2012

New Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts, and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies have been adopted in North Carolina and will be implemented in classrooms across the state in the 2012-2013 school year. Ms. Absher will be a member of one of the teams recruited in each of the state’s eight educational regions to help facilitate this transition. These Kenan Fellows will partner with mentors from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement training to assist teachers as they transition to the new standards. They will help plan training modules, lead teacher training sessions and act as coaches to other teachers in their regions. Their work will encourage best practices for utilizing new standards including inquiry, data literacy and technology to improve instruction in middle and high school classrooms.

New Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts, and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies have been adopted in North Carolina and will be implemented in classrooms across the state in the 2012-2013 school year. Ms. Alston will be a member of one of the teams recruited in each of the state’ eight educational regions to help facilitate this transition. These Kenan Fellows will partner with mentors from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement training to assist teachers as they transition to the new standards. They will help plan training modules, lead teacher training sessions and act as coaches to other teachers in their regions. Their work will encourage best practices for utilizing new standards including inquiry, data literacy and technology to improve instruction in middle and high school classrooms.

The new Common Core standards are designed to address the knowledge and skills students need to be prepared for college and careers in the 21st century. These standards will be implemented in North Carolina classrooms in the 2012-1013 school year. Ms. Altman-Lewis will bring her expertise as a classroom teacher to a team composed of curriculum specialists from the NC Department of Public Instruction and classroom math and science educators with expertise in curriculum and instruction. Together they will assess the need for new materials and develop “replacement units” focused on key topics within the Common Core curriculum. The lessons will serve as model instructional resources to guide teachers in effective delivery of historically challenging concepts to students. This collaboration will play a vital role in making the new standards “work” for teachers and will position Fellows on the leading edge of important changes in the way math and science are taught in our state and the nation.

Ms. Anderson will serve as a Fellow with Mentors from EMC to learn about new tools used by global companies to promote efficiency, manage data, and improve outcomes in the information age. Early lean manufacturing processes originating in Japan are now manifest in programs like Sigma Six, used by EMC to address some of the challenges facing a high-tech, global corporation. Ms. Anderson will study how Sigma Six tools impact important new efforts to improve strategic planning, timing, analysis of data and the reduction of unnecessary cost and waste. She will learn how the theory is implemented in industry and develop engaging lessons that demonstrate the engineering and mathematics involved. Students will be encouraged to apply these methods to relevant projects of their own.

Kenan Fellows Master Teacher Dr. Terry Anderson has undertaken a five-year commitment to work with Robeson Community College (RCC) math instructors to develop exciting, new inquiry-based math lessons aligned with the new Common Core Standards. Using the extensive technical resources available at RCC, Dr. Anderson will work to identify applications of math that surround students everyday. He will collaborate to create problem-based math lessons which engage students in solving problems, making predictions and designing solutions, transforming the math classroom by encouraging teamwork and critical thinking to solve real-world problems. Dr. Anderson will spend the latter part of his fellowship collaborating with Kenan Fellows Program staff and university faculty to implement a strategy for disseminating the resources he develops to pre-service teacher education programs in the region. His designs will allow math teachers to provide students with lessons that foster an understanding of the relevance of math in the world around them.

The _small learning communities_ model is among the strategies advocated to improve student performance in secondary education. This model includes integrated course learning communities (LCs) in STEM that have real-life applications and an inquiry-based focus. Learning Communities are a linked set of at least three courses that explore a common theme. Research supports integrated course Learning Communities as a way to improve student engagement, retention and performance. Ms. Bankhead-Smith will participate in a five-year fellowship in which she will work closely with University College at FSU and with the Center for Promoting STEM Education and Research to demonstrate the need for an integrated course learning community model, as well as developing and implementing the model in an appropriate middle school setting. She will collaborate in the development of the necessary curriculum for the project, and compare LC to Non-LC student performance in STEM using mathematical modeling and bioinformatics tools. The latter part of her fellowship will be spent collaborating with Kenan Fellows Program staff and university faculty to implement a strategy for disseminating the resources she develops to pre-service teacher education programs in the region.

Robotics is often employed to expedite assembly line manufacturing or navigate areas difficult for humans to maneuver in. Ms. Barron and her mentor will study vision based robotics systems and explore how robot manipulation is guided by what the robot sees. She will explore ways that robots are able to use their “sight” to, for example, sort defective parts from the good ones or assemble components. She will develop robotics curriculum for implementation in high school classrooms. The latter part of her fellowship will be spent collaborating with Kenan Fellows Program staff and university faculty to implement a strategy for disseminating the resources she develops to pre-service teacher education programs in the region.

One of the largest challenges to habitability and mission performance in space is the requirement for durable and reliable sources of power. Energy for space vehicles is primarily provided by solar photovoltaic panels or by fuel cells. Ms. Beeson will team up with Dr. Josiah Knight of Duke University to learn about and consider the implications of highly-efficient generators in space. Dr. Knight’ research examines the potential for producing electricity for space vehicles using solar thermal radiation to power a liquid, vapor or gas cycle. He plans to construct and test the performance of small-scale electricity generation using solar thermal energy and combinations of existing technologies that might be combined to deliver electricity at the scale of tens of kilowatts. Upon selection of the most promising approach, a test apparatus will be constructed and its performance measured. Ms. Beeson will have the opportunity to assist in the construction and testing of this equipment. She will develop lessons and hands-on experiences that help students better understand photovoltaic panels, energy sources, energy efficiencies and current research in energy and space travel.

