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Artificial Intelligence: Prospects, Pathways, Realities, Timur Javid '17, Tara Parkman '17, Nathaniel Smith '17
Artificial Intelligence: Prospects, Pathways, Realities, Timur Javid '17, Tara Parkman '17, Nathaniel Smith '17
IMSAloquium Student Investigation Showcase
The specter of Artificial Intelligence (AI) looms before us, continuously growing in power, soon to match, and then exceed human capabilities. To explore this, we read and discussed books by experts, and learned about the exponential nature of technological progress and the difficulties of halting or even slowing it. Technological improvements trend towards an autonomous AI capable of replicating, if not exceeding human thought and interaction, a complex adaptive system with an input stream, isomorphic model of reality and output mechanism, fully capable of passing the Turing Test. How a system is organized is a key determinant of the processes …
Inferences Of Subglacial Processes Under The West Antarctic Ice Sheet From Grain Surface Textures, Aspen Wheeler '16
Inferences Of Subglacial Processes Under The West Antarctic Ice Sheet From Grain Surface Textures, Aspen Wheeler '16
IMSAloquium Student Investigation Showcase
Subglacial sediment transport under Whillans Ice Stream in West Antarctica is inferred using samples collected from Subglacial Lake Whillans (SLW) and two sites at a location called “UpB”. The surface features on quartz grains between 125 and 1000 micrometers were described using a Scanning Electron Microscope. Mahaney’s Atlas of Sand Grain Surface Textures and Applications (2002) was used to uniformly and unbiasedly categorize surface features from SLW and UpB, for different grain sizes and depths in cores collected from subglacial till. Data showed three groups that can be used to delineate phases of the subglacial sediment. Phase one is shown …
Comparing Biodiversity Of Silurian Reefs In Illinois And Wisconsin Using Museum Collections And Unbiased Bulk Samples, Walker Weyland '17
Comparing Biodiversity Of Silurian Reefs In Illinois And Wisconsin Using Museum Collections And Unbiased Bulk Samples, Walker Weyland '17
IMSAloquium Student Investigation Showcase
Silurian (Wenlock) fossil reefs from the Racine Formation in Illinois measure over 100 meters tall and draping flanks beds extend over a mile. Biodiversity studies of reefs in Southeastern Wisconsin reveal complex, diverse communities with over 191 species. We hypothesized that the larger reefs reflect a more optimal environment and may have had higher diversity than reefs in Wisconsin. We compared diversity between the reefs using, identified fossils from the Field Museum, which were collected in Herscer, Romeo, Thornton, Bridgeport, and Hawthorn. Then we compared the results with those from Watkin’s (1997) counts, collected from Horlick, Ives, Franklin, and Francy …
Field-Programmable-Gate-Array Implemented On Time-To-Digital Converter: Improving Its Resolution, Soomin Park '17
Field-Programmable-Gate-Array Implemented On Time-To-Digital Converter: Improving Its Resolution, Soomin Park '17
IMSAloquium Student Investigation Showcase
The purpose of this investigation is to discover critical experimental factors that could lead to the variation of time measurement by a time-to-digital converter (TDC) implemented on field-programmablegate- array (FPGA). Two pulses were generated by a pulse generator, and the second pulse was given a 20 nanoseconds delay. In an ideal experiment, the mean of the entry data would have been 20 nanoseconds since the two channels (8,c) obtained pulses that were given the same delay. However, due to device errors and quantization errors, which is produced during analog-to-digital conversion, time difference between hits varied from 22.1 to 22.7 nanoseconds. …
Neural Networks And Machine Learning Applied To Classification Of Cancer, Sachin Govind '16
Neural Networks And Machine Learning Applied To Classification Of Cancer, Sachin Govind '16
IMSAloquium Student Investigation Showcase
