|
CINSAM Annual
Report 2005-2006 |
The Center for Integrative Natural Science and Mathematics
is designated by the Council on Post Secondary Education
as the Regional University Excellence Trust Fund
Program of Distinction at
Northern Kentucky University,
Highland Heights, Kentucky.
This Center is funded through the Regional University Excellence Trust Fund
that was established by the
Kentucky Post Secondary Education Improvement Act of 1997
This Center is able to supplement these Commonwealth funds with University funds and outside resources such as donations from private and cooperate trust funds as well as successful authorship of research grants and service proposals to agencies and foundations.
INTRODUCTION
The Center for Integrative Natural Science and Mathematics (CINSAM) is not a degree-granting program, but rather a program that coordinates activities in outreach, teaching, and research across the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Geology, in the Northern Kentucky University College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Computer Science in the College of Informatics, and the institution’s College of Education and Human Services.
Established by Kentucky’s Council on Post-Secondary Education as the Program of Distinction at Northern Kentucky University, CINSAM is dedicated to enhancing teaching, learning, and application of science and mathematics at all educational levels throughout the region.
It prepares outstanding future teachers by promoting integrative science courses and by providing opportunities for collaboration among education, science, and mathematics faculty and their students at all grade levels from pre-school to college graduate.
CINSAM coordinates area science and mathematics alliances for teachers, pre-service teachers, college faculty members and industry scientists and engineers. It provides workshops and courses led by NKU faculty for elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers as well as on-campus and off-campus learning experiences and programs for them and their students.
CINSAM scholarships, ntegrative science courses, externships in business and industry, and research opportunities help develop students who are capable of handling complex interdisciplinary problems in school, in the workforce, and in their own lives.
The public gains an improved understanding of science and mathematics through CINSAM-sponsored symposia, guest speakers, faculty lectures, tours, and other presentations.
CINSAM’s unique mission is advanced across disciplines; among students, teachers, and the private and public sectors; and around teaching, learning, and creative thinking.
Collaborative Engagement with Other Local, Regional, and State Agencies or Institutions
One of CINSAM’s most important achievements in its reporting year was securing an important collaborative engagement with The Kentucky Center for Mathematics (KCM). The Center established its headquarters on the NKU campus in the winter of 2006. This Center is responsible for following the directions of the statewide Committee on Mathematics Achievement in efforts to improve student performance in mathematics at all grade levels. The initial projects of the KCM revolve around two programs - the delivery of coaching/mentoring training to teachers, and offering professional development in and evaluation of diagnostic/intervention programs. CINSAM serves as the University unit that provides administrative support to the KCM.
Kentucky mathematics teachers will have a trove of resources to help them stay current with the latest education techniques. Heading KCM as executive director is Dr. Linda Sheffield, who is in her 24th year at NKU, where she is Regents Professor of Mathematics Education.
In working with the Committee on Mathematics Achievement, the Kentucky Department of Education, the Council on Postsecondary Education and postsecondary institutions, Sheffield and the KCM staff have already launched professional development for P-12 mathematics coaches. During the summer, there were 67 teachers in the initial coaching cohort, representing 29 school districts. Each participant attended two weeks of training, which focused initially on content and pedagogy and concluded with discussions of Kentucky mathematics standards and coaching. Training was held at Newport, Kentucky and at Western Kentucky University. The training sessions were supported by the Kentucky Department of Education’s Professional Growth Fund. In addition, follow-up training will take place during the current academic year.
Currently the KCM is working to determine the effectiveness and impact of the program in the areas of coaching/mentoring, testing, and intervention strategies. The KCM is working with two national projects to assess the abilities and knowledge of teachers and coaches. Moreover, the Center is working closely with faculty at the University of Kentucky to set up technology that will enhance the work of the center, such as creating communities of learners among the coaches and support teams and having an electronic communications system in place so participants may communicate with each other on a regular basis.
Besides the Kentucky Center for Mathematics, CINSAM has representation on a number of committees including:
The Northern Kentucky Council of P-16 Partners. The Northern Kentucky Council of Partners in Education is Northern Kentucky’s collaborative “P-16” council, dealing with educational issues from Preschool (P) through Postsecondary (16). The Council of Partners is made up of representatives of area school districts, postsecondary institutions, adult education, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and other business and community organizations.
The Collaborations, Connections, and Conversations (C3) Initiative with the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. CINSAM assumed primary planning and leadership roles for the NKU portion of the C3 program to identify and recognize outstanding science and mathematics teachers at the elementary school, middle school, and high school levels in the northern Kentucky and Cincinnati/Hamilton County, Ohio, areas. Twelve teachers were recognized at a banquet associated with a public lecture given by former astronaut-scientist Story Musgrave.
Annual Engineers Day. A high school career day program was developed and presented in collaboration with the Northern Kentucky Chapter of the Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers. Some 80 high school students spent the day on the NKU campus interacting with professional engineers, NKU faculty members, and NKU students while engaging in hands-on activities that replicated the work of engineers.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Disciplines/Careers. An information table was set up at the Northern Kentucky Career Crawl event, which is jointly sponsored by the Northern
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, most of the Northern Kentucky region’s business and professional organizations and institutions, and many of the area high schools. This Career Crawl event is the culminating activity for high school students seeking recognition of their career awareness efforts while in high school. Some 1,800 area high schools students and approximately 200 area high school teachers and counselors participated in this event along with a host of area business and professional representatives.
Gear Up. CINSAM worked with Gear Up Kentucky to bring students from Covington and Newport to our summer Camps.
CINSAM also served as a key participant in Professional Development Academies:
• Kenton County – Two Workshops
— Best Practices in Teaching Mathematics
— Best Practices in Teaching Earth Science
• Bracken County – Two Workshops
— Literacy and the Content Areas
— Open Responses
• Campbell County – One Workshop
—Best Practices in Teaching Science
• Gallatin County – One Workshops
— Literacy in the Content Areas
— Open Responses
• Pendleton County
— Literacy in the Content Areas
— Open Responses
CINSAM also was involved in the production of several instructional CDs and DVDs including:
• Kentucky Department of Education DVD project, “What Is Inquiry?” – Six teachers throughout the state of Kentucky model inquiry learning methods of instruction for teachers. CINSAM faculty and students in the Southern Counties Outreach program were showcased.
• Kentucky Department of Education CD project, “Inquiry Learning Classroom Materials” - Lesson plans and supportive materials to accompany the above DVD.
• “CINSAM Teacher Resource CD” – Lesson plans, open responses, teaching power points, CATS review items, and power point games in science were featured.
• “CINSAM Teacher/Student Power Points and Games CD” – Games such as Jeopardy, Millionaire, Raceway, etc. were described as ways to review science instruction.
• University of Rochester Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Development DVD project, “A Life Outside” – New York fourth-grade students traveled to Kentucky and within that visit, came to NKU. NKU was featured on the video, which was released in the summer of 2006. The video was aired on PBS stations throughout the state of New York.
CINSAM served as a partner with Covington Independent Schools at John G. Carlisle School. CINSAM participated in a series of 10 visits, working with two fourth grade classes using hands-on, inquiry based instruction while modeling best practices for teachers in the district using the “fish bowl” technique.
Finally, the Kenton County School District retained CINSAM as its advisory group for the ongoing development of STEM study areas in the three high schools in the district. These three high schools are re-inventing themselves to be “schools within a school” in that the student body will be divided at the sophomore year level into smaller units within the whole of each high school. These smaller units will be career path-based. CINSAM is engaged in curriculum and career information development for these schools as well as providing resource support for the administration, the faculty, and students.
Outreach to Students
From August 1, 2005 to July 31, 2006, CINSAM offered area students from preschool through grade 12 a variety of events and activities. Many faculty members at NKU and other institutions as well as professionals from the community participated. All of these events and activities were planned with the needs for improved learning in the class room relative to the Kentucky Core Content dictates.
