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Annual Report 2001-2002

Regional University Excellence Trust Fund
Programs of Distinction
Institution: Northern Kentucky University
Program:  Center for Integrative Natural Science and Mathematics (CINSAM)
Fiscal Year 2001-02
Due Date: October 15, 2002

Program description

The Center for Integrative Natural Science and Mathematics (CINSAM) is not a degree-granting program, but rather a program that coordinates activities in research, teaching and outreach across the NKU College of Arts and Sciences' Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics & Computer Science, Physics & Geology, and the NKU College of Education.

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.

CINSAM is involved with area science and mathematics alliances and provides workshops and courses led by NKU faculty for elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers as well as on-campus learning experiences and programs for their students.

CINSAM scholarships, a broad range of integrative science courses, externships in business and industry, and research opportunities help develop students 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.

The work of CINSAM is carried out by the CINSAM staff along with many faculty members from the departments listed above.  The FY 2001 staff of CINSAM consisted of the following:

Full-time: Phil Schmidt-Director; Karen M. Ware - Program Manager; Betty Stephens - Outreach Coordinator; Charles Bowen - Computer Technical Specialist for Sciences; Lee Weiner - Computer Technical Specialist for Computer Science; Megan Klaas - Biology Lab technician.

Part-time: Rebecca Thompson - Secretary for CINSAM; Patricia Ponte - Secretary for Chemistry; Patti Bray-Biological Sciences Secretary.

The CINSAM-related departments had the following numbers of full-time faculty during FY 2001 (Those mentioned by name have positions funded by CINSAM):

• Biological Sciences: 18 full-time, including Thomas Sproat and Richard Durtsche;
• Chemistry: 12 full-time;
• Mathematics & Computer Science: 22 full-time including Andrew Long and James Hauser;
• Physics & Geology: 12 full-time including John Rockaway (Director of Geology);
• College of Education:  4 full-time involved in science and mathematics education including Anjana Arora.

The following recently hired faculty members were supported through CINSAM with startup funds during 2001:

• Biological Sciences: Charles Acosta, Richard Durtsche, Thomas Sproat
• Chemistry: Enders Dickinson, K C Russell
• Physics & Geology: Tammie Gerke, Sharmanthie Fernanado, Scott Nutter

The following faculty members were involved in collaborative research, outreach, and teaching during FY 2001:  Anjana Arora, Mark Bardgett, Bradley Bielski, Enders Dickinson, Richard Durtsche, Lynn Ebersole, Sharmanthie Fernanado, Richard Fox, Charles Frank, Tammie Gerke, Larry Giesmann, Jon Hastings, Vernon Hicks, Miriam Kannan, Robert Kempton, Kevin Kirby, Don Krug, Vinay Kumar, Andrew Long, James Luken, Gail Mackin, Maggie McGatha, Diana McGill, Raymond McNeil, Yvonne Meichtry, Gary Newell, James Niewahner, Scott Nutter, Tom Rambo, Raymond Richmond, Denice Robertson, John Rockaway, KC Russell, Phillip Schmidt, Patrick Schultheis, Linda Sheffield, Betty Stephens, Rajeev Swami, Judy Westrick, Steve Wilkinson.  Many of these were involved in multiple activities.

The programs in the CINSAM related departments had the following numbers of majors as of fall 2001:

• Biological Sciences-357 undergraduates
• Chemistry-84 undergraduates
• Mathematics & CS-367 undergraduates, 21 graduate students in the MSCS program
• Physics &Geology-85 undergraduates
• Education College -139 undergraduates and 291 graduate students, but we cannot break down the numbers specializing in science and/or mathematics education.

The numbers of BS graduates in the sciences and mathematics during FY 2001 were

Biological Sciences -38; Chemistry -10; Mathematics & Computer Science -39; Physics & Geology -7.

The program developed its multidisciplinary focus in teaching, research, and outreach.  Teaching activities included an increase in the number of students taught in the Integrated Science course, the introduction of a new Integrated Science course at the graduate level, and work on the development of an interdisciplinary course in mathematical biology.

Enrollments in the two integrated science courses at the undergraduate level increased from 68 (in five sections) in 2000 to 105 (in eight sections) in 2001. In addition to reaching more students and a more diverse student audience, we succeeded in attracting several new faculty to teach the course.  This was primarily the result of a summer workshop that attracted 16 faculty members representing most of the CINSAM-related departments.

Dr. Jon Hastings developed a graduate level Integrated Science course during 2001, to be offered in summer 2002.  This course was attended by 15 graduate students preparing for a master's degree in teaching and was very well received.

Drs. Phil Schmidt and Denice Robertson worked during summer 2002 to prepare a course in mathematical biology appropriate for a joint class of undergraduate biology and mathematics majors.  This course will first be offered in fall 2003.

CINSAM also worked with faculty from Mathematics & Computer Science, Chemistry, and Physics & Geology to obtain a grant in the University's technology competition to support the introduction and use of Mathematica in courses from all three departments.  Faculty have begun to use this software in their classes and report that it has greatly enhanced students' abilities to tackle complex problems in science.

CINSAM has coordinated and supported the activity of faculty and their students on projects as diverse as

• "Identification of Novel Genes Involved in Magnesium Homeostasis by DNA Microarray Analysis"
• "Optimizing Drinking Water Treatment using Neural Networks"
• "Optimal Foraging: Models and Field Study of Habitat Choice and Diet Selection"
• "Charged Black Holes in Einstein-Yang-Mills-Dilaton Gravity with a Cosmological Constant"
• "The Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of a Series of Novel Folic Acid Analogues"
• "Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research on the Ohio River"
• "A Collaborative Study of Magnesium Deficiency on Brain Seratonin Levels and Patterns of Behavior of Mice"
• "Development of the Rio Claro Biology Station for Undergraduate Education."

Each of these projects involved faculty members and undergraduate students from among the disciplines of biology, mathematics, computer science, physics, geology, and/or chemistry.  As can be seen from this list, CINSAM supports research that is collaborative and that involves work in the lab and the field as well as modeling and analysis.
 

Professional activity and effort to establish a national reputation.

The Center has submitted a number of grant proposals and has received funding of two of them:

• A proposal entitled "Enhancements to Integrated Science Courses" was submitted to the NSF CCLI program in June 2001.  This project was not funded.
• In October 2001, we submitted a collaborative proposal to the NIH as a subcontractor to the University of Louisville.  The proposal to develop the "Kentucky Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network" was funded for three years at a total cost of $6M with $55,000 per year as NKU’s share.  We continue to play an important role on KBRIN’s Scientific Advisory Panel and chair the Faculty Fellowship subcommittee of the network.  We also worked with faculty to submit a supplemental grant proposal to this program.  This supplement was funded and is noted below.
• In January 2002 we learned of a federal earmark for the joint project "Urban University’s Partnership for Mathematics and Science Teaching" with the University of Louisville.  We submitted a grant proposal to the DOE-FIPSE program and received half of the $1.5M that was approved.
• In April 2002 we submitted a proposal to the NSF-MPS program for a project entitled "Proficiency and Beyond for All Middle Grades Mathematics and Science Students and Teachers."  This project was unfunded, but the reviews were such that we plan to resubmit an improved proposal for the next round of funding.

Grants submitted by CINSAM-related faculty:

"Reversing memory loss produced by hippocampal deficits"

21 Exploratory and Developmental Research Grant
By Dr. Mark Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology, Principal Investigator
Submitted to National Institute of Health
Submitted October 1, 2002 PENDING
2003 - 2005     $175,000

"Instrumental Training: Techniques of Ion Trap GC/MS"

Faculty Development Center Fund to Support Professional Participation and Development
By Dr. Enders Dickinson V, NKU Department of Chemistry, Director
Submitted to NKU Faculty Development Center
12/14/01  $1,000

"Interactive Web-based Laboratory Preparation and Concept Reinforcement – AIM: Analytical Interactive Modules”" [aka voila!: visualization of interactive laboratory activities]

Course Development Grant from NKU Faculty Development Center
By Dr. Enders Dickinson V, NKU Department of Chemistry, Director
Submitted to NKU Faculty Development Center
Spring 2002   $2,022

"Gravitational lensing of rotating black holes and cosmic strings in the strong field limit"

By Dr. Sharmanthie Fernando, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, Principal Investigator

1) Kentucky Space Grant Consortium

Title: "Gravitational lensing of rotating black holes and cosmic strings in the strong field limit"
Amount: $12,000
Time period: 2000-2001

2) Center for Integrated Sciences and Mathematics:

Title: "Black Holes in Einstein’s Yang-Mills-dilaton  gravity with a Cosmological Constant"
Amount: $13,000
Time period:  2001 April-2001 Dec
Co-Investigator:  Don Krug

3) Center for Integrated Sciences and Mathematics:

Title: "Black Holes in Einstein-Born-Infeld   gravity with a Cosmological Constant"
Amount: $14,000
Time period:  2001 Fall-2002 Fall
Co-Investigator:  Don Krug

4) Office of Information Technology, NKU.

