The joys and trials of defending a dissertation virtually Aja Carter (seen here in May 2018) recently earned her doctorate from the Department of Earth and Environmental Science in the School of Arts & Sciences. In the lab of Peter Dodson, she studied how the structure of the vertebrae in the spinal column changed over time and how that affected the way animals move. As most aspects of university life moved online because of COVID-19, so did her thesis defense and that of so many others. The joys and trials of defending a dissertation virtually When most aspects of university life moved online because of COVID-19, so, too, did the thesis defense for Ph.D. candidates. Despite some challenges, the shift had unexpected benefits.
Higher education system faces the inequities COVID-19 exposes Higher education system faces the inequities COVID-19 exposes With pandemic budget cuts looming, Penn GSE’s Laura Perna says policymakers should prioritize low-income college students.
Penn Flow Chinese-Western chamber music ensemble plays from home Flora Feng, a senior mathematics and economics major, plays the traditional Chinese guzheng in a video she made in her California home. She is a member of the new Penn Flow Chinese-Western chamber music ensemble. Penn Flow Chinese-Western chamber music ensemble plays from home The Penn Flow Chinese-Western chamber music ensemble juxtaposes traditional Chinese instruments with Western instruments. Student members are featured playing the traditional Chinese erhu and guzheng at home in videos posted by the Music Department.
A class on civility teaches how to have tough conversations Wharton student Connor Gibson, left, smiles during a discussion in the Can We Talk? course early in the spring 2020 semester, as classmate Sydney Nixon looks on. A class on civility teaches how to have tough conversations Wharton School junior Connor Gibson knew the benefits of a tight-knit community and also knew there wasn’t much diversity there to challenge his way of thinking. He says a SNF Paideia course, Can We Talk?, was transformational
Theater stopped misinformation during the Ebola crisis. The arts might help beat this pandemic Before the need to socially isolate, Jasmine Blanks Jones worked with student artists at B4 Youth Theatre. (Image: Penn GSE) Theater stopped misinformation during the Ebola crisis. The arts might help beat this pandemic When she started B4 Youth Theatre in 2010, Jasmine Blanks Jones wanted to create a theater camp where Liberian youth could amplify their voices as members of their community and use theater to create change.
Gaming as a teaching tool Gaming as a teaching tool The Spring 2020 course Video Games and the Virtual World explores the many applications of gaming in education and beyond.
Childhood hunger research offers a warning as pandemic threatens food security Childhood hunger research offers a warning as pandemic threatens food security As the COVID-19 pandemic has limited access to many free school meal programs, research from Penn GSE’s Sharon Wolf and two colleagues suggests that hunger poses developmental risks for young children.
How do you homeschool kids? The pandemic has lots of parents asking How do you homeschool kids? The pandemic has lots of parents asking Penn GSE’s Ameena Ghaffar-Kucher’s new podcast offers guidance on juggling work and homeschooling, and how to focus on what kids and parents truly need during the pandemic.
Parents asked questions about living in lockdown. Penn GSE experts answered Parents asked questions about living in lockdown. Penn GSE experts answered Stay-at-home orders, closed schools, and pandemic-induced anxiety are taking their toll on families. Penn GSE’s Caroline Watts offers insights and resources for families requesting online resources.
Tips for staying mentally healthy in a crowded house Tips for staying mentally healthy in a crowded house When people are practicing social distancing and staying at home almost 24/7, excessive family time can trigger boredom and conflicts. Penn GSE outlines 14 tips for managing family relationships at this time.