Using genome data to predict cancer type is an increasingly relevant practice as it provides a direct, noninvasive strategy to analyze genetic predisposition to malignant cancer types. More specifically, analysis of gene expression data across the genome can provide insight into the underlying gene interactions that propel the progression of tumors. A database containing expression levels for 16,063 genes was split into disjoint training and testing sets; these were subjected to a variety of machine learning methods and statistical analyses, including multinomial logistic regression across cancer phenotypes, k-means clustering analysis, optimization of a predictive support vector machine, and rooted random …
The Entangling Properties Of Knots And Links, Eshan Mehrotra '17
The Entangling Properties Of Knots And Links, Eshan Mehrotra '17
IMSAloquium Student Investigation Showcase
It has been conjectured that quantum entanglement operators can be lifted to braiding operators by the way of the topological quantum field theory axioms set forth by Witten and Atiyah. Moreover, it can be readily shown that quantum link invariants need entanglement to construct topological invariants. Given these results and the already dense mathematical framework underlying topology and quantum field theory, we propose that, through the usage of quantum algebra and bracket models, we can identify a significant area of overlap where entangling R-matrix solutions to the Yang-Baxter equation can be used to construct invariants of knots and links. Such …
Optimal Concentrations Of Ethanol And Isopropanol For The Dissolution Of Pmma, Maya Costales '16
Optimal Concentrations Of Ethanol And Isopropanol For The Dissolution Of Pmma, Maya Costales '16
IMSAloquium Student Investigation Showcase
Last year we studied the effectiveness of Alcohol/Water mixtures in dissolving PMMA. PMMA is a commonly used resist in electron beam lithography. Ethanol/Water mixtures in a 4:1 volume ratio developed PMMA such that they could replace mixtures of Methyl(isobutylketone) and Isopropanol. Raman spectroscopy revealed that Ethanol/Water mixtures in a 4:1 ratio and IPA/Water mixtures in a 3:1 ratio have different vibrations than those of pure Ethanol, IPA, and water. Our study this year will discuss the characteristics of Ethanol/Water and Isopropanol/Water solutions with dissolved Poly(methylmethracrylate). A fixed amount of 12,000 molecular weight PMMA was dissolved into a series of these …
Session E-1: Labs For Waves, Sound, And Optics, Brooke Schmidt
Session E-1: Labs For Waves, Sound, And Optics, Brooke Schmidt
Professional Learning Day
I've been reworking our labs for waves, sound, and light this semester and I would like to share my work with you. These are a mix of both derivation and application experiments. I will also give suggestions for modifications for the middle school level.
Session E-2: Function Fundamentals, More Than X And Y, Carlo Ordonez, Steven M. Condie
Session E-2: Function Fundamentals, More Than X And Y, Carlo Ordonez, Steven M. Condie
Professional Learning Day
How many of your students say that √9 = ±3? This may have to do with a lack of understanding of functions. This session will highlight some of the nuances of functions with less formal, non-formula driven examples with which students can expand their understanding.
Session F-4: Developing Parametric Equations Using Mathematical Modeling, Mark Kammrath
Session F-4: Developing Parametric Equations Using Mathematical Modeling, Mark Kammrath
Professional Learning Day
Designing project to develop student understanding of parametric equations and two modeling situations in which they are applied. No previous knowledge of parametrics is required by the students. The project requires two days of class time, with the remaining work done outside of class. This project is intended to be given three days into a unit on vectors.
Session F-3: “It Is Rocket Science”, Carmela Jones, Christine L. Moskalik
Session F-3: “It Is Rocket Science”, Carmela Jones, Christine L. Moskalik
Professional Learning Day
All current NASA rocket launchers are no longer useable because all of the available rocket-fuel sources on Earth have been depleted. Participants will serve as NASA engineers tasked with developing non-fuel-based rocket launcher prototypes in an effort to maintain current and future NASA space programs and missions. Model how you will get your students to take off with Rocket Science.