Submitted to Kentucky Space Grant Consortium
2000-2001   $12,000

"Activity Based Learning in Introductory Physics Courses"

By Dr. Sharmanthie Fernando, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, director
Submitted to: Office of Information Technology, NKU
January to May 2002:  $2,450

"Introducing studio format to Introductory Physics Courses"

NKU Course Development Grant
By Dr. Sharmanthie Fernando, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, director
Submitted to NKU Faculty Development Center
Summer 2002   $1,725.00

"Supergravity in low dimensions"

By Dr. Sharmanthie Fernando, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, Principal Investigator
Submitted to National Science Foundation
Summer 2002   $18,000

"Scholarship of Teaching Grant"

By Dr. Gina M. Foletta, NKU College of Education
Submitted to NKU Faculty Development Center to support expenses
while presenting at NCTM/IPSSM project
$1000

"River Algal Monitoring Services"

By Dr. Miriam Steinitz-Kannan, NKU Department of Biological Sciences.  
The "Northern Kentucky University Water Laboratory and Diatom Herbarium"
receives contracts from ORSANCO and other locations. Payment/sample go to pay
Robin Root’s salary and lab supplies and some undergraduate hourly work.

"Developing and evaluating a standard method for identification and enumeration of potentially toxic cyanobacteria"

By Dr. Miriam Steinitz-Kannan, NKU Department of Biological Sciences
and Dr. Judy Westrick
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contract.
2001-2003

"Boone County Urban Forest Assessment"

by Mark Leopold, ERMC, Principal Investigator
Submitted to Northern Kentucky Urban and Community Forestry Council
2002      $10,000

"Summer Experience for At-Risk Young Scientists"

by Andrew Long. Mathematics and Computer Science, director
Submitted to Coca-Cola
November 2001; not funded

"Environmental Education Center for Teaching Excellence"

By Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU College of Education, Project Director
Funded by U.S. Department of Education through Murray State University
March 2002-November 2003   $41,000

"The Comprehensive Commonwealth Water Education Project"

By Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU College of Education, Project Coordinator
Funded by Environmental Protection Agency through University of Louisville
September 2002-September 2007   $33,595

"Reading the River"

Eisenhower Grant
By Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU College of Education, Project Director
Funded by  Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
January 2002-September 2003   $57,005

"Kentucky Institute for Middle School Teachers: Water Quality Education for Middle School Science Teachers"

By Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU College of Education, Project Director
Funded by Kentucky Center for Middle School Academic Achievement
January, 2001 - August, 2001   $6,000

"Distribution and Effective Use of Enviroscapes"

By Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU College of Education, Project Coordinator
Instructional Model Development
Funded by Kentucky Division of Water, Section 319(h)
January 2001-June 2001   $5,000

"CREAM Timing Charge Detector Fabrication and Testing"

Submitted to Pennsylvania State University as a NASA subcontract
By Dr. Scott Nutter, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, director
Submitted November  10, 2002
Funded effective December 1,  2002     $20,000

"Magnesium Deficiency: A Global Gene Expression Study"

Submitted to National Institutes of Health.
By Dr. Raymond E. Richmond and Dr. Patrick Schultheis, NKU Department of
Biological  Sciences, Dr. Diana McGill, NKU Department of Chemistry, and Dr. Mark Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology
Submitted September 21, 2001. (submitted by P. Schultheis)
September 2002-August 2005     $129,000

"Magnesium Deficiency: A Differential Gene Expression Study"

Submitted to CUR Summer Research Fellowship
By Dr. Raymond E. Richmond and Dr, Patrick Schultheis, NKU Department of
Biological  Sciences, Dr. Diana McGill, NKU Department of Chemistry, and
Dr. Mark Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology
Submitted January 2001,  awarded April 2001. (submitted by P. Schultheis)
$4000

"Neurobehavioral Effects of Magnesium Depletion in Mice"

Submitted to  NIH-Kentucky Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network
Research Grant
By Dr. Raymond E. Richmond and Dr, Patrick Schultheis, NKU Department of
Biological  Sciences, Dr. Diana McGill, NKU Department of Chemistry, and
Dr. Mark Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology
(Submitted by M. Bardgett)
Funded: October 2002 thru September 2004    $95,443

"Math/Science Partnership Grant"

Submitted to National Science Foundation
By Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education
Submitted April, 2002

"Coordinating Number and Computation Concepts across Grades Four through Nine"

Eisenhower Grant
By Dr. Linda Sheffield and  Dr. Maggie McGatha, NKU College of Education,
Co-directors
Funded by the Kentucky Council on Higher Education
2002-2003 ($59,997)                                              

"Teaching, Learning, and Technology Project"

Submitted to  United States Office of Education
by Dr. Linda Sheffield and Dr. Valeria Amburgey, NKU College of Education,
Co-principal Investigators
2000 - 2003,  $1,118,060.00 (USDoE contribution only)

"Coordinating Probability and Statistics Concepts across Grades Four through Nine"

Eisenhower Grant
By Dr. Linda Sheffield and Dr. Valeria Amburgey, NKU College of Education,
Co-directors
Funded by the Kentucky Council on Higher
2000 – 2001   $57,240

"Preparing New Teachers for Technology-Rich School Environments"

By Dr. Linda Sheffield and Dr. Valeria Amburgey, NKU College of Education,
Co-principal Investigators
Submitted to United States Office of Education
1999-2001

"Riding the Rails for Integrative Science Education"

By Dr. Thomas Sproat, NKU Department of Biological Sciences. Director
Submitted to NKU Faculty Development Center
Spring, $4,004

Grants submitted by CINSAM-related students:

"The Effect of Shoot Tip Age on Survival Rates of Cryopreserved Lobelia cardinalis"

Submitted by Angela Thomas (Dr. Larry Giesmann, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, mentor).
Funded by NKU Greaves Summer Fellowship program.
Summer/Fall 2002 
$2500 (match of $500 from Department of Biological Sciences)

"Cryopreservation of seeds and tissues from two threatened species: Aconitum uncinatum and Echinodorus berteroi"

Submitted by Becky Thompson (Dr. Larry Giesmann, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, mentor).
Funded by Kentucky Academy of Science through the Marcia Athey Botany Fund
March 2001-March 2002.   $1,533.95
(includes a $200 match from NKU Department of Biological Sciences)

Titles of conference papers and articles accepted for publication:

PUBLICATIONS

Dr. Mark E. Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology, M. G. Griffith, J. A. Hopkins, R. F. Foltz, and C. M. Massie, "Clozapine Reverses Delayed Spatial Alternation Deficits In Rats With Hippocampal Lesions."  Neuroreport. (in preparation)

Dr. Sharmanthie Fernando, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, and F. Mansouri, "Twisted Kac-Moody Algebras and the Entropy of the AdS_3 Black Hole, S. hep-th/0010153."  Physics Letter B505 (2001), 206-214).

Dr. Sharmanthie Fernando, NKU Department of Physics and Geology,  "Rotating Dilation Solutions in 2+1 Dimensions."  General Relativity and Gravitation, Vol 34 (2002) 461-469.

Dr. Sharmanthie Fernando, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, and Sean Roberts Gravitational lensing by charged black holes, General Relativity and Gravitation-Vol 34 (2002) 1221-1237.

Dr. Sharmanthie Fernando, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, "New Dilation Solutions in 2+1 Dimensions and Solutions with Cylindrical Symmetry in 3+1 Dimensions," S. Fernando, (pre-print).

Dr. Sharmanthie Fernando, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, Sean Roberts and Holly Bolick , "Mechanical Model for a Black Hole" (pre-print).

Dr. Sharmanthie Fernando, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, Dr. Don Krug, NKU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, and Chris Curry, "Geodesics in Static Charged Black Holes in 2+1 dimensions" (In preparation to submit to General Relativity and Gravitation).

Dr. Larry Giesmann, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, and Barry Dalton, NKU Environmental Resources Management Center, "Status of the plant germplasm cryopreservation project at Northern Kentucky University," Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science (abstract in press). 2002.

Dr. Miriam Steinitz-Kannan, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, Identification of Algae in Water Supplies. CD. Published by American Water Works Association, Denver, CO. CD ROM 2001

Dr. Miriam Steinitz-Kannan, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, Dr. Judy Westrick, Dr. Kevin Kirby NKU Department of Biological Sciences, "Optimizing Drinking Water Treatment Using Neural Networks: Proceedings: Water Quality and Technology" Conference, Nov. 11-15, 2001, Nashville, Tenn. Published by American Water Works Association. CD ROM.  Refereed publication.

Mark Leopold, Environmental Resource Management Center, NKU,  "Landscape Changes in the Forests of Boone County, Kentucky from 1954 to 1999,"  published abstract, Natural Areas Conference, October 2 – 5, 2002.

Dr. Scott Nutter, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, E. S. Seo, H. S. Ahn, S. Beach, J.J. Beatty, S. Coutu, M.A. DuVernois, O. Ganel, Y. J. Han, H. J. Kim, S. K. Kim, M. H. Lee, L. Lutz, , S. Swordy, and J.Z. Wang, "Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass (CREAM) Balloon Experiment,"  Advances in Space Research, 30(5), 1263-1272, 2002.

