Due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, it is obviously an uncertain time, and many of us may be feeling anxious, stressed, or isolated. Here are some tips for how you and your GIDAS members can continue to feel connected and positive in the next few weeks.
Digital Meeting Platforms
Are you looking for ways to hold GIDAS meetings online? Download the Zoom Client for Meetings here. Zoom offers video conferencing, screen sharing, and chatroom functionalities all in one–for free! Club members don’t have to install Zoom on their computers to join meetings, but it will make hosting and joining easier. Instructions for setting up and using Zoom are available here.
Public Health Resources/COVID-19 Updates
The World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, and Johns Hopkins University websites all have reliable info on the COVID-19 worldwide situation and effective health measures individuals/groups can take against the virus.
Also check out these math models recommneded by Dr. Inhan Lee, miRcore President on COVID-19:
YouTube video: Exponential growth and epidemics
The Washington Post Article :Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to “flatten the curve”
Wellness Tips (share these with your club members!)
• Share your feelings about the current situation with friends/family/GIDAS members/miRcorers. It’s okay to feel anxious or stressed–know that others feel that way too, and that knowing more about the science may help relieve your stress (see above WHO, CDC, and JHU links/YouTube videos).
• Maintain a regular sleeping and eating schedule.
• Exercise regularly–if you can’t go outdoors, sit-ups, push-ups, stretches, yoga, and other indoor exercises are still possible!
• Check out (digital) books: My personal favorite platforms (all free!) are Overdrive, Project Gutenberg, and the Internet Archive.
• Keep studying, especially if your teachers are still posting assignments.
Ideas for Club Activities/Discussions/Social Media Polls or Posts
• What are your favorite [books, movies, TV shows, songs]?
• How do you feel about the COVID-19 outbreak? What do you know about it?
• (after watching videos/reading websites): What did you learn? How do you feel now that you have this new knowledge?
• Play Kahoot! — not just GIDAS-related, but any for fun Kahoot! as well (e.g. Trivia)
• Conference Abstract Prep
Notice about Abstract Due Dates
Abstract rough drafts are due April 12, 2020. Final drafts are due April 19, 2020. Those who submit their abstracts by April 12 will have priority in getting peer review and help from university GIDAS members in improving their abstracts.
Conference Prep Resources
Abstract Format (official formatting guidelines)
High School Research Conference Poster Examples (Poster Examples)
General Info about Conference: https://www.mircore.org/2019-conference/
Note: The date of the 2020 Research Conference is pending review. We will continue to reevaluate in the context of the COVID-19 situation.
Sincerely yours,
Eleanor L.
miRcore Volunteer Program President
Huron GIDAS President