Charged 2026

Author: Annie Nguyen

  • GaTech Taking Steps to Improve Mental Health!

    As of this semester, Georgia Tech has become a JED Campus! This is a designation given to universities that put systems and programs in place with the goal of protecting student mental health. “JED Campus” is the signature program of The JED Foundation designed to develop customized support for student mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention efforts.  Currently, JED programs have impacted 1078 colleges and high schools across the US.

     

    Being a student at Tech can be quite challenging with many stressors such as assignments, midterms, and job search. Research shows that first year students especially suffer from emotional problems, some associated with adjustment issues as they transition from high school to college. This difficulty in adjustment can result in poor academic performance and increased dropout rates. In one study, it was shown that more than 86% of students who sought counseling services decided to continue their enrollment for at least another semester. In another study, it was found that counseling centers have started to receive more severe concerns, some of which included suicide, substance abuse, depression, and sexual abuse (Kitzrow, 2003). For these reasons, the demand and need for counseling services in universities has grown substantially.

     

    Some consequences of poor mental health are low energy, difficulty sleeping, and eating problems, and interest in normal activities. These physical health implications can cause a decline in academic performance which in turn causes a continuous cycle of mental and physical burnout. Counseling serves as a way to minimize these impacts. Fortunately, Tech offers a range of services to help students manage their life in college. I asked fellow Tech students about their favorite resource and how it has helped them manage their stress.

    “I think it’s a really nice break from my normal schedule to stop by and meet the dogs. Even for a few minutes, they’re so friendly and cute it makes my day better. I wish there was also a version with cats, but I’m glad we have these events.” (Sheila)

    Check out this clip of pups on Tech Green from the @gatechlife instagram page!

    “I really enjoy the mental health workshops hosted by the Center of Mental Heath and Services. My favorite one was probably yoga! It was a great way to relax and meet new people”  (Christy)

    “I love to relax on the hammocks especially now that the weather is getting better. After a long day, it helps me destress to just lay there and look up at the sky. Sometimes I read a book or listen to music.” (Tim)

    Take It Outside | News Center

    The Center for Mental Health Care & Resources offers a number of programs for students.

     

    Some of which include individual/group counseling, couple counseling, and mental health workshops. Short-term individual counseling involves ongoing individual meetings with a counselor, often on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. There is also an option for short-term group counseling which supports students in making positive changes in their lives, as well as group sessions based on specific issues or student identities Couples counseling sessions are geared towards resolving tension and miscommunication between partners. Mental health workshops are hosted monthly to deliver useful tips for coping, stress management, and relationships.

     

    These services are aimed at helping students reach their academic and personal goals. They have benefited many students on campus and the wellness center is continually striving to better serve the Tech population. And the best part of all is that these services are confidential and completely free!

     

    Sources

    Kitzrow, M. (2003). The mental health needs of today’s college students. https://ccvillage.buffalo.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/74/2017/06/NASPA-Mental-Health-Needs-of-College-Students.pdf

    Roggers, V. (n.d.). Take it outside. News Center. https://news.gatech.edu/features/2022/05/take-it-outside

    Services. Center for Mental Health Care & Resources.

    https://mentalhealth.gatech.edu/clinical-services/services

    The story of jed. The Jed Foundation. (2024, February 13).

    https://jedfoundation.org/the-story-of-jed/

     

     

  • The Magical Goo!

    Oobleck recipe

    Have you ever heard of Oobleck? I first discovered this substance, a mixture of water and cornstarch, while doing a science experiment in elementary school. Oobleck defies the laws of nature, or at least Newton’s laws. Though it initially appears like a liquid, when you apply pressure, it turns into a solid. How can a substance be both simultaneously?

    The reason is because Oobleck is classified as a non-Newtonian fluid, meaning that it does not follow Newton’s law of viscosity. Viscosity is a property that describes how a fluid flows, or more simply, how thick or thin it is. When a fluid’s viscosity is constant, it is called a Newtonian fluid. Most fluids fall under this category. However, Oobleck is one of the few exceptions. Its viscosity is depended on the amount of force applied to it. Known as a shear thickening fluid, it appears thicker as you physically manipulate it. This behavior is explained by the structure of cornstarch, the main ingredient in Oobleck. Cornstarch particles are long and thin, when you mix it with water, the faster you move it, the more tangled the particles become, thus “hardening” and imitating the solid state. The increased amount of friction created through motion also causes increased resistance of the mixture to flow. It is important to note that Oobleck is a suspension, not a solution. This means that the cornstarch does not dissolve in water. Instead, it is suspended in the liquid. If you let it sit in a glass for a while, the cornstarch will separate from the water and settle at the bottom.

    Oozing oobleck activity - Science Museum Group Learning

    Aside from being a fun science experiments for students to enjoy, Oobleck has other potential uses. There have been cases of several patents for the industrial use of the material. One proposed usage was for a system to fill potholes. Permanently fixing potholes involves economic and seasonal considerations. One alternative was to use bags of Oobleck. When the bag is placed in the hole, the Oobleck acts as a liquid to fill the space. When a car drives over it, it hardens, preventing damage to the vehicle.

    Check out this video by Todd Scott to see the concept in action! 

    Another use was for a gear damper. Gear dampers are used in cars to control the movement speed of trays and glove boxes. Oobleck could be used to ensure that these components open when used normally but remain closed when a great force is applied, like in a car accident.

    Experimenting with Oobleck is a great way to explore the properties of non-Newtonian fluids. Though they are typically not mentioned in your typical science class, they exists in our everyday lives. Some common examples include Ketchup, paint, and toothpaste. Though, unlike Oobleck, these fluids become thinner when agitated. They are known as shear thinning fluids. In addition to serving as a fun science experiments, substances like Oobleck can also have practical real world applications!

    Sources

    Lima, E. (2020). Studying the Oobleck with video-analysis. IOPscience. https://iopscience.iop.org/

    Oobleck. Imagination Station.

    https://www.imaginationstationtoledo.org/education/diyactivities/Oobleck#:~:text=Oobleck%20is%20a%20suspension%20of,until%20you%20release%20the%20pressure.

    Oozing oobleck activity – science museum group learning. Science Museum Group. (2022, August 15). https://learning.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/resources/oozing-oobleck/

    Ralphs, A.(2023, August 4). Oobleck recipe. One Hundred Toys. https://www.onehundredtoys.com/oobleck-recipe/

    The IP Bloggers. (2018, February 20). Surprising uses for Oobleck. Industrial IP. https://www.industrialsip.com/2018/02/surprising-uses-for-Oobleck.html#:~:text=When%20the%20bag%20is%20placed,necessary%2C%20and%20is%20environmentally%20benign.