Career in research and development

A guide to pursuing a career in research and development

What is the field of research and development? What skills and dispositions are needed to successfully enter the field of research and development? What are examples of courses, learning opportunities, extracurricular activities, and experiences that can help middle school students and high school students prepare for, and excel in, the field of research and development?

Introduction

Research and development, also known as R&D for short, is an interdisciplinary field of study that involves the application of scientific knowledge to solve real-world problems. Professionals in this field may work in fields such as medicine, engineering, manufacturing, or any other scientific industry. If you’re a middle school student or high school student interested in exploring a career in research and development, read on for a guide to developing the skills and dispositions needed for success.

What skills are needed?

The skills required to pursue a career in R&D depend on the specific area of focus within the field. Generally speaking, however, professionals should have excellent problem-solving skills, be highly organized and detail-oriented, possess strong analytical abilities, have good communication skills (especially when it comes to conveying complex scientific concepts), and be able to think quickly and critically. In addition, many employers prefer applicants who are comfortable working with computers and technology; those with experience coding or writing software can expect even more opportunities.

How can students prepare?

There are several ways that students can start preparing for a career in R&D while they’re still in middle school or high school. For starters, taking courses related to mathematics (such as calculus or statistics), science (chemistry or biology), engineering (mechanical engineering or electrical engineering), computer programming/software development, physics (quantum mechanics or thermodynamics), chemistry (organic chemistry or biochemistry), economics (microeconomics or macroeconomics) are all great starting points for developing an understanding of the fundamental principles behind R&D.

Additionally, students should consider pursuing extracurricular activities such as robotics clubs/tournaments, science fairs/competitions, hackathons/programming challenges - all of which provide invaluable hands-on learning experiences that cannot be learned from textbooks alone. Finally, attending seminars/workshops on topics related to research & development hosted by universities and industry professionals can help students gain valuable insights into what it takes to succeed as an R&D professional.

Conclusion

Pursuing a career in research & development requires hard work and dedication - but also provides ample opportunity for personal growth and professional advancement along the way. With the right combination of courses/classes taken during middle school/high school years, paired with extracurricular activities related to research & development - plus attending seminars/workshops hosted by experts - students can get ahead of the curve when it comes time to apply for internships or jobs within the field. Ultimately, each step taken now towards developing relevant skills will pay off big time down the line!

Learn how to code for free online

Online learning platforms for middle school students to learn coding

What are high-quality examples of online learning platforms where middle school students can learn how to code on their own time and at their own pace?

Introduction

As technology continues to become more essential in our everyday lives, it’s important to teach middle school students how to code. By learning how to code, these students can gain a deeper understanding of the technology they use and have a better chance at succeeding in their careers. But where should they start? Fortunately, there are high-quality online learning platforms that make learning coding fun and easy for middle school students. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Codecademy

Codecademy offers interactive courses that teach students the basics of coding, such as HTML and JavaScript. It also offers comprehensive classes on the fundamentals of Python and SQL. The platform is divided into different sections based on difficulty level, so students can start with basic coding concepts and then move on to more complex topics as they become more comfortable with the material. Codecademy also offers personalized guidance from experts who can provide support when needed.

Khan Academy

Khan Academy provides free educational resources for middle schoolers interested in learning coding principles. The platform has courses that cover everything from basic programming concepts like variables and functions to more advanced topics such as machine learning and data structures. Khan Academy also has an extensive library of videos and tutorials that can help students understand difficult concepts more easily. Additionally, the platform's user-friendly interface makes it easy for students to find the resources they need quickly and easily.

CodeHS

CodeHS is an online learning platform designed specifically for middle schoolers who want to learn coding fundamentals in an engaging way. The platform includes courses on web development, game design, mobile app development, robotics, and much more. CodeHS also offers interactive lessons with step-by-step instructions so students can learn at their own pace without feeling overwhelmed or frustrated by complex concepts. Plus, CodeHS offers support from experienced professionals who are available 24/7 if assistance is needed while working through a lesson or project.

Conclusion

Learning how to code is an incredibly valuable skill for middle schoolers today; not only does it equip them with technical knowledge but it also helps them develop problem-solving skills that will serve them well in their future careers. Fortunately, there are plenty of high-quality online platforms out there designed specifically for middle schoolers looking to learn coding principles in an engaging way - including Codecademy, Khan Academy, and CodeHS - that make learning this important skill fun and accessible for everyone!