Outreach activities to students and schools
CINSAM sponsored numerous programs throughout the year to provide outreach to area schools and students. Notable among these efforts were:
• Elementary Science Day: Three hundred fourth-grade students from Campbell County public and private schools participated. Faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education and nearly 40 pre-service teachers conducted “hands-on” activities in science. These activities were centered around the Kentucky Core Content in Science.
• Pendleton County Science Day: “Hands on” science activities dealing with the Kentucky Core Content for the fourth grade were presented at Northern Elementary in Pendleton County by fourth-grade students from both Northern and Southern Elementary Schools. This project was the culminating project for these two schools as part of the CINSAM South Counties Science Project. The 200 fourth-graders were directed in their efforts by their nine teachers. The activities were presented to each other and guests. Sessions were also presented by NKU staff and eight NKU pre-service teachers.
• Bracken County Science Day: “Hands on” science activities dealing with the Kentucky Core Content for the fourth grade were presented at Taylor Elementary in Bracken County by fourth-grade students. This project was the culminating project for this school as part of the CINSAM South Counties Science Project. The 100 fourth-graders were directed in their efforts by their teachers. The activities were presented to each other and guests. Sessions were also presented by NKU staff and eight NKU pre-service teachers.
• Bracken County Middle School Science Day: One hundred middle school students participated in “hands-on” science activities presented by NKU faculty and eight pre-service teachers.
• Pendleton County Middle School Science Day: Two hundred and twenty middle school students participated in “hands-on” science activities presented by NKU faculty and eight pre-service teachers.
• CSI I Forensic Science Camp: This camp was a week-long camp conducted by CINSAM with help of faculty from the Thomas More College biology department, the NKU Department of Chemistry, the NKU Department of Physics and Geology, and the NKU Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department, as well as eight area middle school teachers and six students from Criminal Justice Department. Sixty-two middle school students were exposed to various “crime scenes” and were then asked to apply forensic science methods to solve them. Students were introduced to the many ways science and mathematics are used in police investigations. The students gathered evidence and then used scientific equipment to analyze DNA, gunshot residue, blood evidence, fingerprints, and a fall.
• CSI II Forensic Science Camp: This camp was a week-long camp conducted CINSAM with help from the NKU and Thomas More College biology departments, and the NKU Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, as well as four area middle school teachers and four students from the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice. Twenty-one seventh, eighth, and ninth-graders were exposed to a “crime scene” and were asked to apply forensic science methods to solve it. Students excavated a “grave” site and gathered evidence to determine how long the “body” (a plastic skeleton with clothing and well decaying chicken meat) had been there. They used forensic anthropology to determine age, sex, and race of the “victim”. They used DNA to try to identify the victim, as well as forensic botany and geology to determine if the crime was committed at the grave site or other location.
• North Area Counties of Kentucky Exposition of Science: CINSAM continued in its fifth year as a major sponsor and host for the regional science and engineering fair, held March 25. In addition to hosting the event, CINSAM also worked with local educators in helping organize school science fairs and assisting in the recruitment of judges. The 2006 event had 234 participants, including an all-time high participation of 22 high school entries. Winners from the 2006 fair were eligible to attend the International Science and Engineering Fair in Indianapolis, Indiana. NACKES continues to offer students the opportunity to pursue their own scientific interests and learn proper scientific procedures and methods in the process. CINSAM also helped to involve many NKU faculty and science professionals in the community in the leadership and operation of this event.
• First Lego League: CINSAM co-sponsored the area exposition tournament for northern Kentucky with Toyota, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, TRIED, Duke Energy, and iSPACE of Ohio. Other corporate sponsors provided financial resources for the expenses of the event. Approximately 200 middle school students engaged in 26 teams in the exhibition competition. These teams represented 16 schools and a number of community team groups. CINSAM had responsibility for the facility arrangements and coordination of many of the parts of the event plus NKU provided a portion of the some 200 volunteers who served as judges, referees, coaches, and planners and leaders of the event.
• Tour De Force: CINSAM works with NKU faculty and students to coordinate a variety of programs offered to our local schools. One good example is the Tour De Force program offered by Dr. Matthew Zacate of the NKU Department of Physics and Geology in collaboration with Dr. Lenore Kinne of our College of Education. They developed a series of demonstrations for middle grades students, demonstrations designed to force students to reconsider their understanding of forces and their effects. After beginning this program with CINSAM funds and support, they received funding from the American Physical Society to expand the scope of the program.
CINSAM spearheaded several programs aimed at increasing female and minority participation, particularly involving the sciences. The programs included:
• Science Camp for Latino High School Students: This week-long camp was conducted by Dr. Miriam Kanaan and Leo Calderon with help from colleagues in the biology, chemistry and physics departments. Twelve Latino high school students were given the opportunity to explore science with members of the NKU science departments.
• WEB DuBois School Visit: In a joint project with Dr. Prince Brown of the NKU Sociology, Anthropology, and Philosophy Department and funding from the Underground Railroad Project, 40 fourth- through eighth-grade African Americans learned about the Underground Railroad,-how stars were used to for navigation, etc. In addition, they were able to participate in “hands-on” science activities presented by faculty from the NKU biology, chemistry, and physics/geology departments.
Activities launched previously by CINSAM were continued in 2005-06 to benefit students in the region and foster an interest in the sciences:
NKU Sports Plus Camp:This endeavor consisted of three one-week-long camps conducted by CINSAM and NKU Intercollegiate Athletics. The mission of these camps was to give youth a week of fun-filled activities to encourage their academic, physical, and mental growth and to encourage economically disadvantaged youth to go to college. Scholarships were given to children in grades four through eight to attend NKU Sports Camp and Enrichment Camp. CINSAM was responsible for the Enrichment Camp. Each week, approximately 25 to 40 students had the opportunity to participate in activities in math, science, writing, money management, and lifetime sports. These students either had already participated in one NKU sports camp or were going to participate at a later date. There were a total of 120 students involved. The students had to meet guidelines outlined by the Free/Reduced Lunch Program and be recommended by their schools or community agencies. Students came from both northern Kentucky and southern Ohio.
Computer Science Camp: This camp was four weeks long and was conducted by Drs. Richard Fox and Jeff Ward. Fourteen high school students were instructed in “Computer Programming in Java.” The primary goal was to introduce students to computer programming in Java. Faculty concentrated first on the basics of Java programming (input, output, built-in Java classes, control logic, writing methods) and then explored developing classes through object-oriented programming. The camp finished by examining, in detail, a variety of Java graphical classes. Students applied these concepts by writing their own programs that included interactive and multimedia-based applications. Most students chose to implement various types of games. A secondary goal was to introduce students to concepts in Computer Science and to familiarize the students with NKU.
RoboBlast Camp: Twelve first and second graders participated in this week long camp sponsored by CINSAM and iSpace of Ohio. This is a space-themed robotics camp where “cadets” encounter problems on “Planet RCX”. These “cadets” programmed Roamer robots to deal with the problems on the planet. This camp was led by Bev Ketron of iSpace.
RoboBlast Camp: Forty-five third- through sixth- graders participated in this camp which is sponsored by CINSAM and iSpace of Ohio. This is a space-themed robotics camp where “cadets” encounter problems on “Planet RCX”. These “cadets” programmed autonomous LEGO Mindstorm robots to solve the challenges presented to them. This exciting week concludes with a robotic enable launch of a model rocket. This camp was led by Bev Ketron of iSpace.
Challenger Space Explorers: Twenty-seven third- through sixth- graders participated in this week long camp sponsored by CINSAM and iSpace of Ohio. This camp explored the science of rocketry and space exploration through hands-on activities and demonstrations in aeronautics.. This camp was led by Bev Ketron of iSpace.
