Frequently asked questions
1. Can anyone join SciBridge?
SciBridge is an interdisciplinary organization! We welcome people from all majors and academic backgrounds, whether they are a freshman or a 5th year graduate student!
SciBridge is an interdisciplinary organization! We welcome people from all majors and academic backgrounds, whether they are a freshman or a 5th year graduate student!
2. How do you choose which experimental kits to make?
SciBridge tries to use kits to teach cutting-edge research related to challenges that African communities are facing today. The kits have primarily focused on sustainable energy technologies such as dye-sensitized solar cells and thermoelectric generators, which aim to educate students about ways to combat the lack of access to sufficient and reliable electricity.
SciBridge tries to use kits to teach cutting-edge research related to challenges that African communities are facing today. The kits have primarily focused on sustainable energy technologies such as dye-sensitized solar cells and thermoelectric generators, which aim to educate students about ways to combat the lack of access to sufficient and reliable electricity.
3. What are TEG, MFC, and Potentiostats? Why are the committees organized this way?
That is a good question, I encourage you to visit the resources tab to learn more about the individual projects. SciBridge is broken into technical committees for two main reasons. First, focus groups can concentrate their attention on goals set specifically for one project. Second, students get to choose the project that interests them the most, and those members become the “subject matter experts” for the projects they work on. In this way, kit development for multiple projects can progress simultaneously, and students stay motivated by working on the kit they are most passionate about.
That is a good question, I encourage you to visit the resources tab to learn more about the individual projects. SciBridge is broken into technical committees for two main reasons. First, focus groups can concentrate their attention on goals set specifically for one project. Second, students get to choose the project that interests them the most, and those members become the “subject matter experts” for the projects they work on. In this way, kit development for multiple projects can progress simultaneously, and students stay motivated by working on the kit they are most passionate about.
4. How long does it take to develop a kit, start to finish?
Typically, kits will take anywhere from 1.5-2 years from initial idea to packaging. This is also highly variable on the membership of the group and if the group is working toward any deadline.
Typically, kits will take anywhere from 1.5-2 years from initial idea to packaging. This is also highly variable on the membership of the group and if the group is working toward any deadline.
5. What benefits do volunteers expect to gain from this experience?
Volunteers can expect to gain direct, hands-on laboratory and prototyping experience such as soldering, basic chemistry, 3D printing, and coding. Students can also develop skills in modeling and software development. Students also gain skills in surveying scientific literature, writing lesson plans, and communicating technical concepts. Furthermore, SciBridge volunteers have the opportunity to present at local conferences.
Volunteers can expect to gain direct, hands-on laboratory and prototyping experience such as soldering, basic chemistry, 3D printing, and coding. Students can also develop skills in modeling and software development. Students also gain skills in surveying scientific literature, writing lesson plans, and communicating technical concepts. Furthermore, SciBridge volunteers have the opportunity to present at local conferences.
6. Are there opportunities for SciBridge members to travel to African nations?
Occasionally, but this is not a part of our direct mission. If students are heavily involved in SciBridge activities, there may be opportunities to present at a conference or attend the Joint Undertaking for an African Materials Institute (JUAMI) school. Funding is currently limited for these types of activities.
Occasionally, but this is not a part of our direct mission. If students are heavily involved in SciBridge activities, there may be opportunities to present at a conference or attend the Joint Undertaking for an African Materials Institute (JUAMI) school. Funding is currently limited for these types of activities.
7. Does SciBridge do anything outside of building kits?
Yes! SciBridge hosts monthly seminar speakers who are involved in the field of sustainability. Our previous guests have included Nathan Thomas, CEO of All We Are, and Anne Mikelonis, an engineer at the Environmental Protection Agency. SciBridge students also regularly attend conferences and engage with the public.
Yes! SciBridge hosts monthly seminar speakers who are involved in the field of sustainability. Our previous guests have included Nathan Thomas, CEO of All We Are, and Anne Mikelonis, an engineer at the Environmental Protection Agency. SciBridge students also regularly attend conferences and engage with the public.
8. How much of a time commitment is participating in SciBridge?
The time commitment varies depending on the individual and how much time they are willing to put in. We believe the more time students put into the project, the more they will get out! That being said, students usually spend anywhere from 1-10 hours a month on SciBridge related activities including general body meetings, technical committee meetings, and executive board responsibilities.
The time commitment varies depending on the individual and how much time they are willing to put in. We believe the more time students put into the project, the more they will get out! That being said, students usually spend anywhere from 1-10 hours a month on SciBridge related activities including general body meetings, technical committee meetings, and executive board responsibilities.
9. What is the educational background of the participating African students?
The kits are mostly used in undergraduate chemistry and physics classrooms. However, African students have also used the kit materials to complete Master’s research. The he kits have also been used for local high-school outreach.
The kits are mostly used in undergraduate chemistry and physics classrooms. However, African students have also used the kit materials to complete Master’s research. The he kits have also been used for local high-school outreach.
10. Why is the collaboration mainly with universities in East African countries?
SciBridge formed partnerships when the organization was founded at the Joint Undertaking for an African Materials Institute (JUAMI) in 2012. The participating African institutions of JUAMI were universities in East Africa, so the natural development of the partnerships ended up being in that region. We recognize that the challenges East Africa is facing can be relevant in most other African countries as well, and if we hope to expand our partnerships with institutions in those regions.
SciBridge formed partnerships when the organization was founded at the Joint Undertaking for an African Materials Institute (JUAMI) in 2012. The participating African institutions of JUAMI were universities in East Africa, so the natural development of the partnerships ended up being in that region. We recognize that the challenges East Africa is facing can be relevant in most other African countries as well, and if we hope to expand our partnerships with institutions in those regions.
11. How are the kits used?
Historically, kits have been used in the classroom as part of standard undergraduate curriculum. They can also be used for senior design projects or undergraduate or Masters research. For example, parts of the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) kits were used for completion of two Masters’ theses. Experiment kits have also been used for outreach activities at partner universities where students engage with high school students and other members of the community.
Historically, kits have been used in the classroom as part of standard undergraduate curriculum. They can also be used for senior design projects or undergraduate or Masters research. For example, parts of the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) kits were used for completion of two Masters’ theses. Experiment kits have also been used for outreach activities at partner universities where students engage with high school students and other members of the community.