Dr. Scott Nutter, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, A.S. Beach, J.J. Beatty, A. Bhattacharyya, C. Bower, S. Coutu, M.A. DuVernois, A.W. Labrador, S. McKee, S.A. Minnick, D. Muller, J. Musser, M. Schubnell, S. Swordy, G. Tarle, and A. Tomasch, "Measurement of the cosmic ray antiproton to proton abundance ratio between 4 and 50 GeV," Phys. Rev. Lett. 87 271101 (2001).

Dr. Scott Nutter, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, S.W. Barwick, J.J. Beatty, A. Bhattacharyya, C.R. Bower, C.J. Chaput, S. Coutu, G.A. de Nolfo, M.A. DuVernois, D. M. Lowder, S. McKee, D. Muller, J.A. Musser, E. Schneider, S.P. Swordy, G. Tarle, A.D. Tomasch and E. Torbet, "Cosmic ray electrons and positrons from 1-100 GeV: measurements with HEAT and their interpretation," ()  Astrophysical Journal. 559, 296-303 (2001).

Dr. Scott Nutter, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, J. Musser, A. S. Beach, J. J. Beatty, A. Bhattacharyya, C. Bower, S. Coutu, M. A. DuVernois, A. Labrador, S. P. McKee, S. A. Minnick, D. Muller, M. Schubnell, S. Swordy, G. Tarle, and A. Tomasch, "The cosmic-ray antiproton to proton ratio from 4.5 to 50 GV," Proceedings of the 27th International Cosmic Ray Conference OG.1.01, Hamburg, August 2001.

Dr. Scott Nutter, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, S. Coutu, A. S. Beach, J. J. Beatty, A. Bhattacharyya, C. R. Bower, M. A. DuVernois, A. W. Labrador, S. P. McKee, S. A. Minnick, D. Muller, J. A. Musser, M. Schubnell, S. P. Swordy, G. Tarle, and A. D. Tomasch,  "Positron measurements with the HEAT-pbar instrument," Proceedings of the 27th International Cosmic Ray Conference OG.1.01, Hamburg, August 2001.

Dr. Scott Nutter, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, A. S. Beach, J. J. Beatty, A. Bhattacharyya, C. R. Bower, S. Coutu, M. A. DuVernois, A. W. Labrador, S. P. McKee, S. A. Minnick, D. Muller, J. A. Musser, M. Schubnell, S. P. Swordy, G. Tarle, and A. D. Tomasch, "Detection of cosmic-ray antiprotons with the HEAT-pbar instrument," Proceedings of the 27th International Cosmic Ray Conference OG.1.01, Hamburg, August 2001.

Dr. Scott Nutter, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, M. A. DuVernois, A. S. Beach, J. J. Beatty, A. Bhattacharyya, C. Bower, S. Coutu, A. W. Labrador, S. P. McKee, S. Minnick, D. Muller, J. Musser, M. Schubnell, S. Swordy, G. Tarle, and A. Tomasch, "Splash and reentrant albedo observations of electrons and positrons at a 4.2 GV vertical magnetic cutoff," Proceedings of the 27th International Cosmic Ray Conference  SH.3.06, Hamburg, August 2001.

Dr. Scott Nutter, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, M. A. DuVernois, J. J. Beatty, C. Bower, S. Coutu, S. P. McKee, D. Muller, J. Musser, S. Swordy, G. Tarle, and A. Tomasch, "Absolute rigidity spectra of protons and helium from 16 to 250 GV," Proceedings of the 27th International Cosmic Ray Conference  OG.1.01, Hamburg, August 2001.

Dr. Scott Nutter, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, Y. J. Han1, H. S. Ahn, O. Ganel1, K. C. Kim, M. H. Lee, E. S. Seo, J. Z.Wang, J.Wu, H. J. Kim, S. K. Kim, I. H. Park, S. Beach, J. J. Beatty, S. Coutu, S. Minnick, M. A. Duvernois, and S. Swordy, "Cosmic Ray Energetics And Mass (CREAM): Study of backscatter effect,"  Proceedings of the 27th International Cosmic Ray Conference  OG.1.05, Hamburg, August 2001.

Dr. Scott Nutter, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, H. S. Ahn, S. Beach, J. J. Beatty, S. Coutu, M. A. DuVernois, O. Ganel, Y. J. Han, H. J. Kim, K. C. Kim, S. K. Kim, M. H. Lee, S. Minnick, I. H. Park, E. S. Seo, S. Swordy, J. Z. Wang, and J. Wu,   "Cosmic ray energetics and mass: Expected performance,"  Proceedings of the 27th International Cosmic Ray Conference  OG.1.05, Hamburg, August 2001.

Dr. Scott Nutter, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, O. Ganel, E. S. Seo, H. S. Ahn, R. Alford, S. Beach, J. J. Beatty, M.J. Choi, S. Coutu, M. A. Duvernois, Y. J. Han, H. J. Kim, K. C. Kim, S. K. Kim, M. H. Lee, L. Lutz, S. A. Minnick, I. H. Park, S. Swordy, J.Z. Wang, H. S. Won, and J. Wu,  "Cosmic ray energetics and mass: configuration and progress on construction and testing,"  Proceedings of the 27th International Cosmic Ray Conference  OG.1.05, Hamburg, August 2001.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, M. Cavanaugh, M., L. Dacey, C. Findell, C. Greenes, M. Small, (2002, and in progress).  Navigations Series for Pre-kindergarten Through Grade 2. Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (Series of five books commissioned by NCTM to accompany the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics.)
 
PRESENTATIONS

Dr. Valeria Amburgey, NKU College of Education,  demonstrated gave talks on the WebQuest project workshop at the School Science and Mathematics Association Annual Conference in Chicago, IL in October, 2001 and at Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics in November, 2001.

Dr. Mark E. Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology, R. F. Foltz, C. M. Massie, J. A. Hopkins, M.S. Griffith, T. L. Strasinger, "Animal models of hippocampal deficits in psychiatric disorders: Does size matter?," Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience , 2002.

Dr. Mark E. Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology, C. M. Massie, and M. S. Griffith, "Hippocampus, lesion severity, and contextual fear conditioning: Does size matter?" Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, 2002.

Dr. Mark E. Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology and R. F. Foltz, "FNMDA-induced hippocampal lesions produce dose-dependent effects on novelty-induced locomotor activity," Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, 2002 .

Dr. Mark E. Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology, J. A. Hopkins, and J  Herrmann, “The effects of partial lesions to the dorsal hippocampus on spatial memory,”  Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association.

Dr. Mark E. Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology, M. S. Griffith, J. C. Gowdy, and K. T.  McNutt, "The atypical antipsychotic drug, clozapine, improves memory in rats with hippocampal damage," Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological  Association, 2002.

Dr. Mark E. Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology, R. F. Foltz, C. M. Massie, J. A. Hopkins, M. S. Griffith, and T. L. Strasinger, "Animal models of hippocampal deficits in psychiatric disorders: Does size matter?"  Annual Meeting of Kentucky Posters-At-The-Capitol 2002.

Dr. Mark E. Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology, R. F. Foltz, and M. M. Verslui, "A behavioral characterization of mice with hippocampal damage,"  Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, 2002.

Dr. Mark E. Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology and M. S. Griffith, "Clozapine improves spatial memory deficits produced by hippocampal damage in rats,"  International Congress On Schizophrenia Research.

Dr. Mark E. Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology and N. Lee, "Amphetamine-conditioned place preference in rats with parietal cortex lesions," Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association

Dr. Larry Giesmann, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, "Status of the Plant Germplasm Cryopreservation Project at Northern Kentucky University,"  Kentucky Academy of Science Annual Meeting. Murfreesboro, TN, November 2001.

Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU College of Education, "Environmental Education in the Ohio River Basin, Symposium Chair and Water Quality Education: An Integrated Science Course For Teachers,"  Ohio River Basin Consortium for Research and Education Annual Conference, Northern Kentucky University, November 2002.

Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU College of Education, Symposium Chair, "Watershed Education for Teachers: Kentucky Experiences,"  Kentucky Association for Environmental Education Annual Conference, Lake Cumberland State Park Resort, September, 2002.

Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU College of Education, Symposium Chair, "Teaching the River," Ohio River Symposium, Cincinnati, OH, June 2002.

Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU College of Education, Symposium Chair, "Watershed Education for Teachers: Kentucky Experiences,"  North American Association for Environmental Education Annual Conference,  Little Rock, AK, October 2001.

Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU College of Education, "Topo Maps and Kentucky Watersheds," Kentucky Association for Environmental Education Annual Conference, Lake Barkley State Park Resort, October 2001.

Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU College of Education, Symposium Chair and first author, "The Relations between Science Education and Environmental Education,"  National Association for Research in Science Teaching Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO, March 2001.

Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU College of Education, symposium co-chair,  "The Connections between Science Education  and Environmental Education Standards," National Association for Research in Science Teaching Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO, March 2001.

Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU College of Education, "The Results of An Environmental Education Needs Assessment of K-12 Teachers," National Association for the Education of Teachers in Science Annual Conference, Costa Mesa, CA, January 2001.

