HCST 100: The Human Context of Science and Technology

We are pleased to share access to UMBC Research Proposal and Writing Toolkit, a centralized living document which will provide proposal writing support to the UMBC community.

The information and materials in this toolkit are intended to serve as a guide and a resource that may be useful for researchers across disciplines for grant proposal submissions, award nominations, or other similar opportunities. 

We're grateful to the many colleagues who have provided input, including links to pertinent information that is included in the toolkit. 

For any questions, or to suggest other information to include in the toolkit, please contact ord@umbc.edu.

Participate in our Fall Clean-Up of UMBC Sites!

Help us keep WordPress easy to use by decluttering anything no longer needed on your Site! 

Related to this clean-up, there's an upcoming federal mandate that requires UMBC to ensure all digital materials are accessible.  (Don't panic - more will be coming out about this soon, including information on what support UMBC will be offering to assist folks.  Check out the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services' website for preliminary information.)

"Why should I?  I'm BUSY!"

• Free yourself of extra files and save time in the future looking for ones you need!  It's okay to let go of that picture from 2012. (Example: A photo of the back of a server DoIT has been keeping since 2012.)

• It's important that edit access to Sites is only available to those who really need it.  Sites doesn't know when students have moved on or when colleagues have taken roles in a different department, but you do!

• You can get ahead of the digital accessibility remediation process by removing old, inaccessible files – we don't want to have to remediate PDFs from 2014 anymore than you do, so trash 'em!

What and where to spot-check for clutter:

• Users: Remove any Site administrators who are no longer working in or with your unit.

• Media: Remove any PDFs, videos, images, and any other files no longer actively in use on your Site (Pro Tip: If you want to save the file elsewhere just in case, you can click its preview to open the attachment details and download it)

• Slideshow: Trash any out-of-date slides.  Don't forget to empty the trash!

• Pages: Trash any out-of-date pages. Don't forget to empty the trash! (Pro Tip: Removing a page from your navigation does not remove that page from the internet - myUMBC Answers, Google, and anything that can crawl the internet can still find them and will use the information on them in their search results or AI-generated answers.)

Halloween is a time of excitement, costumes, and community fun — but for children with food allergies, it can also be stressful and even dangerous. The Teal Pumpkin Project, an initiative by FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), helps make Halloween safer and more inclusive for all trick-or-treaters.

By placing a teal pumpkin on your porch or displaying one of FARE's printable signs, you signal that you are offering non-food treats — such as stickers, small toys, bubbles, or glow sticks — in addition to traditional candy. This simple act ensures that children with food allergies or dietary restrictions can enjoy the fun of Halloween without fear of an allergic reaction.

Candy Facts: Staying Safe This Spooky Season

Help all trick-or-treaters have fun without worrying about accidental exposure to allergens!
Always check labels carefully, and when in doubt, contact the manufacturer before consuming.

• Candy Corn: Often contains egg whites and sometimes sesame oil. If labeled egg-free, double-check for other potential allergens.

• Mini or "Fun Size" Candy: May have different ingredients than full-size versions. Always read the label.

• Last Year's Favorites: Ingredients can change — a candy that was safe last year might not be this year.

• Candy Without Labels: If the product isn't clearly identified, it's safest to discard it or trade it for another treat.

• Licorice: Often contains wheat as a binding ingredient — check labels if you have a wheat allergy.

• "Allergy-Free" Candy: There is no such thing as completely "allergy-free" candy. While the top nine allergens cause most reactions, over 200 allergens have been reported.

• Dark Chocolate: Can contain traces of milk, which are unsafe for those with milk allergies, even if tolerated by those with lactose intolerance.

How You Can Participate:

• Add your home or event to the official Teal Pumpkin Project Map so families can plan allergy-safe routes.

• Display a teal pumpkin or sign to show your participation.

• Provide non-food treats in a separate bowl from candy to ensure safety and inclusion.

• Encourage friends and neighbors to join the movement and help spread awareness.

Together, we can make Halloween a time of joy and inclusion for every child.
Learn more here and add your home to the map!

Let's bring the magic of Halloween to everyone — one teal pumpkin at a time!