The Nucleus | 2020-2021

CONTENTS

3 EDITOR’S LETTER

STEM NEWS 12 WOMEN IN STEM

HAT A YEAR!

curiosity, enhance understanding and

Nobody could have

inspire learning.

HIGHLIGHTS

prepared us for 2020.

Two years ago, I would

This edition of The Nucleus highlights our

never have thought

pivot in engagement and you will see ev-

that the entire world

idence of the center's innovation, com-

would be locked down,

mitment to mission and timely response

and face masks would

to the needs of our community. Keep in

be the new normal.

mind as you read this publication, that these remarkable programs and impactful

Although it would have been understand-

experiences were conceived, designed

able for us to hit the pause button like

and implemented under the most unset-

many educational centers, we chose to

tled, uncertain set of circumstances by a

adapt and advance.

devoted director and dedicated volunteers.

Faced with the unprecedented challenges of 2020, Georgia College's

I personally look forward to advancing

Science Education Center persevered,

STEM opportunities at the center, in

demonstrating its unwavering commit-

our classrooms and throughout our

ment to advance science education while

communities.

addressing evolving community needs.

We felt it was critical for the center to ad-

Dr. Catrena Lisse

dress community needs while remaining

Editor

relevant and true to our mission to spark

NUCLEUS THE

Available online at gcsu.edu/science “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

NUCLEUS | 2 | gcsu.edu/science

18

22 HOT TOPICS AND CALENDAR

Cathy Cox President Costas Spirou Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Eric Tenbus Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Joseph Peters Dean, John H. Lounsbury College of Education Omar Odeh Vice President for Strategic Communications, University Communications SCIENCE EDUCATION CENTER: Catrena Lisse Director Nicole Collins Outreach Coordinator Patti Veal Administrative Assistant

EDITORS: Catrena Lisse and Kristen Maddox

NEWSLETTER DESIGN: GC Printing Services PHOTOGRAPHY: Anna Leavitt, Kristen Maddox

STEM NEWS

Georgia College Partners for $5.3M Federal Grant to Help STEM Majors Become Georgia Middle Grades Teachers The U.S. Department of Educa-

middle grades math or science

grant will help middle Georgia

tion awarded the Southern Re-

in Georgia; some also complete

with its critical need for high-

gional Education Board a $5.3

a computer science endorse-

quality STEM teachers in our

million, five-year Teacher Quality

ment.

middle schools,” said Joseph M.

Partnership grant to create a

Peters, dean of the John H.

residency-based teacher prepa-

Newly-certified teachers teach

Lounsbury College of Education

ration program with Georgia

in a local school for two years

at Georgia College. “The mid-

College & State University.

with support from mentor-

dle grades represent a time

teachers and SREB instructional

when students are beginning to

The Georgia Residency for

coaches. Participants agree to

explore future career paths. Ex-

Educating Amazing Teachers

teach in their assigned schools

posure to exemplary STEM

recruits undergraduate STEM

for one year beyond this two-

teaching helps engage students

majors who aspire to become

year induction period.

early on and will lead to careers

middle grades math and science teachers. They complete an online Master of Arts in Teaching during a year-long residency — practice teaching supervised by a mentor-teacher — in a highneeds middle grades classroom.

Rural school districts served by the Oconee Regional Education Service Agency in central Geor-

in STEM fields.”

“”

Students deserve good teachers, and teachers deserve effective preparation for the classroom SREB President Stephen L. Pruitt.

gia are the primary partners for

“Middle grades are also a time when academic interest can be replaced by social interests if students are not challenged,” said Peters. “When teachers provide challenging STEM content, students see connections to real-world problems, and this relevancy keeps them interested and engaged.”

hosting the residents in class-

“This program addresses the

rooms. Southern Regional Edu-

SREB Teacher Preparation Com-

"We look forward to partnering

cation Board (SREB) and

mission’s recommendations:

with Georgia College, whose

Georgia College support men-

quality clinical teaching followed

small-cohort approach to

tor- teachers and residents with

by induction and mentoring, all

teacher education is led by fac-

coaching and specialized train-

in the context of partnerships

ulty mentors, with training

ing on topics like project-based

among universities and K-12 dis-

based in schools," said Dan

learning.

tricts,” said Stephen L. Pruitt,

Mollette, director of school im-

president of the SREB.

provement programs and re-

Over the course of the grant, 60

sources at SREB and project

students have the opportunity to

“The Georgia Residency for

become fully certified to teach

Educating Amazing Teachers

director of the grant.

NUCLEUS | 3 | gcsu.edu/science

STEM NEWS

Georgia College’s new forensics program a first in Middle GA LIKE THEIR HEROES ON TV crime shows,

main forensic science classes offered Fall 2021

Georgia College students are doing a little scien-

and Spring 2022 — are trace evidence and

tific sleuthing of their own.

material analysis; and drug and biomaterial analysis. Where students learn about DNA

They are able to detect explosive TNT residue,

analysis, serology, arson, explosives and other

analyze DNA fingerprints, determine drug

important chemical investigation in forensic

usage from a strand of hair and identify signa-

chemistry.

tures by the type of ink or pen used.

Additional teaching labs cover hands-on trainDemand for these kinds of skills is rising, ac-

ing for topics covered in class, such as DNA

cording to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,

fingerprinting; analysis of body fluids for

which projects a 14% growth in entry-level fo-

drugs; hair analysis for metal poisoning and

rensic science jobs through 2028.

drug abuse; and detection of explosives. All lab work requires an understanding of sample

In recent years, chemistry professors at Geor-

collection, data analysis and proper usage of

gia College also noted increased student cu-

science instruments and equipment.

Freshman Madeline Teigen and senior Mia Popkin

riosity about criminal analysis. This prompted a new concentration in forensic chemistry, the

“I think we all have that built-in detective in us.

first of its kind in Middle Georgia.

We want to know why and how. Forensic

work to detect amphetamines.

chemistry explains this at the molecular level,”

uate school, and Teigen is still deciding what

“Drawing on the strengths of Georgia Col-

said Dr. Wathsala Medawala, assistant profes-

area of forensics she might work in, such as

lege’s liberal arts mission, our forensic chem-

sor of chemistry.

ballistics, fingerprinting or blood analysis.

interdisciplinary program bringing together

“When forensic-themed courses are offered,

“It’s challenging,” Popkin said, “but it’s good

chemistry, biology and criminal justice to pre-

students are very excited to take them. It gives

to be challenged in this atmosphere where you

pare students for the field of study,” said Dr.

them pleasure knowing they can understand

have a professor or another student helping

Chavonda Mills, former chair of chemistry,

the science and even catch mistakes in crime

you and learning together.”

physics and astronomy.

investigation dramas on TV,” she said.