Robo Challenge: Nineteen seventh- and eighth-graders participated in this camp run by CINSAM and iSpace of Ohio. Camper were encouraged to expand their engineering, computer programming and teamwork skills as they build and program autonomous LEGO Mindstorm robots to conquer the “Challenge” of the day.
Math Mystery Camp: This camp was conducted by CINSAM with implementation by Ray Taylor, Joy Tucker, and Erica Hug of Newport Middle School. Twelve seventh- , eighth- , and ninth-graders explored using algebra skills in solving mysteries as well as real world applications. NKU Staff: Betty Stephens
Engineers Camp: This camp was conducted by CINSAM with the help of Engineering Technology faculty. Eighteen high school students (including five female students) participated in a variety of activities in the Engineering field. Field trips were taken to Mazak and Toyota as well as to KLH and Cardinal Engineering firms. The students were able to interact with engineers and find out what an engineer does. NKU Staff: Thomas Brackman, Dale Elifrits, Seyed Allameh, Morteza Sadat-Hossieny, Mark Rajai, Harold Wiebe, Karl Hagglund
Outreach and Professional Development for Teachers
CINSAM is cognizant of the key role that teachers play in education and strives to provide area educators with the resources and development opportunities that will enable them to engage students in the study of science and mathematics and challenge them to question, investigate, and achieve. To that end, CINSAM offered numerous opportunities to teachers to hone their teaching skills and broaden their knowledge.
Of special note is the South Counties Science Project: Using funds from a congressional award received with Sen. McConnell’s assistance, CINSAM developed a program to work with several counties in the south of our service area. This project was designed specifically for the six counties and the two independent school districts in those counties (Augusta Independent, Bracken County, Carroll County , Gallatin County, Grant County, Owen County, Pendleton County, and Williamstown Independent) south of Northern Kentucky University. The project, started in response to Northern Kentucky University’s outreach mission, was a three-year effort.
The first year concentrated on fourth-grade teachers and students; the second year added P-3 and fifth-grade teachers and students. In the third year, 2005-2006, the middle schools were added.
Along with providing professional development workshops for teachers in the project, Reeda Hart of CINSAM has been going directly into the classrooms to work with the students. Reeda models best practices in science teaching (hands-on, inquiry based instruction) while the classroom teachers observe and take notes. CINSAM has also made a CD that contains these lessons and their connections to KY Core Content, power points to teach the subject matter, and games to motivate and help with review. In addition to the south counties, this project was extended to include the three elementary schools in Newport,: AD Owens, Mildred Dean and Fourth Street; Goodridge Elementary in Boone County and Grant’s Lick Elementary in Campbell County. This project has involved 900 teachers and 8000 students.
Documented outcomes attest to the success of the South Counties Science Project. Student knowledge of science as indicated by Fourth Grade Level Commonwealth Accountability Testing System (CATS) test scores showed increases at each school *
2003 2004 2005
School 1 66.4877 75.4242 72.6420
School 2 81.1700 88.2070 87.4631
School 3 67.3166 79.2091 92.7647
School 4 79.6043 89.3194 88.1097
School 5 85.3902 103.0680 105.472
* Test score data provided by the participating schools’ administration.
As a more personal testimony to the success of the program is this quote from a fourth grader at the conclusion of a “Science Day” held at one elementary school: “Sir, this is the best day a fourth grade boy could hope to have – spend all day in the gym doing science and now we have 45 minutes for recess before the buses come!”
Other examples of outstanding CINSAM-sponsored outreach projects for 2005-2006 included:
CINSAM Night: Two hundred fifty teachers, administrators, and others participated in activities and workshops designed and delivered by the nine alliances sponsored by CINSAM as well as a keynote address by Dr. Greg Schmidt of the NASA Ames Research Center.
Alliances: CINSAM sponsors nine alliances that deal with mathematics and science.
Individual alliance activities are listed below:
Biology: (Tom Sproat and Lynne Poston, Jennifer Myka)
• CINSAM Night. Plans were made for meetings during the coming academic year.
• Overview of the New Kentucky Core Content in Math and Science. The Biology Alliance co-sponsored this workshop, along with CINSAM, the new Kentucky Center for Mathematics, the Northern Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and six other math/science alliances. Approximately 180 people registered. The three-hour workshop was led by Ann Bartosh and Sean Elkins from KDE.
• Biology in Forensics. Approximately 12 teachers attended.
Chemistry: (Vern Hicks, Debbie Brock and Linda Weber)
• CINSAM Night. The Chemistry Academic Alliance met separately as part of CINSAM night. Plans were made for meetings during the coming academic year. Attendance was approximately 16, and included both high school and middle school teachers. New presidents Deborah Brock and Linda Weber, were chosen for the alliance.
•,Chemistry Share-A-Thon. Chemistry teachers at the high school and college level shared their favorite chemistry activities with other alliance members. The activities included lab experiments, demonstrations, and hands-on activities that could be carried out in the classroom. Handouts were provided for all participants. Attendance was approximately 15.
• Christmas Light Show. Activities involving chemistry and light were demonstrated. The university consultant was the main presenters, but not the only one. The meeting was open to middle grade teachers as well as those at the high school level. Handouts included rainbow peepholes and holographic holiday glasses. A door prize was given out. Attendance was approximately 12.
• Overview of the New Kentucky Core Content in Math and Science. The Chemistry Alliance co-sponsored this workshop, along with CINSAM, the new Kentucky Center for Mathematics, the Northern Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and six other math/science alliances. Approximately 180 people registered. The three-hour workshop was led by Ann Bartosh and Sean Elkins from KDE.
• Inquiry in Chemistry. This meeting was held on May 16th (Primary Election Day) from 3 to 5 p.m. Diane Johnson, Instructional Supervisor for Lewis County Schools, presented an excellent program on Inquiry In Chemistry. She uses the Active Chemistry materials and shared some of the chemistry “units” that she has been working on with Martin Brock at EKU that involve a guided inquiry approach to some chemistry concepts. This method is based on the work of Lillian McDermott (University of Washington) on Guided Inquiry in Physics. Middle school teachers with an interest in chemistry were invited as well as high school teachers. The door prize was a text on inquiry in the classroom. Attendance was about 12.
Computer Science: (Jeff Ward and Lisa Desmarais)
• CINSAM night. Plans were made for meetings during the coming academic year.
• Java Programming Essentials for the AB exam and Java Programming Changes for Java 5. Approximately eight teachers were involved.
• The Computer Science Alliance conducted a second seminar on Java Programming Essentials for the AB exam and Java Programming Changes for Java 5. Approximately eight teachers were involved.
• Java Programming Essentials for the AB exam and Java Programming Changes for Java 5. Approximately eight teachers were involved.
Earth/Space: (Sarah Johnson, Thomas Brackman, and Sara Lainhart)
• CINSAM night. Plans were made for meetings during the coming academic year.
• Building a Stream Table Workshop. Approximately 20 teachers helped build 10 stream tables for distribution to local schools. A How to Use Your Stream Table workshop was conducted one week later for 14 teachers.
• Overview of the New Kentucky Core Content in Math and Science. The Earth/Space Alliance co-sponsored this workshop, along with CINSAM, the new Kentucky Center for Mathematics, the Northern Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and six other math/science alliances. Approximately 180 people registered. The three-hour workshop was led by Ann Bartosh and Sean Elkins from KDE.
Elementary Math/Science: (Linda Sheffield, Andy Long, and Katy Murray)
• CINSAM Night. Plans were made for meetings during the coming academic year. Linda Sheffield discussed the Math Center and the alliance went through the draft Core Content.
• Overview of the New Kentucky Core Content in Math and Science. The Elementary Math/Science Alliance co-sponsored this workshop, along with CINSAM, the new Kentucky Center for Mathematics, the Northern Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and six other math/science alliances. Approximately 180 people registered. The three-hour workshop was led by Ann Bartosh and Sean Elkins from KDE.
