The Nucleus Available online at gcsu.edu/science
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STEM NEWS................................................4 ThE ChaNgiNg World of STEM ..............................6 STudENT ProfilE ..............................8 STEM STaTS...............................................9 PuTTiNg ThE a iN STEM...........................................................10 Steve Dorman, President Kelli Brown, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ken Procter, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Joseph Peters, Dean, John H. Lounsbury College of Education Kyle Cullars, Interim Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications, University Communications SCIENCE EDUCATION CENTER: Catrena Lisse, Director • Candace Morrow, Information Manager Patti Veal, Administrative Assistant Jessica Minnick, Student Assistant EDITORS: Catrena Lisse and Aubrie L. Sofala NEWSLETTER DESIGN: GC Printing Services
“The Nucleus” is a Science To Serve newsletter published annually by the Science Education Center and University Communications at Georgia College. Science to Serve is supported, in part, by generous donations from the kaolin industry. The newsletter is available online at gcsu.edu/science 349 Herty Hall • 478-445-7531 • Send us your science news: science@gcsu.edu
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COVER STORY
Advances in technology and an emphasis on community outreach are changing the world of STEM
elcome to another edition of our pageturning publication, “The Nucleus.”
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This issue is all about change, which starts with the Science Education Center’s new director — me. I am Dr. Catrena Lisse, a professor of chemistry at Georgia College. I have spent the past 12 years working in the Department of Chemistry and alongside the center’s former Director Dr. Rosalie Richards. I plan to continue her efforts of making science, technology, engineering and mathematics — known as STEM fields — engaging and accessible to our community youth and university students. During the 2014-2015 academic year, Georgia College and the center also have undergone many significant changes — from shifts in STEM leadership on campus to local partnerships and projects.
In addition to our area changes, STEM is experiencing both regional and national movements as well. To reflect the ever-changing world of STEM education, the center would like to dedicate this edition of “The Nucleus” to change in the following areas: • Changes with our center; • Changes with Georgia College’s annual Regional Science & Engineering Fair; • Changes with STEM moving toward STEAM fields; • Changes with the university’s STEM-focused curriculum; • Changes with the job market; and • Changes with our popular Observatory and Natural History Museum, which are free and open to the public. The university is experiencing a lot of new crusades in STEM that students, faculty and staff are excited about becoming part of. I personally look forward to advancing STEM opportunities at our center, in our classrooms and throughout our area communities. Dr. Catrena Lisse, Editor
STEM NEWS 2014 Georgia College Regional Science and Engineering Fair Winner During 2014, Auriel Wright became the first AfricanAmerican student to win Georgia College’s Regional Science and Engineering Fair in its 37-year history. Her research project about the best methods of cultivating soybeans was showcased at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair held in Los Angeles. Auriel placed fourth out of 52 projects and earned $500 in the plant sciences category of the fair. Only four awards in that category were given. 3 For more information about the GC RSEF, visit our website at gcsu.edu/science
Chemistry Club takes home two national awards The Chemistry Club received two national awards from the American Chemical Society, based on their various programs and outreach through the school year. The club received the Outstanding Chapter Award, which is given to less than 50 student chapters around the country. Among their activities that garnered this award are their involvement with National Chemistry Week, Family Fun Night and science shows at surrounding K-12 schools. The club was given the Green Chemistry award, for their environmentally conscious programming which involved green activities throughout the year and education to campus and community on using greener products. Club President Kelly Taylor says recognitions like these are a source of pride for the club. “All the hard work that we as a club do throughout the year truly pays off when we receive these amazing awards year after year and it drives us to strive for better the next year,” said Taylor. “They are huge honors to have received and I could not be prouder of the club and all of our members.” NUCLEUS | 4 | gcsu.edu/science
Kangaroo competition at Georgia College After weeks of practicing, 37 local students from grades 1-11 competed with about 21,000 other students from around the U.S. in the annual International Math Kangaroo Competition Thursday, March 19, 2015. This is the second year the Georgia College Math Kangaroo Center has participated, which started in 2014 with 13 students from first through 11th grade from Baldwin County and Jones County schools. The test is a 75-minute exam and was created in the 1980s by mathematician Peter O’Halloran.
