on October 5th and 19th, and Allyssa from Yoga Habit on October 12th and 26th. Free and open to the Penn community! Pre-registration is encouraged, but not mandatory. If you have a yoga mat, it is highly recommended that you bring it. There will be a few mats guests may borrow as well. Classes cap at 40, so do not miss out on this exciting opportunity!  REGISTER HERE 

October 28th, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT | Online

The fourth annual conference will be conducted virtually and will provide students with the opportunity to learn about the Department of Energy (DOE) complex, explore the Argonne laboratory’s campus, network with researchers, learn about different research opportunities, and connect with current and past interns, among other activities! The goal is to show students the diverse STEM research and opportunities at Argonne and across the DOE laboratory complex. Register by October 18th at 11:59pm CT. Please contact students@anl.gov with any questions or concerns.  REGISTER HERE 

The PGS team will be hosting three information sessions for PGS Spring 2023 courses (see dates below). Applications will be open from October 31 – November 14, during advance registration.

• Friday, October 28 @ 12PM EST
• Wednesday, November 2 @ 12PM EST
• Monday, November 7 @ 5PM EST

For more information, visit: Penn Global Seminars – Spring 2023

The MBA Fund, an on-campus VC fund run by MBA and undergraduate students, is hosting a tri-school competition for startup founders from Penn, Harvard and Stanford this fall season. Finalists pitch to top tier VC judges from The MBA Fund’s network including Accel, Bessemer Venture Partners and Sequoia Capital. First, second and third place winners will receive investment prizes of $100k, $50k & $25k!

Apply here before October 24, 2022 at 5pm ET: https://airtable.com/shrFIxLw5Tqq06kpv

North Spore Scholarship 2022 is worth $2,500 to pay for tuition, books, computers, accommodation, and any other educational expenses. This is open to students interested in enrolling or existing students of mycology, a postgraduate student in mycology, or another related study.

In order to participate in the scholarship contest, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Must be 18 years old or older.
• Must be a legal resident of the United States or a holder of a valid student visa.
• Must be currently enrolled in or accepted to a full-time program in an accredited US university or college
• Must be a student of mycology, a postgraduate student in mycology, or another related study
• Must provide a 300-word essay on or before the deadline of December 20, 2022.

The intent behind organizing the scholarship is to bring deserving and thoughtful young talents to the spotlight by nurturing their creativity and perseverance in creating a greener environment. To learn more about the scholarship, you can visit our website. If you have any questions please let us know.

GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP (CURF Info Session – Friday, October 21, at Noon, in Room 242 in Van Pelt-Dietrich Library (the Lippincott Seminar Room)

Sophomores or juniors (including transfer students) may be strong candidates for the Goldwater Scholarship if they:

• have an overall GPA of at least 3.85
• are planning a graduate degree and research career in a STEM field
• are actively conducting research under the guidance of a faculty member
• are a US Citizen (or a Permanent Resident who intends to become a US Citizen)

Attendees should register in advance for the event. After a brief overview of the award, 2021 and 2022 Penn recipients of the Goldwater Scholarship will discuss their approaches to successfully applying for Goldwater and answer applicant questions.

Potential applicants should complete and submit the brief expression of interest (aka, the Goldwater pre-application) as soon as possible, and schedule an appointment to discuss their application with Dr. Wallace Genser at https://www.curf.upenn.edu/profile/genser-dr-wallace.

Penn’s internal deadline for submission of all materials for the Goldwater (including faculty recommendation letters) is November 22, 2022, but applicants should work with their PI and CURF to start the application process as soon as possible.

Do you want to use your Penn education to make a difference in the lives of others? Do you dream of pioneering your own public service project or startup? Could you use $100,000 to turn your idea into a reality?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, I encourage you to learn more about the President’s Engagement Prize and President’s Innovation Prize, two of the highest honors open exclusively to Penn seniors. These Prizes—“PEP” and “PIP,” as they’ve come to be known—are life-changing opportunities to make a difference after graduation.

Both Prizes underscore the importance of using your Penn education to make a positive social impact. While PEP and PIP are similar, there are some important differences.

Launched in 2014, PEP requires applicants to design a nonprofit venture that has a demonstrable impact in Philadelphia, across the country, or around the world. PEP winners receive $100,000 in project implementation funds, plus a $50,000 living stipend per team member. Students may apply in teams of up to three.