“Beyond the classroom, students will have the

Six Georgia College students produced lab ex-

senior chemistry major Lauren Lautzenhiser of

opportunity to engage in innovative forensic re-

periments to go along with lessons. They devel-

Bonaire, Georgia. She’s helped to create a lab

search in our new state-of-the-art Integrated

oped available resources and procedures to be

protocol for DNA fingerprinting. First-year

Science Complex, as well as explore internship

appropriate for a college-level lab.

chemistry major Carson Kleider of Dacula,

istry concentration is designed as an

Another student working with Medawala is

opportunities to apply what they’ve learned.

Georgia, worked with Dr. Ronald Fietkau to

This holistic approach will fully prepare students

Senior chemistry major Mia Popkin of Jesup,

develop experiments in ink analysis and type

to enter a professional career immediately fol-

Georgia, and first-year chemistry major Made-

of pen used in signatures.

lowing graduation.”

line Teigen of Evans, Georgia, worked with Medawala to create step-by-step instructions

Junior chemistry major Emily Pitts of Griffin,

For the concentration, students are required to

for lab experiments that analyze and measure

Georgia worked with Fietkau too, combining

take introduction to criminal justice and intro-

levels of amphetamine in urine. Popkin wants

blood and drug samples into one experiment

duction to law, as well as biology courses. Two

to work in a medical lab before going to grad-

that’ll test blood-splatter patterns and drug or

NUCLEUS | 4 | gcsu.edu/science

iron levels in the body. Someday, Pitts

Nicole Collins, as Collins developed a

would like to work for the Georgia Bureau

method for detecting explosive TNT resi-

of Investigation (GBI) or Federal Bureau of

due, using sol-gel chemistry.

Investigation (FBI).

Reynolds is glad she learned these con“I’ve been thinking forensics since about

cepts at a small university, where she says

12. I was obsessed with (the TV show) NCIS

it’s hard to “get lost.” By the end of her first

as a child. I still am,” she said. “Then, I did

semester, she knew all her professors, and

a forensics summer camp one year, and I

they knew her by name. She feels lucky pro-

absolutely fell in love with it even more. I

fessors responded to her needs by starting

was like, ‘Yup, this is what I’m doing with

a new concentration in forensics.

my life.’”

Now, she’s being exposed to things she Senior chemistry major Aubrey Reynolds of

didn’t expect at the undergraduate level.

“”

It’s great experience for me because these are exactly the kinds of things I’m going to be doing if I get a forensics science job.

Senior chemistry

Augusta, Georgia wants to go to graduate school before seeking a career with the FBI.

“Research can really give you a step up in

She was offered an internship at the FBI in

grad school,” Reynolds said, “especially

Atlanta last summer, but it got derailed due

when you have a professor who knows you

to COVID-19.

on a personal level and can testify to what

major Aubrey Reynolds

you’ve done.”

Reynolds shadowed senior chemistry major

Environmental Science student named NOAA Hollings Scholar A GEORGIA COLLEGE ENVIRONMENTAL

“Nadya has an excellent academic record

science major was one of only two stu-

and has shown a commitment to NOAA-

dents in the state to win a distinguished

related fields,” Whiteside said. “This

national science scholarship named after

award gave Nadya the unique opportunity

the late Senator Ernest F. Hollings, who

to get hands-on experience as an intern at

supported ocean policy and conservation.

NOAA, as well as the opportunity to join an esteemed network of scholars.”

Senior Nadya Gutierrez of Johns Creek, Georgia was selected as a National

The scholarship was established in 2005.

Oceanographic and Atmospheric Admin-

To be considered, college sophomores

istration (NOAA) Hollings Scholar. This

must major in a NOAA mission field such

honor includes a two-year academic

as oceanic, environmental, biological

award of $9,500, a 10-week paid summer

and atmospheric sciences, math, engi-

internship at a NOAA facility and funding

neering, remote sensing technology,

to present her NOAA research at two na-

physical sciences, social sciences or

tional scientific conferences.

teacher education.

Nadya Gutierrez

“It’s such an honor to be selected for this “It’s very competitive — only 123 scholar-

Gutierrez was referred to the National

scholarship,” Gutierrez said. “I am very

ships were awarded across the country

Scholarship Office by one of her profes-

humbled and grateful for such an amaz-

this year,” said Anna Whiteside, assistant

sors, Dr. Allison VandeVoort. She applied,

ing opportunity. It will help me in so

director of Georgia College’s Honors Pro-

excited by the chance to work with profes-

many ways by giving me experience in

gram and coordinator of its National

sionals in careers she dreams of joining.

conducting and presenting research.” 

Scholarships Office.

NUCLEUS | 5 | gcsu.edu/science

GUTIERREZ from pg. 5 Her application stood out, she thinks, because of Georgia College’s commitment to undergraduate research. Last year, Gutierrez explored the infrastructure of dams and how they affect macroinvertebrates populations. Most students wouldn’t begin such study until junior year, she said.

Gutierrez also worked as a supplemental instructor leader at the Learning Center for Biology and Ecology. This tutoring experience — as well as her geology minor

Dr. Tanya Goette (left) and Jordan Mixon attend a previous Grace Hopper Celebration.

and high school involvement at national

Grace Hopper empowers female students to land positions in technology

environmental science competitions — made her a well-rounded candidate.

Her hope is to get an internship that benefits the livelihood of Americans and helps her gain a deeper understanding of the world. She’d like to study population ecology in estuary ecosystems and learn

IN A PROFESSION predominately held

“Costs are directly related to how many

how urban runoff affects different pop-

by men, more women are entering the

students we send and where the confer-

ulations in natural habitats. Gutierrez

technology field. The Grace Hopper

ence is located,” said Kari Brown, coordi-

hopes to present management plans that

Celebration of Women in Computing

nator for business outreach in the College

restore estuaries.

Conference and Georgia College are

of Business. “If the conference is held in

doing their part to make this happen.