Environmental Education: (Yvonne Meichtry and Julie Whitis)
• CINSAM Night. Plans were made for meetings during the coming academic year.
• Field Trip to Split Rock Conservation Park. This trip introduced teachers to the facility to prepare them to bring their classes. They saw a variety of habitats, from woodlands to wetlands and encountered plants and animals that many had not seen before.
• Overview of the New Kentucky Core Content in Math and Science. The Environmental Education Alliance co-sponsored this workshop, along with CINSAM, the new Kentucky Center for Mathematics, the Northern Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and six other math/science alliances. Approximately 180 people registered. The three-hour workshop was led by Ann Bartosh and Sean Elkins from KDE.
Mathematics: (Northern Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics-NKCTM) (Gina Foletta, Mike Waters, Beth Noblitt, Kathy Wonderling and Kathy Bulmer)
• CINSAM night. Plans were made for meetings during the coming academic year.
• International Math Mini-Conference. Math teachers from four different countries led sessions on methods in mathematics education. About 200 attended.
• Pick’s Theorem Workshop. There were 20 middle school teachers in attendance.
• Graphing Calculators in the Math Classroom Workshop. There were 25 in attendance.•
• Overview of the New Kentucky Core Content in Math and Science. The Math Alliance co-sponsored this workshop, along with CINSAM, the new Kentucky Center for Mathematics, the Northern Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and six other math/science alliances. Approximately 180 people registered. The three-hour workshop was led by Ann Bartosh and Sean Elkins from KDE.
Middle School Science: (Rajeev Swami, Vinay Kumar, and Lisa Klette)
• CINSAM Night. Plans were made for meetings during the coming academic year.
• PROJECT ASTRO. Dr. Ray McNeil talked to teachers about PROJECT ASTRO, a program to enhance active learning in astronomy. About 12 teachers were in attendance.
• Overview of the New Kentucky Core Content in Math and Science. The Middle School Science Alliance co-sponsored this workshop, along with CINSAM, the new Kentucky Center for Mathematics, the Northern Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and six other math/science alliances. Approximately 180 people registered. The three-hour workshop was led by Ann Bartosh and Sean Elkins from KDE.
• Earth Day. Lisa Klette and Vinay Kumar demonstrated several activities, and teachers had the opportunity to do “hands-on” activities. The teachers also received a handout with links to several web resources.
Physics: (John Filaseta and David Ledden)
• CINSAM Night. Plans were made for meetings during the coming academic year.
•Overview of the New Kentucky Core Content in Math and Science. The Physics Alliance co-sponsored this workshop, along with CINSAM, the new Kentucky Center for Mathematics, the Northern Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and six other math/science alliances. Approximately 180 people registered. The three-hour workshop was led by Ann Bartosh and Sean Elkins from KDE.
• Uses for Humor and Comics in Learning Physics. Twenty teachers were in attendance.
• KET’s Encyclomedia and Other Multimedia Resources. Twelve teachers were in attendance.
• Physics Education Equipment. Eight teachers were in attendance.
• Sharing Low-Cost Physics Demonstrations. Eight teachers were in attendance.
Many topics have arisen out of the Alliance meetings. For example, teachers requested assistance with the new Core curricula in science and mathematics, so CINSAM brought in experts who helped teachers address their concern. CINSAM also offered workshops in topics like Forensic Science and afterwards engaged the teachers as leaders in the CSI camps. This gave them the opportunity to practice what they learned under the supervision of University staff. Through these workshops, 21 presenters (both from NKU and from outside the University) have interacted with more than 500 teachers.
Forensic Science Workshop: In the workshop, 28 middle school and high school teachers worked with NKU faculty from the departments of Criminal Justice, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Physics in fast-paced workshop. Interaction with faculty and hands-on laboratory experiments show how these disciplines use knowledge and technology to examine evidence and develop solutions in investigative work. In addition, activities or the classroom were prepared and presented by the NKU staff and middle and high school teachers.
NKU Staff: Jill Shelley, Vern Hicks, Vinay Kumar, Karl Hagglund, John Filaseta, Jon Hastings, Thomas Brackman, Betty Stephens
Thomas More Staff: Jennifer Myka
Science Fair Workshop: Ten teachers attended this workshop which dealt with how to develop a successful science fair at their school. The workshop was conducted by NKU faculty as well as P-12 teachers. Examples of good science fair projects were displayed. This workshop was co-sponsored by CINSAM and NACKES.
NKU Staff: Dale Elifrits, Rajeev Swami
International Math Mini Conference: Two hundred teachers and students attended this mini conference sponsored by CINSAM and the Northern Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Math teachers from several foreign countries presented sessions on the teaching of mathematics in their countries.
NKU Staff: Linda Sheffield and other NKU faculty
New Core Content Workshop: This workshop was attended by 180 or so teachers and dealt with the new version 4.0 Kentucky Core Content and was presented by the Science and Math Specialists at the Kentucky Department of Education.
NKU Staff: Alliance leaders, Betty Stephens, Dale Elifrits, Reeda Hart, Linda Sheffield
“Science Inside and Out” Workshop: This workshop was presented to 68 Kentucky and Ohio teachers for a “hands-on” training in science education for grades 4-12 with the emphasis on environmental education both inside and outside the classroom. It was held aboard a BB Riverboat.
NKU Staff: Thomas Brackman, Dale Elifrits, Betty Stephens
Thomas More Staff: Chris Lorenz
NSTA National Conference in Anaheim: CINSAM presented a session titled “Inquiring into Rocks and Minerals” to fifty teachers from across the country at the NSTA National Conference. This session dealt with using the inquiry method to identify rocks and minerals. A brief overview of CINSAM was also presented. Each participant received a CD with lesson plans for teaching Earth Science in their classrooms.
NKU Staff: Dale Elifrits, Reeda Hart, Betty Stephens.
Kentucky Department of Education DVD: CINSAM was part of the Kentucky Department of Education project “Inquiry Learning; Methods of Instruction”. The project provided a DVD showcasing the work with students throughout Kentucky, including those being taught by CINSAM staff. Modeling inquiry in the classroom in the DVD and giving teachers a resource CD supplied teachers from all over the state with another tool to teach science and mathematic more effectively.
NKU Staff: Reeda Hart
Project Learning Tree: CINSAM sponsored a Project Learning Tree Workshop to work with area teachers in Environmental Education. Fourteen teachers participated in a grant to connect science and environmental education through this “hands-on”, interdisciplinary program first developed by the American Forest Foundation. The emphasis in the new training was the 2007 guide which showcased differentiated instruction, literature connections, and technology connections.
NKU Staff: Reeda Hart
Energy Field Study: This field study involved to the East Bend Power Plant operated by Duke Energy. Teachers were given a tour of the power plant with a discussion as to how to use the information learned in their classrooms. There were about eight on the tour.
NKU Staff: Dale Elifrits, Betty Stephens, Reeda Hart, Thomas Brackman, Karen Ware
Materials and Waste Field Trip: This field study involved a trip to the Black River Limestone Mine. Teachers were able to actually go underground and tour the mine. Discussions took place as to how Black River could become involved with students and teachers in schools. There were about ten on the tour.