Moments from the museum The Natural History Museum is featuring never-before-seen fossils and more. The new changes include six new cabinets and two others that will also be on the way. These exhibits are opportunities to highlight faculty and student research. Other additions to the museum include a real dinosaur, an almost complete mammoth foot and a “killer pig” jaw. For more information, contact 478-445-2395.
Students selected for summer research opportunities Georgia College students have been selected to participate in National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and URACE for summer 2015 programs. REU programs support active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas funded by the NSF. REU: • Forrest Brown, The Department of Chemistry at Pennsylvania State University •
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Raira Ank, The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Colorado State University Michael Ziegler, Boots on the Ground: Geology & Paleontology of the Panama Canal Program
URACE: • Jennifer Minnick, URACE Summer Research Grant Recipient for her research on Alzheimer’s disease treatments
Student research leads to accreditation of Georgia College Pohl Observatory Through the night sky you can get a glimpse of far-off planets, stars and even other galaxies at the Pohl Observatory atop Herty Hall. Two undergraduate physics majors spent countless hours during the last few months capturing photos of the heavens through the observatory’s high-powered telescope. Thanks to their work and analysis, the observatory is now accredited by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center (MPC). Located at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, MPC is the official organization that computes, publicizes and catalogs the data concerning asteroids, known as minor planets, comets and irregular natural satellites. “Basically this project used the telescope to prove to the Minor Planet Center that our telescope is capable of tracking objects accurately,” said junior physics major Joey Ronca. The designation marks the Pohl Observatory as a trusted site, which means it is able to gather precise measurements, known as astrometry, to update the position and brightness of known and newly discovered asteroids and comets. Under the supervision of Dr. Donovan Domingue, professor of physics and astronomy, the students captured images of four minor planets at six positions. The observations took place in November 2014, and the observatory received its accreditation in January 2015. “This accreditation means that we can publish our data and research, and if we do, then the astronomical community knows that our telescope is capable of doing what we are saying it is doing,” said Ronca. “It definitely puts some ethos behind us and our studies. Also it means that the Minor Planet Center can ask us to observe a certain object and help them collect data— we can have a lasting impact on the astronomy community.” NUCLEUS | 5 | gcsu.edu/science
The changing world of
STEM Freshman chemistry major Martin Alcantar is a magician— at least that’s how he’s seen to groups of elementary school kids during the monthly science shows hosted by the Chemistry Club. “I always loved science, and I saw chemistry as a way to better myself and also the world,” said Alcantar. “Seeing the kids being intrigued by the chemistry side of it is fun for me. Being able to expose them to this gives them a better understanding of science.” Alcantar is just one example of a new wave of Georgia College students making their mark not only on the STEM world, but also local communities. STEM faculty are driving this outreach by placing a larger focus on community-based courses. Dr. Chavonda Mills, associate professor of chemistry, spent fall 2014 conducting a pilot study on childhood obesity in Milledgeville and Baldwin. Students in her biochemistry course teamed up with Live Healthy Baldwin and the Wray Homes Afterschool Program, issuing Fitbit Flexes to track the children’s activity. “We met with the participants on a weekly basis for a period of six weeks,” said Mills. “Along with forming strong mentor/mentee relationships, our students provided educational programming focused on healthier choices and assisted participants with tracking their Fitbit Flex daily activity levels. The study’s outcomes were extremely encouraging and it’s a project we’re only going to expound upon.” Mills also says that the benefits go two ways for the community and Georgia College students in community-based learning courses like hers. “It’s definitely mutually beneficial. Our community partners thoroughly enjoyed participating in the pilot study and participants saw how an active lifestyle was benefi-
