2011

Ben L. Smith High School
Guilford County Schools
Mentor: Dr. Solomon Bililign, NC A&T State University
Sponsor: NSF/NOAA‐ISET

Worldwide Geophysics in Today’s Classroom

During the summer of 2009, Aebyo Abraha traveled to the eastern Bushveld complex mining area in South Africa with his Mentor Dr. Solomon Bililign to participate in a seismic refraction survey, conducted to determine the depth to bedrock. The refraction method has been used in mineral investigations to map low velocity consisting of deposits, such as those that may contain gold, tin, sand or gravel. This geophysical research and experience conducted in the real world will be used in Physics, Physical Science, and Earth/Environmental Science classrooms to help students to develop general scientific inquiry and, more specifically, to understand seismic waves, the Earth’s layers, and geophysical interpretation. Students will work collaboratively and one-on-one with university students at NC A&T State University to create testable geophysical hypotheses, to use appropriate measurement tools, and to analyze/interpret data in order to better understand difficult concepts and skills by connecting them with everyday real-life uses. Such an interactive and engaged approach will increase students’ performance and interest in science in the classroom, as well as a desire to pursue careers in science.

Orange High School
Orange County Schools

The Interaction of Electric and Magnetic Fields

Nina Morley Daye has developed a series of lessons that examine the use of interacting electric and magnetic fields to generate an electric current. This is the basic science behind the functioning of generators, motors, radios, televisions and other devices used in our daily lives. These energy sources differ in how they provide energy to the blades of a turbine in order to move coils of wire relative to a magnetic field. Simulations and interactive media are useful in studying this subject, as magnetic and electrical fields cannot be directly viewed; only the effect of field interactions can be observed. The application of the photoelectric effect to the function of photovoltaic cells, solar arrays and other solar devices is noted in these lessons as well.

High Point Central High School
Guilford County Schools
Mentor: Dr. Keith Schimmel, NC A&T State University
Sponsor: NSF/NOAA

Atmospheric Chemistry

Global warming explains the rising climate temperatures in the last century. Several gases in Earth’s atmosphere contribute to maintaining the warm temperatures on Earth’s surface. Global temperatures are definitely rising, but are they rising naturally or are humans causing the rapid increase? Students seek to answer this question by analyzing real data from a laser lab in which samples of Earth’s atmosphere are analyzed for certain gases that are known to increase heat. Once students learn what gases are present in Earth’s atmosphere, they design an experiment to reduce their emissions of one of these gases. Students conduct this experiment over a three-month period. At the end of those three months, students present a multimedia infomercial describing how their research could be implemented across their city. The goal is for students to have a positive impact on their city and their environment.

Greenlee Primary School
Mitchell County Schools
Mentor: Dr. Elaine Franklin, Western Carolina University
Sponsors: Goodnight Educational Foundation / NSF

Using Thinking Routines in Inquiry-Based Learning

Kishia Moore Fletcher is developing lessons and activities to integrate thinking routines into K-5 inquiry based science. Thinking routines help students develop their own tools that promote deep thinking within science so students can make connections, generate new ideas and possibilities, and activate prior knowledge. In collaboration with mentor Dr. Elaine Franklin, Western Carolina University, Kishia will provide a foundation for students to understand their own learning processes.

Southern Pines Primary School
Moore County Schools
Mentor: Gayla Keesee, Fayetteville Tech
Sponsor: Moore County Consortium, Fort Bragg/Pope AFB BRAC
Regional Task Force

Using i3D Technology in the Elementary Classroom

Jason Harris has a new approach to teaching weather to his second grade class. In collaboration with mentor Galya Keesee and the Interactive 3D Education Center at the Harry F. Shaw Virtual College Center at Fayetteville Technical Community College, Jason has developed a 3D game that will enable his students to see virtual 3D rain clouds in their classroom. This interactive game simulates a farm where students can learn about various aspects about weather and the water cycle. An unexpected benefit of the project has been the collaboration of teachers across the region as they have added their own elements to the farm environment, expanding its content and appeal for all users.

Bunn Middle School
Franklin County Schools
Mentor: Jill Taylor, NC Museum of Art
Sponsor: Goodnight Educational Foundation

Art of Collaboration

Kristen Hensley has partnered with her mentor, Jill Taylor at the North Carolina Museum of Art, to design lessons that integrate science with the arts. Ms. Hensley’s lessons use popular works of art to teach science concepts that are directly tied to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. These lessons serve to engage students by capitalizing on their interest in the arts thus leading them to a deeper understanding of science through unique media.

Instructional Technology Coach
Guilford County Schools
Mentor: Michael Connet, Nortel
Sponsor: Nortel LearniT Program

e-teacher Training: 21st Century Training for the Classroom

Kenan Fellow Gail Holmes is teaming with Michael Connet, from the educational department of Nortel LearnIt, to create a hub of internet resources that can be used by teachers to enhance learning. In addition to the hub of resources, an online course will be created to assist teachers in collaborating, sharing, and discussing strategies for effective technology integration. The collaboration with Mr. Connet will provide strategies and resources that can be used by students as well as teachers and can be integrated effectively in all subject areas. The resources will focus on 21st Century technology tools and skills as well as project and inquiry-based classroom activities including: 1) enhancing vocabulary through gaming, 2) using multimedia to visually present data and effectively reach a variety of learning styles and 3) build a global community of educators to motivate and support a diverse population of learners who are being educated to meet the needs for a job force that has yet to be defined. Mrs. Holmes’ project will engage students by introducing lessons to encourage the use of GPS devices, podcasting, and web 2.0 tools such as kmz files for creating resources for google earth, Audacity for creating podcasts, Photostory3 for creating vodcasts and others. After being introduced to a variety of tools, students will select the appropriate tool to complete projects and present findings as assigned by the classroom teacher.