Educational hobbies for high schoolers

Exploring fun and educational hobbies for high school students

Introduction

The teenage years can be a difficult time for many students. With the added pressures of school, extracurricular activities, and social obligations, it can be hard to fit in some much-needed fun. But fun doesn't have to mean video games and movies - it can also mean hobbies that are both educational and enjoyable! Here are some great suggestions for parents and high school students looking for ways to enjoy their free time.

Computer programming

Computer programming is one of the most popular hobbies among teenagers these days. It’s an incredibly versatile skill that can unlock a variety of fascinating careers down the line. Plus, it’s only getting easier to learn. There are plenty of free online courses available on websites such as Code Academy or Coursera where you can work your way through lessons at your own pace. And if you ever get stuck, there are tons of helpful resources online with tutorials, tips, and tricks for tackling coding problems.

Woodworking

Woodworking is a great way to explore creativity while also learning about tools, safety precautions, and basic carpentry skills. Whether you’re making furniture or birdhouses, woodworking projects help foster problem-solving skills and provide an opportunity to work with your hands in a safe environment. If you don't have access to tools at home or don't know where to start with woodworking projects, consider taking classes at a local shop or community center - or even asking around if any family members or friends have experience they'd be willing to share!

Gardening

Gardening is another hobby that offers physical activity while providing valuable lessons in biology, chemistry, physics, math - even history! It's also a great way to bond with family members while exploring new plants and growing crops together! Gardening requires patience but it's very rewarding when you see your garden blooming with beautiful flowers and delicious produce (not to mention all the tasty recipes you can try out!). Plus, learning how plants grow teaches us about sustainability, which is important for future generations.

Conclusion

High school students have so many options when it comes to hobbies that are both educational and enjoyable! From computer programming to woodworking to gardening - the possibilities are endless! Not only do these activities teach them valuable skills like problem-solving but they also provide an opportunity for bonding with family members or friends who may have similar interests. So why not encourage your high school student today by suggesting some of these creative hobbies? They're sure to thank you later!

WordPress countdown widget

The WordPress countdown widget: A simple and customizable countdown plugin for your WordPress site

Countdown widgets make for an excellent addition to many sites. Because of this, many developers have created and released several different countdown plugins. With so many available plugins, how do you know which one is right for you? Well, you could download and install several random plugins before finding the one that you like, or you could save some time and give the WordPress countdown widget a try first.

The WordPress countdown widget is a simple widget that lets you add unlimited countdowns to your WordPress site. Unlike some countdown widgets that function incorrectly when more than one instance is used on a page, the WordPress countdown widget functions properly no matter how many times you wish to use it. Plus, having been developed by Shailan.com, a popular developer of WordPress themes, plugins, and widgets, you can rest assured that it’s a safe and reliable widget to add to your site.

With over 10,000 downloads and an average rating of 4/5 stars, the WordPress countdown widget requires that you use WordPress 4.7 version or higher. It has been tested up to version 5.2.5. When installing any new plugins on your current WordPress site, always be sure to back up your files just in case something should go wrong during installation.

As for the installation itself, it’s simple. After downloading the WordPress Countdown Widget, you’ll need to install it from the WP Admin > Plugins page. Upon completion, simply activate the plugin and drag and drop it onto the sidebar at your desired location. This can be done from the Appearance > Widgets page.

Next, you’ll need to customize your widget, so that your new countdown clock looks and works the way you want it to. You’ll be asked to include a title and event title, plus the date and time to which you are counting down to. You are also given the option of formatting the date and time, and you'll be asked to provide the appropriate time zone. Display properties like text color, background color, and width are also fully customizable. If you wish, you are given the option of removing the “powered by” link at the bottom of the widget.

Overall, the WordPress countdown widget is an excellent tool. Its only downfall is that, like most other plugins, it doesn’t work on all versions of WordPress. If you do, however, happen to have a compatible version and are in need of a basic countdown clock, then its ease of installation and customizable features makes it a simple, but certainly worthy, addition to your WordPress site.