Orlando, for example, we are able to

“I am very grateful for the scholarship I’ve

drive to the destination, creating lower

been awarded,” she said, “but I am more

Since 1994, the conference is named in

travel costs. The 2021 conference was

excited for the internship that comes with

honor of Admiral Grace Murray Hopper,

held in Chicago, requiring additional air

the program. There aren’t many opportu-

pioneer in the technology field. She

travel costs in addition to increases in

nities to conduct mentored research with

helped create the first computers and

lodging, due to COVID-19 restrictions.”

professionals from federal agencies such

also helped women across the globe gain

as NOAA.”

the confidence to land successful careers

The celebration—the largest gathering of

with major corporations in an industry

women in technology in the world—brings

The internship could open the door to

where they are the minority, while high-

students and company representatives to-

working with other governmental agencies

lighting the contributions of women in

gether to network and champion others.

in the future. Gutierrez hopes to someday

the technology field.

work for NOAA, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), NRCS (Natural Re-

As of 2022, Georgia College has sent 79

sources Conservation Service) or the DNR

students to this annual conference since

(Department of Natural Resources).

2014 and raised funds to allow 20 more to attend this event held Sept. 26 – 30, 2021

Being a NOAA Hollings Scholar gives Gu-

in Chicago.

tierrez confidence to try other national competitions in the future as well, like the Fulbright or Rhodes scholarships. It’ll also make her more competitive when applying to graduate school.

NUCLEUS | 6 | gcsu.edu/science

The lodging cost doubled due to COVID restrictions, which allowed for only two students to a room versus four in past years.

The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Conference also supports students and young professionals through their various sponsorship programs.

The conference series builds on what students have learned about technology at Georgia College. Each participant is often the only female in their classes.

The conference, with approximately

“It can be challenging in technology and

The conference is unlike any other envi-

30,000 female technologists in atten-

academic settings, where sometimes, you

ronment. It brings women in computing

dance, makes them feel empowered.

could be one of the only girls in the class-

together to provide learning experiences

room,” said Mixon. “Getting out of my

from successful women in the same field

“It allows female students to understand

routine bubble and attending the confer-

and even job opportunities.

that they are not alone and deserve to be

ence gave me a grasp on how much

in technology,” said Dr. Tanya Goette,

bigger the field is and how many amazing

“At the conference’s career fair, I learned

chair, information systems and computer

women are already working in it.”

how to not devalue my skills and experi-

sciences department. “The celebration

ence, but rather be proud of my past suc-

also allows them to network with individ-

Attending the Grace Hopper Celebration

cess and accomplishments and promote

uals who work at Apple, Google, Micro-

of Women in Computing Conference

how those may apply in the position I am

soft and many other large companies,

changed her life. Mixon now applies what

seeking or even just the daily task I’m

especially in technology, banking, insur-

she learned at the conference series to

completing,” said Shelby Upcraft, ’19.

ance and consulting.”

the work place. A cloud enablement analyst, she helps companies migrate to the

Now a transformation assurance experi-

While attending Georgia College, the

cloud or improve their cloud infrastruc-

enced associate in an advisory practice,

conference was the first time Jordan

ture, security and monitoring processes.

Upcraft expresses her gratitude.

Mixon, ’16, had been in a room where

Some of her duties include writing auto-

the overwhelming majority of people

mation templates for cloud infrastructure

“To the donors who supported me to at-

were women in technology.

and migrating hundreds of on-premises

tend the conference, I would like to say

servers to the cloud for large companies.

‘thank you’ for this opportunity,” she said.

“It was so inspiring to be around them

“By supporting my attendance at this

and hear their stories,” she said. “I went

“This is more a soft skill, but I learned no

conference, you provided me with the

back to school with renewed confidence

matter how scary it may seem trying to

opportunity to receive an amazing job at

and determination to finish my degree at

network with a stranger in a more formal,

an amazing company I still love over a

Georgia College in computer science and

professional environment, most people

year and a half later.”

find a career in technology.”

are going to respond with kindness if you approach them with sincerity,” Mixon

Learn how you can help students like

For Mixon, the best part of the confer-

said. “Attending the Grace Hopper Cele-

Mixon and Upcraft, attend the Grace

ence was getting advice from young pro-

bration of Women in Computing Confer-

Hopper Celebration of Women in Com-

fessionals, and the possibility of landing a

ence really did change my life.”

puting by visiting www.gcsu.edu/alumni.

mentorship, as well.

Georgia College students and faculty attend the 2018 Grace Hopper Celebration Conference.

NUCLEUS | 7 | gcsu.edu/science

A love of science leads to career with NASA where I was meant to be, so I looked for jobs there, every single day.”

In December 2012, an entry-level chemist position at NASA opened. Stewart had met many workers during her internship.

She emailed one of them about the position and told her friend at NASA she had applied for the job and was very interested in it.

“I thought, ‘This is it. If I don’t get this job, I may never work at NASA again,’” she said. “So, I let that really push me.”

She had two interviews for the position and started working full-time for NASA January 2013.

GROWING UP, Marissa Johnsey

“It’s been amazing to be involved in so

Stewart, ’12, was fascinated with science.

many different areas,” she said. “I essen-

So much so that she wanted to work for

tially worked my way through all these labs

“One of the main take-aways from that

NASA. With the education she received

and became an engineer in the process.”

hiring experience for me was it really matters who you make contact with and

from Georgia College and plenty of onthe-job training, she became a contami-

As she grew up, Stewart always talked

what kind of impression you leave on

nation control engineer with NASA at the

about working for NASA, but never ac-

people,” she said. “I hate the saying, ‘It’s

Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida.

tually imagined she would end up there.

all about who you know.’ But, in this case it truly helped me, because this NASA

Her journey at NASA began seven years “My main reason for wanting to work for

employee recognized my enthusiasm and

NASA was because of the work they do,”

work ethic and knew I would be a good

“I wanted to be a scientist because there

she said. “No work NASA does is boring.

fit for the position.”

are so many unknowns out there,” she

It’s all about exploration and learning new

said. “Science helps us learn new things

things about this world and others in our

Stewart also credits the Career Center at

about the world we live in, and it is so

solar system.”

Georgia College for refining her inter-

ago, when she became a scientist.

viewing skills.

fascinating to me.”

