Stars work hard every day, fusing atoms together so that the universe has more interesting materials to work with beyond hydrogen. That same process can eventually lead to a star going nova, sending those fusion-forged atoms into the cosmos. So if you’re looking for heavy elements, stars may not be the best place to look; instead those element accumulate in planets and other, less stellar celestial bodies. That’s great for planet-dwellers like us; for example, the iron-rich core of the Earth spins and creates a magnetic field which shields us from cosmic radiation. When a tasty planet full of interesting elements wanders too close, though, stars can’t help themselves and gobble those planets up, right down to the not-at-all-chewy iron center.
[Read more…] about Science Corner: You Won’t Believe This One Weird Trick to Increase Iron Intake
god's provision
Summer Snapshot: Finding God When It’s Tough
In today’s Summer Snapshot, an emerging scholar in our network shares about God’s faithfulness in a summer that turned out to be tougher than expected. Because some details in the post may be sensitive, at the request of the author we are sharing it anonymously, as we often do in similar cases. We are grateful for this very thoughtful contribution to the Summer Snapshot series, and pray that it is a blessing to others encountering challenges this summer. If you’d like to read other Summer Snapshots, you can find them here.Â
I had high expectations for this summer. I was headed for a research internship at a prestigious institution, working in my first-choice lab out of over 100 in the department. I was also headed to the city I most wanted to be in for the summer. Shortly before leaving, one of my friends asked me if I was nervous. Almost immediately, I said, “Not really. I can’t wait.†[Read more…] about Summer Snapshot: Finding God When It’s Tough
Summer Snapshot: The Discipline of Simplicity
Elsie Lee connected with the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN) at Urbana15, where she served as part of the liveblogging team. See some of her previous work here, and browse other Summer Snapshots here.Â
Two years ago, my husband and I packed our two-bedroom townhouse into my parents’ garage and flew to the U.K. with two bags each. During our postgraduate studies, we lived in a 300 sq. ft. apartment and shared one three-feet-wide closet for a whole year. Aside from traveling and making friends from around the world, we learned a few unexpected lessons which we are trying to integrate into our lives this summer. Simplicity, while dictated by circumstance overseas, has become one of our core values since returning home. [Read more…] about Summer Snapshot: The Discipline of Simplicity
If I Had to Do It Again: the Graduate School and Early Professor Years Edition (Scholar’s Compass)
Today, Beth Madison shares some things she’d change if she could redo her years of graduate school and early professorship. Read Beth’s earlier reflections “Not What I’d Planned” and “Stories for Life.” [Read more…] about If I Had to Do It Again: the Graduate School and Early Professor Years Edition (Scholar’s Compass)
Scholar’s Compass Navigating Beginnings: Relying on God’s Strength and Blessing Others
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary. . . . He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might, he increases strength. – Isaiah 40:28-29 (ESV)
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. – Proverbs 11:25 (ESV)
Reflection
Earlier this week we looked at God’s sustaining grace in the midst of new beginnings—times that can bring both excitement and anxiety. We see excitement build for new areas of study, new students and colleagues, perhaps even a new location to explore and begin to call home. But then the semester quickly progresses and becomes filled with to-do lists, committee meetings, teaching, and writing. We find ourselves buried under assignments and deadlines and the excitement and passion for scholarship and study often shifts into autopilot and survival mode. [Read more…] about Scholar’s Compass Navigating Beginnings: Relying on God’s Strength and Blessing Others