Michael Belcher will work with UNC Chapel Hill’ Mathematics Department to research how organisms interact with fluids. Integrating aerodynamics (the study of gases in motion) and hydrodynamics (the study of liquids in motion), he will study various transport mechanisms including swimming, flying or pumping in organisms of different sizes. Fluid behavior depends on scaling effects that determine what methods of locomotion and pumping will be viable for certain organisms. As some organisms increase in size, the methods of moving or moving through the fluid may change. Studying fluid properties such as velocity, pressure, density and temperature, and equations of fluid motion allows researchers to predict what types of mechanisms work for organisms of a particular size. Collaborating with Dr. Minion, Mr. Belcher will have the opportunity to use models and numerical simulations to better understand the fluid dynamic forces experienced by organisms. These model systems include: flight adaptations in the smallest flying insects, such as thrips and parasitoid wasps, and the mechanism of blood pumping in the embryonic and vertebrate hearts. He will also collaborate with Dr. Miller to investigate regime changes in the fluid dynamic environment of organisms as they grow or shrink in size over time.

The new Common Core standards have been designed to clearly define the knowledge and skills students need to be prepared for college and work in the 21st century. The new Common Core standards will be implemented in North Carolina classrooms in the 2012-1013 school year. Mr. Belcher will bring his expertise as a classroom teacher to a team composed of curriculum specialists from the NC Department of Public Instruction and classroom English language arts and social studies educators with expertise in curriculum and instruction. Together they will assess the need for new materials and develop “replacement units” focused on key topics within the Common Core curriculum. The lessons will serve as model instructional resources to guide teachers in effective delivery of historically challenging concepts. This collaboration will play a vital role in making the new standards “work” for teachers and will position Fellows on the leading edge of important changes in the way math and science are taught in our state and the nation.

The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is the first full-service science center dedicated to promoting and interpreting contemporary science topics and content for both formal and informal educators. In this externship, Ms. Blalock will use Morehead’ extensive resources to develop focused high school curricula during a library-based summer science and enrichment program. She will actively engage in research for science education content and activities to enhance physical science resources for Morehead’ library. Specific topics will include simple machines, electricity and chemistry. Working with mentors and peer coaches from the Morehead staff on science education curriculum development, she will develop and pilot appropriate curricula utilizing NASA resources that will align these topics with national and state standards. She will learn first-hand about the scientific research process and its potential benefits, gain valuable skills in the interpretation and communication of contemporary science, and further her ability to communicate and teach complex science topics.

The DuPont Fayetteville Works Plant has expanded to include the manufacturing of a wide variety of new films, fibers, and specialty chemicals that are used by homeowners, businesses, first responders, the military, and other consumers. Carrie Brewington will work directly with the Site Training Group lead by Paul Chavis. In this capacity, she will interact with all job types on the site: engineer, chemist, supply chain support roles, and the technicians who are the production experts on the shop floor and have the task of making the products at the site. DuPont’ staff will provide an experience rich in professional diversity and skills required for fulfilling roles. In addition, Ms. Brewington will create a curriculum based on her externship experience. The curriculum will focus on the science behind these products and careers within this industry.

Mr. Bridges will partner with Mr. Edwards, owner of Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard and Winery, to learn viniculture, the science of growing grapes and wine production. Viniculture is one of the earliest forms of biotechnology. The project will focus on agricultural biotechnology. During the summer externship, Mr. Bridges will experience the science and technology critical to daily operations of a vineyard. This may include monitoring and controlling pests and diseases, fertilization, irrigation, pruning and canopy management as well as monitoring fruit development. He will create lessons for the middle school science classroom that engage students with the scientific method as they explore real world challenges and opportunities associated with the growing ag-biotech industry in North Carolina.

The biotechnology industry is making rapid progress in producing biological products from live cells with applications ranging from life-enhancing drugs to environmental waste removal. Biogen Idec, one of the world’s oldest and largest biotechnology companies, has been at the forefront of the exciting world of biopharmaceutical discovery, development and manufacturing. Ronda Bullock will partner with Biogen Idec mentors to develop cutting-edge curriculum featuring hands-on exercises that will better equip students to understand the biological, engineering and quality aspects of cellular production of biological molecules and evaluate the implications of these new processes in drug manufacturing. Students will be introduced to manufacturing processes for improving effective drugs. Mentors from Biogen Idec will work with Ms. Bullock to develop a curriculum unit tailored to the her interests and classroom needs.

Lean manufacturing is a practice that works to eliminate waste in the production process and carefully focus all resources on producing the desired product or outcome most efficiently. An outgrowth of the long-standing human concern with improving efficiency, modern efforts to improve and reduce unnecessary cost increasingly depend on strategic planning, careful attention to timing and analysis of data. Ingersoll Rand’ Mocksville, North Carolina plant is currently assessing and implementing lean manufacturing strategies in its production of air compressors. Ms. Bustle will learn about this highly-utilized practice as she is introduced to the total manufacturing process from order entry through delivery to the customer. She will learn how lean manufacturing is implemented in industry, evaluate the impact of lean manufacturing on the smooth function of the system as a whole and be able to demonstrate the engineering and mathematical principles used to streamline resource use and create efficient best practices in manufacturing. This knowledge will be developed into engaging lessons that bring systemic thinking into the classroom and encourage students to apply these methods to relevant projects of their own.

In today’s global economy, students need to be equipped with a new set of skills, tools and attitudes as they prepare to enter the workforce. Cisco Systems, Inc. is a large, global technology corporation specializing in networking and communications technology and sustainable, innovative business practices. During his externship, Mr. Cancellieri will be collaborating closely with Ms. Kirsten Weeks, Media and Community Relations Manager, to learn about, use and consider the implications of practices currently used to increase competitiveness and facilitate communication, continuous learning, speed, tolerance, teamwork, adaptability, risk-taking, multitasking and entrepreneurism. Mr. Cancellieri will learn first-hand how Cisco’s collaborative, net-centric environment facilitates collaboration across timezones, cultures and diverse populations. He will take this experience back into the classroom with lessons and hands-on experiences that will teach students to connect virtually and provide them with an inside view of cutting-edge business practices.

New Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts, and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies have been adopted in North Carolina and will be implemented in classrooms across the state in the 2012-2013 school year. Ms.Colangelo will be a member of one of the teams recruited in each of the state’ eight educational regions to help facilitate this transition. These Kenan Fellows will partner with mentors from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement training to assist teachers as they transition to the new standards. They will help plan training modules, lead teacher training sessions and act as coaches to other teachers in their regions. Their work will encourage best practices for utilizing new standards including inquiry, data literacy and technology to improve instruction in middle and high school classrooms.

Dr. Colbert will be spending his summer externship in Guatemala, working with the Global Public Service Academies. GSPA is a summer experience targeting high school sophomores and juniors. It works to make a difference in the developing world, advancing health care for those most in need. Dr. Colbert will work alongside a group of dedicated students and support the program’ faculty.

He will take foreign language and technical classes as he works with the GSPA team to:

1. Facilitate health screenings,
2. Conduct community health interventions such as hygiene or nutritional education,
3. Conduct research activities with a university professor and
4. Perform volunteer tasks, including physical labor.

This externship abroad will give Dr. Colbert a unique and possibly life-changing opportunity to learn about how science and technology are being used to improve health services and protect the fragile ecosystems in Guatemala. The experience will provide Dr. Colbert with a wealth of real-world experience to bring back to his classroom in the fall.

The science of Uncertainty Quantification uses computer models to describe complex real-world processes in order to predict the likelihood of an outcome, even when some aspects of the system are not known. It is important that the next generation of researchers know how to recognize and work with these tools as they study important systems such as climate, sustainability, renewable energy and geoscience. Ms. Craven will be teaming with Dr. Richard Smith, Director of the Statistical and Applied Mathematical Sciences Institute (SAMSI) to investigate and model climate change. SAMSI is one of eight National Science Foundation-supported mathematical sciences institutes in the United States, and is actively examining important questions related to climate change globally and locally. Ms. Craven will study the different types of data that are used for investigating such questions as well as the statistical methods used to analyze the data. She will use simple probability concepts, sampling and data collection and methods for detecting trends or level changes in a statistical distribution. She will collaborate with Dr. Smith on classroom lessons that allow students to understand various aspects of statistical analysis in this relevant and timely field of study.

Students who aspire to a career in healthcare benefit from a realistic and up-to-date understanding of the needs and opportunities available in the field as well as the skills and competencies necessary to be an effective team member in the health care delivery system. Mr. Creech will spend his externship working with Wake Forest Baptist Health leaders to examine the science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related opportunities that the internationally recognized academic medical center provides. Mr. Creech will collaborate with a range of hospital personnel to observe cutting-edge innovations in research and patient care in such locations as the Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the Translational Science Institute and the Cancer Center. Subsequent to this broad introduction, he will narrow his focus to a specific area of interest and develop relevant and engaging lessons designed to help middle school students appreciate the science behind these innovative practices and expose them to careers in the field of healthcare.

Aviation and Aerospace Engineering is one of the fastest-growing industries in eastern North Carolina. Spirit AeroSystems Inc., a major supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components, has recently opened a new manufacturing facility in Kinston. With the potential for up to 700 new jobs, eastern North Carolina is ramping up its education programs to ensure that young North Carolinians are prepared to take advantage of these new high-tech opportunities. Ms. Deschoff will be exposed to aerospace construction techniques, manufacturing processes, composite manufacturing and repair, and computer numerical control (CNC) machining processes as she collaborates with Mentors at Spirit AeroSystems. Lessons and activities based on the research experience will be developed, not only to teach the science and math content knowledge essential for aerospace jobs, but also to enhance students’ understanding of engineering principles and give them the skills necessary to work in 21st century team environments.

The next few years will present myriad opportunities worldwide to use biotech trees to restore threatened tree species, protect forests from invasive pests and climate change, and meet global demand for forest products. But these advances have led to these questions:

* What uses of biotech trees are considered?
* What preconceived notions are there about biotech trees?
* What trade-offs must be considered when using biotech trees versus traditionally bred trees?
* How can biotech trees be safely used to meet future demand for bioenergy?
* What would a biotech forest look like and how would it positively or adversely affect wildlife and forest ecosystems?

Heather Earp will create an engaging curriculum unit for middle or high school students that explores forest biotechnology. She will focus on science, technology, engineering and math but will also integrate pressing social issues. Opportunities exist to explore forest biotechnology in various settings including a lab setting, field, and production facility.

The rapid expansion of the aerospace industry notwithstanding, the nation faces a shortage of qualified engineers and mechanics that is predicted to last well into the next decade. In response to this need, Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) now offers Applied Science in Aviation Systems Technology, Aviation Management and Career Pilot Associate Degree programs. Many of the graduates of these programs go on to earn Bachelor or Master’ degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which has a facility co-located with GTCC. Ms. Flores and Fellow Ms. Allison George will partner with educators and trainers at GTCC to see first-hand the kinds of STEM skills necessary to succeed in this field. They will collaborate to develop relevant, engaging lessons that encourage high school students to consider these exciting aerospace training programs. In addition, Ms. Flores and Ms. George will spend time with local aerospace and aviation companies that hire GTCC graduates and partner with GTCC instructors in the development and execution of aviation training programs. Major employers include Triad International Maintenance Corporation, the General Electric Jet Engine Facility, Honda Aircraft Company Inc., Causey Aviation services, US Airways, Atlantic Aero, Landmark Aviation Services, the Cessna Citation Service Center, and US Propeller.