cial to their health,” said Mills. “From the Georgia College perspective, as our students transition into their prospective careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and teaching, they need to be able to connect and communicate with the people they are serving. We have a unique opportunity at Georgia College to offer a holistic learning experience.” That experience is what’s led junior Jessica Minnick’s involvement, not only in courses like Mills, but in activities that are shaping her future. Minnick currently works for the Science Education Center, is vice president of the Chemistry Club and is a Georgia College Early College tutor. “I’ve found that I’m really interested in interacting with kids— one of the largest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of getting to the kids early on to break down the barriers that come with learning STEM subjects,” said Minnick. “For me, it’s so much more than just a club or job— it’s personal, and that’s what makes it fun.” Other opportunities Georgia College students are taking advantage of is faculty and student undergraduate research. Junior Keri Spetzer is slated to begin research with Dr. Arash Bodaghee, assistant professor of physics, in summer 2015. The research, in collaboration with Potsdam Observatory in Berlin and the California Institute of Technology, will explore the relationship between massive stars and their fuel sources of black holes and neutron stars. “Research has been done on massive stars and research has been conducted on black holes and neutron stars,” said Bodaghee. “But this will be the first research of its kind that aims to look at that relationship between the two.”
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Graduate student William Fleming and Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Kasey Karen discuss future Science Café ideas at Blackbird Coffee.
Spetzer says this research opportunity is a chance she wouldn’t have had anywhere but Georgia College. “After attending a conference with Dr. Bodaghee I became really interested in the research being done,” said Spetzer. “I’m still not quite sure what I want to do after graduation, but if I do choose to continue with graduate school— being able to say I worked with Hubble is a oneof-a-kind experience.”
Others like Minnick and Spetzer include first-year graduate student William Fleming, who plans on pursuing a career in cancer research. Fleming has spent his time at the university looking for ways to include the community in STEM—which culminated with the beginnings of the STEM Club, which is set to debut in fall 2015. “I was looking for a way to get faculty and students together from different STEM programs and to just sit down and talk,” said Fleming. “Whether we’re talking about issues facing STEM or about student recruitment, I think communication is key.”
Spetzer and Bodaghee are aware of the need of more women in STEM-related fields. Spetzer is one of a growing number of women in STEM, who earn about half of all science and engineering bachelor’s degrees since the late 1990s, according to the National Science Foundation. Bodaghee says this is a start but more must be done.
Dr. Kasey Karen, assistant professor of biology, signed on to be the STEM Club advisor and says that community outreach plays a big role in the club.
“There are too few women in STEM, and it’s simply not sustainable in the field,” said Bodaghee. “What I hope is that Keri’s work encourages other women to get involved.”
“I think historically science and the general public have had some issues,” said Karen. “So giving some insights to these topics like vaccination and global warming—we are in a position to provide education, but also see what the
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public’s real concerns are with these issues, and for future STEM leaders that is valuable knowledge.”
dents we are bringing in are higher each year—rivaling those in programs like UGA.”
Karen also says that one large need in STEM fields today is an increase in leaders willingness to act as communicators. With STEM occupations growing 8 percent in the last 10 years, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic and Statistics Administration, the jobs available are constantly in flux.
One shift McGill says happening in the world of STEM is the increasing uses of technology in the field.
