For everyone who signed up,

we look forward to seeing you there!

As the semester winds down, the BGSA Mental Health Committee warmly invites you to unwind, recharge, and celebrate with us at our end-of- semester kayaking event on the beautiful rivers of downtown Pittsburgh! Choose a solo kayak for a peaceful solo adventure or share a tandem kayak with a friend for a fun andmemorable experience together. Please note that space is limited, so we encourage you to register early to secure your spot. A small fee will be charged to help offset the cost of the event.

Register with this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/happy-kayak-unwind-tickets-1987672581197?aff=oddtdtcreator

Event Details:

📅 Date: Saturday, June 6th, 2026

🕓 Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

📍 Location: Venture Outdoors Downtown Dock,

Pittsburgh

We hope to see you there — make some waves with us!

The BGSA Community Outreach Committee will be having its final

event for the year making dinner for patients and their families

staying at Family House on SUNDAY, MAY 31.

No cooking skill required! Come for a laid-back afternoon making

some tasty food (salad, fruit kabobs, cookies, and sandwiches) for

residents staying at Family House starting at 3pm to be served

beginning at 5:30pm.

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/mnuUrfMi9Xfq4N3J8

Our final Sip of Science @ Hazel Grove Brewing for this term will be next WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, starting @ 6pm. Emily Wheelis and Emily Kinney will be our speakers talking about their work on astrocytes and bacteria - come grab a brew and hear about their research, hope to see you there!

The First Year Ambassador is hosting a trip to Kennywood on May 17th (this Sunday).  If you are interested in getting these tickets, you can purchase them here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bgsa-at-kennywood-tickets-1988764024734

Please email avanhelene@pitt.edu if you have any questions! 

Spring Fling tickets are available now! Join the BGSA at Eleventh Hour Brewing! Tickets include a Condado's taco bar, 2 drink tickets, and cookies! Early bird tickets are available from March 18-31, and general admission tickets are available from April 1-17. Buy your tickets early to get the lowest price! Please reach out to LAC349@pitt.edu with questions. We hope to see everyone there!

Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1984154341046?aff=oddtdtcreator

We’re excited to invite you to join us on Sunday, April 12, 2026, for a visit to the National Aviary! This event will include a guided tour, a live bird show, and time to explore the aviary at your own pace.

 **Event Schedule**

 10:00 – 11:00 AM: Guided Tour

 11:00 – 11:30 AM: Passport to Parks Bird Show

 11:30 AM – Departure: Free exploration of the Aviary

 Following the scheduled activities, you’re welcome to continue exploring the exhibits.

 **Event Details**

 Location: National Aviary – 700 Arch St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

 Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026

 Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-aviary-guided-tour-and-bird-show-tickets-1984321965415?aff=oddtdtcreator

 * Space is limited, so please sign up in advance to reserve your spot.

 * We are charging a small fee to cover additional costs for the bird show.

 **Parking Information**

 * On-site parking is available for a $7 fee.

 * Limited street and garage parking are also available nearby.

  We recommend carpooling when possible.

 If you have any questions or would like to reserve a spot, please reach out.

 We look forward to seeing you there!

The First Year Ambassador Program is excited to invite you to join us on Saturday, April 11, 2026, for hunting and collecting fossils at the Fossil Cliff on the Panhandle Trail in Carnegie, PA.

Sign up if you’re interested: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQpNgZP_WUqQyApg2w_TpI3JecYEjsTKPlUK1KFdPEsXsxEQ/viewform

The BGSA Community Outreach Committee will be handing out Easter bags with cards, bracelets, treats, and care items to patients at the Hillman Cancer Center this Friday, April 3 @ 9AM.  If you would like to join, please see flyer below for details!

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZ8zlnS0iu1pSrqVjQi_6AjcabccZ_rcJh2YI1ibqvl1-0Og/viewform

The BGSA Community Outreach and Mental Health Committees warmly invite you to join us for a special Happy Headspace session dedicated to community service and support. As part of our effort to spread encouragement and kindness this spring, we will be preparing Easter baskets for patients at the Hillman Cancer Center. Together, we will assemble baskets containing bracelets, candies, and small care items to bring comfort and a sense of celebration to patients during the Easter season.

Event Details:

📅 Thursday, March 26, 2026

🕓 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

📍 Graduate Student Lounge

This activity offers a meaningful opportunity to come together as a community while contributing to a thoughtful initiative that supports patients and their families. We encourage all members of the BGSA community to participate and help us make this effort impactful.