Stewart landed an internship with NASA Through the years, Stewart collaborated

working in a lab shortly after graduating

“The Career Center helped me signifi-

with multiple groups and worked on chal-

from Georgia College.

cantly with my interviewing skills,” she said. “Without the initial interviews that it

lenging projects to become the engineer she is today. She worked in a chemistry

“I worked on an amazing project with in-

set up for me, I’m not sure I would have

lab, biology lab, corrosion lab, electrical

credible mentors,” she said. “After the in-

had enough practice to improve the inter-

engineering lab and now works in a ma-

ternship, all I wanted was to be back at

viewing process.” 

terials and processes lab.

Kennedy Space Center. I knew it was

NUCLEUS | 8 | gcsu.edu/science

she said. “Without that baseline from Georgia College and Dr. Lisse, I doubt that I could be successful at it today.”

As a contamination control engineer, she ensures the KSC facilities stay clean for the sensitive hardware being processed there. She approves of materials being brought into the clean work areas, and develops work arounds if certain items are not permitted. She inspects for cleanliness of hardware and dresses in cleanroom garments, known as a “bunny suit,” that is necessary to enter certain facilities to do inspections. It’s exciting for her to inspect hardware that will eventually be going into space or to the International Marissa Johnsey Stewart wears clean room garments (aka: a bunny suit) in one of the Kennedy Space Center facilities, next to a payload fairing.

Her chemistry classes, especially the lab,

dents to be hands-on scientists. Stewart

benefitted Stewart from the beginning.

remembers opening one of the gas chro-

The hands-on experience taught her the

matographs to do a repair. She was a lit-

basics of how to run experiments.

tle nervous working with such an expensive instrument and learning how it

“I’ve worked with a lot of laboratory in-

functioned.

strumentation and most of what I know I learned at Georgia College,” Stewart

“Dr. Lisse coached me and believed in

said. “I use an ultraviolet-visible spectro-

me all the way through graduation, even

photometer at work, which is one of the

when I didn’t believe in myself,” she said.

instruments I learned to use at Georgia College. I use my knowledge I learned

Lisse also helped Stewart become com-

there every single day at work.”

fortable with speaking in front of highly

Space Station.

“”

It doesn’t matter if you’re an astrophysicist or a logistics specialist, every person out there is working towards the same goal of going to space.

It really connects us.

We want everyone to succeed, because we want to see more space travel and what innovations and good it can bring to us on Earth.

Marissa Johnsey Stewart

esteemed people. As part of her senior Also, during her time at Georgia College,

exit, she presented research to all her GC

Stewart served as secretary of the Chem-

chemistry professors.

istry Club. It helped ease the once-shy Stewart out of her comfort zone.

“I was worried that I would never graduate, because I couldn’t imagine speaking

Stewart hopes to make a difference in

“We ran a lot of fun activities during Na-

in front of this extremely intelligent group

her field.

tional Chemistry Week, where we inter-

of people,” Stewart said. “Somehow,

acted with lots of children and students

with enough practice and coaching from

“I hope in some small way, by keeping

on campus,” she said. “This experience

Dr. Lisse, I got through it and felt such a

our facilities clean for flight hardware, I

helped me become more outgoing.”

sense of accomplishment.”

can help us keep moving forward,” she said. “and learning more about space

Dr. Catrena Lisse was Stewart’s research

“Today, I have to talk in front of my

advisor and mentor. She teaches her stu-

highly-esteemed colleagues daily,”

and what it has to offer.”

NUCLEUS | 9 | gcsu.edu/science

Two Georgia College students selected for Fulbright Canada and MITACS Globalink internships TWO GEORGIA COLLEGE STUDENTS were selected to participate in summer research internships funded through a partnership by Fulbright Canada and MITACS Globalink.

Senior physics major Catherine Boyd and senior biology major Molly Bullington undertook advanced research projects for 10 to 12 weeks under the supervision of faculty at Canadian institutions.

Boyd performed research on nanostructured thin film devices with faculty from the University of Victoria. Nanotechnology, a relatively new field of study, centers around engineering materials and their properties at very small-length scales. It is widely used in technology, including in electronics and automobiles.

Bullington studied the neural circuit for courtship behavior in drosophila, known more commonly as fruit flies, with faculty from the University of Saskatchewan – Saskatoon.

Students would typically travel to Canada for the internships. In 2021, though, the internships were conducted virtually.

While different from a Fulbright Scholarship, the internships are administered by Fulbright Canada. The program is relatively new, and this is the first time Georgia College students have been awarded this internship.

Molly Bullington

Catherine Boyd

“The program does not publish its statis-

portunity that I cannot wait to explore,”

tics on how many internships are

said Boyd. “This internship will also let

awarded annually. However, the intern-

me practice working with new people

ship is nationally competitive,” said Anna

and new mentors. I am excited to

Whiteside, assistant director of the

strengthen my research skills and learn

Honors College and coordinator of the

more research techniques.”

National Scholarships office.

Before attending Georgia College, Boyd “The program has great benefits, so it's

worked at the foundry as an engineer in-

competitive. Our particular students were

tern. After initially enrolling at Georgia

heavily involved in undergraduate re-

College as pre-engineering, she discov-

search,” she said. “Both were referred to

ered a passion for physics and changed

me by MURACE for their undergraduate

her major.

research experiences.”

“After I graduate, I will be attending Boyd developed an interest in physics

another undergraduate school to earn a

early on through her family’s iron foundry

mechanical engineering bachelor's,” she

business and is looking forward to re-

said. “After my second bachelor’s, I will

searching a new topic.

be applying to graduate programs to get a master's in engineering. My dream is to

“This research was similar to research that

work for NASA, so hopefully this will put

I am doing now, but it gave me a new op-

me on the right path.” 

NUCLEUS | 10 | gcsu.edu/science

Just like Boyd’s passion for physics, Bull-

manipulation of very specific genes

take, once accepted into vet school, is to

ington has had a longstanding passion

known to be responsible for the male fruit

apply to a dual-degree program for a

for biology. She’s always been interested

fly courtship behavior. Genetic crosses

Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

in the details of things and understanding

and behavioral studies were set up in the

and a PhD.

how and why they work.

lab, whose outcomes I then analyzed to ultimately better understand the devel-

Both students expressed excitement and

Data analysis comprised the majority of

opment of the neural circuit responsible

enthusiasm over the opportunity to work

her research with the University of Sas-

for courtship behavior.”

alongside a faculty member in Canada,

katchewan. Since the internship was vir-

gaining personalized mentoring.

tual, she did not carry out physical

“This internship pushed me to be a

experiments. Instead, she analyzed data

better student, one that is confident in

“This is an opportunity to do research

produced by colleagues who are present

myself and my abilities as they have

projects that we might not have at Geor-

in the lab.

gotten me this far in obtaining the intern-

gia College,” said Whiteside. “This is also

ship,” she said.

a great first step towards learning how in-

“For the specific project I worked on, I

ternational research collaborations work,

analyzed behavioral assays of a model or-

Upon graduation, Bullington plans to at-

and also learning about research culture

ganism, the fruit fly,” she explained. “The

tend school for veterinary medicine.

in other countries."

physical experiments included genetic

Another possible academic path she may

NUCLEUS | 11 | gcsu.edu/science

Four generations of physics students install solar panel at BCHS IT TAKES FOUR PAIRS OF HANDS to make the light bulb go on. Plus, a little sun and some physics.