Please note: This article is in reference to the WordPress countdown widget, which can be found at: https://www.wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wordpress-countdown-widget.

How to test your Web site's links

Never discount the importance of testing your Web site's links

Links are an essential part of any Web site. After all, they form the basis of all online navigation. That's why, regardless of whether you are directing your visitors toward another page of your site, or sending them to a different site altogether, your links need to work. Otherwise, your visitors may become frustrated with your site and never return. To prevent such frustration, all new links should be immediately tested as you add them to your Web site in order to ensure correct functionality. Time allowing, you should also occasionally test any previously added links to offsite pages, because such pages can be changed or removed at any time, often without warning.

So, how can you check that your Web site's links are indeed functioning correctly? Well, the most basic way of testing a link is simply clicking on it and seeing what happens. If the link redirects you to the correct page or resource, then great – no further action is necessary! If the link isn't directing you to the correct page or resource, however, then you'll need to take a closer look at the link itself and correct any errors that may be preventing it from working as expected. Also, if a linked page or resource is no longer available, then you'll need to remove its corresponding link from your site or find a suitable replacement link to use instead.

Now, this basic method for checking link function obviously works well on small sites, but since it requires you to manually check each link, it can prove to be very time consuming on larger sites - especially sites containing hundreds, thousands, or even millions of links. So, how do you go about testing the links on larger or link-heavy sites? One method many webmasters choose is tasking special link-checking software to do the work for them. Online resources are also available to help automate the process, with the W3C Link Checker being a popular choice. If you wish to give the W3C Link Checker a try, please visit: https://validator.w3.org/checklink.

Another way to seek out information about your Web site's potentially broken links is to visit your Web site's error log. If you have access to the log files, then you should be able to see a list of the latest errors encountered on your Web site. Typically, error logs include information about any pages or resources that were unreachable to visitors, plus information about the page or resource that generated each error. By using your Web site's error log as a guide, you'll have a better idea about which links may need to be fixed or removed.

Unfortunately, there's a serious problem that occurs both when using automated link testers and when checking a Web site's error log – neither method pays any attention to the actual content of the linked pages or resources. Links receive a passing grade so long as the page or resource that is being linked to simply exists. This can be a major problem if you often link to offsite pages or resources that you have no control over because any changes to such content may go unnoticed by you while your original link remains active to your visitors. To ensure that the linked destination still contains the same content it did when you first linked to it, be sure to occasionally check your links manually, especially if you are linking to pages or resources beyond your control.

Because links are such a crucial part of any Web site, it is critically important to test them regularly to ensure they are functioning correctly. Though automated link testers and error logs are informative and can help speed up the testing process when used, don't forget that manual testing is also important – especially if you are linking to pages or resources that could change without your knowledge. By checking your error logs and regularly testing your Web site's links, both manually and via an automated link checker, you will have the best chance of locating your Web site's problematic links, allowing you to correct any problems that could prevent your visitors from easily navigating your site.

The four-second rule of Web site design

According to the Statistic Brain Research Institute, average attention spans in 2015 were just over eight seconds. Though this itself sounds short, the institute also found that attention spans may be even shorter while surfing the Web, as nearly twenty percent of reported page views lasted less than four seconds. So, in knowing that you have such a small window of time to connect with your visitors, what can be done to keep people on your site beyond the initial four seconds?

First, ensure your site is fast loading, and, second, place your most engaging content readily in view of your visitors.

When discussing page load speed, it is widely acknowledged that faster is better. After all, if visitors fail to find attention-grabbing content within the first four seconds of clicking through to your site, they may hit the back button in hopes of finding another site that will cater to their needs in a timelier manner. To avoid losing your visitors before they even reach your content, always choose a hosting provider with consistently high-speed service and uptime guarantees. You should also optimize your Web site's assets and code to further reduce page loading times.

Beyond choosing a fast and reliable hosting provider and optimizing your site's assets and code to improve page load speed, you may also want to familiarize yourself with the concept of heat mapping. Various online heat mapping tools are available that can show you which portions of your pages draw the most visitor interaction. Using this information, rearrange your pages so your most engaging content is higher up on the page. That way, it can be more easily found by your Web site's visitors.

