Two MAPS Researchers Receive an NSF DEB RAPIDS Award

     At the beginning of March, Dr. Amy Burgin (KU) and Dr. Lydia Zeglin (KSU) were awarded an NSF Ecosystems DEB RAPID Award of $200,000 to study how water inputs from a decommissioned fertilizer plant affect riverine water quality. The funding is for one year.
     NSF defines RAPID funding opportunities as awards for projects that possess a severe urgency to be addressed and/or are in need of quick response research.  Specifically, this NSF funding mechanism is dedicated to awarding research projects that have limited availability of, or access to data, facilities or specialized equipment as it relates to natural or anthropogenic disasters and unanticipated events.  Burgin and Zeglin's collaborative project is titled RAPID: Are biogeochemical responses linked to the microbial composition of a defined nutrient and microbial input to a large river?  This project seeks to develop a better understanding of "how large rivers transport and transform nutrients in the face of altered nutrient inputs and microbial loads" which is a key element missing in the understanding of lotic nutrient cycling.         
     Since nitrification and denitrification rates are limited by environmental factors, this research will also provide insight on biological versus geochemical controls over processes that support total removal of N from aquatic ecosystems.  For ecosystem science in general, this project has the potential to improve the mechanistic understanding of future changes in ecosystem function and structure. The ultimate goal is to understand if water microbial community composition help to predict water quality in large rivers.

Both Zeglin and Burgin are part of the Kansas NSF EPSCoR OIA #1656006 Track 1 Award: Microbiomes of Aquatic, Plant and Soil Systems across Kansas (MAPS) research team.

MAPS Investigator presents at Big Botany Symposium

 

    Dr. Jim Bever, Distinguished Foundation Professor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Senior Scientist with the Kansas Biological Survey at the University of Kansas and co-pi on the Microbiomes of Aquatic, Plant and Soil Systems Across Kansas Kansas NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 OIA-1656006 Award, was part of a panel that presented at the Big Botany Symposium held March 28, 2018. The all-day symposium was held in conjunction with the Big Botany: Conversations with the Plant World exhibition opening at the Spencer Museum of Art on the University of Kansas campus. The symposium provided an interdisciplinary space for scientists, artists, and other researchers to share their work on plant studies with each other and the community at large.  Dr. Bever discussed "Plant Agency and the Maintenance of Mutualism" and described how “the agency of plants impact their story” by managing microbes and how they work together to help maintain diverse plant communities with high productivity.  

To view Dr. Bever’s talk on YouTube go to the Big Botany Symposium’s video posted at: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h18cLwD2218 

His specific talk begins at the 6:18:50 mark.

Education and outreach funding is provided by the Kansas NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 Award OIA-1656006 titled: "Microbiomes of Aquatic, Plant, and Soil Systems across Kansas."  The grant's educational objectives are designed to enhance STEM education in Kansas by supporting activities that will lead to an expanded STEM workforce or prepare a new generation for STEM careers in the areas of aquatic, plant and soil microbiome environments and ecological systems.

DOE EPSCoR Funding Opportunity

DOE EPSCoR has released their National Lab partnerships solicitation.

Awards are up to 250,000 per year for up to 3 years. 

Cost sharing is not required.

For more information go to:  https://science.energy.gov/~/media/grants/pdf/foas/2018/SC_FOA_0001897.pdf

Letters of Intent are due April 25, 2018

Applications are due May 16, 2018

General inquiries about this FOA should be directed to the Technical/Scientific Program Contact:

     Dr. Tim Fitzsimmons

     301-903-9830

     Tim.fitzsimmons@science.doe.gov

Topeka Dual Language 3rd Graders Learn about Soils

     The Kansas NSF EPSCoR Microbiomes of Aquatic, Plant and Soils Systems Across Kansas (MAPS) outreach initiative directed at teaching elementary science visited Scott Elementary in Topeka, Kansas to teach 3rd grade students about soil composition.  Scott Dual Language Magnet Elementary teaches all science and social studies curriculum in Spanish. Dr. Peggy Schultz, MAPS Outreach Specialist, worked closely with two of Scott's 3rd grade teachers, Ms. Teresa Cotton and Ms. Yesinea Moroyoqui-Ponce, to identify key vocabulary as well as address the curriculum requirements of the 3rd grade Next Generation Science Standards as it related to soil composition. Students in the four 3rd grade science classes at Scott consisted of both native Spanish speakers and native English speakers.  In order to maximize understanding of the lesson's content, students work together to translate and teach the science material to each other in their native languages.
     Dr. Schultz also worked with Mrs. Tita Soberon, an education specialist, to translate the hands-on 3rd grade soils lesson from English into Spanish.  Mrs. Claudia Nunez-Penichet, a prospective University of Kansas Biology graduate student, and Ms. Laura Jimenez, a current University of Kansas PhD candidate, joined the team to facilitate small group discussions and lead hands-on experiments.  Both women are native Spanish speakers.

Mrs. Tita Soberon, Ms. Laura Jimenez and Ms. Claudia Nunez-Penichet facilitating inquiry based experiments in soil composition.

     Students smashed rocks, studied fossils, sifted and measured soil particles, and discovered the many components that make up complex soil.  Their final experiment involved testing the hypothesis: Will a plant grow best in sandy soil or complex soil?  After making predictions, students planted seeds in each type of soil. Their experimental plants were then transported back to the KU Greenhouse so that they could receive appropriate and equal care.  Students will make observations and conclusions regarding the plants when the team returns at the end of March. This was the second lesson taught at Scott Elementary.  The first lesson involved understanding tropic levels and a third lesson is planned to teach about biomes at the end of March.