NKU Staff: Dale Elifrits, Betty Stephens, Reeda Hart, Thomas Brackman, Karen Ware
Faculty Grants and Projects
CINSAM provided $136,057.08 in 2005-06, funding numerous faculty research projects. I n many, if not most, of the CINSAM-sponsored faculty grants, a prime consideration in awarding funds was the possibility of participation by NKU students. Their work would enable them to be exposed to research methods as well as lab and field experience. Undergraduate research is one of the ways to engage students in disciplines beyond the classroom. With the inception of CINSAM to support research and the Science Center to house it, research has grown at a phenomenal rate. In the last five years, since the establishment of CINSAM and the opening of the Science Center, there has been more than a three-fold growth in research activity in the sciences. Faculty projects included:
Seyed Allameh
Robotic Construction of Biologically Inspired Structures
$10,723.49 (salary, student stipends, supplies)
Hazel Barton, Biological Sciences, student Austin Springer
Extremely Starved Cave Environments
$21,688.23 Salaries for principal investigators, student stipends, supplies)
Janet Bertog, Physics and Geology)
Taphony and Diversity of the Jurassic Aaron Scott Dinosaur Quarry, Utah
$12,612.57 (salary, student stipends, travel)
Wayne Bresser, Physics and Geology
Synthesis of Ordered Large Scale II-VI Semiconductor Nanostructures Using Mesoporous and Investigation of Confinement Effects on Their Vibrational and Optical Properties by Raman Spectroscopy and Photoluminescence
$8,114.51 (student stipends, supplies)
Heather Bullen, Chemistry, students: Whitney Schmidt, Robert Wilson
Biofilm Formation: Scanning Probe Characterization of Bacterial Adhesion
$11,179.41 (salary, student stipends, supplies)
Richard Fox, Computer Science, student William Hartmann
Hand-Written Character Recognition Using Layered Abduction
$2015.21 (student stipends)
Kristi Martines, Biological Sciences, student Jody Helton
Characterization of the Fundamental Interactions of Dendrimer Nanostructions at the Solid/Solution Interface Using Scanning Probe Microscopy
$14,231.22 (student stipends, supplies)
Stefan Paula, Chemistry, students: Jennifer Haggard, Christopher Elam
Development of Hydroquinone-Based Inhibitors of the Sarco-endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase
$14,949.32 (salary, student stipends, supplies)
KC Russell, Chemistry, student Mark Seger
Heterocycle-Substituted Benzocyclynes
$5,000 (stipend, student stipend, supplies)
Keith Walters, Chemistry, students: Celeste Morris, Sean Goins
Tethered Bipyridine Ligands for Transition Metal Incorprpoation in π-Conjugated Supramoledular Systems
$10,836.94 (Salary, student stipends, supplies
Keith Walters, Chemistry, students: Lindsay Whitehead, Rebecca Seger
Photobehavior of W(O) Isocyanides and their Application as Excited-State Reducing Agents
$10.836.94 (salary, student stipends)
Matthew Zacate, Physics and Geology, student Billy Hartmann
Development of Software Utilities to Aid Simulation of Highly Disordered Ceramics
$13,869 (salary, student stipends)
Faculty members also conducted many types of research in their various disciplines. Some outstanding examples of this work included:
Charles Acosta (Biological Sciences), Kevin Kirby (Computer Science), Gail Mackin (Mathematics)
Understanding Spatial Population Dynamics for Habitat Conservation: Ecological Experiments, Mathematical Models, and Computational Visualization
S.M. Allameh (Physics and Geology), P. Cooper (Technology)
Robotic Construction of Biologically Inspired Structures
Mark Bardgett (Psychology), student Brian Hoffman
The Effects of Oral Risperidone on Locomotor Activity Levels and Global Gene Expression in Rats
Hazel Barton (Biological Sciences), Heather A. Bullen (Chemistry), Stuart Oehrle (Chemistry)
Syntrophy Through Starvation: Do the General Rules of Ecology Apply in Cave Environments?
Hazel Barton (Biological Sciences)
Amazing Caves: Exploration Science (ACES) Camp
Janet Bertog (Physics and Geology), David Jeffrey (Marietta College), Glenn Storrs (Cincinnati Museum Center)
Death of a Giant: Paleontology of the Aaron Scott Site, Ferron, Utah
Samuel Boateng (Physics and Geology), student Jason Koenig
Monitoring Water Quality in a Disturbed Section of Woolper Creek in Boone County, Kentucky
Thomas Brackman (CINSAM), Mitch Withers (University of Memphis), student Benjamin Bortey
Mid-America ShakeMap: Expanding a Tool for Earthquake Mitigation
Wayne Bresser (Physics and Geology), Chari Ramkumar (Physics and Geology), Kisa Ranasinghe (Physics and Geology), T. Rajagopal (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheeva, Israel)
Investigation of Confinement Effects in Ordered Nanastructures
Heather Bullen (Chemistry), Kristi Martines (Biological Sciences), Keith Walters (Chemistry)
Design and Characterization of Drug Delivery Systems Across the Blood Brain Barrier
Heather Bullen (Chemistry), Hazel Barton (Biological Sciences)
Impact of Pyoverdin Siderophores Extracted from Pseudomonas aeruginosa on Biofilm Adhesion to Metal Oxide Surfaces
Heather Bullen (Chemistry), Hazel Barton (Biological Sciences)
Characterization of Self Assembled Monolayers as Potential Nonbiofouling Surfaces
Rebecca Evans (Biology), student Alicia Sullivan
Linking Land-use to water quality in Northern Kentucky
Rebecca Evans (Biological Sciences), Miriam Kannan (Biologicakl Sciences), John Hageman (Thomas More College), Mike Miller (University of Cincinnati), Chuck Somerville (Marshall University)
Ohio River Run: A Collaborative Study of Water Quality Drivers in the Ohio River Basin
Lenore Kinne (Education), Matthew Zacate (Physics and Geology)
Norse Tour de Force
Don Krug (Mathematics), Andy Long (Mathematics), student Timothy Meyers
Stack Focusing and Fly Genitalia
Kristi Martines (Biological Sciences), Heather Bullen (Chemistry); students: Donald Tomalia, Marquita Humphries, Areej Saqr, Chad Hargrove
Testing Drug Delivery Across the Blood-brain Barrier Using a Co-Culture of Astrocytes and Brain Capillary Endothelial Cells
Kristi Martines (Biological Sciences)
The Evaluation of 7-nitroindazole as a Protective Pretreatment Against Bilateral 6-hydroxydopamine Lesions of Rat Striatum
Jessica Metzger (CAE)
NKU Center for Applied Ecology: Environmental Research, Outreach, and Education
Stefan Paula (Chemistry), Robert Kempton (Chemistry), students: Michael Lape, Christopher Elam, Maria Versluis
Molecular Determinants of Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase Inhibition by Hydroquinone-Based Compounds
Kisa Ranasinghe (Physics and Geology),. Wayne Bresser (Physics and Geology)
Search for the Rigidity Transition and Intermediate Phases In Lithium Oxide Silicate Glass Systems Prepared By Containerless and Container Methods Using Temperature Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC)
KC Russell (Chemistry), student Mark Seger
Progress in the Synthesis of a Soluble Flavobenzocyclyne
Patrick Schultheis (Biological Sciences), Kristi Martines (Biological Sciences)
Localization of ATP 13a1-GFP and ATP 13a2-GFP Fusion Proteins
Patrick Schultheis (Biological Sciences), Rick Boyce (Biological Sciences), Carl Miller (Mathematics)
DNA Microarray Analysis of Liver Gene Expression Profiles in Magnesium Deficient Mice
Traian Truta (Computer Science), Dr. Alina Campan (University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania), student Paul Meyer
Data Anonymity for Privacy Protection
Keith Walters (Chemistry); students: S. Goins, C. Morris, S.M. Conrad, T. Tanner, K.A. Walter.
