From Research to Summer Camps: 12 Ways You and Your Family Can Connect With UB

Whether watching the Bulls play basketball at Alumni Arena or taking part in the Ride for Roswell in June, Western New Yorkers connect with the University at Buffalo in a variety of ways. However, there are opportunities available that might surprise you.

Here are 12 ways adults and children can connect with the University at Buffalo — and have fun doing it.

FOR FAMILIES

• Participate in a research study: The CTSI’s Buffalo Research Registry matches interested volunteers to local research, events, and educational opportunities, while the Participate in Research (PIR) Portal lets users self-search available research studies at UB. Note that many studies are also open to children and teenagers.
• Enjoy outdoor movies and a unique summer festival: The undergraduate Student Association Summer Film Series holds screenings at both the North and South campuses in July and August; watch here for the schedule in the coming months. Meanwhile, UB on the Green is a free, outdoor, alcohol-free, and family friendly festival held each summer at the South Campus. A 2023 date will be announced here soon.
• Engage with UB’s Genome, Environment and Microbiome (GEM) Community of Excellence: GEM offers events, activities, and resources to help further knowledge about genetics, the human genome, and the microbiome. Learn more about outreach here and write to coe-gem@buffalo.edu for additional information.

FOR ADULTS

• Find out about research that will have an impact on mitigating health disparities in Buffalo: The Community Health Equity Research Institute partners with the community on research and, with the CTSI and Buffalo Center for Health Equity, co-sponsors the annual Igniting Hope Conference; the 2023 conference is scheduled for September.
• Listen to insightful podcasts: The School of Public Health and Health Professions’ Buffalo HealthCast podcast explores racism and health, health equity, and more. Other noteworthy UB podcasts include a series from the School of Social Work and another that explores innovative research. *Look for more information on UB’s podcasts in an upcoming issue of Buffalo Research News.
• Watch for CTSI team members at events throughout Western New York: The CTSI Community Engagement Team is excited to be back out in the community. Recently, the team has connected with WNYers at events in the City of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Springville. Write to EngageUB@buffalo.edu to share details about your upcoming community event.

FOR KIDS K-12

• Register your kids for a summer camp: Parents know that now is the time to book summer camps. UB’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences offers multiple options for middle schoolers and high schoolers, while UB Soccer Camps are open to kids from ages 5 to 16. Watch the sites for updated 2023 information.
• Learn about research with Sofia: Head to Canalside’s Explore & More — The Ralph C. Wilson Children's Museum to give your kids the chance to become a “Research Ranger” by playing the “Sofia Learns About Research” video game exhibit. It is a unique way to experience the CTSI activity book that lets kids get a taste of real research. Plus, free “Sofia” activity books are available to take home.
• Take advantage of Homework Helpers: UB’s Homework Helpers provides free virtual tutoring to K-12 students in the Buffalo Public Schools. Read more in a recent UBNow feature.
• Enter a crystal growing competition: Did you know the annual U.S. Crystal Growing Competition was founded by UB’s Jason B. Benedict, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences? Benedict says the 2023 competition, which is open to K-12 students and teachers across the country, will likely start in October; watch the competition website for registration details.
• Get some extra literacy and learning help during the summer: Center for Literacy and Reading Instruction (CLaRI) summer one-to-one reading and writing sessions are offered for K-12 students, while CLaRI’s Summer Reading and Writing Society provides literacy instruction for children entering second and third grade.

FOR TEENS

• Discover career options: High schoolers can explore pharmacy careers at the 2023 Pharmacy Summer Institute; careers in medicine through the STEP Program; public health careers by participating in Pathways Academy; and dental careers through the Destination Dental School. Plus, the Jacobs Institute is seeking high school interns for its summer 2023 Next-Gen program, and teens with an interest in computer science can attend the Center for Computational Research Summer Workshop in Computational Science.
  

Looking for more ways to connect with UB? Check the UB calendar for a wide range of event details and keep an eye on the Office of Government and Community Relations website for frequent updates.