The rapid expansion of the aerospace industry notwithstanding, the nation faces a shortage of qualified engineers and mechanics that is predicted to last well into the next decade. In response to this need, Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) now offers Applied Science in Aviation Systems Technology, Aviation Management and Career Pilot Associate Degree programs. Many of the graduates of these programs go on to earn Bachelor or Master’ degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which has a facility co-located with GTCC. Ms. George and Fellow Ms. Flores will partner with educators and trainers at GTCC to see first-hand the kinds of STEM skills necessary to succeed in this field. They will collaborate to develop relevant, engaging lessons that encourage high school students to consider these exciting aerospace training programs. In addition, Ms. Flores and Ms. George will spend time with local aerospace and aviation companies that hire GTCC graduates and partner with GTCC instructors in the development and execution of aviation training programs. Major employers include Triad International Maintenance Corporation, the General Electric Jet Engine Facility, Honda Aircraft Company Inc., Causey Aviation services, US Airways, Atlantic Aero, Landmark Aviation Services, the Cessna Citation Service Center, and US Propeller.

New Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts, and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies have been adopted in North Carolina and will be implemented in classrooms across the state in the 2012-2013 school year. Ms.Green will be a member of one of the teams recruited in each of the state’ eight educational regions to help facilitate this transition. These Kenan Fellows will partner with mentors from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement training to assist teachers as they transition to the new standards. They will help plan training modules, lead teacher training sessions and act as coaches to other teachers in their regions. Their work will encourage best practices for utilizing new standards including inquiry, data literacy and technology to improve instruction in middle and high school classrooms.

New Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts, and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies have been adopted in North Carolina and will be implemented in classrooms across the state in the 2012-2013 school year. Ms. Hamilton will be a member of one of the teams recruited in each of the state’ eight educational regions to help facilitate this transition. These Kenan Fellows will partner with mentors from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement training to assist teachers as they transition to the new standards. They will help plan training modules, lead teacher training sessions and act as coaches to other teachers in their regions. Their work will encourage best practices for utilizing new standards including inquiry, data literacy and technology to improve instruction in middle and high school classrooms.

Honey bees contribute approximately $150 million dollars annually to North Carolina fruit and vegetable agriculture, benefiting wild flowers and balancing the natural food cycle. In recent years, domesticated honey bees have been under severe strain and wild honey bees have all but vanished, but local beekeepers often face the lack of technical resources to diagnose problems due to pesticide accumulation, parasites or microbial hive contamination. The UNCP Biotechnology Research Center works with local beekeepers and the Robeson Beekeepers Association to assist in maintaining healthy, productive hives by sampling and examining the honey, water, comb and environment for harmful indicators. This is an excellent opportunity for Pam Hedgpeth to help make the biology curriculum relevant for students.

Today’ complex, global economy and extensive supply chain create a strong reliance on logistics to support the circulation of materials and services, efficiently bringing raw materials
Today’ complex, global economy and extensive supply chain create a strong reliance on logistics to support the circulation of materials and services, efficiently bringing raw materials in for manufacture and distributing finished products to customers. Logistics is the second-fastest growing employment sector in the United States, offering a wide range of jobs that utilize state-of-the-art technology and tools as well as a strong background in STEM. Ms. Ireland will work with leaders at the North Carolina Center for Global Logistics to gain an overview of the field and insight into how it aligns with critical parts of the state’ curriculum and can serve as a vehicle for teaching analytical skills and systems thinking in today’ elementary school classrooms.

Interesting new lessons that may result from this externship include:

– Distribution in a global economy
– Technology behind the supply chain
– The science and math of map making and the impact on transportation
– Cost-effective inventory storage
– The science behind a safe and healthy work environment

New Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts, and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies have been adopted in North Carolina and will be implemented in classrooms across the state in the 2012-2013 school year. Mr. James will be a member of one of the teams recruited in each of the state’ eight educational regions to help facilitate this transition. These Kenan Fellows will partner with mentors from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement training to assist teachers as they transition to the new standards. They will help plan training modules, lead teacher training sessions and act as coaches to other teachers in their regions. Their work will encourage best practices for utilizing new standards including inquiry, data literacy and technology to improve instruction in middle and high school classrooms.

New Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts, and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies have been adopted in North Carolina and will be implemented in classrooms across the state in the 2012-2013 school year. Mr. Jankowski will be a member of one of the teams recruited in each of the state’ eight educational regions to help facilitate this transition. These Kenan Fellows will partner with mentors from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement training to assist teachers as they transition to the new standards. They will help plan training modules, lead teacher training sessions and act as coaches to other teachers in their regions. Their work will encourage best practices for utilizing new standards including inquiry, data literacy and technology to improve instruction in middle and high school classrooms.

Lenovo, a global manufacturer of personal computers, has a strong commitment to STEM education. The company strives to assist schools by developing relevant curricula for students at all levels and partners with education organizations locally and globally, including the North Carolina Science, Math and Technology Center (SMT) and the world Economic Forum’ Global Education Initiative, to provide input on solutions for teachers and to stay abreast of current trends in education. Ms. Jiang will work with Michael Schmedlen to learn about the recent trends in education throughout the world and in North Carolina and will bring a classroom teacher’ perspective to Lenovo’ work. She will be able to inform Lenovo’ educational activities and have the opportunity to gain and share a broad perspective on education with other teachers and students.

A significant portion of Dr. Singletary’ research is the application of microbeam techniques to the analysis of natural and synthetic materials.
A significant portion of Dr. Singletary’ research is the application of microbeam techniques to the analysis of natural and synthetic materials. Microbeam techniques have the ability to provide high resolution, high magnification images and qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis of materials. These analyses result in the production of high magnification (up to x300,000) and high resolution images (3 nanometers). Images and data collected via microbeam techniques can be used to develop new materials for computers, analyze ancient pots, develop new forensic techniques and examine extraterrestrial samples. Jennifer Jones will participate in discovery-based research which in turn leads to hypothesis-driven research. This sense of discovery and ownership lies at the heart of success in the STEM fields. She will work to integrate data and images acquired via microbeam techniques with the i3D visualization technology.

