News

Middle, high school science fair puts spotlight on budding researchers

This week Tulane University hosted the 62^nd Annual Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair, during which sixth- through eighth-graders and high school students, exhibited and pitted their independent student research against the work of their peers.

Tulane runs the fair, which includes cash awards, scholarship opportunities and social media contests.

Fair grounds

Approximately 300 middle and high school students have gathered at the Lavin-Bernick Center this week for the 62nd annual Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair. The young scientists, from Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines and Saint Bernard parishes, compete for over $65,000 in scholarships and prizes, as well as the opportunity to advance to the state competition in mid March. 

Big idea

A 1,000 watt light bulb is on display in the lobby of the Boggs Center for Energy and Biotechnology on the uptown campus. Technically referred to as a “lamp,” the first incandescent light bulb was developed in 1802 by Sir Humphry Davy, a Cornish chemist and inventor. In 1806, Davy invented a more commercially viable arc light which, by the 1870s, was widely used for street lighting and in large buildings. By the early 20th century, an incandescent bulb for lighting the interior of homes was introduced.

Steve and Jann Paul donate $10 million for new Science and Engineering building at Tulane

Tulane graduates Steve and Jann Paul have made a $10 million gift to support construction of a new School of Science and Engineering building at Tulane University.

Science fare

Amy Feehan, center, a fourth-year PhD candidate with the Tulane Brain Institute, answers questions about her research on treating chronic inflammatory pain during the 29th annual Health Sciences Research Days, which took place Monday and Tuesday at the J. Bennett Johnston building on the downtown campus.  UPDATE: The day's winners are available here.

Photo opportunity

Tulane scientists were able to boost their research using one of Nikon’s most advanced microscopes. During the past two weeks, researchers had access to an A1R+ Multiphoton Confocal Microscopy System on the downtown campus, which allowed researchers from the schools of medicine and science and engineering to run new experiments using Nikon's cutting-edge imaging technology.

Tulane MakerSpace an inspiration to New Orleans schools

Tulane University opened its MakerSpace in 2016, offering students and professors alike access to digital fabrication tools like 3-D printers, laser cutters, milling machines and lathes.

Keeping watch

A portrait of Corinne C. “Lindy” Boggs appears to keep a casual watch over Megan Vasterling in the lobby of the Boggs Center for Energy and Biotechnology. A junior in the biomedical engineering program in the School of Science and Engineering, Vasterling was researching articles for inspiration for her senior project.

Calculated creation

A Thacher’s calculator, dated 1882, is on display in the lobby of the Boggs Center for Energy and Biotechnology on the uptown campus. Invented by Edwin Thacher, the instrument, also known as a cylindrical slide-rule, became a vital tool in science, engineering, commerce and business. An online copy of the model’s operating manual states: “By the use of this instrument the drudgery of calculation is avoided, and the relief to the mind may be compared with the most improved mechanical appliances in overcoming the wear and tear of manual labor.” The instrument is on loan from Robert N.

Tulane University presents panel discussion on artificial intelligence

The advent and consequences of superhuman intelligence will be the subject of a panel discussion Feb. 1 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Freeman Auditorium, located in the Woldenberg Art Center on the uptown campus of Tulane University.

The discussion is the opening program of the Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Society sponsored by the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence and the Association for Computing Machinery.