“One of the roles of scientists that’s becoming more and more necessary is the role of an effective communicator to the general public,” said Karen. “Right now our fields have great needs for people in public policy, people who are science writers and general consulting— we need more people who can speak up for our community.” The way students learn is also changing in STEM. Specifically at Georgia College with the addition of the physics major in 2011, the program has become one of the fastest growing in the country. “We are consistently graduating more physics majors each year, and we’re slated to graduate more than Georgia Tech in two years,” said Dr. Ken McGill, chair of the chemistry, physics and astronomy department. “Not only is the program expanding, but the SATs of the stu-
STudENT ProfilE
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“STEM is all about problem-solving and acquiring solutions,” said McGill. “One consequence of technology and worldwide communication is that knowledge is freely available to everyone. Universities are no longer the custodians of knowledge. It’s not necessary to teach knowledge. It is necessary to teach how to use, and find, knowledge to solve a problem. We’re combating that by creating innovative ways of teaching that showcase the application of material.” For students like Fleming, Minnick and Alcantar, their education here is preparing them for an ever-evolving field of STEM. Minnick says she feels her experiences are setting her up well for a bright future. “I’ve had so many experiences here that have shaped what I want to do in the future,” said Minnick. “Learning how to collaborate, how to tutor and getting the opportunity to do research has made the difference for me. Not only am I learning my field, but I’m also helping people in the process, which I think is what’s at the core of STEM.”
Ashlyn Burch
Junior Ashlyn Burch’s life has been quite an adventure. Growing up in Russia with her missionary parents gave her a strong appreciation of culture and education. “When I moved back to the U.S. and started high school, I became interested in the physical sciences,” said Burch. “I found the perfect fit with physics because I love solving mathematical problems and learning about the makeup of the universe.” Burch had the opportunity to participate in CERN, a European Organization for Nuclear Research in Switzerland in summer 2014. Her time interning gave her a glimpse into her future, which she sees working in an international lab. “Being able to participate in an organization that impacts physics on a global level was the best part of the experience,” said Burch. Burch will go on to pursue a doctorate in physics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham but says her confidence moving forward in the field stems from her time at Georgia College. “I think more than anything, I’ve learned that it’s possible to achieve your dream,” said Burch. “But part of that achievement includes hard work and dedication and a certain sense of not limiting yourself.” NUCLEUS | 8 | gcsu.edu/science
STEM Stats Stem Job Growth en years • xt t
% wn 8 in th gro
Global Competitiveness The World Economic Forum ranks the United States 52nd in the quality of mathematics and science education and 5th (and declining) in overall global competitiveness
%) in the ne (17
7 of the 10 projected fastest-growing occupations over the next ten years are in STEM fields.
(2000-2010)
STEM Degrees
[U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA,2011). STEM: Good Jobs Now and for the Future.
STEM Pay
$$$$$ $$$$$ $$$$$ $$$$$ $$$$$ 16/25 %
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The United States ranks 27th in developed nations in the proportion of college students receiving undergraduate degrees in science or engineering
17%
wice as fast wt
8%
ected to gro Exp
tions have upa
st 10 years e la
TEM • S occ
16 of the 25 highest-paying jobs in 2010 required STEM preparation.
STEM workers earn 26% more than their non-STEM peers.
Women in STEM
49-58%
Since 1993, the proportion of women in biosciences and social sciences has increased to between 49% and 58%, depending on the field and degree level.
High participation fields for women: Biosciences and social sciences, 1993–2012 28.1% - Germany
5.6% - US
70%
46.7% - China 37.8% - South Korea
60% 50% 40%
According to the Congressional Research Service report from 2012, the global percentage of college graduates with STEM degrees in China is 46.7%, South Korea is 37.8%, Germany is 28.1% and the U.S. is 5.6%.