The new Common Core standards have been designed to clearly define the knowledge and skills students need to be prepared for college and work in the 21st century. The new Common Core standards will be implemented in North Carolina classrooms in the 2012-1013 school year. Mr. Jones will bring his expertise as a classroom teacher to a team composed of curriculum specialists from the NC Department of Public Instruction and classroom English language arts and social studies educators with expertise in curriculum and instruction. Together they will assess the need for new materials and develop “replacement units” focused on key topics within the Common Core curriculum. The lessons will serve as model instructional resources to guide teachers in effective delivery of historically challenging concepts. This collaboration will play a vital role in making the new standards “work” for teachers and will position Fellows on the leading edge of important changes in the way math and science are taught in our state and the nation.

North Carolina is ranked third nationally in biotechnology. The state is particularly strong in the commercialization and biomanufacturing of vaccine components, enzymes, biopharmaceuticals, and purified blood components. The state is also poised to take advantage of new process development and manufacturing technologies that would lead to products that are available sooner to more markets and at lower cost. Future employees will need some expertise with advanced biomanufacturing concepts. Sarah Kaneko will work closely with faculty and staff from NC State University’ Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) to study the integration of methods to accelerate process development, reduce time for regulatory approval, and implement lean biomanufacturing. The team will explore the utilization of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’ Quality by Design and Process Analytical Technology (PAT) initiatives within this framework. Ms. Kaneko will design and develop lecture and laboratory modules to educate high school students on these advanced science and engineering topics.

A working knowledge of statistics is important to a more scientifically literate and better-informed public. Statistics is a tool that not only allows the establishment of relationships in sets of data; it also makes it possible to predict what may happen in the future. Statistical research has become increasingly important to business and industry in planning for future growth and investment as well as to the sciences in the analysis of the large data sets used to study complex systems such as population or climate. Statistical analysis is valuable in drawing conclusions from what sometimes seems like unrelated phenomena. Kenan Master Teacher Ms. Kearney has made a five-year commitment to work with Dr. Lee at UNC Pembroke to study the power of statistics and its application to business, industry and the sciences and develop engaging, inquiry-based lessons designed to show students the numerous real-world applications of statistics. The latter part of her fellowship will be spent collaborating with Kenan Fellows Program staff and university faculty to implement a strategy for disseminating the resources she develops to pre-service teacher education programs in the region.

New Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts, and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies have been adopted in North Carolina and will be implemented in classrooms across the state in the 2012-2013 school year. Mr. Kirkley will be a member of one of the teams recruited in each of the state’ eight educational regions to help facilitate this transition. These Kenan Fellows will partner with mentors from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement training to assist teachers as they transition to the new standards. They will help plan training modules, lead teacher training sessions and act as coaches to other teachers in their regions. Their work will encourage best practices for utilizing new standards including inquiry, data literacy and technology to improve instruction in middle and high school classrooms.

GE Aviation is a major producer of jet and turbo-prop engines for military and commercial use. This global company has a history of innovation in the industry. Through research and development, they work to address the growing need for innovative products that are fuel-efficient and cost-effective. GE Aviation is proactive in building relationships with teachers and schools in the region in order to engage students and increase their understanding of aviation engineering and careers. Dr. LaCosse will work with mentors at GE’ Durham facility towards making those relationships more beneficial for teachers and students. He will create an educational tour and design materials, demonstrations and hands-on lessons to increase student interest and engagement. He will observe and learn about the engine assembly processes and highlight connections to scientific principles in the curriculum and how they apply in a real-world manufacturing environment. The project will cover the skills and expertise important to the field, the evolution and the mechanics of jet engines and the science of jet engine function, and will reference numerous STEM fields including trigonometry, geometry and the use of blueprints.

Today’ generation of learners is motivated by instruction rich in the high resolution graphics, video, and audio found in many interactive games and multi-user virtual environments. Research on the use of computers and technology in STEM instruction shows that when combined with hands-on and inquiry-based activities and reflective analysis, interactive technology is particularly effective in promoting understanding. The 3D technology that is the centerpiece of this fellowship enables learners to bridge the gap between 2D representations of STEM concepts and real-world applications. Sandre Lane will create and incorporate an i3D object into an existing or original lesson plan/unit. In addition, she will provide professional development on integrating i3D into instruction within her school, district and across the region and may collaborate virtually with other teachers using i3D technology.

The Kenan Fellows Program is partnering with the US Department of Energy and its Academies Creating Teacher Scientists (ACTS) program to offer a new Kenan Fellowship that provides a unique externship opportunity at a Department of Energy National Laboratory. This three-year program will provide NC STEM educators (Grades 5-12) with sustained, intensive professional development that is experientially based and connects Fellows with the unmatched wealth of talent at the DOE National Laboratories. Educators will integrate the teaching of STEM disciplines with the practice of science, establish long-term relationships with their mentor scientists and teaching colleagues, and transfer their experiences in scientific research to the classroom using the resources at the National Labs and the Kenan Fellowship experience. Kent Lewis has been chosen for this fellowship.

Keenan Locklear will work directly with a biofuel reactor that uses waste vegetable oil to create biodiesel. The biofuel reactor is capable of producing forty-five gallons of biodiesel from each batch of waste vegetable oil. One of the by-products of biodiesel is glycerol which is used in household products such as cosmetics and soaps. He will also analyze additional possible uses of the biodiesel by-product, glycerol. Research topics may include Glycerol as a Fertilizer, Glycerol as an Energy Source for Bacteria or Glycerol to Ethanol conversion.