A group of Georgia College physics majors installed a solar panel at Baldwin County High School (BCHS). They represented all four years of college — from freshman to a senior who graduated last May. It was the university’s first off-campus solar project — delayed slightly due to COVID-19.

“This was the most exciting part for me, seeing the transfer of knowledge from my physics scholar, Bo, on down to Evan, our freshman,” said Dr. Hasitha Mahabaduge, assistant professor of physics.

Every year, Mahabaduge gives a seminar

Students install solar panels at BCHS.

on physics to honors students, who have that “little extra something” about them.

Now, he’s interested in pursuing aero-

Sustainability officers got in touch with

The seminars are a recruitment tool for

space engineering.

Mahabaduge, who had his students come up with a list of materials they

Mahabaduge. Inevitably, after each, a student will email him looking to do

“It’s opened up a couple doors for proj-

needed to do the job. Then, Cavender

more. This time, it was a student from Ac-

ects in the future,” Dunnam said. “I came

scripted a plan and acted as supervisor,

worth, Georgia, Evan Dunnam.

in not knowing the first thing about solar

delegating work to the other students.

panels. The most interesting part for me

All plans seem perfect on paper, Mahaba-

Dunnam zeroed in on a point Mahaba-

was doing hands-on work with a breaker

duge said. But, in life, problems arise.

duge made regarding his solar panel re-

box that was connected to the solar

search. He emailed the professor to ask if

panel and a charge controller, an inverter

The first obstacle was the shed faced the

there were any solar projects coming up.

and stuff I’d never even heard of.”

wrong direction. For all-day sunlight, it needed to be moved to a new cement

Mahabaduge said, “Yes, there’s one this weekend.”

“It helped me learn about electricity,” he

foundation facing south.

said, “and it got me curious to get into it Dunnam joined three other students: alumnus Bo Cavender, who works at a textile manufacturing company while applying to graduate schools; senior Catherine Boyd and junior Caleb Cardinally.

Dunnam never thought he’d be doing research and working with upperclassmen so early in college.

NUCLEUS | 12 | gcsu.edu/science

a little bit more, because there’s so much

Once that was done, the students arrived

I don’t know that I’d like to know.”

for installation and soon discovered they had mis-measured the roof’s angle. Nail

In 2019, BCHS officials approached Geor-

holes, made in wrong places, had to be

gia College’s Office of Sustainability for

resealed. Boxes were opened, only for

help installing a solar panel they received

students to find parts missing. A half-day

as a donation. They wanted to bring

project took all day. 

power to a small shed used for gardening projects at the school.

Mahabaduge researches solar panels.

“Having to ‘think on their feet’ and solve

hopefully inspire local students to pursue

unexpected problems is part of the learn-

careers in science,” said Dr. Chavonda

ing process,” Mahabaduge said. “It re-

Mills, former chair of physics, chemistry

flects what students will experience in the

and astronomy.

real workplace.”

Inspiring others is one reason Boyd got In the end, the panel was mounted with

involved with the project. The Columbus

nuts and bolts at the right angle to catch

resident thinks it’s important to be a role

the sun. It connects to two batteries,

model for high school girls — showing

which will generate up to 300 watts of

them women can be successful in

energy — giving the BCHS shed enough

science. Like Dunnam, Boyd started in

“off-the-grid” electricity to power tools

Mahabaduge’s research lab as a fresh-

and a light for several hours a day.

man. She’s on track to get a dual degree in mechanical engineering at the Georgia

This collaborative effort with BCHS “pro-

Institute of Technology, and she’d like to

vides a lasting economic impact and will

work at NASA.

“”

It was surprising to jump right into research my first year.

I didn’t know that was unusual, until I started presenting at conferences, and people would ask if I was a junior.

By giving us

the opportunity to do research as an undergrad, Dr. Mahabaduge has definitely given us a step-up on other students.

Catherine Boyd

NUCLEUS | 13 | gcsu.edu/science

COVER STORY

Women in STEM: have you heard of her?

EFORE THE ADVENT of

ferers turned to any treatment available:

She earned two degrees at the University

antibiotics to cure bac-

this included chaulmoogra oil. It was used

of Washington and went on to attain her

terial infections, human-

beyond western medicine for centuries,

master’s in chemistry from the College

kind was vulnerable to

and was moderately effective when applied

of Hawaii (later the University of Hawaii)

leprosy — now named

topically. However, the oil did not change

in 1915.

Hansen’s disease — and

much, and those afflicted with Hansen’s dis-

the physical disability it

ease needed something better.

A whirlwind of firsts, she would become the first African-American woman chem-

can cause.

The treatment of leprosy coincides with

istry instructor at the University of Hawaii.

Enduring an uncurable

Alice Augusta Ball, a Seattle, Washington

disease without a strict

native and the University of Hawaii’s first

While not to be diminished, her breaking

course of antibiotics, suf-

female and African-American graduate.

of race and gender barriers are not her

NUCLEUS | 14 | gcsu.edu/science

most remarkable accomplishment. As an

Ball was honored alongside Madam Curie

Rosalind Franklin, a brilliant midcentury

instructor at the university, Ball made pos-

and Florence Nightingale as their names

chemist represented in the exhibit, was

sible an injectable form of chaulmoogra

were etched into the London School

made posthumously famous for her X-ray

oil. By isolating ethyl esters in 1916, she

of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)

photographs of DNA and contribution to

helped treat leprosy patients until the

façade.

discovering the double helix.