Education and outreach funding is provided by the Kansas NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 Award OIA-1656006 titled: "Microbiomes of Aquatic, Plant, and Soil Systems across Kansas."  The grant's educational objectives are designed to enhance STEM education in Kansas by supporting activities that will lead to an expanded STEM workforce or prepare a new generation for STEM careers in the areas of aquatic, plant and soil microbiome environments and ecological systems.

Applications are now available for Biology and Environmental Studies Teachers to participate in The Ecosystems of Kansas Summer Institute at the KU Field Station

   Kansas NSF EPSCoR in conjunction with its RII track-1 award, The Microbiomes of Aquatic, Plant and Soils Across Kansas, is now recruiting Kansas teachers to participate in the 2018 Ecosystems of Kansas Summer Institute.  This workshop will be held June 4-8, 2018 at the University of Kansas Field Station.  High school biology and environmental studies teachers are encouraged to apply.  Participants will be paid a stipend of $750 and a travel allowance for participants who live more than an hour from the field station will also be provided.  Ten teachers will be selected to participate. 
   During the workshop, participants will conduct investigations, learn about the current research on ecosystems, explore the diverse outdoors, and work with researchers to develop inquiry-based curriculum to take back to their classes.

For more information, go to: https://epscoroutreach.ku.edu/

Applications can be found at: https://goo.gl/McoVSk

Application deadline is April 1, 2018

Education and outreach funding is provided by the Kansas NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 Award OIA-1656006 titled: "Microbiomes of Aquatic, Plant, and Soil Systems across Kansas."  The grant's educational objectives are designed to enhance STEM education in Kansas by supporting activities that will lead to an expanded STEM workforce or prepare a new generation for STEM careers in the areas of aquatic, plant and soil microbiome environments and ecological systems.

2018 Spring Semester begins with a Collaborative MAPS Course

   

   The Microbiomes of Aquatic, Plant and Soils across Kansas (MAPS)  collaborative course started last week for undergraduate and graduate students from across Kansas enrolled.  Biology 890d at KSU and Biology 701 at KU make up this educational collaboration that is specifically designed to study the structure and functions of microbiomes. Every Tuesday and Thursday, students and professors from the University of Kansas (KU), Kansas State University (KSU), Wichita State University (WSU) and Fort Hays State University (FHSU) meet in a common area on their campus to participate in a ZOOM video conference learning experience.  The goal of the class is to review existing information on linkages between and feed backs among plant, soil and freshwater microbiomes. The lead instructors Walter Dodds, from KSU, and Jim Bever, from KU, plan to facilitate an in depth review of existing literature on this rapidly expanding area of research. Each member of the Kansas EPSCoR MAPS research team has a role in presenting their research and assigning key papers for students to read as part of the effort to achieve this goal. Using what they learn from the faculty presentations and class discussions, students will then prepare individual reports and lead discussions on key papers that reflect their area of interest. The final product from the class will be a publication-quality review manuscript to be submitted following the course.  All students who have continued participation on the manuscript will be listed as co-authors.

Education and outreach funding is provided by the Kansas NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 Award OIA-1656006 titled: "Microbiomes of Aquatic, Plant, and Soil Systems across Kansas."  The grant's educational objectives are designed to enhance STEM education in Kansas by supporting activities that will lead to an expanded STEM workforce or prepare a new generation for STEM careers in the areas of aquatic, plant and soil microbiome environments and ecological systems.

Informational Webinar for the EPSCoR RII Track-4

NSF EPSCoR would like to invite interested faculty to participate in an informational webinar on the FY18 competition for EPSCoR’s RII Track-4 awards at 2:00pm (EST) on either Thursday, January 11, or Friday, January 12.  All attendees are encouraged to review the program solicitation - NSF 18-526 prior to the webinar.

This virtual meeting/webinar will consist of both an audio portion via teleconference and a presentation component via WebEx. In addition to a computer connection for the visual part of the meeting, you will need a separate phone connection to participate in the teleconference. (Cell phones/iPhones are NOT recommended due to the increased likelihood of connectivity issues and interference.)

Click the Meeting ID 743011839 to connect to the Webinar
Audio Component – Teleconference:
Direct (Toll Free) Call-in Number: 888-680-8032
* Password: EPSCoR

The meeting will be open 15 minutes prior to the start time for you to login/call-in. You are encouraged to login/call-in early to ensure connectivity.

Web Ex Instructions

To join the meeting directly through WebEx: 

1. Click the link (above) for the meeting you are attending.  

2. When requested, enter your name and email address.

3. Click "Join." 

4. You are now in the “web” portion of the webinar. 

WebEx will automatically setup Meeting Manager the first time you join a meeting using WebEx. To save time, we strongly encourage you to setup prior to the meeting to ensure connectivity. To set up the meeting manager, click this link: https://nsf.webex.com/nsf/meetingcenter/mcsetup.php. 

Trouble shooting issues:

If you cannot access the direct login link for the webinar, you can still login through WebEx. To join the online meeting through the WebEx Website: 

1. Click NSF WebEx link: https://nsf.webex.com. 

2. Enter the WebEx meeting ID (743011839), then click “Join Meeting.” 

3. When requested, enter your name and email address and password; it is EPSCoR18! 

4. Click "Join"

5. Be sure to call in as well: 888-680-8032, Password: EPSCoR

Administrative Support: If you have any questions about WebEx meeting access, please contact

Liz Lawrence at least 24 hours prior to the webinar (Email: elawrenc@nsf.gov; Phone: 703-292-8997)

For Technical Assistance:

Go to https://nsf.webex.com/nsf/mc.

On the left navigation bar, click "Support". 

The playback of UCF (Universal Communications Format) rich media files requires appropriate players. To view this type of rich media file in the meeting, please check whether you have the players installed on your computer by going to https://nsf.webex.com/nsf/systemdiagnosis.php.