The new Common Core standards are designed to address the knowledge and skills students need to be prepared for college and careers in the 21st century. These standards will be implemented in North Carolina classrooms in the 2012-1013 school year. Ms. Marone will bring her expertise as a classroom teacher to a team composed of curriculum specialists from the NC Department of Public Instruction and classroom math and science educators with expertise in curriculum and instruction. Together they will assess the need for new materials and develop “replacement units” focused on key topics within the Common Core curriculum. The lessons will serve as model instructional resources to guide teachers in effective delivery of historically challenging concepts to students. This collaboration will play a vital role in making the new standards “work” for teachers and will position Fellows on the leading edge of important changes in the way math and science are taught in our state and the nation.

Systems biology is an exciting new biology-based inter-disciplinary field that integrates computation and genetic information to study the complex interactions in biological systems. Sara Morey will work with a team of researchers on a project to build models to study the lignin biosynthesis pathway. Lignin is the main barrier to the utilization of biomass for energy, for papermaking, and for forage digestibility. The ability of woody plants to establish forest ecosystems depends on lignin. Global warming increases stresses on plants making them more susceptible to pests and pathogens. Understanding the fundamental nature of lignin biosynthesis can lead to improved crops and can aid in resistance to drought, pests and pathogens. The project will use the model woody plant, black cottonwood, (Populus trichocarpa) and a systems approach including advanced quantitative methods of genomics and biochemistry to analyze lignin biosynthesis and reveal potential new control mechanisms. Ms. Morey will learn how scientific advances in forest genetics biotechnology help in the preservation of natural resources. She will have full exposure to cutting-edge processes in breeding including tracking genetic markers and manipulating and fine tuning the growing processes. She will learn methods used to simulate complex communication at the cellular level that effect a cell’ ability to reproduce and take in essential nutrients and will gain an understanding of mathematical modeling and how to predicate outcomes based on these models.

Today’ generation of learners is motivated by instruction rich in the high resolution graphics, video, and audio found in many interactive games and multi-user virtual environments. Research on the use of computers and technology in STEM instruction shows that when combined with hands-on and inquiry-based activities and reflective analysis, interactive technology is particularly effective in promoting understanding. The 3D technology that is the centerpiece of this fellowship enables learners to bridge the gap between 2D representations of STEM concepts and real-world applications. Fred Morris will create and incorporate an i3D object into an existing or original lesson plan/unit. In addition, he will provide professional development on integrating i3D into instruction within her school, district and across the region and may collaborate virtually with other teachers using i3D technology.

New Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts, and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies have been adopted in North Carolina and will be implemented in classrooms across the state in the 2012-2013 school year. Ms. Morrison will be a member of one of the teams recruited in each of the state’ eight educational regions to help facilitate this transition. These Kenan Fellows will partner with mentors from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement training to assist teachers as they transition to the new standards. They will help plan training modules, lead teacher training sessions and act as coaches to other teachers in their regions. Their work will encourage best practices for utilizing new standards including inquiry, data literacy and technology to improve instruction in middle and high school classrooms.

New Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts, and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies have been adopted in North Carolina and will be implemented in classrooms across the state in the 2012-2013 school year. Mr. Nice-Webb will be a member of one of the teams recruited in each of the state’ eight educational regions to help facilitate this transition. These Kenan Fellows will partner with mentors from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement training to assist teachers as they transition to the new standards. They will help plan training modules, lead teacher training sessions and act as coaches to other teachers in their regions. Their work will encourage best practices for utilizing new standards including inquiry, data literacy and technology to improve instruction in middle and high school classrooms.

Sustainable Sandhills is an innovative non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and protecting the environment and natural resources of the eight-county region surrounding Fort Bragg in south central North Carolina. It serves as a clearing house for information, an advocate for healthy change and a catalyst for activity and community engagement on environmental issues. Kenan Master Teacher Ms. Nye has been awarded a five-year fellowship to collaborate with Sustainable Sandhills experts to develop projects that teach students to analyze school facility energy, water and solid waste audit data. New lessons will guide students in studying how the implementation of changes such as new LED lighting technology, biodegradable packing and school energy audits can drive energy, water and waste reductions at these facilities. Students will be introduced to the benefits of “green” facilities, methods used to track these benefits, energy audit strategies and statistical analysis of data. The latter part of her fellowship will be spent collaborating with Kenan Fellows Program staff and university faculty to implement a strategy for disseminating the resources she develops to pre-service teacher education programs in the region.

Operating an airport is much like managing a city. Every day more than 25,000 people fly in and out of Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). RDU is run like a business; its core service being to develop and maintain an up-to-date air transportation infrastructure for aircraft. The aerospace industry manifests itself throughout operations at RDU. All the engineering and mechanical principles of flight play out hundreds of times a day, 365 days a year, at the airport. During her externship, Ms. Oliver will explore the science of planning, managing and maintaining an airport. She will work with on-site engineers to gain exposure to and understanding of the breadth of skills necessary for an airport to function smoothly. She will learn about and design lessons based on many topics including airport design, land use plans, aircraft flow, safety, and future growth. She will also be exposed to an airport’ environmental issues including management of fuel spills, de-icing and runoff, and will learn about the technology hardware and software vital for coordinating mass transportation.

Elementary students eagerly explore their environment and yet, it is often a challenge to present these creative and excited students with hands-on science activities that teachers can easily implement in their classrooms using readily available materials. Ms. Feimster will guide Ms. Pendry, an elementary school teacher, through some basic labs which will give her some background and perspective into experimentation in a research laboratory. Concepts such as The Scientific Method, Osmosis, Diffusion, pH scale, Animal Organization, Photosyntheis/Respiration and Genetics/Molecular Biology will be explored. As each concept is developed, Ms. Pendry and Ms. Feimster will create an “Elementary Science Lab Manual” with age-appropriate versions of the labs that align with the NC Standard Course Of Study and contain modifications for application at a variety of grade levels.