Her story of scientific discovery is both in-

In postwar 1951, Franklin entered the

Ball was unable to continue her research,

spiring and frightfully familiar, especially

Biophysical Laboratory at King’s College,

however, when she died suddenly at the

to the creators of a traveling exhibit for

London, with a physical chemistry degree

age of 24.

remarkable women — many of whom

and three years’ experience studying X-

were lost to history.

ray diffraction technology, carbon and

1940s.

Following her death, the College of Ha-

coal at a government lab in Paris.

waii President, Dr. Arthur Dean, con-

To celebrate these women who made

A firmly established scientist, she was al-

tinued her research and published Ball’s

astonishing discoveries in science, tech-

ready an expert on the structure of coals,

work in the early 1920s. The public her-

nology, engineering and math (STEM),

carbons and disordered crystals.

alded Dean for his discovery and Ball was

the Science Education Center and the

forgotten.

Central Georgia Technical College

She would go on to write that the struc-

(CGTC) Academic Success Center in Mil-

ture of DNA was helictical — the mole-

Ball’s contribution is only known through

ledgeville partnered to create a traveling

cule had phosphate groups outside and

the work of American poet Dr. Kathryn

exhibit for display at area schools, com-

that it existed in two forms. Two weeks

Takara and Stan Ali, a retiree, who redis-

munity centers and libraries.

later, Francis Crick and James Watson —

covered Ball in an obscure trail of ar-

at the Cavendish Laboratory at Cam-

chives after Takara joined the Ethnic

"We hope that viewers discover someone

bridge — built their double-helix model

Studies Department at the University of

in this exhibit that they want to learn

of DNA.

Hawaii in 1971.

more about," said Dr. Catrena Lisse, director of the Science Education Center.

They did so by their own merit, but with

In 2000, the University of Hawaii installed

"It is our goal that little girls everywhere

access to Franklin’s experimental ev-

a plaque commemorating her discovery

might see somebody who gets them ex-

idence and X-ray photographs of DNA. In

and a scholarship was developed in her

cited, who makes them realize she, too,

fact, she had already written a summariz-

name at the university in 2017. In 2020,

can change the world."

ing manuscript by the time the researchers cracked the code.

Alice Ball

The exhibit, which debuted in March 2021, combined artifacts from the private collec-

Rosalind Franklin

tion of Dr. Rob Sumowski, associate professor of teacher education at Georgia College and Dr. Laura Whitlock, physics instructor at Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC), with biographies and art.

“It is a pleasure to share the remarkable contributions of these pioneers with women and girls who might be considering careers in the sciences,” Sumowski said. “Because women are often underrepresented in these fields, so much potential is lost. Anything we can do to encourage more female involvement in the sciences is well worth our time.”

NUCLEUS | 15 | gcsu.edu/science

When Franklin died in 1958 from ovarian

application, and build a new theory of

cancer, she had been a fellow at the Crys-

noncommutative algebras.

tallography Laboratory at Birkbeck College, London for five years. She helped

At the University of Göttingen, Noether

discover, in collaboration with other virus

was the center of intense mathematical

researchers, revelations into the virus’

activity from 1930 to 1933.

RNA location and that RNA was a singlestrand helix.

This changed, however, when the Nazis came to power in Germany. After their as-

By her death, she had issued five publica-

cension, they dismissed all Jewish faculty

tions on DNA, 19 on coals, carbons and

from German universities, including

disordered crystals, and 21 on viruses.

Noether. She then left for the United

Franklin never felt resentment toward

States to join Bryn Mawr College and the

Crick and Watson. In fact, the trio shared

Institute for Advanced Study.

Emmy Noether

a friendship in the years leading to her death. She never knew they could not

Praised by Albert Einstein after her sudden death by ovarian cyst in 1935, her

have discovered the double helix in 1953

her father’s research, while pursuing her

contributions to the field of mathematics

without her work, as they revealed later.

own. She was never paid for teaching her

were indispensable.

father’s classes.

A brilliant chemist in her own right, with

These are just some of the remarkable

multiple cutting-edge discoveries and

Her research focused on abstract algebra,

women showcased in the traveling ex-

publications on her record, Franklin’s con-

and paid special emphasis on rings,

hibit. The exhibit features over 50 known

tribution was diminished for years by her

groups and fields. By student account,

and unknown women of significance to

male peers when they neglected to ac-

she was a brilliant teacher, and over her

STEM. Some of which include: Marie

knowledge her crucial part in the discov-

life she would publish more than 40

Curie, Valentina Tereshkova, Lise Meitner

ery of DNA.

papers. Her most famous achievement

and Cecilia Payne-Gaposhkin.

comes from what is called Noether’s It’s on women, like Franklin, that the trav-

theorem, a key discovery for theoretical

Nicole Snyder is a sophomore chemistry

eling exhibit hopes to shed light.

physics.

major at Georgia College. She lives and breathes chemistry, much to the credit of

Another such woman was Amalie Emmy Noether, known by her middle name Emmy, who remains yet another astonishing woman role model for young scientists.

Born in 1882, Noether aspired to be a mathematician at a time when women could not receive academic credit for college courses in Germany. She continued auditing, or sitting in, on classes despite not receiving credit, and would go on to hold a doctorate in mathematics once

“” Because women are often underrepresented in these fields, so much potential is lost.

Dr. Rob Sumowski, associate professor of teacher education

her fascination with reading biographies.

Specifically, a biography of Rosalind Franklin.

“Chemistry makes sense to me and satisfies my curiosity about how things work,” she said. “Finding out more and diving deeper into the field of chemistry is continually exciting for me. I’m raring to see different reactions take place, why they take place and figuring that out. I find it so fascinating.”

women were allowed to properly attend college in Germany.

She is not dismayed by the male statusShe would go on to develop a general

quo of science, and instead found inspi-

Because she was a woman, she could not

theory of ideals which would combine

ration from Franklin and her female

take the traditional route available to

many mathematical advances, concen-

faculty members, like Lisse.

men in academia. She informally assisted

trate on noncommutative algebra and its

NUCLEUS | 16 | gcsu.edu/science

“Meeting and getting to know Lisse, has made her one of my biggest role models,” Snyder said. “The way she loves what she does, and wants to help other students love it, has been really incredible to me.”

That’s exactly the goal of this exhibit, to inspire young women to pursue science.

More importantly, that they can pursue science.

“Women in STEM are going to fight, and work insanely hard because they love it,” Snyder said. “You don’t see women going into STEM because ‘I guess I’ll do STEM.’ We go into it because we love it, have a passion for it and drive to do it.”

