In response to social gathering restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Predictive Plant Phenomics program has had to adapt learning community meetings, which are usually held in a meeting space on campus.

P3 Learning Community provides a certain element to the graduate student experience that cannot easily be replaced, so rather than cancel the meetings for the remaining of the semester, P3 moved these meetings into virtual space. In this way, students can gather and share their experiences with P3 faculty, staff and with each other as we all move through this unprecedented time.

Two learning communities were moved online: 1) a Q&A with Senator Herman Quirmbach regarding the interaction of science (and scientists) with policy, and 2) a discussion of how to manage time when obligations get side-tracked from too many "extra" commitments that aren't adding much value toward professional development (photo at left).

This screenshot demonstrates the commitment of P3 students to stay connected, even in this trying time. Students are adapting to their new work environments, adjusted work-life balance, and changing concepts of time as days begin to melt together. 

Have you heard the story about the philosophy professor who had a jar of rocks, pebbles and sand? (read it hear, with a discussion that follows) It's an analogy about time management and prioritizing tasks and it was shared by a P3 student. These little gems of shared experiences are part of what make P3 Learning Community meetings so valuable to the program experience.