The Molecular Wire Concept and Development
Keith Walters (Chemistry); students: C.D. Girten, J.R. Helton, D.A. Walters, H.A. Bullen (Chemistry); K. Martines (Biological Sciences)
Surface Modification of G4 and G5 PAMAM Dendrimers
Keith Walters (Chemistry); students: R.A. Seger, L. Whitehead, K.A. Walters
Continued Synthesis of a New Isocyanide Ligand for Efficient Photoinduced Charge Transfer Processes Within an Octahedral W(0) Compound
Steve Wilkinson (Mathematics)
Curves that “curve like themselves”
Mathew Zacate (Physics and Geology), student Billy Hartman
Computer Simulation of Highly Disordered Ceramics Via a Combined Energy Minimization and Monte Carlo Technique
Conference Papers and Articles Accepted for Publication
by CINSAM-Related Faculty
CONFERENCE PAPERS
Hazel A. Barton, NKU Department of Biological Sciences
Taylor, N., Breate, M., Bertog, J. and Barton, H.A..
“The Impact of Organic Load on Bacterial Community Structure and Geomicrobial Transformation in Oligotrophic Cave Environments.” (Oral presentation)
91st Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science, Eastern Kentucky University, KY, 2005
Bennet, A.F., Bullen, H. and Barton, H.A.
“Improved Methods to Relate Metabolic Activities to Biogeochemical Signatures in Carbonate Rock.” 91st Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science, Eastern Kentucky University, KY., 2005
Bennett, A.F., Bullen, H.A. and Barton, H.A.
“The Use of ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy to Relate Metabolic Activities to Biogeochemical Signatures in Rock”
NASA Astrobiology Conference, Washington, D.C., March 27, 2006.
Albright, C., and Barton, H.A.
“A SAR11 screen to identify possible relatives of the marine bacterioplankton Pelagiobacter ubique in oligotrophic terrestrial cave ecosystems.”
NKU Celebration of Student Research and Creativity. April 12, 2006.
Bennett, A.F., Bullen, H.A. and Barton, H.A.
“The Use of ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy to Relate Metabolic Activities to Biogeochemical Signatures in Rock.” NKU Celebration of Student Research and Creativity. April 12, 2006.
Broering, M., Lubbers, B. and Barton, H.A.
“The long term survivability and ecological niche of Salmonella in sulfate-rich soils.”
NKU Celebration of Student Research and Creativity. April 12, 2006.
White, J., Barton, H.A. and Bertog, J.
“Determining microbial processes of cave formation in a sulfidic hot spring.”
NKU Celebration of Student Research and Creativity. April 12, 2006.
Bennett, A.F., Bullen, H.A. and Barton, H.A.
The Use of ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy to Relate Metabolic Activities to Biogeochemical Signatures in Rock.” Council on Undergraduate Research: Posters on the Hill, Washington, D.C., April 24, 2006.
Taylor, N., Kreate, M. Bertog, J. and Barton, H.A.
“The impact of Organic Load on Geomicrobial Mineral Transformation in Cave Environments.”
12th Annual Kentucky EPSCoR Conference, Louisville, KY. May 2006.
Bennett, A.F., Bullen, H.A. and Barton, H.A.
“The Use of ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy to Relate Metabolic Activities to Biogeochemical Signatures in Rock.” 12th Annual Kentucky EPSCoR Conference, Louisville, KY. May 2006.
Banks, E. and Barton, H.A.
“Calcium carbonate precipitation versus dissolution in the formation of cave ‘popcorn’”
Merck/AAAS and KBRIN Interdisciplinary Summer Research Celebration, NKU, August 30, 2006
Bennett, A.F., Bullen, H.A., Barton, H.A. and Hoehler, T.M
“The combined approach of using analytical geochemistry and molecular phylogenetics to determine possible energetics in extremely starved subterranean environments.”
Merck/AAAS and KBRIN Interdisciplinary Summer Research Celebration, NKU. August 03, 2006.
Van Horne, E., Millette, J., Oehrle, S. and Barton, H.A.
“The chemical basis of bacterial survival in extremely starved environments.”
Merck/AAAS and KBRIN Interdisciplinary Summer Research Celebration, NKU. August 30, 2006.
Barton, H. A., Bennett, A. F., Taylor, N. M., Bertog, J. L. and Oehrle, S. A.
Our favourite food: The potential for microbial degradation of paleoluminescent organic material in caves.”
European Geosciences Union Annual Meeting, Vienna, Austria. April 2006.
Barton, H. A., Bennett, A.F., Taylor, N.M., Oehrle, S.A. and Bertog, J.L.
“Syntrophy Through Starvation: Do the General Rules of Ecology Apply in Oligotrophic Subterranean Environments?”
NASA Astrobiology Conference, Washington, DC. March 2006.
Barton, H.A. 2006
“Amazing Caves: Amazing Microbes. Microbial Exotica and the Women Who Nurture Them,”
Committee on the Status of Women in Microbiology. American Society for Microbiology, 106th Annual Meeting, Miami, FL. June 2006.
Bennett, A.F. and Barton, H.A.
“Description of Polaromonas subterraneae sp. nov., a new representative of the genus Polaromonas identified within oligotrophic cave and Karst environments”
American Society for Microbiology, 106th Annual Meeting, Miami, FL. June 2006.
N. M. Taylor, M. Kreate, M., Janet L. Bertog, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, and Hazel A. Barton, NKU Department of Physics and Geology
“The Impact of Organic Load on Geomicrobial Transformations in Oligotrophic Cave Environments.”
Union Internationale de Spéléologie, 14th Annual International Congress of Speleology, Athens, Greece. August 20-27 2005. (printed)
D. Kime and Janet L. Bertog, NKU Department of Physics and Geology
“Freshman Orientation and the Geology Learning Community – A Successful Recruitment Tool for the Geology Major”
Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2006
Janet L. Bertog, NKU Department of Physics and Geology D. L. Jeffrey, and J. R. Bishop, J. R.
“Updates of the Taphonomy of Dinosaur Lake (Aaron Scott Site, Morrison Formation, Jurassic) of Utah”
Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2006
D. L. Jeffrey, Janet L. Bertog, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, and J. R. Bishop
“Sequence Stratigraphy of Lacustrine Fill Deposits Associated with the Aaron Scott Site (Morrison Formation, Jurassic) of Utah”
Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2006.
D. Dye, D. and Janet L. Bertog, NKU Department of Physics and Geology,
“Petrographic Analysis of Bentonite Beds to Interpret Volcanic Sources in the Greenhorn Formation, South Dakota”
Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2006.
Janet L. Bertog, J. L., D.L. Jeffrey, R. R. Robinson, G. D. Boswell, G.D. Mackey, D. McCormick, and C. Case,
“Clay Mineralogy and Petrology associated with a Dinosaur Lake (Aaron Scott Quarry, Morrison Formation, Jurassic), Utah”
Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2006.
A. Springer and Janet L. Bertog, NKU Department of Physics and Geology
“Illite Precipitation in a Cave System Associated with Acid Mine Drainage”
Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2006.