Session F-1: Exploration Geometry: Hands-On Transformations, Lindsey Herlehy, David Hernandez, Karen Togliatti
Session F-1: Exploration Geometry: Hands-On Transformations, Lindsey Herlehy, David Hernandez, Karen Togliatti
Professional Learning Day
In this session, participants will engage in a series of hands-on, minds-on Geometry lessons designed to explore the four transformations. By completing several critical thinking challenges, teachers will use the Common Core Mathematical Practices and various manipulatives to investigate how figures rotate, dilate, translate, and reflect within a plane. Appropriate for multiple grade levels, teachers will leave the session with all instructional plans and various ways to adapt the lesson based on the needs of their students.
Session D-3: The Mathematical Wonders Of Pascal's Triangle, Donald Porzio
Session D-3: The Mathematical Wonders Of Pascal's Triangle, Donald Porzio
Professional Learning Day
Most mathematics teachers are aware of the some of the more straightforward connections Pascal's Triangle has to mathematics. Come explore some of the lesser known connections that can be used to peak your students' interest and entice them into exploring the mathematics behind these connections.
Session F-2: Simple Chemistry Labs And Activities To Teach Difficult And Important Concepts, Dave Devol, Deb Scarano, Anita White
Session F-2: Simple Chemistry Labs And Activities To Teach Difficult And Important Concepts, Dave Devol, Deb Scarano, Anita White
Professional Learning Day
This will be a hands-on session where participants will perform four chemistry activities/experiments (two of the experiments will be a variation on one theme). The topics will include bonding, equilibrium, and stoichiometry. Teachers will be provided with copies of the activities to take back to their classes. In the spirit of learning together, we ask participants to bring their favorite activity/lab to share with the group (these labs will not be performed, just shared. Bringing an activity to share is optional, not required).
Session B-1: Model Building In Planetary Science And The Ngss, Eric Hawker
Session B-1: Model Building In Planetary Science And The Ngss, Eric Hawker
Professional Learning Day
In this session I will guide teachers through the steps my students take in Planetary Science to develop a conceptual model of how planetary interiors work. Teachers will then create concept maps from their conceptual models, and then use their models and maps to understand planetary systems other than Earth.
Session A-4: It’S A Wrap, Lindsey Herlehy, David Hernandez
Session A-4: It’S A Wrap, Lindsey Herlehy, David Hernandez
Professional Learning Day
Investigate the concepts of surface area, measurement, ratio and proportion through a visual and kinesthetic mathematical investigation. Participants will be presented with the challenge of calculating how many sheets of toilet paper it would take to wrap one of their group members using a limited selection of tools. This session will provide teachers with a wonderful hands-on, minds-on activity that could easily be implemented into any classroom!
Session A-3: The Box Problem – An Introduction, Ruth Dover
Session A-3: The Box Problem – An Introduction, Ruth Dover
Professional Learning Day
Create some simple boxes with paper and scissors. Then we'll measure the height, area of the base, and the volume. Find formulas, find regressions, and graph the functions. It's a simple activity to engage students and combine many different aspects of mathematics.
Session A-1: Teaching Fields In Introductory Physics, Peter Dong
Session A-1: Teaching Fields In Introductory Physics, Peter Dong
Professional Learning Day
The concept of a field is integral to all areas of contemporary physics - perhaps as fundamental a concept as energy. Fields are mentioned in several NGSS standards and essential to understand physics at an advanced level. However, fields are not difficult and can be taught in an introductory course with minimal math. Students who understand the basic concept early should have less difficulty understanding electric and magnetic fields in later classes. I will discuss our implementation of a fields unit in our introductory physics course and give examples of simple labs and exercises to help students understand this basic …
Session C-2: “It Is Easy As Pi”, Christine L. Moskalik, Carmela Jones
Session C-2: “It Is Easy As Pi”, Christine L. Moskalik, Carmela Jones
Professional Learning Day
Participants will work together using pi to try to open an ancient chest filled with treasure!! The chest is protected by a passcode that can only be determined through the activities within the lesson. Enjoy a progressive exposure to pi through this two-part lesson (total 110 minutes) offering a FUN storyline within the context of geometry and circles. With "pi-day" right around the corner, this hands-on, fun, inquiry-based lesson is sure to be a hit with your budding mathematicians.