Dr. Scott Nutter, NKU Department of Physics and Geology, "Detection of cosmic-ray antiprotons with the HEAT-pbar instrument," poster presentation at the 27th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Hamburg, August 2001.

Dr. Miriam Steinitz-Kannan, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, Dr. Judy Westrick, and Dr. Kevin Kirby, NKU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, "Optimizing Drinking Water Treatment using Neural Networks,"  Water Quality and Technology Conference, Nov. 11-15, 2001, Nashville, Tenn.

Dr. Miriam Steinitz-Kannan, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, J. Hageman,  J., C. Summerville,  and M. C. Miller,  "River Run 2001," ORBCRE Scientific Symposium, Louisville, KY. October,  2001.

Dr. Miriam Steinitz-Kannan, NKU Department of Biological Sciences and Dr. Judy Westrick, " Monitoring Cyanobacteria on the Ohio River,"  International Congress on Cyanobacterial Toxins, Rabat, Morocco.

Mark Leopold, Environmental Resources Management Center, NKU,  "Boone County Forest Quality Assessment: An Ecological Evaluation, Prioritization, and Mapping,"  poster presentation, Kentucky Academy of Sciences, November 7 – 9, 2002.

Dr. Gail Mackin, NKU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, "Modeling erosion and sedimentation," KYMAA Sectional Meeting, Georgetown, KY, and SIAM-SEAS Conference, Cullowhee, NC, April, 2002.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "The Solution is Just the Beginning: Using Rich Learning Tasks to Develop Mathematical Creativity," Mathematics Education in the 21st Century, Palermo, Sicily, September 22, 2002.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Using Assessment to Facilitate the Development and Enhancement of Mathematically Promising Students," Assessing Gifted and Talented Children International Seminar, Invited Presentation, London, England, February 20, 2001.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, Carol Findell and Marian Small, workshop, "Navigating through PreK -Grade 2 Algebra, Geometry, Data, and Probability," National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 23, 2002.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Creating, Supporting, and Extending Mathematical Promise and Talent," National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 23, 2002.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Mathematically Talented Students: Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going?" School Science and Mathematics Association Centennial Conference, Chicago, Illinois, November 2, 2001.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Developing Mathematical Promise: Differentiated Learning Strategies and Assessment," National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Eastern Regional Conference, Boston, MA, November 15, 2002. (some CINSAM travel support)

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Developing Mathematical Promise," Keynote Address, Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented Annual Conference, November 14, 2002, Houston, Texas

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Extending the Mathematical Challenge," invited workshop, Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented Annual Conference, November 14, 2002, Houston, Texas

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Developing Mathematical Promise," Keynote Address, Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Missoula, Montana, October 18, 2002.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Developing Mathematical Promise with Differentiated Learning Strategies and Assessment," National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Central Regional Conference, Paducah, KY, October 11, 2002.

Dr. Linda Sheffield and Dr. Maggie McGatha, NKU College of Education, Paige Harper, Carol Muzny and Kathy Steffan, workshop, "Coordinating Number and Computation Concepts across Grades 4-9," Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Ballard High School, Louisville, KY, September 14, 2002.

Dr. Linda Sheffield and Dr. Maggie McGatha, NKU College of Education, Shirley Mann and Wendy Hertzenberg , "Mighty Mathematicians" Workshop, Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Ballard High School, Louisville, KY, September 14, 2002.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Navigating through the Standards," Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Ballard High School, Louisville, KY, September 14, 2002.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Using the Web to Enhance Mathematical Promise," Kentucky Teaching and Learning Conference, Louisville, KY, March 8, 2002

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Adding Depth and Complexity to the Mathematical CIA (Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment)," Keynote Address, College of William and Mary National Curriculum Network Conference, Williamsburg, VA, March 6, 2002.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Differentiating the Mathematics Curriculum to Develop Mathematical Promise," Kentucky Association for Gifted Education Annual Conference, Lexington, KY, February 22, 2002.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Identifying and Meeting the Needs of Gifted Mathematics Students K -12," Keynote Address, Connecticut Association for Mathematically Precocious Youth (CAMPY), Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, January 9, 2002.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Differentiating the Mathematics Curriculum," Connecticut Association for Mathematically Precocious Youth (CAMPY), Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, January 9, 2002.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, and Dr. Valeria Amburgey, NKU College of Education, "Teaching the Middle Grades Statistics Core Content through the Use of Physical Models, Graphing Calculators, and Computer Spreadsheets," proposed Kentucky Teaching and Learning Conference, Louisville, KY, March, 2001

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Strategies and Resources for Adding Depth and Complexity to Mathematics for Promising Elementary Students," pre-conference three-hour workshop presented to the Kentucky Association for Gifted Education Annual Conference, Lexington, KY, February 22, 2001.

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education, "Strategies and Resources for Adding Depth and Complexity to Mathematics for Promising Middle and High School Students," pre-conference three-hour workshop presented to the Kentucky Association for Gifted Education Annual Conference, Lexington, KY, February 22, 2001.

Dr.Thomas Sproat, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, and Timothy C. Ferguson,  "The effects of forest harvest practices on small mammals," paper presentation at Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science, 2002.

Dr. Steven Wilkinson, NKU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, "Web-based Course Specific Calculators," at the KYMAA sectional meeting in Georgetown, Kentucky, April 2002. This presentation included an introduction of Wilkinson’s PivotApplet software as well as a discussion of webMathematica, a technology for using Mathematica to create interactive web pages.

Conferences sponsored by program

CINSAM also co-sponsored the conference, "Developing Mathematical Promise and Creativity: International Mini-conference" in November 2001.  The presenters at this conference discussed various means for identifying and working with mathematically gifted young students.

In October 2001 CINSAM helped to sponsor two mathematics-related lectures-the inaugural Sehnert Lecture featuring the mathematician Underwood Dudley, as well as the lecture by the mathematics teacher Jaime Escalante, the subject of the movie Stand and Deliver.

The CINSAM Symposia featured Juan Enriquez-Cabot on October 1, 2001;  Enriquez-Cabot spoke on the effects of the biotechnology revolution and met for discussions with students in the afternoon.  Dr. Keith Devlin presented a lecture on March 5, 2002 entitled "The Math Gene." Dr. Devlin also met with mathematics and education students to discuss the implications of his research on the teaching and learning of mathematics.

The "Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creativity in the Arts and Sciences" was held April 17 and 18, 2002.  This featured the work of undergraduates from all the departments of the College of Arts & Science.  Microbiologist Dr. Hazel Barton of the University of Utah served as keynote speaker.

The CINSAM program also supports applied research through its externship programs.  During the last year we sponsored three projects for a local chemical company.  In each, a student worked under the supervision of a faculty member to solve a problem of interest to the company.  One of these investigations has led to further work that may allow the company to expand its product line in a very lucrative area.

Another externship with a company involved in technology transfer from an overseas source resulted in the decision by the company not to pursue the product.  Nevertheless, the company has returned for two more projects during the current year.

CINSAM also works to support applied activities by students at NKU"s Environmental Resource Management Center (ERMC).  During FY 2001, we supported the completion of a Campus Greenspace Inventory, out of which came a recommendation for an Outdoor Environmental Education Classroom that is currently under development (the planning for this was done in 2000 with CINSAM support).  In addition, we sponsored a study of the feasibility of establishing a yard-waste recycling program in northern Kentucky, saw the completion of an inventory of the forestry stock in Boone County, and were involved with ERMC in developing a brownfield inventory using GIS.

One more project that had strong CINSAM support and encouragement was the establishment of a Mathematics and Statistics Consulting Center in the Department of Mathematics & Computer Science.  CINSAM provided salary for the five students who staffed the Center and provided some of the computer equipment used there.  One of the faculty involved in developing the Center (Andrew Long) was completely supported by CINSAM salary.  The remaining faculty time was supported by the Department of Mathematics & Computer Sciene as well as by the modest revenue brought in by the Center.  The Center consulted on 34 projects, including projects from on-campus, from local businesses, from local schools and nonprofit agencies, and even from other universities.

CINSAM has enjoyed collaborative engagement with several agencies or institutions.  The KBRIN and U2PMAST grants we received were the results of collaboration, in the first case with a consortium of eight regional schools, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Louisville; and in the second case with the University of Louisville.  Both of these projects have given us the opportunity to tie in CINSAM-related faculty with faculty at other universities around the state.

We have played an active role in our regional P-16 council, the Council of Partners of Northern Kentucky.  A CINSAM representative attends all meetings and participates actively in Council committees on mathematics and the sciences.  Our relationship with the Council led to a three-way leadership team on the recent NSF-MSP proposal; the team involved representation from NKU, Thomas More College, and the Council of Partners.

On a national scale, we have been involved in two projects related to science and mathematics education – service on the Gap Analysis Team of the American Diploma Project and on the Host Committee for the International Science and Engineering Fair held in Louisville in May 2002.  In the first project, we worked with others from the state as well as from around the country in identifying the content gaps in various pre-college mathematics testing instruments.  We served as co-chair of the judges committee for ISEF and as such, had to recruit and retain the judges needed for the competition.  We are grateful of the support of the CPE for this event and are also proud of the fact that a record 92% of the registered judges actually participated in the event.

