ORAU

?? NEW POD ALERT ?? Backpack-mounted LIDAR systems are laser-ranging devices that can create very high definition 3D terrain maps. Jordan Bretzfelder, Ph.D., was very early in her tenure as a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow when she was set to embark on a trip to California's Death Valley to use LIDAR on the dunes there. The Death Valley trip served as an analog for future expeditions to the moon and to Mars. LIDAR can map terrain in places without light, which will be useful to map the polar regions of the moon and other interesting topographies. In this episode, Bretzfelder discusses her research at the Marshall Space Flight Center, how she got interested in science and the path that led her to NASA. Listen in for a fun and interesting conversation! https://bit.ly/4l8EnLw #FurtherTogether

?? NEW BLOG: ORAU’s University Consortium connects academic institutions across the country with government agencies, national laboratories and private industry to advance scientific education and research. In this blog, we’re highlighting one of those institutions—Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, a university with a proud history of research. Click below to read more ?? ?? ?? https://bit.ly/3DKvhUK #FurtherTogether

ORAU has named Ashley Stowe, Ph.D., MBA, as the company’s next Chief Research and University Partnerships Officer. Stowe will work to strengthen ORAU’s research enterprise and drive innovation, and foster collaboration across ORAU’s 160-plus member university consortium. To learn more about Stowe and his career, click the link below: https://bit.ly/41MPjqT #FurtherTogether

?? NEW BLOG: For the first time in its existence, the ORAU Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity is now open to the public, by appointment. Check out our blog to see a behind-the-scenes video of the project bringing the collection to life! https://bit.ly/4hHAPgA #FurtherTogether

?? ICYMI: Stormie Adkins, a 4th grade math and science teacher at Claxton Elementary School is getting upgraded technology for her classroom! She applied for ORAU’s 2025 Extreme Classroom Makeover competition and won both runner-up and the viewers’ choice award, earning a combined prize of $7,500 that going toward new technology! Learn more below: https://bit.ly/4j2zGkR #FurtherTogether

?? NEW BLOG: Inspiring students to explore math and science is vital to our country’s long-term success. ORAU believes that teachers who do this well should be celebrated and supported. That’s the motivation behind ORAU’s annual Extreme Classroom Makeover competition. The 2025 grand prize winner is Abby Rase, the science department chair and biology, anatomy/physiology teacher at Halls High School! Click below to see Ms. Rase’s reaction to our surprise announcement ?? https://bit.ly/4kEtdy5 #FurtherTogether

In 2024, educator Carrie Giles of Oliver Springs High School requested a composting system for the special education program. It was part of her project proposal for ORAU’s Education Grants program in which we partner with East Tennessee teachers and schools to help fund STEM initiatives. The students had previously gotten into watching seeds grow into plants, so Giles wanted to give her class the opportunity to do some hands-on learning as they learned about our environment through managing a worm farm. Do you have an idea to enrich STEM learning at your school? ORAU is poised to fund more projects in 2025. Educators in Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, Roane and Scott counties are invited to apply for the 2025 program. The deadline is Friday, April 25. Click the link below for eligibility and details: https://bit.ly/47JT6FT #FurtherTogether

?? We’re headed to Seattle for the International Research Conference on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) hosted by FASD United! ORAU’s Katherine Chyka will present on our work supporting the FASD National Partner Network and developing an FASD living experience video series in partnership with FASD United. ???? Learn more about the video series featuring real stories of those living with FASDs at bit.ly/4bwpUoD #FASDConference #FASD2025 #FurtherTogether

Spring has arrived! Tell us your favorite thing about spring in the comments below! ?? ?? #FurtherTogether

?? NEW BLOG: March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and one ORAU employee is actively working to raise awareness about prevention and early detection. Read our latest blog for all the details ?? ?? ?? https://bit.ly/3DRyXny #FurtherTogether