In a world with ever-shortening attention spans, it's becoming more important for Web site designers to consider the four-second rule when creating and optimizing their Web sites. To help retain your visitors beyond the first four seconds of their arrival, always ensure that your hosting provider provides fast and reliable service, that your Web site's assets and code are optimized for reduced loading times, and that your site's most engaging content is readily available to your Web site's visitors.

Comparing WordPress platforms

What are the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?

Despite WordPress being one of today's most popular blogging options, many people remain confused about the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. Though both Web sites may sound similar at first mention, there are several important differences between the two. So, if you are planning on creating a WordPress site, be sure to compare the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, so you can choose the product that is right for you.

The following lists will help you compare the two sites:

WordPress.com

• On WordPress.com, blogs are hosted by WordPress, so you aren't required to purchase a custom domain name or Web hosting. There is also no need to download or install the WordPress software yourself.
• When using WordPress.com, basic service is free but ad-supported. Free accounts have limited storage space and use a WordPress.com subdomain for the website address.
• Upgraded accounts on WordPress.com have access to more features than their free counterparts. Popular upgrades include increased storage space, the ability to install plugins, and monetization options. While upgraded accounts are still hosted by WordPress, they can use a custom domain name if one is purchased separately.
• When creating a site at WordPress.com, all updates, backups, and maintenance are performed by WordPress.

WordPress.org

• If you wish to self-host a WordPress blog, you must first purchase your own custom domain name and Web hosting, then download and install the free blogging software available at WordPress.org.
• When self-hosting a blog with files downloaded from WordPress.org, storage space is only limited to the space offered by your hosting provider. Many providers offer unlimited storage space as part of their standard hosting plans.
• As a self-hosted blog owner, you can monetize your site as you see fit and install any plugins you choose.
• When self-hosting a WordPress blog, you must perform your own updates, backups, and maintenance.

Despite the similarities between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, there are several differences to consider when deciding which product is right for you. For those looking for a free (albeit limited) option requiring less technical know-how, WordPress.com is the way to go. For prospective bloggers who are looking for a more robust, customizable product, WordPress.org may be the better option of the two.

Information technology careers

As a registered user of the Job Center of Wisconsin (JCW) Web site, I received the following information by e-mail, and thought it was worth sharing for anyone who may be interested.

The Event:

Training and employment funds available for IT careers!

The TechHire IT Program:

The TechHire IT program offers qualifying young people 17-29 years old (with some exceptions) with a high school degree or equivalent an opportunity to begin their career in Informational Technology (IT). Training and Job Placement will focus on IT-related jobs such as Network Security, Computer Systems Analysts, Software Developers, and Computer User Support Specialists. The TechHire program is Free.

The TechHire program has two options:

1) If you already have some work experience or education in IT, you can work one-on-one with a career coach to identify needed IT certifications or college courses to complete your degree and to find a job in IT. This program begins as soon as you are ready and registered!

2) You can attend an intensive, 4-month “boot camp” style training for certification in IT Service Center Help Desk Technician, including CompTia A+, work with a Career Coach and receive job placement services to start your new career. The next boot camp begins on Monday, February 11, 2019.

For more information:

• For further information contact (414) 921-0711 or complete an online inquiry form at https://employmke.wufoo.com/forms/kefz7qh127ysaz/. 
• Information sessions are scheduled for January 10 and 11 if you call or inquire. You're welcome to share this with others as well.

For Questions Contact:

TechHire
414-921-0711

Tech/Hire IT Service Center Technician Certificate Program brought to you by Employee Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC).

Please be sure to check out the Job Center of Wisconsin Facebook page.

JCW is a product of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and the Wisconsin Job Center system.

Sincerely,

Job Center of Wisconsin
https://www.jobcenterofwisconsin.com
(888) 258-9966

Learn to code in HTML and CSS

Several students I work with are currently in a computer science course and have a strong interest in developing their coding and programming skills. In that light, I thought I'd share a couple of great resources for learning HTML and CSS coding for anyone interested here. A lot of promising, in-demand careers in this field! Happy learning!

21 Basic HTML Codes Everyone Who’s Not a Developer Should Know

Here is a series of videos from Khan Academy on creating Web pages using HTML and CSS:

Hour of Code - Creating webpages