Join us for an enjoyable paint night, where you can paint small planter pots and enjoy some treats while showcasing your creativity. It is on March 19th 6-9PM at the Assembly

here is the link to sign up: Click here

For any inquires, contact Harshita Beeravolu (HAB188@pitt.edu)

The next Sip of Science will be at Hazel Grove Brewing on WEDNESDAY, March 18. Brittany Gomez and Paulina Cabada Aguirre will be our speakers for March and discuss their backgrounds in science and research. Come join us next Wednesday for a good brew and to hear about Brittany and Paulina's work - hope to see you there!

The BGSA Community Outreach Committee is looking for VOLUNTEER JUDGES for the Mars Elementary Spring 2026 Science Fair on WEDNESDAY, March 11 from 6-8pm.

Judges will evaluate elementary school student science fair projects with a primary goal of encouraging the talents and efforts of all students to promote intellectual curiosity and scientific exploration of their interests. This is a great opportunity to promote and foster an interest in science to young students and be a role model as a professional scientist!

Food and drinks will be provided for judges during the fair and transportation will be organized via carpooling. If you would like to volunteer as a judge, please sign up using the following: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc_njsOr1ibOyyXCyw8xX-j2U7pmd0EJl9ARMsT9gQmV0YFOQ/viewform. You will also be asked if you need a ride to the event or if you are able to transport yourself or others.

Please contact Josh Holloway (jth95@pitt.edu) with any questions!

The BGSA Mental Health Liaison is bringing back Happy Headspace on Friday, February 28, 2026, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the Graduate Student Lounge.

This month’s Happy Headspace will be a community meet-up focused on creating a welcoming space where we can connect with one another, share our experiences, and support each other’s mental well-being. Whether you’re feeling stressed, looking for new coping strategies, or simply hoping to meet new people, this is a relaxed space to be heard, supported, and connected.

Join us as we come together to build stronger connections within our community and support one another through open conversation and shared experiences. Your presence matters, and we would love to see you there.

Looking forward to meeting you and learning more about the positive coping strategies that help you navigate daily challenges.

Hello BGSA Community,

The BGSA is excited to invite you to an afternoon of bowling at Arsenal Lanes in Lawrenceville on Saturday, February 21st from 12:00-3:00 PM! Light food and drinks will be provided. 

We have 18 spots available, so sign-ups will be first come, first served. Be sure to grab your spot soon! https://forms.gle/AhS3w422KFYABA7R6

The first Sip of Science @ Hazel Grove Brewing talk for 2026 will be on this Wednesday, February 18 starting at 6pm.  Our speaker for February will be Alex VanHelene who will discuss his AI-focused research.  Please see attached flyer for additional details and hope to see you there!

The BGSA Community Outreach Committee will be handing out student-made Valentine’s Day cards, bracelets, and care bags to patients at the Hillman Cancer Center on Friday, February 13 (the day before Valentine’s Day).

We will be making cards, bracelets, and preparing bags to give to patients the day before in the graduate student lounge – please see flyer below for details if you would like to make cards/bracelets or give them out to patients and their families!

https://forms.gle/TYTVuGUJrwMxXG527

Start of the semester practicing healthy habits like breathing techniques and chair-friendly yoga led by BGSA President Emmy Brown followed by crafts (supplies provided) and snacks/refreshments!

Please sign up using the QR code! We have room for ~25 people!

Hello BGSA Community,

The final BGSA's Sip of Science lecture for 2025 at Hazel Grove Brewing is TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY 12/17 at 6 pm. Alisa Omelchenko will discuss her research on computational methods for predicting immune diseases.  We hope to see you there for good drinks and a great talk!  

We are excited to invite you to join us on Saturday, November 15th at 9:45 AM for a guided 60-minute tour at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. This event offers a wonderful opportunity to explore one of Pittsburgh’s most renowned institutions alongside fellow members of the BGSA.

Following the guided tour, participants will have full access to the rest of the museum for the remainder of the day—so you can continue exploring exhibits at your own pace and enjoy all the museum has to offer.

Event Details:
Date & Time: Saturday, November 15th · 9:45 AM

Location: Carnegie Museum of Natural History - 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Tour Duration: 60 minutes

Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, November 7th 

Admission Requirement: Pitt Student ID required for entry

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/2WcUqpuvNZq1BW9u8

This event is open to all Pitt Students. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing an engaging morning of discovery and conversation.

Take a break and join us for the SOM Graduate Studies Fall Social on Wednesday, November 5th at 4 PM in the Graduate Lounge (Scaife Hall, Room S240). It’s a great opportunity to connect, relax, and enjoy some refreshments together!