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South Central Chapter Engages in Activities Geared to the Next Generation of Scientists
The activities described below were held in 2007 and this chapter has received funding for outreach activities in 2008.
SOT Special Awards Presented at Regional & State Science Fairs
The South Central Regional Chapter presented Special SOT Awards at regional and state science fairs in three states—Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. The Chapter recruited members from various regions across the three states to coordinate poster judging and award presentations. These members were provided with two checks, one for $100 (for first place winners) and one for $50 (for second place winners), as well as two plaques, for the respective award winners. Also included were packets for each student that contained a congratulatory letter from then SCC President Tammy Dugas, as well as the SOT membership and career brochures.
The SCC coordinators either judged posters at area science fairs themselves or recruited volunteers. The judging utilized the usual criteria, but included only those with an emphasis on toxicological science. In some cases the information packets and awards were provided to science fair staff for presentation at an awards ceremony held later in the week. In other cases, the coordinators were in attendance to present the awards themselves. The chapter received affirmation that these awards were taken seriously by the students. A letter was received by SCC President Tammy Dugas thanking the Chapter for the SOT Special Award. The student emphasized in the letter that the award encouraged him to continue research in the area.
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| Kristie Willet with Donna Franklin of the University of Mississippi |
Undergraduate Program for the Annual South Central Chapter Meeting
The South Central Chapter requested and received funds from the SOT Council Subcommittee on Regional Chapter Funding to cover travel costs of undergraduate students from this region to attend the 2007 South Central Chapter meeting at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. In previous years, few to no undergraduate students attended the chapter meeting, as they were limited by both the availability of funds and lack of participation of their mentors from their respective institutions. Six students from five universities presented posters at the Chapter meeting. The posters were judged by two SCC members, and one award in the amount of $100 was presented to the winner of this competition. Similar activities are planned for 2008 as financial resources have been approved by the SOT subcommittee.
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