Penn State Energy and Environment News Feed

Impact of eight-figure estate commitment will be felt across the University

| psu.edu

A donor who has chosen to remain anonymous has stepped forward with an eight-figure estate commitment, bringing the donor’s total support of Penn State to more than $13.5 million. The gift will enhance scholarship support in the College of Education and the College of Agricultural Sciences and at Penn State Berks; further pediatric cancer research at Penn State College of Medicine; provide top academic leaders with flexible resources; and help the Blue Band to continue inspiring pride across the Penn State community.

GAP funding paves the way for research to move from lab to market

| psu.edu

Four projects were recently awarded Penn State Commercialization GAP funding. The GAP Fund, formerly known as the Fund for Innovation, aims to accelerate the development of promising research across the University by closing the funding gaps between proof-of-concept research and readiness for commercialization.  

Penn State Sustainable Labs Program concludes second year, expands on successes

| psu.edu

The Sustainable Labs Program provides educational support and networking opportunities to labs across Penn State, helping them implement changes to become more energy and resource efficient. Actions taken by participating labs are estimated to result in over $155,000 in savings for the University and reduce about 490 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

EnvironMentors offers high school students a college research experience

| psu.edu

Penn State Harrisburg began participating in the Penn State chapter of EnvironMentors in 2019. The program links a high school student with an undergraduate student mentor and a faculty mentor for an environmentally themed research project that takes place over the course of the academic year. The work culminates in a research symposium at University Park. 

New World Campus fund helps make life-changing learning experiences a reality

| psu.edu

The Collective Commitment to Equity Fund provides financial assistance to students for educational experiences like unpaid internships or travel opportunities.

Study uncovers lasting impact of natural disasters on college students: 'A spillover effect on pretty much every aspect of the person's life'

| thecooldown.com

A troubling new study found that natural disasters resulting from our warming planet impact college students long after the weather event occurs. This article mentions Penn State research.

Heaviest Pa. storms drop 60% more rain than they used to, report says

| stateimpact.npr.org

A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, which can fuel heavy rain events and flash floods. This article quotes Christine Kirchoff, a civil and environmental engineering professor at Penn State.

Forty-three undergraduates receive Erickson Discovery Grants

| psu.edu

The Erickson Discovery Grant, which funds independent research projects for undergraduate students, has been awarded to 43 recipients this year.  

PA State Data Center to host Data User Conference May 29 and 30

| psu.edu

Data users from across the commonwealth are set to gather in State College at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center for the Pennsylvania State Data Center’s 2024 Data User Conference May 29 and 30. The annual conference serves as the state's most comprehensive forum for research and development in demographic data.

Q&A: The increasing difficulty of detecting AI- versus human-generated text

| psu.edu

Dongwon Lee, professor in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, discussed the importance of examining the integrity of AI-generated text found online. 

Harrisburg's inaugural engineering systems doctoral students begin journey

| psu.edu

Penn State Harrisburg’s new doctoral program in engineering systems kicked off in fall 2023, with an inaugural class of students from diverse backgrounds in engineering.

Local teachers who want to add water education to their lessons take part in free workshop

| wfmz.com

Some teachers in Lehigh County spent time on the learning side of the classroom Tuesday. This article and broadcast TV segment quotes Brad Kunsman, educator with Penn State Extension.