Samuel Boateng, NKU Department of Physics and Geology
“The effect of land use and other external factors on water quality within two creeks in Northern Kentucky”
American Geophysical Union (AGU) annual Spring meeting , Baltimore, Maryland
Samuel Boateng, NKU Department of Physics and Geology
“Evaluating the impact of channelization within a section of Woolper Creek in Boone County, Kentucky”
Geological Society of America-Southeast Section (GSA-SE) annual meeting, Knoxville, Tennessee
Samuel Boateng, NKU Department of Physics and Geology
“Analysis of water quality in a channelized creek in Boone County, Kentucky”
Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS) annual meeting, Richmond, Kentucky
Kirsty Fleming and Gail Mackin, NKU Department of Mathematics
“Excellence in Undergraduate Mathematics: Mobilizing for the Future”
American Mathematical Society and Mathematicians for Education Reform Workshop, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, December 1-3 , 2005,
Linda J. Sheffield, NKU Department of Mathematics/College of Education, Regents Professor
International
– “Mentoring Mathematical Minds”
Featured Address, Creativity in Mathematics Education and the Education of Gifted Students Conference, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, July 5, 2006
“Extending the Challenge: Developing Mathematically Promising Students”
Keynote Address, Korea Society of Mathematical Education, Inchul Jung, South Korea, April 7, 2006
– “Mathematically Promising Students”
Presession Address, Korea Society of Mathematical Education, Inchul Jung, South Korea, April 6, 2006
– “Challenging Gifted and Talented Students” Symposium for graduate and undergraduate students at the Korean National Institute of Education and Seowon University, Cheongju, Korea, April 6, 2006
–“Developing Children’s Mathematical Creativity”
Workshop for WISE Moms, Cheongju, Korea, April 6, 2006
–”Students’ Creative Abilities in Mathematics Teaching and Learning -- the Views from West and East”
Panel Member, East Regional Conference on Mathematics Education (EARCOME), August 9, 2005, Shanghai, China
–“Using Creativity Techniques to Add Depth and Complexity to the Mathematics Curricula”
East Regional Conference on Mathematics Education (EARCOME), August 8, 2005, Shanghai, China
National
–“Question the Answers; Don’t Just Answer the Questions”
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, St. Louis, Missouri, April 28, 2006
–“Developing Math Talent: The Impact of Challenging Curriculum and Discourse”
Research Presession, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, St. Louis, Missouri, April 25, 2006
–“Using Creativity Techniques to Add Depth and Complexity to the Mathematics Curricula”
National Association for Gifted Children Annual Conference, Louisville, Kentucky, November 11, 2005
–“The Math/Science Challenge: Fact or Fiction?”
General Session, National Association for Gifted Children Annual Conference, Louisville, Kentucky, November 11, 2005
–“Extending the Mathematical Challenge”
NKU International Mathematics Education Mini-Conference, November 9, 2005
–“Update on Challenging Mathematics in the Commonwealth”
State
–“Mentoring Mathematical Minds: Awesome Algebra”
Kentucky Association for Gifted Education, Lexington, Kentucky, February 24, 2006
– “Articulating Algebra for All: Extending the Depth of Knowledge”
Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics, London, Kentucky, Nov. 5, 2005.
Betty Stephens, Reeda Hart, and Dr. C. Dale Elifrits, NKU Center for Integrative Natural Science and Mathematics at NKU
“Rocks and Minderals” and “Video Cconferencing with Triops,” hands-on, inqiry-based science sessions
54th Annual Conference, National Science Teachers Association, Anaheim, CA, April 9, 2006. (Abstract in conference proceedings)
Betty Stephens, Reeda Hart, and Dr. C. Dale Elifrits, NKU Center for Integrative Natural Science and Mathematics at NKU
“Setting Up an Outdoor Classroom”
Regional Conference, Kentucky Association for Environmental Education, Alexandria, Kentucky
Matthew Zacate, NKU Department of Physics and Geology
Association of Physics Teachers Meeting
PUBLICATIONS
Allameh, Seyed.M. M. Sadat-Hossieny and P. Cooper, “Instrumentation of RV-M1 Robots for Developing Biologically Inspired Materials,” Proceedings of 2006 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Chicago, IL June 19-21 2006
Barton, Hazel A., NKU Department of Biological Sciences, Taylor, N.M., Lubbers, B.R. and Pemberton, A.C., “DNA extraction from low-biomass carbonate rock: an improved method with reduced contamination and the Low-Biomass Contaminant (LBC) database” Journal of Microbiological Methods. 66:21-31. 2005
Barton, Hazel A., NKU Department of Biological Sciences, “Introduction to Cave Geomicrobiology: A Review for the Non-specialist.” Journal of Cave and Karst Studies. 68(2):43-54, 2006
Bertog, Janet. L. “Introductory Geology Class Project as a Lesson in Educated Citizenship,” Journal of Geoscience Education (accepted) 2006.
Bertog, Janet . L., Martin, J. E. and Huff, W. D. “Bentonite Correlation of the Lower Pierre Shale,” Geological Society of America Special Paper, “Following in the Footsteps of Lewis and Clark: Geology and Paleontology Along the Missouri River” (accepted) 2006.
Bertog, Janet L., Martin, J. Eand Parris, D. C., “Revised Stratigraphy of the Pierre Shale, South Dakota,” Geological Society of America Special Paper, “Following in the Footsteps of Lewis and Clark: Geology and Paleontology Along the Missouri River” (accepted) 2006.
Boateng, Samuel and Cawlfield, Jeffrey D. “Two-Dimensional Sensitivity Analysis of Contaminant Transport in the Unsaturated Zone.” Ground Water 37 (2), 185-193.
Nutter, Scott, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, Park, H.S. Ahn, O. Ganel, K.C. Kim, M.H. Lee, L. Lutz, A. Malinin, E.S. Seo, R. Sina, J. Wu, Y.S.Yoon, S.Y. Zinn, P. Boyle, S. Swordy, S., Wakely, N.B. Conklin, S. Coutu, S.I. Mognet, P. Allison, J.J. Beatty, J.T. Childers, M.A. Duvernois, M.G. Bagliesi, G. Bigongiari, P. Maestro, P.S. Marrocchesi, R. Zei, J.H. Han, H.J. Hyun, J. A. Jeon, J. K. Lee, S.W. Nam, I.H. Park, J. Yang, S. Minnick, H. Park, “The First Flight of the CREAM Silicon Charge Detector.” N. H. Journal of Korean Physical Society. 49, No. 2, 815-818, 2006.
Nutter, Scott, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, O. Ganel, H.S. Ahn, K.C. Kim, M.H. Lee, L. Lutz, A. Malinin, E.S. Seo, R. Sina, J. Wu, Y.S.Yoon, S.Y. Zinn, P. Boyle, S. Swordy, S. Wakely, N.B. Conklin, S. Coutu, S.I. Mognet, P. Allison, J.J. Beatty, J.T. Childers, M.A. Duvernois, M.G. Bagliesi, G. Bigongiari, P. Maestro, P.S. Marrocchesi, R. Zei, J.H. Han, H.J. Hyun, J. A. Jeon, J. K. Lee, S.W. Nam, I.H. Park, N.H. Park, J. Yang, S. Minnick, H. Park. “CREAM - Pushing the High Energy Frontier of Directly Measured Cosmic Rays,” Czech Journal of Physics, 56, A301-A312, 2006
Linda J. Sheffield, NKU Department of Mathematics/College of Education, Regents Professor
Sheffield, L. J. (March 2006). “Developing Mathematical Promise and Creativity,” Journal of the Korea Society of Mathematical Education Series D: Research in Mathematical Education.
Sheffield, L. (February 2006). “Mathematically Promising Students from the Space Age to the Information Age,” The Montana Mathematics Enthusiast, Vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 104 – 109 (http://www.montanamath.org/TMME/TMMEv31.html)
Sheffield, L. (Fall/Winter 2005). “Mathematics: The Pump We Need to Combat the Brain Drain,” Gifted Education Communicator, Vol. 36, Nos. 3 & 4, pp. 14 – 19.
Sheffield, L. (2006). “From the President Column,” Kentucky Association for Gifted Education, KAGE Update, Winter 2006, Spring 2006
Gavin, M. K., Sheffield, L. J., Chapin, S. & Dailey, J. (2006) Unraveling the Mystery of the Moli Stone: Place Value and Numeration. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt (NAGC 2004 Curriculum Award)
Gavin, M. K., Sheffield, L. J., Chapin, S. & Dailey, J. (2006) Awesome Algebra: Looking for Patterns and Generalizations. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt
Gavin, M. K., Sheffield, L. J., Chapin, S. & Dailey, J. (2006) What’s the Me in Measurement All About? Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt (NAGC 2005 Curriculum Award)
Gavin, M. K., Sheffield, L. J., Chapin, S. & Dailey, J. (2006) Digging for Data: The Search within Research. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt
Sheffield, L. J. and Cruikshank, D. E. (2005) Teaching and Learning Mathematics Prekindergarten through Middle School, Fifth Edition. New York: Wiley.