We are currently in the process of forming an advisory board and are seeking agreement of service from three industrial representatives, three teachers or administrators from local schools, and two faculty members from outside universities.  We shall meet twice a year and will ask this group to review our goals, strategies, and accomplishments and report on them annually.

Over the last three years, we have used external consultants in reviewing our proposals for support of research, outreach, and teaching projects.  These consultants are:

• Vincent Austin, Lexington Community College
• Charles Groetsch, University of Cincinnati
• J. Douglas Faires, Youngstown State University
• Cynthia Geer, Xavier University
• Peggy House, Northern Michigan University
• Robert Imdorf, University of Cincinnati
• Richard Jones, Sinclair Community College
• Dale Mugler, University of Akron
• Barbara Ramey, Eastern Kentucky University
• Rex Ramsier, University of Akron
• Walter Smith, Ball State University

We work with high schools by offering opportunities for high school teachers to improve their knowledge of mathematics and scientific topics along with improving their approach to teaching these topics.  We work through the science and mathematical alliances to provide these opportunities.  The science alliances link NKU faculty with area teachers to develop resources, to compare and share teaching techniques,  and to exchange information.  The alliances meet at least twice during the academic year.  The alliances and the NKU faculty contacts include:

• Biology, with Dr. Thomas Sproat, Department of Biological Sciences
• Chemistry, with Dr. Vernon Hicks, Department of Chemistry, and Dr. Anjana Arora, College of Education;
• Earth/Space Science, with Dr. Tammie Gerke, Department of Physics & Geology
• Elementary Math and Sciences, with Dr. Linda Sheffield, College of Education
• Environmental Education, with Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, College of Education
• Mathematics, with Dr. Gina Foletta, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and Dr. Maggie McGatha,
• College of Education
• Middle School Science, with Dr. Julia Bedell, Department of Chemistry
• Physics with Betty Stephens

Typical Alliance activities include workshops, tours of outdoor centers and facilities, sharing of resources for the classroom, and discussions on textbooks or computer-related materials

CINSAM has supported the development of several alternative methods of offering courses. One of the most interesting and successful of these was Water Quality Education for Middle School Science Teachers offered jointly by the Departments of Biological Sciences and Physics and Geology, and the College of Education.   It was taught by a team of teachers from the NKU departments, the ERMC, and Thomas More College.  Much of the course took place at the TMC Ohio River Field Station.  The sciences of biology, geology, chemistry, and physical sciences were integrated to teach about water quality though a field-based study of the Ohio River and tributary streams.  Time was spent at the end of each day discussing the topics form the Kentucky Core Content for Science Assessment that was addressed that day.

CINSAM has been successful in promoting its programs to the public at large through its Symposia lectures, Middle School Math Day, Elementary Science Day, through its sponsorship of the North and Central Kentucky Exposition of Science (NACKES); and by appearances on local television and articles in the local papers.

Middle School Math Day was held March 1, 2002.  Two hundred eighty eighth-graders from 13 local schools gathered for all-day activities involving mathematics. Drs. Linda Sheffield, Maggie McGatha, Dave Agard, and Beth McCartney were led by Betty Stephens in planning and executing this event.

Elementary Science Day was held on April 12, 2002.  Two hundred fourth graders from six local schools assembled for all-day activities involving science.  They were led by Yvonne Meichtry, Anjana Arora, Vern Hicks, Miriam Kannan, Jerry Carpenter, and Scott Nutter.

CINSAM was key in attracting the Central Kentucky Regional Science Fair to a headquarters on the NKU campus.  CINSAM also helped to involve many NKU faculty and science professionals in the community in the leadership and operation of this event.  The science fair ultimately was reorganized as the North and Central Kentucky Exposition of Science (NACKES), which better emphasizes the regions participating and a broader purpose in science education.  In 2002, NACKES had approximately 270 students from 57 schools participate, an increase in 50 students over the previous year.  NACKES plans increased participation through programs for local science teachers that provide assistance in planning and finding resources for students’ science projects.

The press interviewed CINSAM personnel on several occasions especially regarding outreach to schools, the science fair, and the opening of the new Natural Science Center.
 

Student activities

STUDENT PRESENTATIONS

Timothy C. Ferguson, "The effects of forest harvest practices on small mammals," paper presentation at annual meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science, 2002. (Dr. Thomas Sproat, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, sponsor)

Rebecca F. Foltz, “Animal models of hippocampal deficits in psychiatric disorders: Does size matter?”  Poster presented at Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, November 2002, Orlando, FL.    

Rebecca F. Foltz, "NMDA-induced hippocampal lesions produce dose-dependent effects on novelty-induced locomotor activity," oral presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, May 2002, Chicago, IL.

Tamara Hagen and Rachel DiTrapani, "Magnesium Deficiency: A Global Gene Expression Study," presented at Joint KAS (Kentucky Academy of Sciences) and TAS (Tennessee Academy of Sciences) meeting Murfeesboro, TN,  Fall 2001.  (Dr. Patrick Schultheis, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, mentor)

Tamara Hagen and Rachel DiTrapani, "Magnesium Deficiency: A Global Gene Expression Study," presented at Posters at the Capitol in Washington DC, April 2002, Sponsored by CUR. .  (Dr. Patrick Schultheis, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, mentor)

Marzieh Hatamzadeh, "Detection and quantification of antimicrobial activity in extracts of herbal medicinal plants from around the world" [GC/MS chemical detection], Received third-place Johnson Award at the Tri-Beta National Honor Society for Biological Sciences symposium. (Dr. Enders Dickinson NKU Department of Chemistry, mentor)

Jessica A. Hopkins, "The effects of partial lesions to the dorsal hippocampus on spatial memory,"  oral presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, May 2002, Chicago, IL.

S. Lehman and J. Paulin, poster, "Wind Effects on Projected Water," at " Celebration of Creativity in the College of Arts and Sciences,"  April 18-19, 2002  (Dr. Gail Mackin, NKU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, sponsor). Presentation of the paper submitted to the 2002 COMAP MCM Modeling Contest.

Steven Lobo,   "Effects of Microcystin on HepG2 Cancer Cells,"  At NKU Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creativity, 2002.  (Dr. Ray Richmond, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, sponsor).

Christina M. Massie, "Hippocampus, lesion severity, and contextual fear conditioning: Does size matter?"  Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, May 2002, Chicago, IL.

R. Meyers, A. Nader and J. Hopkins, "Modeling the Florida Scrub Lizard Population," results submitted to the 2002 COMAP ICM Modeling Contest, at the KYMAA Conference, Georgetown, KY,  April 2002. (Dr. Gail Mackin, NKU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, sponsor)

D. Millay,  "Palytoxin Effects on Na, K ATPase Activity from Human and Rat Membranes" at NKU Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creativity, 2002. (Dr. Mark Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology, sponsor).

B. Mohamedali and Dr. Ray Richmond, NKU Department of Biolgocal Sciences, "Immunohistochemical Detection of Serotonin in Magnesium Deficient Mice,"  Kentucky Academy of Sciences, 2002.

Adam Redden and Josh Murphy, "Fungal infection and gender confusion in the wing-banger cicada, Platypedia putnami" poster presentation at the 2001 meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science. (Dr. Jon Hastings, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, mentor)

N. Schneider, poster, "Wind and Waterspray," at  "Celebration of Creativity in the College of Arts and Sciences,"  April 18-19, 2002  (Dr. Gail Mackin, NKU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, sponsor) Presentation of the paper submitted to the 2002 COMAP MCM Modeling Contest.

N. Schneider and C. Curry, "Wind and Waterspray," results  submitted to the 2002 COMAP MCM Modeling Contest, at the 2002 SIAM-SEAS Conference, Collowhee, NC, April 2002. (Dr. Gail Mackin, NKU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, sponsor)

Amy Seitz, "Factors affecting ovipositing behavior in the wing-banger cicada, Platypedia putnami," Posters at the Capitol,  2001. (Dr. Jon Hastings, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, mentor)

Veronica Smith, Leslee Wainscott, Emmily Howard , and Danny Ciamarra, "The Earth Moves under our Feet,"  with  Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU  College of Education.Science,  Education Council of Ohio Annual Conference, Cincinnati, OH, February 2001.                    

Bridgett Steele -"Fabrication of Microelectrodes," poster, NKU Science Center Dedication (Dr. Enders Dickinson NKU Department of Chemistry, mentor)          

M. Soni and C. Curry, "Visual and Computational Strategies for  Solving a Sedimentation Mixing Model," results submitted at the SIAM-SEAS Conference, Cullowhee, NC, April, 2002.  (Research sponsored by CINSAM Grant) (Dr. Gail Mackin, NKU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, sponsor)

Angela. Thomas, "Role of Tissue Culture in Cryopreservation of Endangered Plant Species of Kentucky," KAS Annual Meeting, Murfreesboro, TN. November, 2001.  (Note: presentation was awarded first place in the Botany section)

Becky Thompson, "Cryopreservation as a method for seed germplasm conservation of endangered plant species," KAS Annual Meeting. Murfreesboro, TN, November 2001.