Launched in 2015, PIP requires students to design a for-profit company that has a positive social impact. Students may apply in teams of up to five members. In addition to $100,000 in project implementation expenses and a $50,000 living stipend per team member, winners receive space at the University’s Pennovation Center.

From promoting health equity and fighting food insecurity to engineering an innovative solution for microplastic pollution, last year’s Prize recipients are already well on their way toward making a meaningful, tangible difference in people’s lives.

The application deadline for both Prizes this year will be February 3, 2023. Eligible seniors may apply for just one of the Prizes. Like last year, all sustainability-focused project proposals that are submitted as part of the standard PEP or PIP application process will automatically be considered for the President’s Sustainability Prize.

To help you determine which Prize is best suited for you and to provide more information on the application process, Penn staff will be hosting a series of information sessions in the coming weeks. Details will be shared in a follow-up communication.

For more information, including a detailed FAQ regarding eligibility and application requirements, please visit the CURF website at https://curf.upenn.edu/prizes.

I hope to see your application for the President’s Engagement Prize or President’s Innovation Prize among those that we review this year. Good luck, and best wishes for a wonderful and safe fall semester.

The Red & Blue Engagement Center is looking for enthusiastic student ambassadors (both undergraduate and graduate level) who love Penn and want to connect with alumni and parents about the great things happening at the University! The center is open year-round and always hiring for the fall, spring, or summer semesters.

Students earn up to $13.50/hr with the opportunity for incentive based rewards and prizes. The center offers flexible scheduling (open 7/days a week) to allow students to work around their academic schedules.

The center is typically open:

   Sundays | 12:00 – 8:00pm

   Mondays | 6:00 – 9:00pm

   Tuesdays | 6:00 – 9:00pm

   Wednesdays | 6:00 – 9:00pm

   Thursdays | 6:00 – 9:00pm

   Fridays | 2:00 – 5:00pm

   Saturdays | 12:00 – 6:00pm

Additional hours, including late night hours (9:00 – 11:00pm) and weekday hours, are available periodically as well.

PLEASE USE THE CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW:

To apply, visit the Red & Blue Engagement Center’s website at http://upenn.thecallingcenter.com

For more information, contact the Center’s manager, Emma Burns at:

Email | PennCalling@gmail.com

Phone | 215.573.5231

Check out PennCalling here: https://www.instagram.com/penncalling/

Flyer: Engagement Ambassador 

The FAA-sponsored Airport Cooperative Research Program’s University Design Competition for Addressing Airport Needs provides an outstanding opportunity for individual students or student teams working under the guidance of faculty advisors to design solutions to real-world issues addressing our nation’s airports and the National Air System.

Students win cash prizes ($3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second, and $1,000 for third place) in each of four different broad categories:

• Airport Operation and Maintenance
• Airport Management and Planning
• Airport Environmental Interactions
• Runway Safety/ Runway Incursions/Runway Excursions Including Aprons, Ramps, and Taxiway

Airport needs embrace many disciplines including all engineering fields, environmental science, business, data science, computer science, psychology, and many others.

A variety of multidisciplinary topics are suggested, but students can come up with their own relevant topics for their design solution.  The Competition is an excellent open-ended design project for capstone courses and is also frequently used in other courses, for independent study, or as a professional society student chapter project.

First place winners present their work at an award ceremony at the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington, D.C., and also at a relevant national professional conference.  All expenses are covered.

Interaction with airport operators and industry experts is required.  The Competition provides access to experts and to airport operators through its program website.

The Competition runs from August 16, 2022 to May 12, 2023.  Students can work in either or both academic semesters.  Additional information regarding the ACRP University Design Competition can be found at the Competition website located at www.trb.org/ACRP/ACRPDesignCompetition.aspx.  The updated guidelines for submission are attached and can be found at https://vsgc.odu.edu/acrpdesigncompetition/guidelines/.

The Airport Cooperative Research Program is part of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies.  The Virginia Space Grant Consortium manages the Competition on behalf of the ACRP.

We hope you will consider this opportunity which has provided 2,706 students and 169 faculty advisors from 90 institutions with an outstanding educational opportunity immersed in real-world needs and that you will share it with other faculty or students who might have an interest.