Scientists talk FRIB

Scientists involved with the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams and Michigan State University spoke about their thoughts and hopes for the Facility and its affects on the university:

Dr. Bradley Sherrill, chief scientist for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, said he believes Michigan State University was chosen to house FRIB, set to be complete no later then June of 2022 according to MSUToday, for a multitude of reasons.

“[It] started with good quality science here for many years, then it started with the idea, and then it started with the effort that went all the way from the students of the university all the way up to the president to make sure that it came here. So, we are now given the opportunity to do it and that’s what we are doing,” said Sherrill.

Sherrill, who self-describes his role as a communicative position between the FRIB laboratory and those who will use it, said the participation of students and university President Lou Anna K. Simon stood out to the committee assigned to approve locating FRIB on the campus.

 “We heard after [the decision was made], from several committee members, that they were actually quite impressed that the president was behind this, that the students were behind this and they obviously thought also that the scientists were doing a good job of planning and preparing and would do a good job of building it,” said Sherrill.

Dr. Raymond “Chip” Brock, a distinguished professor and the former chair of the department of physics and astronomy at MSU, said he thinks the university will benefit from FRIB.

“Those who have become leaders in the project… were among the best teachers in our department and the folks that have management positions, they are among the best teachers in our department... best scientists, best teachers, it’s a win for everybody,” said Brock.

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The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at Michigan State University

Michigan State University began expanding its nuclear science facilities this spring with the commencement of construction on the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB).

MSU is currently home to the largest campus-based nuclear science facility in the United States known as the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL), and is nationally ranked No.1 in nuclear physics graduate education, according to U.S. News & World Report.

According to the official Website for FRIB, the facility will allow scientists to make breakthroughs regarding the properties of rare isotopes to better understand the physics behind them and their applications in society.

The facility began construction March of this year following the Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC) approval in accordance the with passing of the 2014 federal budget United States government that allotted $55 million to support FRIB construction in the coming year, according to the website.

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2 Chainz at the University of Michigan Recap

Attendees of the MUSIC Matters 3^rd annual benefit concert packed Hill Auditorium at the University of Michigan last night to listen to hip-hop sensation 2 Chainz.

2 Chainz – formerly known as Tity Boi, born Tauheed Epps – opened with “I Do It,” from his second studio album B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time and kept the crowd excited by performing popular hits like “Mercy” and “R.I.P.”  

Amina Balla, a U-M freshman that attended the concert describes her experience as amazing.

“Everyone was really excited and the atmosphere was unreal. People were dancing and shouting the lyrics, it felt really good to be around so many people enjoying the same thing so much,” said Balla.

Her roommate, U-M freshman Mackenzie Pohlman shared a similar thought.

Pohlman said, “I think a large part of what made it fun was how happy everyone was. Even people who didn’t seem to know the lyrics were dancing and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.”

In a post-performance interview posted on The Michigan Daily, 2 Chainz said, “The energy from the crowd is organic. People like [my performance], and I appreciate it.”

Attendees of the MUSIC Matters 3^rd annual benefit concert packed Hill Auditorium at the University of Michigan last night to listen to hip-hop sensation 2 Chainz.

2 Chainz – formerly known as Tity Boi, born Tauheed Epps – opened with “I Do It,” from his second studio album B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time and kept the crowd excited by performing popular hits like “Mercy” and “R.I.P.”  

Amina Balla, a U-M freshman that attended the concert describes her experience as amazing.

“Everyone was really excited and the atmosphere was unreal. People were dancing and shouting the lyrics, it felt really good to be around so many people enjoying the same thing so much,” said Balla.

Her roommate, U-M freshman Mackenzie Pohlman shared a similar thought.

Pohlman said, “I think a large part of what made it fun was how happy everyone was. Even people who didn’t seem to know the lyrics were dancing and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.”

In a post-performance interview posted on The Michigan Daily, 2 Chainz said, “The energy from the crowd is organic. People like [my performance], and I appreciate it.”

See what happened live on our twitter

2 Chainz at the University of Michigan Preview

Hip-hop artist 2 Chainz is set to perform at Hill Auditorium at the University of Michigan on April 10^th at 8 p.m. The Grammy-nominated performer is headlining the 3^rd annual U-M Michigan Undergrads Serving in the Community (MUSIC) Matters charity concert.

2 Chainz, popular for his radio-played hits like “I’m Different” and “No Lie,” will cap off 2014 SpringFest; an event modeled after the Austin, TX. South by Southwest festival that will serve to highlight various student groups at U-M.

MUSIC Matters, which puts on the concert as a charitable event and to celebrate the end of the school year, debuted just two years ago with hip-hop artist J Cole headlining the festivities.

This years charitable proceeds will go towards funding a summer leadership camp at U-M for at-risk Detroit youth.

Tickets go on sale March 27^th at noon at MUTO in the U-M Union and are being sold online starting at 2 p.m. at michiganmusicmatters.com/tix

Prices range from $10 balcony seats to $59.50 VIP seating and expect to pay an extra $10 if you don’t have a student MCard.


Follow a live stream of the concert on the on April 10^th our twitter

Smartphones and Social Media Student Views

Students’ use of smartphones ranges from academic purposes to social media. Four Michigan State University students spoke about their smartphone usage and habits:

Lauren Keiser, a MSU psychology student and owner of the popular iPhone said she mainly uses it to send emails, stay organized and keep up on social media.

“I don’t watch a lot of TV so [social media] is my source for current events… it’s like the world is at my fingertips," said Keiser.

Freshman crop and soil major Emily Cole said she agrees and because college does not leave her with a lot of opportunity to watch the news, her phone becomes her source for current events.

MSU psychology major Aubrey Gilliland said she uses her smartphone for social media and academic purposes, but that being in constant contact with everything through her phone can get annoying.

Gilliland also said her smartphone can be a distraction but that it depends on the size of the class. “I’m less likely to use [my smartphone] in smaller classes but in big lecture halls it is tempting,” she said.

Maria Cotter, a freshman food science major said she finds herself on twitter in her science classes.

Watch our interview with Maria Cotter and Emily Cole here: YouTube

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Read more on the topic on this blog

Smartphones and Social Media Overview

Social media and technology are a large part of the lives of college students on multiple levels. With over half of American adults owning smartphones according to Pew Research Center, this number has only increased in past years. 

In 2009 the median number of texts sent out by a teenager on a typical day was 50, according the study done by PRC this had risen by 20 percentage points by 2011.

Michigan State University Professor of Psychology Dr. Linda Jackson; whose current research explores the effects of information technology use on cognitive, social, psychological and moral development, finds both good and bad aspects of smartphones usage and social media. 

"It pervades all aspects of a student’s life, from social relationships with family and friends to academic performance to time for other pursuits,” said Jackson in an email interview. 

But, she said that when used properly, technology has the potential to improve academic performance and self esteem.

See what students have to say on our YouTube

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Sewing Recap

Just about an hour after it began, Emma McGinn's lesson in sewing is over... for now.

"I got so much out of it, I'll definitely be coming back for more as soon as we both have the time." said McGinn. "It would be a cool thing to know how to do but also it could save me some money."

Jasmina Dzomba started off the lesson by having McGinn sew lines on scrap pieces of fabric. Dzomba said this is to help McGinn get accustom to sewing on a different machine and get accustom to its settings. They continued the lesson by working on a skirt pattern McGinn brought in.

The lesson went on without any issues and Dzomba said that it’s because they are just dealing with the basics of sewing at this point.