30% 20% 10% 0%
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Biosciences BA • Biosciences MA • Social Sciences MA • Social Sciences BA • Biosciences PhD • Social Sciences PhD
Putting the in
A STEM
The incorporation of arts into science, technology, engineering and mathematics For Kylee Janousek her senior defense wasn’t spent mixing various chemicals in the lab— this senior chemistry major spent time researching the learning behavior of millennials and learning the ins and outs of 3D printing. “I wanted to see if it was easier for students to learn using a DNA 3D model versus a 2D model,” said Janousek. “To do that, I had to create a 3D model using the printer in the library.” Janousek found that students who used the 3D model indicated an enhanced understanding of the DNA structure compared to the 2D model group. “It shows that STEM educators might want to consider adjusting their teaching style,” said Janousek. “Students are more prone to learning when they can see and touch what they’re studying.” Janousek’s use of the printer is just one way students are incorporating the arts into STEM fields. Dr. Ken McGill, chair of the department of chemistry, physics and astronomy, says this addition only strengthens STEM programs. “STEM tends to have creative people with very strict boundaries,” said McGill. “Having the opportunity to include creativity into the mix only creates unbounded creativity.” NUCLEUS | 10 | gcsu.edu/science
5 Early College students Lacey Farmer and Hely Patel with science teacher Nikki Grimes. Georgia College Early College Principal Dr. Runee Sallad, like McGill, says the addition of the arts opens students up to a different side of STEM. “Putting a stronger focus on literature and the social sciences are imperative in our teaching,” said Sallad. “For us, it’s all about critical thought process, making connections and understanding the real world. In order to do that, the arts must be a part of STEM education.” Early College students Lacey Farmer and Hely Patel, both had first place projects at the Regional Science Fair. Farmer, who focused on how vertical and horizontal wind turbines differed and which would give off more volts of energy, did hours of research for her project. “I’ve always been into cinematography and that’s what I want to do in the future,” said Farmer. “So having to do research on all aspects of this project, because I started out with little to no knowledge, has made me all the more comfortable with science as a whole.” Students like Farmer and Patel are part of a new group of students who are learning the arts as part of STEM curriculum. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students who study the arts in STEM are four times more likely to be recognized for academic
achievement and three times more likely to be recognized for school attendance. Nikki Grimes, Georgia College Early College eighth grade science teacher, says introducing students at younger ages is vital to their future success in STEM fields. “Focusing on research is imperative at these grade levels,” said Grimes. “We’re introducing them to resources like the library and GALILEO— all useful information that will put them ahead of the game once they start college.” Patel, who sees herself going into the sciences, says the experience of completing a Capstone project has prepared her for her future. “It’s been interesting to do all the research and to see the feedback on my project,” said Patel. “From there, I can only make my project better.” Sallad says students like Patel and Farmer are examples of what they hope to spark in students at Early College. “What we’re doing is making them well-rounded citizens, who are able to critically analyze material to make decisions,” said Sallad. “Above all else we’re teaching them to ask questions about the world around them.”
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Check out more Georgia College science, technology, engineering and mathematics stories by visiting frontpage.gcsu.edu
Dr. Chavonda Mills classes mentor Georgia College Early College students.
Students present at the 18th Annual GC Student Research Conference
Central Georgia area students try their hand at the paper table challenge at the science fair.
LaTrina Howell of Blandy Hills Elementary received a Bright Ideas grant.
Seventh-graders at Wilkinson County Middle School create model circulatory systems.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2015 Visit gcsu.edu/science for more events.
JUNE
J U LY
8-12
Science Camp, Jr – students entering grades 3-5 (Georgia College)
25-29
American Association of Physics Teachers Summer Conference (College Park, Md.)
11-13
COPLAC Faculty Institute (Asheville, N.C.)
11
“STEMing Into the Community” (series)
22-26
Science Camp – students entering grades 6-9 (Georgia College)
25-27
COPLAC Annual Conference (Eastern Connecticut State University)
27
“STEMing Into the Community” (series)- Premiere Show. Additional shows: TBA
14
National Fossil Day at the Natural History Museum (Georgia College)
International Society for Technology in Education (Philadelphia, Pa.)
18-24
National Chemistry Week (NCW 2015 Theme: "Chemistry Colors Our World! Exploring the chemistry of dyes, pigments, and light")
AUGUST 8
“STEMing Into the Community” (series)
OCTOBER
28
J U LY 6-10
Science Camp, Jr – students entering grades 3-5 (repeat camp; Georgia College)