Upcoming Educational Activities at McCall Outdoor Science School

University of Idaho News Release.

The University of Idaho McCall Outdoor Science School  will host two winter events for outdoor enthusiasts at the McCall Field Campus.

A Wilderness First Responder (WFR) recertification course is scheduled December 9-11. The three-day course is sponsored by the nationally recognized National Outdoor Leadership School's Wilderness Medicine Institute.

Experienced instructors will refresh participants on the current techniques, protocols and controversies in the wilderness medicine field. Participants will review and practice evacuation and decision-making guidelines. Additionally, participants will have opportunities to ask questions based on real life experiences and practice challenging wilderness scenarios and case studies.

The WFR recertification course also includes adult and child CPR. This course is the most popular recertification program in wilderness medicine and is ideal for current wilderness first responders and wilderness emergency medical technicians. The WFR recertification course is pre-approved for 18 hours of EMT continuing education units by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services.

Tuition for the course is $255; the room and board option is $345. To register, contact Sacha Jackson, MOSS registrar, at (208) 634-3918


"North Pole" Trek
Kids and adults may experience a free, virtual trek to the North Pole on December 10 during a mini-orienteering snowshoe activity in Ponderosa State Park.

Participants will follow maps and clues to the “North Pole” to find Santa. The snowshoe excursion will be followed by hot chocolate and photos with Santa. Snowshoes will be provided. Pre-registration is required, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. To register, call (208) 634-4061 extension 180.

Sponsors include the St. Luke’s McCall Center for Health Promotion, the McCall Outdoor Science School, and Ponderosa State Park.

News: Bimetallic Complexes, Prosthetics, Interim Dean, Award, and Grant

Dr. Cheng-Hung Chen

I’m busy collecting items for the next full issue of The Retort, and have come across several items. These are really too small for the full newsletter, but still worth publicizing.

From Idaho State University
Seminar on Prosthetic Hands
On October 28, the Idaho State University Department of Electrical Engineering presented the electrical engineering seminar "Intelligent Control Systems in Prosthetic Hand Applications" by Cheng-Hung Chen, ISU Department of Biological Sciences.

The seminar highlighted the latest research in intelligent control systems for a smart prosthetic hand. The author conducted his doctoral studies in these emerging areas under the guidance of D. Subbaram Naidu, ISU electrical engineering professor and ISU School of Engineering director.

In the United States, there are approximately 1.9 million people living with limb loss, due to conflicts, wars, accidents or birth defects. By the year 2050, the projected number of Americans living with limb amputation will become 3.6 million. Reproducing the human hand in all its various functions is very a challenging task.

Interim Dean for College of Technology (Link to full item, with photo).

ACS Student Chapter Receives Award
Idaho State University American Chemical Society Student Chapter was selected to receive a Commendable Award for its activities conducted during the 2010-11 academic year.
More than 330 reports were submitted and American Chemical Society Committee on Education presented 36 outstanding, 89 commendable and 107 honorable mention awards. Lists of award winning chapters will be published in "Chemical Engineering News" and in "inChemistry," the student member magazine.
Award-winning chapters will also be honored at the 243rd ACS National Meeting in San Diego on March 25.

ISU Student Wins Research Grant (Link to full item, with photo).