TLDR:
I wrote a very rough draft for the AISL grant. Narrowed down research questions and aims for systematic review along with a pretty comprehensive list of keywords and databases to search. I need to get the AISL proposal written up and fast. The deadline is next week and I need to somehow fit that in with my course load. Where has September gone? On the bright side, it’s officially my favorite season and my husband and I just passed our half-year wedding anniversary.
The Full Story:
Accomplishments
It’s officially my favorite season! YEAH AUTUMN! Pumpkins, cute jackets and boots, and bring on the hot chocolate! My husband and I just passed our six-month anniversary. (We’re not very good at celebrating on specific days, but we do celebrate!). We started our marriage with his favorite season — we married on the spring equinox — and now we get to celebrate the rest of our first year kicking it off with my favorite season. I picked a good wedding day.
Last week Rogelio made me aware of the NSF’s AISL program and potential funding. AISL is “Advancing Informal STEM Learning” which is right up my games ally! He asked me to write up a 1.5-page draft proposal. We first have to compete with others from the University of Utah (each university can only submit three proposals for AISL funding). It’s final is due next week on Wednesday, Oct 2nd! Wish us luck.
With the help of my advisor, Rogelio, I narrowed down my systematic review questions, created aims, and with the help of others from the QED lab, I now also have a pretty comprehensive list of databases to search and keywords to search on. (Thanks QED lab!)
What’s next
Write up a hero narrative for the AISL. Get all my notes from the systematic review all in one place (they are a bit of everywhere right now). Somehow fit in my coursework and study for my upcoming midterms.
Roadblocks
I somehow have to fit writing up the AISL and do my research amongst many large projects from my courses. I can see now why taking three courses, two seminars, and doing research is a bit much. I am definitely feeling burnout. Mostly because one of my courses workload (just one) ate my weekend. 😦
Nancy Games 