Snyder works in the lab as part of her undergraduate research experience.

SCIENCE EDUCATION CENTER IN HIGHLIGHTS

Covid-19 may have interrupted our traditional programs, but not our commitment to serving our community.

S WHISPERS AMONG

new roles to keep our kids engaged in

our colleagues and

learning. The Science Education Center

community buzzed that

quickly pivoted to deliver new online

a third of all cultural in-

educational resources for families and

stitutions and educa-

educators, free of charge. Unable to pro-

tional centers may

vide the same quantity of in-person pro-

close following the

grams required us to find new ways to

COVID-19 pandemic,

stay connected to our community that

we endured and stood

were both safe and meaningful.

firm. The outbreak of the coronavirus crisis

Live stream events, including webinars,

ushered in unprecedented global health,

family science games and challenges,

financial and educational situations.

hands-on activities using household materials and “Did You Know?” science

It revealed tremendous inequality in our

features on social media helped to keep

nation and that our communities must

connections going strong. Each of our vir-

come together to invent solutions. In the

tual productions remained true to our

face of this reality, we found new ways to

mission of helping kids and youth be-

serve our community and make a differ-

come more curious, creative, collabo-

ence. Whether it was repurposing our

rative and compassionate

supplies for healthcare workers or rolling

problem-solvers.

out new virtual programs to keep kids, families and educators connected and

Here’s a look at some of what we

learning, we were there to do our part.

accomplished. 

As a community, we all had to take on

NUCLEUS | 18 | gcsu.edu/science

PROVIDING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Partnered with schools, regional partners and our community to ensure access to creative learning experiences, helping to combat learning loss resulting from school closures.

Like many other departments on campus, we donated our supply of masks, gloves, and safety glasses in a communitywide effort to make PPE available for healthcare providers.

MAKING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Our virtual programs for schools and educators made distance learning come alive for students and help combat the staggering learning loss resulting from school closures.

Delivered comprehensive support to our school partners through real-time virtual sessions, curriculum and teacher professional development.

Launched our virtual science lessons campaign to help bring our high-impact educational programs to scale and set our kids up for an even brighter future.

Delivered real-time, hands-on activities and mini-lessons that helped kids develop new skills and take on challenges at home.

EFFECTIVELY

ENGAGING

MAKING CONNECTIONS

NUCLEUS | 19 | gcsu.edu/science

Coronavirus’ Impact on Education  GLOBAL LEVEL STATISTICS

plans for remote learning and parents

According to the United Nations Edu-

who made their kids’ learning a prior-

cational, Scientific and Cultural Sec-

ity, nearly all students in the United

tor, more than 1.6 billion students in

States have fallen behind. Some esti-

over 190 countries have already ex-

mates suggest many — if not most —

perienced disruptions to their educa-

are now a year or more behind in

tion, and 24 million children and

reading and math.”

youth — including more than 11 million girls — may drop out per-

 STATE LEVEL STATISTICS

manently due to the pandemic.

Published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, data from the 2020-2021

The rapid global shift to online learn-

standardized test scores in Georgia,

ing has also exacerbated the digital

students showed much smaller learn-

divide: two-thirds of school-aged chil-

ing gains in mathematics, with less

dren worldwide have no access to in-

than 50% of the learning gains and in

ternet at home, and are unable to

some grades, nearly a full year be-

attend virtual classes.

hind what was observed in previous years and under normal conditions.

 NATIONAL LEVEL STATISTICS Around nine-in-ten U.S. parents with K-12 children at home (93%) said their children have had some online instruction since the coronavirus outbreak began in February 2020. And 30% of these parents said it has been very or somewhat difficult for them to help their children use technology or the internet as an educational tool, according to an April 2021 Pew Research Center survey.

According to the executive director of The School Superintendents Association, “while the coronavirus raged, despite near-heroic efforts by teachers who converted their lesson

NUCLEUS | 20 | gcsu.edu/science

NUCLEUS | 21 | gcsu.edu/science

HOT TOPICS

Check out more Georgia College science, technology, engineering and mathematics stories by visiting frontpage.gcsu.edu

years of winning is a “great accomplish-

Posters at the Capitol was founded by

ment.” She’s proud of her team.

Georgia College in 2018 as a way to share emerging research with state legis-

Chemistry Club named Outstanding Chapter by American Chemistry Society

“With all the obstacles thrown at us this

lators. Now run by the Georgia Under-

past school year,” Pitts said, “winning this

graduate Research Collective (GURC), the

award just proved that our hard work

exhibition is modeled after “Posters on

paid off. We did all we could and worked

the Hill” in Washington D.C., which is

as hard as we could to adapt to this new

hosted by the Council on Undergraduate

form of doing things, due to the pan-

Research (CUR).

demic, and we’ll continue to adapt to whatever situation is thrown at us to keep

Posters at the Capitol is highly compet-

this tradition of Outstanding Chapter

itive with only 25 applications accepted

going for many years to come.”

from Abraham-Baldwin Agricultural College, Georgia College, Georgia Gwinnett College, Georgia Southern University,

For the 13th year in a row, Georgia Col-

Kennesaw State University, Mercer Uni-

lege’s Chemistry Club has garnered the

versity, Savannah State University and Val-

top award from the American Chemistry

dosta State University.

Society (ACS).

Each proposal goes through a strict, douACS recently bestowed its 2019-20 Stu-

ble-blind review process prior to final re-

dent Chapter Awards, allotting its highest

view involving a state representative.

honor for “Outstanding Chapters” to 72 universities nationwide based on programs and activities. Georgia College was one of only two in the state to receive this honor — and the only school in

cause it recognizes the accomplishments

Georgia College sends six student researchers to ‘Posters at the Capitol’ exhibit

of our amazing students during a global

Six Georgia College undergraduate

pandemic. We had to get creative with

students presented research at the 3rd

virtual meetings and live streaming

Annual “Posters at the Capitol” in 2021.

events,” said Dr. Catrena Lisse, director

That’s the highest participation in the Uni-

of Georgia College’s Science Education

versity State System and second highest

Center and Chemistry Club advisor.

of any participating school.

Lisse said club members “work very hard

Normally held at the Statehouse in Atlanta,

of streaming on their winter break of 2020

each year to achieve this national honor”

Georgia the 2021 event was online with

— but not the kind you do on Netflix.

and have earned “the bragging rights.”