Forensic science education has received increased attention during recent years due to media, in the form of numerous movies, high-profile cases, and popular television shows like Crime Scene Investigation (CSI). Consequently, there is an increase in the demand for and enrollment in forensic science education at public schools, community colleges, and universities across the country. In collaboration with Dr. Lodhi and his research staff at Fayetteville State University, Stephanie Phillips will have the opportunity to study forensics in three specific areas: Genetic Inheritance, DNA Typing from Touch DNA and Environmental Effects on DNA. This project seeks to develop a biological assay for the detection of pollutants/toxins in water that would not be detected using current technologies. In addition, further study will investigate effects of environmental agents and radiation (including UV and microwaves) on DNA. The externship experience will provide the Ms. Phillips an opportunity to work with state-of-the-art technology and tools that are highly valued in biotechnology and forensic biology research. In addition, she will observe how the forensic biology laboratory at Fayetteville State University conducts research that is relevant to societal disciplines.

New Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts, and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies have been adopted in North Carolina and will be implemented in classrooms across the state in the 2012-2013 school year. Ms. Quick will be a member of one of the teams recruited in each of the state’ eight educational regions to help facilitate this transition. These Kenan Fellows will partner with mentors from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement training to assist teachers as they transition to the new standards. They will help plan training modules, lead teacher training sessions and act as coaches to other teachers in their regions. Their work will encourage best practices for utilizing new standards including inquiry, data literacy and technology to improve instruction in middle and high school classrooms.

New Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts, and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies have been adopted in North Carolina and will be implemented in classrooms across the state in the 2012-2013 school year. Ms. Redd will be a member of one of the teams recruited in each of the state’ eight educational regions to help facilitate this transition. These Kenan Fellows will partner with mentors from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement training to assist teachers as they transition to the new standards. They will help plan training modules, lead teacher training sessions and act as coaches to other teachers in their regions. Their work will encourage best practices for utilizing new standards including inquiry, data literacy and technology to improve instruction in middle and high school classrooms.

Large-scale use of distributed renewable energy resources can significantly improve U.S. energy security and independence, as well as global environmental health. The Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems Center’ vision is to allow users to manage their individual energy needs using innovative solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles. In turn, residential and commercial customers could sell excess power generated by their alternative energy sources back to the power companies, or store the energy for later use. Solving the energy crisis demands not only renewable energy itself, but new infrastructure to deliver and manage these resources. Incorporating millions of new energy generation sources requires extensive transformation of the nation’s electrical grid infrastructure. Ms. Rickard will collaborate with the FREEDM Systems Engineering Research Center at NC State University and The Science House to develop curricula that highlight the importance of this research. She will study switching devices that monitor and control highly-variable power loads, electric power storage devices and the transport of energy produced by renewable sources including electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels.

In collaboration with D’Vine Foods and LuMil Vineyard, Pam Roberts will be immersed in the science of food processing, and explore manufacturing processes for Muscadine Grapes and other local fruits and vegetables taking place at D’Vine Foods in Elizabethtown, North Carolina. The Muscadine Grape has been proven to have numerous health benefits. According to researchers, it is naturally high in antioxidants that help protect the body from the damaging effects of free radicals. She will learn the entire process of manufacturing a food product for sale and distribution in the United States and will be exposed to the science of product development, registering and filing processes with the FDA, product production, labeling, sales, and distribution of products. Ms. Roberts will also contribute to D’Vine Foods’ efforts to expand their programs in local schools by helping D’Vine Foods interface productively with educators.

This externship will focus on a current problem related to health and agriculture under investigation in the biotechnology industry today; the development of novel antimicrobial agents and the evaluation of potential targets for new antimicrobial agents. Due to the devastating effects that microbes can have on humans, plants, animals and the environment, and the emergence of new pathogens like the H1N1 virus, understanding these processes is timely and important. The research questions in this fellowship and the laboratory techniques that are utilized are important in molecular biology and genetics and are widely used in the biotechnology industry. Ms. Russell will receive instruction in molecular biology/microbiology and current laboratory techniques used in molecular biology/biotechnology. She will be introduced to the projects currently underway in the FSU lab and will participate in a one-week mini-course that provides an overview of the use of microorganisms as research tools, bioinformatics, microbiology, and immunology and scientific communication.

The Applied Technology Center (ATC) on the campus of Wilkes Community College (WCC) is a state-of-the-art facility that trains students in the latest industrial and engineering technologies and provides support for high-tech businesses and advanced technology companies in northwestern North Carolina. Through his collaboration with Mr. Duvall and instructors at WCC, Mr. Sparks will become familiar with machining technology, including CNC and CAD/CAM technology which is used extensively to manufacture precision machined parts. He will have the opportunity to learn about the materials, construction methods and strength/performance measures of composite materials and will spend time at Composite Fabrics of America, MX Aircraft and the GE Aviation manufacturing facility to observe first-hand how these tools are used in the process of aircraft design and production.

Though programming jobs may be on the decline as a result of outsourcing, mathematical modeling and sciences that use computing to perform numerical explorations are ranked as the highest job growth markets for the next twenty years. The Shodor Educational Foundation in Durham is a non-profit education and research organization dedicated to improving math and science education through the use of computation and communication technologies. Computational science embodies many 21st century skills including quantitative reasoning, analogical thinking, and multi-scale modeling. Ms. Stavros will work with the various tools in use at Shodor to become familiar with new applications that require more visualization than graphing, more modeling than programming, and more exploration of the range of solutions rather than solving a single hard problem once. She will have the opportunity to mentor college students teaching middle and high school workshops and lend her content knowledge and expertise to Shodor’ curricular materials projects.