Pine Forest High School
Cumberland County Schools
Mentor: David Smith, Fayetteville Tech
Sponsor: CHAMPIONS of Freedom, Cumberland County Schools, Fort Bragg/Pope AFB BRAC Regional Task Force, Lockheed Martin

I3D for High School Students

Interactive 3-D technology (i3D) provides a multi-modal approach to simulation-based learning. Today’s generation of students is motivated by instruction rich in high resolution graphics, video and audio found in many interactive games and multi-user virtual environments. In collaboration with his mentor, Dave Smith and the Interactive 3D Education Center at the Harry F. Shaw Virtual College Center at Fayetteville Technical Community College, Wayne Lee is developing and implementing a new course that students can take for graduation requirements in North Carolina. This course will use i3D development software and equipment to capture the imagination of learners and allow them an outlet to further explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Working with a variety of stimulating media will not only hold the learners attention, but will also allow them to complete projects that can link STEM subjects in interesting and motivating ways.

Hillside New Tech High School
Durham Public Schools
Mentor: Helen Gordon, CNM, Duke University
Sponsor: NSF‐ITEST

Genetics, Genomics and Personalized Medicine: Advancing Health Care through the Nursing Profession

The common misconception among adolescents is that health is directly related to illness. If one is ill then one must be unhealthy. Through her project, Genetics, Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Ms. Nash is working with Ms. Gordon and nursing students at Duke University to shift student thinking to an understanding of health and wellness as a continuum which is influenced by genetics, lifestyle, and environment. Students will develop their own personal wellness plans, investigate their family histories, conduct research on current and inherited health trends and the Human Genome Project to get to the big idea: Can my personal habits overcome my genetics? Students will showcase their understanding of these concepts through a presentation of their work via a website and community showcase.

Lee Early College
Lee County Schools
Mentor: Dr. Ed Gerler, NC State University
Sponsor: NSF‐ITEST

Preparing Students for Careers in STEM: An Interactive Gaming Model

In a study funded by the National Science Foundation and in conjunction with NC State University and the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology & Science, members of the Lee Early College class of 2012 will create STEM-related video games as a part of a larger project that investigates the effects of student-created games and their attitudes towards STEM subjects, achievement in learning content, and motivation to enter STEM careers.

A.B. Combs Elementary
Wake County Public School System
Mentors: Dr. Laura Bottomley and Liz Parry, NC State University
Sponsor: GlaxoSmithKline

Finding Solutions through Problem Solving Methods in Engineering

In collaboration with Dr. Laura Bottomley and Liz Parry from the college of engineering at NC State University, Justin Osterstrom is incorporating an array of experiences to further deepen the level of engineering taught in elementary classrooms. Through his research experience, he will be developing thematic units for kindergarten through fifth grade students that focus on different fields of engineering. Each unit will have a full STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) focus while including literacy and 21st century skills aligned with each grade levels standard course of study. Justin will participate in national field tests being conducted from EiE (Engineering is Elementary – Boston Museum of Science) and help align them with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. He will be working with pre-service teachers at NC State University to assist in teaching instructional technology and STEM research being used in elementary classrooms. In addition, he will help teachers in training them on EiE and assistance with STEM implementation within their particular schools.

Lee Early College
Lee County Schools
Mentor: Dr. Wesley Henderson, NC State University
Sponsor: NSF‐ITEST

Learning Green Technologies Through Video Gaming

In partnership with Dr. Len Annetta and an NSF funded project GRADUATE, Rodney Schmitz have teamed up to sponsor a program in which students will learn the advancements in various Green Technologies through gaming applications. The students will research the various aspects of differing green technologies currently under research at NC State University. These technologies range from renewable energies to alternative methods of transportation. The students will utilize this research and apply it in the form of student-generated video games. The students will use their research and video game as the focus of a Graduation Project requirement for the New Schools Project of North Carolina.

Master Teacher Advisor
Sponsor: NSF‐RET

Master Teacher Advisor

As a Kenan Fellow Master Teacher Advisor, Staci Whitton oversees a small group of Fellows, working with them during the summer and maintaining contact through the school year. She meets with the Fellows’ mentors, reviews lessons written by the Fellows and visits the Fellows at their externship sites.

William G. Enloe High School
Wake County Public School System
Mentor: Dr. Bob Rose, NC State University
Sponsor: NC STEM Initiative, NC State University

Biotechnology Lab: From Transgenic Mice to Transgenic Bacteria

Jason Wolfe is developing a biotechnology lab for teachers that will show how to extract a gene called EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) from a neon mouse. This gene produces a protein that glows a brilliant green color when exposed to UV light. The EGFP gene will then be inserted into a plasmid vector and introduced into E. coli which will be induced to express the protein. The ultimate goal of this lab is to produce transgenic bacteria. Jason Wolfe will assist his mentor Dr. Bob Rose in the Department of Biochemistry in a workshop designed to bring biotechnology lab skills to high school teachers. This training will be offered during a two week summer workshop at NC State University.