Georgia legislators and lobbyists in atten-

Senior chemistry major Emily Pitts, past-

dance. All university presidents and pro-

Home for the holidays, they weren’t idle.

president of the Chemistry Club, said 13

vosts in Georgia were invited, as well.

Fifty students from all majors turned

the University System of Georgia to achieve this many consecutive wins.

“The 2020 award is extra special, be-

NUCLEUS | 22 | gcsu.edu/science

Students get feet wet adopting streams during 2020 winter break Some Georgia College students did a lot

‘citizen scientist’ to monitor waterways in

He was never in danger. It’d been dead

rotodus parmleyi” after Parmley to honor

26 counties across Georgia. They made

35 million years.

his contributions to vertebrate paleontol-

visual assessments, analyzed chemical

ogy in Central Georgia.

markers and logged information to the

But the shark — or rather some fossils of

state’s Adopt-A-Stream database.

its teeth — recently earned Parmley the

“No one knows the Gordon site better

rare honor of having a prehistoric and

or has collected more shark fossils than

“This is truly a unique, cooperative and

previously unknown species named after

him,” Cicimurri told Parmley.

co-curricular experience that only a place

him. The news has been celebrated on

like Georgia College could provide,” said

science websites, TV news and even in

At the same time, scientists also an-

Dr. Jordan Cofer, associate provost of

Newsweek — giving Parmley and Geor-

nounced another new species as the

Transformative Learning Experiences.

gia College the kind of acclaim that lasts,

“Mennerotodus mackayi,” a 65 million-

well, as long as bones themselves.

year-old shark that went extinct with the

“Our students are extremely interested in

dinosaurs. Its fossils were found in Ala-

service and sustainability,” he said, “so

For 17 of his 30 years at Georgia College,

bama. Both new species were grouped

this project really appealed to them.

the vertebrate paleontologist dug fossils

into the prehistoric genus “Menneroto-

They’re able to help give back to their

from sediment at Hardie Mine in Gordon.

dus,” previously thought to have lived

communities, while learning more about

Faculty and hundreds of students joined

only in Europe and Asia.

their local environments.”

him there over the years. As did his colleague and friend, David Cicimurri, cu-

But they now think this family of sharks

This new program allowed students to be

rator of natural history at South Carolina

originated in North America first.

actively engaged outside during an un-

State Museum and world expert on shark

usually long winter break. It also satisfied

fossils. Together, they found many nauti-

one of five transformative experiences

cal remnants showing Middle Georgia

they need in the GC Journeys program,

was once a coastal region. The mine was

in order to graduate.

rich in bones from whales, fish, marine snakes, crocodiles and even a leatherback sea turtle.

But it was a long, smooth shark’s tooth — noted for its pair of smaller teeth on either side — that recently led Cicimurri and two other scientists to believe they’d stumbled across something new.

The teeth were dug up years ago at the Middle Georgia mine but remained in collections among other shark fossils.

Back then, Parmley and Cicimurri thought

Prehistoric shark named after retired Georgia College professor

the teeth represented several different species of shark. But now Cicimurri and his team believe they’re from an ancient ancestor of today’s sand tiger shark, long extinct, and never before identified by modern science.

Dr. Dennis Parmley’s close encounter with a shark didn’t happen at a crowded

After isolating hundreds of teeth and

beach or the ocean — but in a kaolin

comparing them to contemporary sharks

mine in Wilkinson County.

— the group named the species “Menne-

Catrena Lisse awarded Inclusive Excellence Award 2020

NUCLEUS | 23 | gcsu.edu/science

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 73 Milledgeville, GA

Science Education Center Georgia College, CBX 082 Milledgeville, GA 31061 Phone 478-445-7531 Fax 478-445-1092 science@gcsu.edu

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2022 Visit gcsu.edu/science for more events.

Spring 2022

Summer 2022

Jan. 5-8.............................................................Association for Science Teacher Education International Conference – Greenville, SC Jan. 15..............Regional Science and Engineering Fair - Registration Closes Feb 2-4.......................................National Council of Teachers of Mathematics – New Orleans, LA Feb. 4 ...................................................Regional Science and Engineering Fair Feb. 10-11..............................Georgia Science Teachers Association Meeting – Peachtree City, GA March 1 ................................Young Scientists Academy – Registration Opens March 1 ...................................................Science Camps – Registration Opens March 10..............................................State K-5 Science and Engineering Fair March 12-26...................................................................Atlanta Science Festival March 14 .....................................................................................................Pi Day March 18.............................................GoSTEM Latino College and STEM Fair – Atlanta, GA March 22-24 .............................American Chemical Society National Meeting – San Diego, CA March 31-April 2 ...................................Georgia Science and Engineering Fair – Athens, GA March 31-April 3 ....................................National Science Teacher Association National Meeting – Houston, TX April 22 ..................................................................................................Earth Day

June 3 ...........................................International Conference on Environmental and Science Education – New York, NY June 11 ..............................................................................SciC7:Science is Cool “Innovation in the STEM Classroom” conference – virtual June 13-17...................................................Science Camp Junior – Grades 3-5 June 20-24 ............................................................Science Camp – Grades 6-12 June 13-July 22 ..........................Young Scientists Academy and Project SEED June 26-29 ..................................American Society for Engineering Education – Minneapolis, MN July 9-13 ...........................American Association of Physics Teachers meeting – Grand Rapids, MI July 24-29.......................................................International Sol-Gel Conference – Lyon, France

May 1.................................Young Scientists Academy – Application Deadline May 6 .....................................................................................Georgia STEM Day May 8-13 ........................................International Science and Engineering Fair – Atlanta, GA May 24 ..................................................................................Citizen Science Day

Fall 2022 Sept 10............................................................................Science Fair Bootcamp Sept 18-23 .....................................................National Forensics Science Week Oct. TBD .......Star Party Festival free community event sponsored by NASA. Oct 12....................................................................................National Fossil Day Oct 16-22 .........................................................Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society – San Juan, PR Oct 16-22..............National Chemistry Week (Family Fun Night on Thursday) Oct 23 ....................................................................................................Mole Day Nov 8… ..................................................................National STEM/STEAM Day Nov 10-13 ..............................National Biology Teachers Association Meeting – Indianapolis, IN Dec 1 ....................................................Regional Science and Engineering Fair – Registration Opens

*Dates Subject to Change