Rebrecca Thompson, and  Angela Thomas,. "Cryopreservation as a method for germplasm preservation of endangered plant species,"  poster presented at The Association of Southern Biologists 62nd Annual Meeting, Tulane/Loyola University in New Orleans, LA, April 2001

J. R. Wagge, Dr. Patrick Schultheis, NKU Department of Biolgocal Sciences, and Dr. Mark Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology, "Magnesium Deficiency  Increases Behavioral Sensitivity to the Serotonin Agonist, 1-(meta-chloro) phenylpiperazine,"   Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Sciences, 2002.

Bree-Ann Zibulka and Amy Seitz, "Factors affecting ovipositing behavior in the wing-banger cicada, Platypedia putnami,"  poster presentation at the 2001 meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science. (Dr. Jon Hastings, NKU Department of Biological Sciences, mentor)

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS

Rebecca Thompson , Dr. Larry Giesmann, NKU Department of Biological Sciences,  and Barry Dalton, NKU Envirohnmental Research Management Center,  "Cryopreservation as a method for seed germplasm conservation of endangered plant species," Journal of Kentucky Academy of Science, 2002 (abstract in press).

Angela Thomas, Dr. Larry Giesmann, NKU Department of Biological Sciences,  and Barry Dalton, NKU Envirohnmental Research Management Center, and Valerie Pence, "Role of tissue culture in cryopreservation of endangered plant species of Kentucky," Journal of Kentucky Academy of Science, 2002 (abstract in press).

STUDENT RESEARCH, EXTERNSHIPS AND APPLIED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Directed by Dr. Mark E. Bardgett, NKU Department of Psychology

Student: Rebecca F. Foltz
Project: Behavioral characterization of mice with hippocampal damage
Type: Supervised research project/Full-time summer research assistant
Date: Summer, 2002

Student: Janet C. Gowdy
Project: Antipsychotic-induced memory improvement in rats with hippocampal damage
Type: Supervised research project
Date: 2001

Student: Molly S. Griffith
Project: Antipsychotic-induced memory improvement in rats with hippocampal damage
Type: Supervised research project
Date: 2001

Student: Jessica A. Hopkins
Project: Neurogenesis in mice with hippocampal lesions
Type: Supervised research project
Date: 2001

Student: Nathan Lee
Project: Effects of posterior parietal cortical lesions on conditioned and unconditioned responses to psychostimulants
Type: Supervised research project
Date: 2002

Student: Christina M.. Massie
Project: Behavioral characterization of rats with hippocampal damage
Type: Supervised research project
Date: 2001

Student: Catherine T. McNutt
Project: Antipsychotic-induced memory improvement in rats with hippocampal damage
Type: Supervised research project
Date: 2002

Student: Twila L. Strasinger
Project: Behavioral characterization of mice with hippocampal damage
Type:Supervised research project
Date: 2001

Student: Maria M. Versluis
Project: Behavioral characterization of mice with hippocampal damage
Type: Supervised research project
Date: 2002

Directed by Dr. Enders Dickinson V, NKU Department of Chemistry

Student: Marzieh Hatamzaeh
Project: Detection and Quantification of Antimcrobial Activity in Extracts of Herbal Medicinal Plants from around the World
Type: Research
Date: 2001-2002

Student: Tim Kleisinger
Project: Use of Sol-Gel Immobilized Humic Acid as an Electrochemical Sensor For Enviromental Pollutants
Type: Research
Date: 2002

Student: Pat McDonald
Project: LabView Graphical Programming of Instrument/PC Interface
Type: Research, CINSAM funding
Date: Summer, 2002

Student: Bridgett Steele
Project: Fabrication of Microelectrodes
Type: Research , CINSAM funding
Date: Summer, 2002

Directed by Dr. Sharmanthie Fernando, NKU Department of Physics and Geology

Student: Keith Arnold
Project: Chaos in Electric Circuits
Type: Research (CINSAM funded)
Date: 2001-2002

Student: Holly Bolick
Project: Mechanical model of a black hole
Type: Research (CINSAM funded)
Date: 2001-2002

Student: Chris Curry
Project: Geodesics of Charged Black Holes
Type: Research (CINSAM funded)
Date: 2001-2002

Student: Chad Holbrook
Project: Gravitational lensing
Type: Research (CINSAM funded)
Date: 2001-2002

Student: Sean Roberts
Project: Gravitational lensing
Type: Research  (Kentucky Space Grant andCINSAM funded)
Date: 2001-2002

Directed by Richard Fox, NKU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science 

Student: James Cain (graduate student)
Project: Interpreting Troop Strategies Using Layered Abduction
Type: Research, CINSAM Grant Project
Date: Summer 2002

Student: Jim Mardis (worked unpaid)
Project: Interpreting Troop Strategies Using Layered Abduction
Type: Research, CINSAM Grant Project
Date: Summer 2002

Student: Nira Moore
Project: Interpreting Troop Strategies Using Layered Abduction
Type: Research, CINSAM Grant Project
Date: Summer 2002

Directed by Dr. Charles Frank, NKU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

Students: Adam Boisclair and Joe Rust
Project: WebQuest
Type: Student support
Dates: 2002

Directed by Dr. Jon Hastings, NKU Department of Biological Sciences

Student: James Bartlett
Project: New Mexico Field Research
Type: Research, CINSAM Grant Project
Date: Summer 2001

Student: Jim Brockman
Project: New Mexico Field Research
Type: Research, CINSAM Grant Project
Date: Summer 2001

Student: Joshua Murphy
Project: New Mexico Field Research
Type: Research, CINSAM Grant Project
Date: Summer 2001

Student: Adam Redden
Project: New Mexico Field Research
Type: Research, CINSAM Grant Project
Date: Summer 2001

Student: Amy Seitz
Project: New Mexico Field Research
Type: Research, CINSAM Grant Project
Date: Summer 2001

Student: Bree-Ann Zibulka
Project: New Mexico Field Research
Type: Research, CINSAM Grant Project
Date: Summer 2001

Directed by Dr. Miriam Steinitz-Kannan, NKU Department of Biological Sciences

Student: Emina Atikovich
Project: DNA probe for the identification of Microcystin Toxins (Greaves Summer Fellowship)
Type: Research
Dates: 2001, 2002
Comments: Presented at KAS and at the WQTC conferences in November 2001. Presented at Tri Beta Regional and National meeting winning. Honorable Mention in regionals and 3rd place in nationals.

Student: Doug Baker
Project:   Bioaccumulation of Chromium and Manganese in Zebra Mussels
Type:     Research (Greaves Summer Project)
Dates:    2001
Comments: Won First Place at the Tri Beta convention in New Orleans. Also worked in the spring to prepare his project for publication.

Student: Alicia Blakey
Project: Algal Identification
Type: Workshop preparation
Dates: 2001

Student: Joshua Cooper
Project: A history of El Nino using diatoms from Lake Yaguarcocha, Ecuador
Type:  Research (Greaves Summer Fellowship)
Dates: 2001, 2002
Comments: Presented results at the National Diatom Symposium in Minnesota and at the Kentucky Academy of Sciences meeting. Thanks to this diatom training, has been hired Summer 2002 to work on the Ohio River Data Base funded by CINSAM.

Student:Taya Dickman
Project: Algal Identification
Type:  Research (CINSAM funded)
Dates: 2001-2002
Comments: Presented at KAS, Tri Beta national meetings, and Celebration of Research

Student:  Anna Geiman
Project:   Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of different hand soaps
Type:     Research
Dates:    2001
Comments: Presented at Tri Beta Regional Convention in New Orleans and at the CINSAM Poster Competition.  Published abstract is used by Tri Beta as model abstract for submissions to 2002 convention.

Student: Marzieh Hatamsadeh
Project: Antibiotic Properties of Middle-Eastern Herbs
Type:  Research
Dates: 2001, 2002
Comments: Presented work at the CINSAM Poster competition in April 2001 and Celebration of Student Research,  April 2002. Won Third place at Tri Beta National poster competition.

Student: Shannon Hatfield
Project: Algal Identification
Type: Workshop preparation
Dates: 2001

Student: Alicia Klein
Project: Algal Identification
Type: Workshop preparation
Dates: 2001

Student: Stephen Lobo
Project: The Toxicological Effects of Microcystin-LR on Liver Cells
Type: Research (Greaves Summer Fellowship) (Tri Beta scholarship)
Dates: 2001
Comments:  presented at the Regional and National meetings of Tri Beta in 2002 and at the NKU Celebration of Student Research, 2002.

Student: Scott Molnar (Information Systems Major)
Project: Ohio River Data Base
Type: Student support (hired under CINSAM grant)
Dates: Summer 2001

Student: J.R. Nelson
Project: Evaluation of Methods for the Isolation of Actinomycetes from water supplies
Type: Research
Dates: Spring 2001

Student: Ryan Pfeffer (Philosophy Major)
Project: Ohio River Database
Type: Student support
Dates: 2001

Student: Jennifer Quammen
Project: Algal Identification-Training to ID algae in tadpole’s stomachs.
Collaborative  research with Dr. Dick Durtsche, Biological Sciences
Type: Research
Dates: Spring 2001
Comments: Won first place at KAS in Fall 2001 and first place Brooks Award at National Tri Beta convention. Also presented at Posters at the Capitol and at the Celebration of Research. 

