Express Outreach: Great Lakes Science Boot Camp

Now in its third year, the Great Lakes Science Boot Camp for Librarians provides affordable educational and networking opportunities for STEM Librarians working in the Greater Midwest Region. The 2017 Science Boot Camp will be hosted at Michigan State University MSU in East Lansing, Michigan from July 19-21 and will build on the success of earlier Boot Camps held at Wayne State University and the University of Notre Dame. The Boot Camp follows an established model consisting of two and a half days of sessions presenting on cutting edge STEM research led by distinguished faculty members. The three half day sessions are arranged by theme and feature two faculty speakers. Session topics proposed for the 2017 Boot Camp include Sports Research, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Biogeochemistry and Ecology. The presentations feature overviews and emerging trends in the field, along with descriptions of current research, methodologies, and the faculty member's interaction with the library. Other programming planned for the Boot Camp will consist of a keynote banquet and speaker, an evening social event and networking time, and facility tours on campus. Several proposed speakers will address public health related topics, including Dr. Irv Widders on legume production and nutrition, Dr. Chris Kuenze on sports injuries and rehabilitation, and Dr. Gary Blanchard on the chemistry of concussions. Additionally, the Flint Water Crisis is the planned topic of the keynote address. The planning committee has contacted Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who came to national prominence from her lead role in uncovering the water crisis in Flint, and could speak on the public health implications of a lead contaminated public water supply. In the event that Dr. Hanna-Attisha is unavailable the planning committee will target other speakers working and researching on the Flint Water Crisis and its health implications...