Scholarships, Externships, and Other Opportunites for Students
CINSAM scholarships cover full in-state tuition, on-campus housing, and a book allowance. As such, they are among the most generous on campus. The following students received CINSAM scholarships during the last year:
Nathaniel Hall Geology
Celeste Morris Chemistry
Thomas Fabre Chemistry
Nicole King Chemistry
Jared Patton Biology
Kayla Evans Chemistry
Nicholas Georgescu Chemistry
Brian Hoffman Chemistry
Jennifer Clark Education
Another way CINSAM involved NKU students in experiential learning is through applied work on externships, i.e. business or industry projects brought into the University. Mathematics and statistics students were engaged in analysis of projects both internal and external to the University in the Burkhart Consulting Center.
Science students worked on projects of value to local industry in the University’s labs using some of our advanced equipment. A key element in the development of our students has been access to the excellent facilities of the Dorothy Hermann Science Center. The building fosters the kind of interdisciplinary interaction that is critical to student success. Faculty from different disciplines are intermixed in a way that enables them and their students to interact. Labs and equipment are available for sharing and a spirit of cooperation pervades the Science Center. The equipment is truly cutting-edge and compares favorably to that found at research institutions.
In summer 2006, some physics students worked for SAP, Inc., a company developing potential products to combat “household odors”; they were able to utilize a physics laboratory in the characterization of physical properties of these product. At the request of Omega Technologies, Sabina Zacate of the Biological Sciences faculty and her students worked on microbiological and molecular genetic aspects of substances related to the equine industry, a highly visible part of the Kentucky economy. Both SAP, Inc. and Omega Technologies are new firms that seek to create products and potentially manufacturing jobs in the region. Kristi Martines, also of the Department of Biological Sciences, conducted a research program involving the use of polymers to transport medicinal molecules across the blood-brain-barrier; the work was for Dendritic Nanotechnologies Inc.
CINSAM assisted in these activities by providing training funds for students as they were introduced to the protocols of these businesses. CINSAM also worked with the departments to fund positions for technicians to operate, maintain, and provide instruction on equipment such as the SEM/X-ray diffraction devices or high-end chemical analysis equipment.
CINSAM encourages students to participate in regional and national conferences and competitions. Numerous students mentored by CINSAM-affiliated faculty participate in the University-wide “Celebration of Student Research and Creativity,” held each spring.
Science students regularly represent NKU at events such as the 12th Annual EPSCoR Conference Poster Session, held May 15, 2006; students Chrispin Gabriel and David McCallister poster presented posters there under the guidance of Dr. Wayne Bresser, NKU Department of Physics and Geology. Dr. Bresser also sponsored students Chrispin Gabrie, Brandon Hanks, and David McCallister who presented posters at the NKU “Celebration” in 2006.
NKU student teams placed in an international mathematics contest. William Hartmann, Elizabeth Whittle, and Timothy Meyers earned the distinction of Meritorious Winners in the 22nd Annual Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM) held this past February. Hartmann, Whittle and Meyers’ team, one of three NKU teams to participate in the 2006 MCM, ranked among the top 18% of the 748 teams participating this year. The NKU teams competed against 247 US teams and 501 international teams. Only 12 teams earned a higher distinction. A second NKU team, Jonathon Reusch, Jennifer Lamb, and John Miller, earned Honorable Mention in the 2006 MCM. A third NKU team, Brandon Hanks, Joshua Ziegler and David Lyons, finished as Successful Participants. The award of Honorable Mention was given to 25% of all teams ranked below the award of Outstanding and Meritorious. The remaining 57% of teams completing the MCM received the award of Successful Participant for having submitted a final paper after the five-day contest.
COMAP (the Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications) sponsored the event. NKU has participated in the Annual COMAP Modeling Contests since 2002. To date, 14 teams have attempted the five-day contest, and all but one successfully completed the modeling problem. Many of the 25 students who have participated in the COMAP contest (several multiple times) are Mathematics or Computer Science majors, but students majoring in the Biological Science, Philosophy, Physic, and Psychology have been pivotal team members. The teams were recruited by Dr. Gail Mackin, Department of Mathematics, who also served as Faculty Sponsor for most of the teams. Funds for registration fees were provided by CINSAM.
CINSAM Operations:
Faculty, Office Staff, Academic Programs
The work of CINSAM is carried out by its staff along with many faculty members from the departments noted in the Introduction. CINSAM has four full-time faculty members: Dr. Phillip H. Schmidt, Director; Dr. C. Dale Elifrits, Director of Pre-Engineering and Outreach; Ms. Betty Stephens, Outreach Coordinator; and Ms. Reeda Hart, Outreach Specialist; and one half-time faculty member, Mr. Thomas Brackman, Physical Science and Pre-Engineering Recruiting Director.
High school graduates’ preparedness, the number of majors in the sciences and mathematics, and college graduation trends indicate improvement but not at a rate rapid as might be desired. To this end, Mr. Brackman works with the NKU admissions office and the science and mathematics departments to create a stronger awareness among high school students and counselors of the need for and background required for these areas of study. He provides schools with information about opportunities and requirements for students in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In addition, CINSAM currently offers and plans a number of programs primarily directed at middle grades through tenth-grade students, their parents, and counselors. Mr. Brackman also worked with NKU’s departments to plan programs to bring students to campus and introduce them to the University’s facilities, faculty, and opportunities for study. (Mr. Brackman also works half-time as a technician with the NKU Department of Physics and Geology).
Dr. Elifrits was recently elected as one of the eight-member Board of Directors of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME), the premier society for the professionals of the worldwide mining and minerals community, with nearly 10,630 members from 26 countries. Dr. Elifrits, a SME member for 20 years, has presented technical papers and led sessions at SME meetings, has served on the society’s education committees and council, is active in program accreditation for mining engineering, geological engineering, geophysical engineering, and conducted similar programs for which SME has curricular oversight. In other activity, in April 2006, Dr. Elifrits served as a consultant a local chemical processing and manufacturing company regarding process management and control (a proprietary work-site issue.) Dr. Elifrits holds the Ph.D. in geological engineering and the rank of Professor Emeritus of Geological Engineering and Associate Director Emeritus, Freshman Engineering Program, at the University of Missouri-Rolla.
Other CINSAM staff members in 2005-2006 included:
Mr. Charles Bowen - Computer Technical Specialist for Sciences
Ms. Karen M. Ware - Program Manager
Ms. Tina Peebles - Administrative Secretary
Mr. Lee Weiner - Computer Technical Specialist for Computer Science
Ms. Megan Carr- Biology Lab Technician
Dr. Denice Robertson, Science 110 Coordinator
Part-time: Various students who assist in the preparation for and delivery of events and programs.
Faculty
The CINSAM-related departments had the following numbers of full-time faculty during FY 2004-05 (Those mentioned by name have positions funded by CINSAM):
Biological Sciences
Twenty-three full-time, including:
Charles Acosta
Hildegard Baldridge
Richard Durtsche
Rebecca Evans
Denice Robertson
Thomas Sproat
Physics and Geology
Nineteen, full-time including:
Samuel Boateng
Dale Eliftris
John Rockaway
Matthew Zacate
Chemistry
Fourteen full-time including:
Roger Blanchard
James Gawenis
David Ledden
K. C. Russell
Keith Walters
Mathematics
Twenty-eight full-time faculty including:
James Hauser
Andrew Long
Computer Science
Twelve, full time
College of Education (Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education Departments)
Fifteen full-time faculty including:
One open position, search currently ongoing
Enrolled Students
The programs in the CINSAM related departments had the following numbers of majors as of fall 2004:
Biological Sciences 210
Chemistry 187
Mathematics
Mathematics 45
Math Education 5
Math Pre-education 45
Computer Science 170
Physics & Geology
Geology 36
Physics 35