Student: Bridgett Steely
Project:   Analyzing Anatoxin  from water supplies
Type:  Research  (Greaves Summer Fellowship) (EPA funding)
Dates: 2001

Student: Becky Thompson
Project: Effect of UV light on the release of toxins by Microcystis
Type: Research
Dates: 2001

Student: Amanda Trout
Project: Algal Identification and Counts/Algal Toxins from Nutritional Supplements
Type: Research  (funded by CINSAM)
Dates: 2001, 2002 Also worked
Comments: Presented at the NCUR conference in March 2001, at KAS, Tri Beta Regional and National meetings, at the Posters at the Capitol and at the NKU Celebration of Research. Won first place award at regional Tri-Beta  meeting.

Directed by Dr. Robert Kempton, NKU Department of Chemistry

Students: Eli Lancaster
Meagan Mann
Type: Student support
Dates: 2001-2002

Directed by Mark Leopold, NKU Environmental Research Management Center

Students: Jacob Bartley, Angie Caudill, Lacey Clark, Sean Dougherty, Susan Fruitaker, David Greis, Jamie Howard, Mike Jeggle, Laurie West, Julie Whitis, and Nick Wilson               
Project: Urban Forestry Layer for Boone County, Kentucky
Type: Research
Dates: 2001

Directed by Dr. Gail Mackin, NKU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

Students: Christopher Curry and Mukti Soni
Project: Numerical Methods and Analysis for a Mixing Model used for the Assessment of Changing Land-Use Practices on Basin Sediment Yields and Provenance
Type: Research (CINSAM Grant)
Dates: 2002

Directed by Dr. Diana McGill, NKU Department of Chemistry

Students: Sara Goetz, Israel Hensley, Doug Millay, and Shannon Ogden
Project: Enzyme Expression in Magnesium Deficient Mice
Type: Research
Dates: 2002

Directed by Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU College of Education

Student: Tina Traynor, Middle Grades Science major,
Project: Reading the River program
Type: Instructional Assistant
Dates: January 2002-June 2002.

Directed by Dr. James  H. Niewahner, NKU Department of Chemistry

Student: Jason Crase
Project: Dehydration of Lithium Iodide Trihydrate and Dissolution of Lithium Iodide
Project Type: Externship (H&S Chemcials)
Dates: January 2001 - May 2001

Student: Jessica Hopkins
Project: Predicting Potential Success in General Chemistry
Project Type: In cooperation with Mathematics and Statistics Consulting Center
Dates: January 2002 - May 2002

Student: Patrick McDonald
Project: Evaluation of a Potential Commercial Product - "Nargosept"
Project Type: Externship (Global Technology Transfer)
Dates: September 2001 - December 2001

Student: Crystail Meagher
Project: Formation of "Salen" Type Complexes with Nickel
Project Type: Standard basic research
Dates: September 2001 - May 2002

Student: Laura Morris
Project: Electrochemical Oxidation of Paper Pulp
Project Type: Externship (Procter & Gamble)
Dates: November 2001 - May 2002

Student: Sheria Spain
Project: Solvates of Lithium Iodide
Project Type: Standard basic research
Dates: September 2002 - Present

Student: Danielle Vereen
Project: Solvates of Lithium Iodide
Project Type: Standard basic research
Dates: September 2001 - May 2002

Directed by Dr. Scott Nutter, NKU Department of Physics and Geology

Student: Doug Meiser
Project: Explorations into NKU Involvement in the AUGER Project
Type: Research, CINSAM Grant Project
Date: 2001

Student: Nathan Townshend
Project: CREAM Timing Charge Detector Fabrication and Testing
Type: Research, NASA/PSU subcontract
Date: 2001

Directed by Dr. Ray Richmond, NKU Department of Biological Sciences

Student: Brandon Abrams
Project: Hepatoma Cell Cultures
Type: Research
Dates: 2001

Student: Stephen Lobo
Project: Toxicity of Microcystin
Type: Research
Dates: 2001

Student: Burhan Mohamedali
Project: Immunohistochemical Expression of Serotonin in Mouse Brain and Intestine
Type: Supervised summer research project
Dates: 2001

Directed by Dr. Patrick Schultheis, NKU Department of Biological Sciences

Students: Alicia Blaker, Rachel DiTrapani, Tamara Hagen, and Kenny Jones
Project: Magnesium Deficiency Gene Expression Study
Type: Supervised summer research project
Dates: 2001

Directed by Dr. Linda Sheffield and Dr. Maggie McGatha, NKU College of Education

Student: Paige Harper
Project: Coordinating Number and Computation Concepts across Grades 4 - 9
Type: Workshop, Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Date: September 14, 2002

Student: Carol Munzy
Project: Coordinating Number and Computation Concepts across Grades 4 - 9
Type: Workshop, Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Date: September 14, 2002

Student: Kathy Steffan
Project: Coordinating Number and Computation Concepts across Grades 4 - 9
Type: Workshop, Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Date: September 14, 2002

Student: Shirley Mann
Project: Mighty Mathematicians (CINSAM Grant)
Type: Workshop, Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Date: September 14, 2002

Student: Wendy Hertzenberg
Project: Mighty Mathematicians (CINSAM Grant)
Type: Workshop, Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Date: September 14, 2002

Directed by Dr. Thomas Sproat, NKU Department of Biological Sciences

Student: Timothy C. Ferguson
Project: The effects of forest harvest practices on cavity-nesting birds and small mammals
Type: Research
Dates: 2002

Directed by Dr. Steven Wilkinson, NKU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

Student: Mario R. Cannon
Project: Implementing webMathematica at NKU
Type: Student Support
Date: 2001
Comments: Worked on building a publicly available interactive web site where users can construct visualizations of mathematical expressions of various types. Also created web sites that Professor Fernando of the Physics and Geology Department at NKU uses in introductory physics courses.

CINSAM continues its efforts to expose under-represented groups to the sciences and mathematics.  In summer 2001 SEYS- Science Experience for Young Scholars- was led by Andy Long, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science,  and Macel Wheeler, Department of History and  Geography.  They brought in a diverse group of high school students from inner city Newport to experience scientific observation and data analysis.  The students did some field work and analyzed their results using equipment in the GIS labs.  They worked with faculty from Arts and Sciences as well as employees of ERMC.

During the January and February of 2002, CINSAM sponsored a project in the use of manipulatives and technology for seventh- and eighth-grade mathematics teachers at Covington's Holmes Junior High School.  Conducted by Regents Professor Linda Sheffield and Dr. Maggie McGatha of the College of Education, along with Betty Stephens, the program emphasized the Probability/Statistics Strand of Kentucky's Core Content.   Students were trained in the use of the TI 83 graphing calculator prior to the program. With classroom teachers present to observe lessons, students collected data; used the graphing calculators to represent their data; analyzed data to make predictions; and interpreted data from charts and graphs.

In summer 2002, NKU faculty members Betty Stephens, Phil Schmidt, David Agard, Jim Stacy, and Boone County High School teacher Andy Zuriech participated in the National Youth Sports Program hosted by NKU.  One hundred twenty students ages 10 through 16 attended.  These students were from Hamilton County in Ohio, and Newport and Covington in Kentucky.  The students were primarily underprivileged children from the inner city.  The majority of the children were African-American.   While the program emphasized athletic activities, the CINSAM-supported faculty conducted classes to introduce students to the science of sports, e.g., plotting the trajectory of baseballs in motion, determining the probability of putting a golf ball into the cup, or determining the "sweet spot" on a bat.

This work with under-represented youth has not been carried on long enough to determine its value in attracting students to mathematics and the sciences at NKU.

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 students holding these last year are:

• Westley Haggard, Mathematics and Computer Science
• Emmily Howard, Education
• Rebecca Bertram, Education
• Eva Broeg, Biological Sciences
• Katy Jo Craft, Biological Sciences
• Kenneth Jones, Biological Sciences
• Steven Lobo, Biological Sciences
• Burhan Mohamedali, Biological Sciences
• Jennifer Quammen, Biological Sciences/Math
• Joshua Bates, Mathematics and Computer Science
• Natasha Yust, Biological Science

Measures of Program Success

One primary measure of CINSAM's success is the assistance given to local schools through programs for teachers.   Examples of professional development for teachers include:

• In August 2001, CINSAM sponsored professional development meetings for K-12 teachers from Fort Thomas.   They were designed to encourage teachers to use technology and inquiry methods in their classrooms. Three hours were devoted to instruction on activities and lessons on using inquiry-based science in the elementary classroom and three hours were spent on techniques appropriate to middle school and/or high school.
• Arora, Meichtry, and Stephens conducted similar meetings August through October 2001 for K-8 teachers in the Southgate school system and in January 2002 for fourth and fifth grade teachers at A. D. Owens School in Newport.  In this project, teachers were introduced to activities and lessons on implementing inquiry-based science, along with follow-up meetings to assess if and how teachers were able to use the material presented.
• CINSAM and the Northern Kentucky Co-op sponsored  three earth and space science workshops for K-12 teachers.  Dr. Tammie Gerke, Department of Physics and Geology, led participants in a study of fossils in the field, then in subsequent workshops in the lab on fossils and rocks.
• To further address the needs of earth and space science teachers, Dr. Scott Nutter , Department of Physics and Geology, developed a three-part workshop to learn about the large set of activities and materials developed by and available from NASA educators and scientists.