Technology is a means to facilitate effective communication and problem solving. It has the potential to positively impact the future of our students by promoting a futuristic mindset and shift in thinking. Ms. Stephens will facilitate student exploration of science and technology careers of the future, by working with her mentor, Ms. Keesee, to explore i3D technology and its use in the classroom. This collaboration will lead to lessons which allow students to discover the many career possibilities available to them, design a futuristic job, collaborate via blogs to create a storyboard, create a digital media artifact depicting their career of choice and share the information with others.

New Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts, and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies have been adopted in North Carolina and will be implemented in classrooms across the state in the 2012-2013 school year. Ms. Strickland will be a member of one of the teams recruited in each of the state’ eight educational regions to help facilitate this transition. These Kenan Fellows will partner with mentors from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement training to assist teachers as they transition to the new standards. They will help plan training modules, lead teacher training sessions and act as coaches to other teachers in their regions. Their work will encourage best practices for utilizing new standards including inquiry, data literacy and technology to improve instruction in middle and high school classrooms.

Talia Swiney will work with FirstHealth leaders to examine the science, technological, engineering and mathematical-related (STEM) opportunities that this field provides for students who may aspire to a career in health care. The first year’ experience will be designed to give the Fellow a broad survey of the various aspects of health care delivery that relate to STEM. She will inspect the operations of an acute care hospital and observe cutting edge processes ranging from robotic surgery to the use of technological equipment that allows front line staff to accomplish their jobs. The second year of the externship will allow her to choose a specific area of interest and hone in on the processes that will be most beneficial and relevant to STEM education in the high school setting.

“Major strides have been made in the last 40 years to make flying the safest of all major modes of transportation. More technological advances are needed however, to prevent a rise in accidents if air traffic triples as predicted in the next twenty years.” — NASA

In order to meet this challenge, the NASA Center for Aviation safety (CAS) at NC A&T State University is working to build a strong aerospace engineering research and education program with a competent faculty to address the challenges of NASA’ Aeronautics and Aviation Safety Programs. The goal of CAS is to develop materials, tools, models, and technologies that support the safe operation of aerospace vehicles. CAS is also committed to growing a high-quality aerospace engineering graduate program within the Department of Mechanical Engineering to produce world-class engineers and expand the workforce in aviation safety. Ms. Taylor will be immersed in all aspects of the center’ research including nanocomposites–processing and fabrication, testing and modeling, damage detection and monitoring, icing, biofuels, and aircraft turbulence. Outreach to K-12 students is important to CAS, and they will work with Ms. Taylor to embed engineering concepts into innovative classroom lessons in math and science and tie them to materials created by NASA as well as the new core standards for math and science.

New Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts, and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies have been adopted in North Carolina and will be implemented in classrooms across the state in the 2012-2013 school year. Ms. Tedrow will be a member of one of the teams recruited in each of the state’ eight educational regions to help facilitate this transition. These Kenan Fellows will partner with mentors from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement training to assist teachers as they transition to the new standards. They will help plan training modules, lead teacher training sessions and act as coaches to other teachers in their regions. Their work will encourage best practices for utilizing new standards including inquiry, data literacy and technology to improve instruction in middle and high school classrooms.

Helen Walker will develop an algebra simulation using interactive 3-D (i3D) technology. I3D technology uses techniques that combine three-dimensional computer graphics with human interaction; it is used to develop applications and simulation-based learning. I3D for simulation-based learning uses real-time, interactive, photo-realistic visualizations to present subject content to students to create a learn-by-doing environment. The student sees a real-time visualization of the subject and then interacts with it to accomplish a task. The method usually involves a demonstration of the task and real-time interactive completion of the task by the student and assessment of the student’s work. This interaction stimulates interest and results in up to 40% greater retention of the content.

It is impossible to understand who we are and where we have been without a working knowledge of science and technology. Science and technology inform and explain periods of change in human history. Mr. Walter will use the book Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond as the basis for lessons that lead students to understand how scientific and technological knowledge shape the progress of a society and how a society’ needs dictate scientific discovery. His mentor, Dr. Mary Ann Lila, at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis will introduce him to cutting-edge plant research and its potential importance to the human population. His curriculum will allow students to analyze the impact of science in history and make predictions about how current research might impact the future.

New Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts, and Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies have been adopted in North Carolina and will be implemented in classrooms across the state in the 2012-2013 school year. Ms.Weghorst will be a member of one of the teams recruited in each of the state’ eight educational regions to help facilitate this transition. These Kenan Fellows will partner with mentors from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement training to assist teachers as they transition to the new standards. They will help plan training modules, lead teacher training sessions and act as coaches to other teachers in their regions. Their work will encourage best practices for utilizing new standards including inquiry, data literacy and technology to improve instruction in middle and high school classrooms.

This externship focuses on nanotechnology and the scientific principles that enable nanotechnology. In collaboration with Dr. Joe Tracy and faculty, Liz Woolard will learn about the synthesis, characterization, properties, and applications of magnetic, noble metallic, and semiconductor nanoparticles. This project has a particular focus on magnetic nanoparticles, which she will synthesize using airfree wet-chemistry techniques and will characterize by transmission electron microscopy. As part of the externship experience Ms. Woolard will develop lessons and projects for a Nanotechnology Outreach Program (NOP). The NOP will emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology and the need for new nanostructured materials and devices to address important contemporary issues, such as energy production and conservation, cancer treatment, and supercomputing. It will also feature lectures and demonstrations by NC State faculty to increase high school students’ awareness about nanotechnology. Demonstration topics may include: optical properties of semiconductor and metallic nanoparticles, ferrofluids, microcontact printing, atomic force microscopy, materials for solar cells, spintronics, catalysis, and nanomaterials for drug delivery, biosensing, and environmental remediation.