CINSAM sponsored numerous opportunities for teacher development through summer offerings including:

• Reading the River -A graduate program focusing on ecology of the Licking River valley including lesson plans, monitoring techniques, and teaching.
• Water Quality Education-A graduate course involving a field based study of Ohio River and tributary streams integrating biology, geology, chemistry, and physical sciences.
• Mighty Mathematicians -A graduate course focusing on inquiry-based teaching of  mathematics with physical models, calculators, and computers as well as observation of demonstration lessons and work with small groups of students.

A complete listing of outreach activities by CINSAM-related faculty

Dr. Enders Dickinson V, NKU Department of Chemistry

National Chemistry Week
Interactive, hands-on, demonstrations at two northern Kentucky libraries ("Chemistry Keeps You Clean")
One Professor and six college students performed the demos FOR 10-12 elementary education students ranging from 3rd to 7th grade.  One librarian and 3 parents were also in attendance.

Dr. Sharmanthie Fernando, NKU Department of Mathematics and Geology

Teaching Project: "Introducing studio format to Introductory Physics Courses" with Student Ray Cannon (Computer Science Major), Designed activities for the introductory Physics courses.
Title: Introducing studio format to Introductory Physics Courses
Student: Ray Cannon (Computer science major)
Outcome: Designed  activities for the introductory physics courses. Designed web mathematica activities with Ray Cannon.

Dr. Charles Frank, NKU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

WebQuests, focused web based projects used in teaching. Workshop for eleven teachers from June 4, 2001 to June 22, 2001 

Dr. Jon Hastings, NKU Department of Biological Sciences

Biotechnology Workshop for High School Teachers. A one-week introduction to the basic tools of biotechnology, with an emphasis on concepts and methods that could be used in an advanced high school biology class. 7 participants. Summer 2001.

Integrative Science for Teachers: a Summer Science Camp. A graduate-level experimental course for in-service teachers, introducing them to the methods of science, to inquiry-based pedagogy, and to effective use of the Internet as a source of information about science. 15 participants. Summer 2002.

Dr. Vernon Hicks, NKU Department of Chemistry

Incorporating Technology-Based Data Acquisition and Analysis into the Middle Grade Curriculum  Year 2001

Participants: 11 (8 middle school and 3 high school) plus 2 additional middle-grade teaching assistants)

Workshop held June 25-29, 2001; follow-up held October 20, 2001

86% of participants at follow-up had used the materials provided by the workshop at least once in their classrooms by the time of the follow  up; all were enthusiastic about the technology.

Chemistry Alliance: two meetings since fall 2002.

CINSAM day (September 21, 2002): tie-dyeing demonstrations;  about 25 participants

October 17, 2002:  Halloween Demonstrations and Activities   about 10 participated

Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, NKU College of Education

NKU Science Day, 200 fourth grade students and their teachers from area schools, April 12, 2002.

Professional Development: Inquiry-Based ScienceTeaching, A.D. Owens Elementary School, Newport Independent School District, Grades 3-5 Teachers, 20 teachers, January, 2002.

Professional Development: Inquiry-Based Science Teaching, Southgate Independent School. K-8 teachers, 26 teachers, October 2001.

Dr. Scott Nutter, NKU Department of Physics and Geology

NASA Educational materials and opportunities workshop" 2002

Workshop Part 1: 17 participants (6 teacher's assistants, 2 elementary teachers, 4 middle school teachers, 5 high school teachers) 2002

Workshop part 2: 15 participants (6 teacher's assistants, 2 elementary teachers, 4 middle school teachers, 3 high school teachers) 2002

Dr. Linda Sheffield, NKU College of Education

Mighty Mathematicians- 25 students in grades 1 -3 and 15 teachers in grades K - 4, Summer 2002

Middle Grades Math Day 2002

Teaching seventh and eighth grade mathematics at Holmes Jr. High 2002

Other Consulting

Invited Workshop for AIG Trainers and Coordinators, "A Train the Trainer Workshop for AIG Trainers and Coordinators: Differentiating Mathematics for Gifted Children", University of North Carolina at Charlotte, December 11 - 12, 2002

Invited Workshop for AIG Teachers, "Differentiating Mathematics for Gifted Children", University of North Carolina at Charlotte, December 9 -10, 2002

Invited Workshop, "Developing Promising Young Mathematicians", Howard County, Maryland, October 15, 2002.

Invited Talk, "Encouraging Girls to Become Mathematically Powerful", presented to the Calculating Women group in Dry Ridge, KY, November 30, 2001.

Workshop, Developing Mathematically Promising Students: Extending and Deepening the Mathematics Curricula, Saline, MI, October 3, 2001

"Update on Mathematics for Gifted and Talented Students in Kentucky", Presentation for the Symposium on Kentucky Gifted and Talented Education, Shakertown, KY, October 17, 2001.

"Becoming Mathematically Proficient", Workshop for fifth grade students at Woodfill Elementary in Ft. Thomas on responding to Kentucky Core Content Test (KCCT) mathematics questions, April 16, 2001.

Workshop for Ann Arbor Elementary Teachers, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Adding Depth and Complexity to the Elementary Mathematics Curriculum, February 10, 2001

Workshop for Washtenaw Independent School District, Washtenaw, Michigan, Extending the Mathematics Curriculum for First through Fifth Grade Students, February 9, 2001

Algebra Connections, Collaborative project with Linda Phillips, Covington ISD, coordinating NKU preservice mathematics education with Holmes Jr. High Mathematics Professional Development (2000-2001)

Mathematician in Residence, Dayton Independent School District, Dayton, KY, 2000-2002

Consultant to the Mathematics Program, New Hope-Solebury School District, New Hope, PA, 2000-2001

Consultant to the Mathematics Program for Gifted and Talented Students, Alief, Texas, 2000- 2002

Consultant to the Silver Grove science and mathematics project, Silver Grove, KY, 2000 -2001

In addition to the outreach to schools, the research and externship opportunities for students described above are succeeding in producing a well-trained work force for our region.  More of our students are pursuing graduate studies with plans to return to the area.  Not only are businesses benefiting from the immediate benefit of having well-trained students to carry out meaningful work for them, but they will be rewarded with highly skilled employees in the future.

Another measure of the success of CINSAM is the willingness of major donors to the University to support the programs administered by the Center.  During the past year, the Federated Department Stores Foundation has given a grant of $150,000 over five years for direct support of outreach programs to youth, and the Ashland Foundation is contributing toward an endowment fund of $500,000 (again over five years) with the same focus.  Both of these funds are to support programs administered by CINSAM.  We have met with representatives of another foundation requesting that a similar endowment fund be set up to support math and science summer programs for middle school youth.

We envision that in the future, much more of our outreach effort will be concentrated on work in the summer with students who are brought to campus to participate in our summer camps.  We are currently planning to use a model to incorporate teacher training into the summer camp activities by the following model.  Teachers would receive training in science and mathematics content and pedagogy, training that is consistent with their needs and is based on current standards.  The teachers would then observe faculty working with the students in the camp and, as they gain confidence in their own abilities, would assist the faculty in working with the students.  This particular model has worked in some of the outreach activities during the past summer and we are confident that it can be extended.

The potentially large resources that will be available for summer outreach programs require some changes in operation.  We have put together an outreach committee to help plan for coordinated summer camp offerings as well as programs for teachers.  Rather than offer a hodge-podge of programs designed independently by faculty, we will develop a coherent offering that effectively utilizes the faculty talents in an efficient manner.

We are also working with the science and mathematics departments to develop a more effective program for the recruitment of students.  In particular, we are working with the Department of Physics and Geology to recruit more students to an improved pre-engineering program currently under development by a CINSAM-hired faculty member, Dr. Dale Elifrits.  In addition, we are developing a plan to contact high-talent students in their sophomore year and bring them to the University with the goal of inviting them into our summer programs.  We will focus some of our efforts in a metropolitan area where we stand a better chance of recruiting minority students.

One new resource that has been added this year is our outstanding new Natural Science Center -a 138,000 sq. ft. facility with lab and office facilities that integrate the science faculty and students.  Not only are new facilities outstanding from the point of view of the space that they provide, but also because of the state-of-the-art equipment that they contain.  We are focusing in the coming year on discovering how best we can utilize that equipment to help meet the goals of CINSAM.  For example, we are looking at ways that we can bring teachers into the facility for training on the equipment and then make portable versions available for them to borrow to use in their classrooms. 

We are at the beginning stages of developing a plan to offer local industry access to students who are trained to use the equipment in the natural sciences.  Again, our focus is on training students on the type of equipment and processes that will advance their careers in the future, but access to this equipment will be a major benefit to companies in our region.