Education Commons^™

Assessing An Environmental Education Program, Gregory Schraw, Lori Olafson, Jeanne A. Klockow

Presentations (DM)

We developed a comprehensive assessment plan and tested the curriculum to determine whether hands-on outdoor recreation events promote knowledge, attitudes, and performance among at-risk urban children. Knowledge, attitude, and performance assessments were developed, refined and implemented with a variety of age groups participating within the events. Findings revealed that knowledge, attitudes, and performance increased substantially as a result of participating in the outdoor recreation events.

Change Bell Ringing And Mathematics: A High School Student Excursion Into Graph Theory And Group Theory, Kristi Carlson

Honors Theses

This unit was created as a way to introduce higher level mathematics concepts to advanced high school students. All five of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Process Standards are found in this unit. For most of the unit, students work within small groups

College Of Engineering Senior Design Competition Fall 2005, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Fred and Harriet Cox Senior Design Competition Projects

Part of every UNLV engineering student’s academic experience, the senior design project stimulates engineering innovation and entrepreneurship. Each student in their senior year chooses, plans, designs and prototypes a product in this required element of the curriculum. A capstone to the student’s educational career, the senior design project encourages the student to use everything learned in the engineering program to create a practical, real world solution to an engineering challenge.

The senior design competition helps to focus the senior students in increasing the quality and potential for commercial application for their design projects. Judges from local industry evaluate the projects …

Red Rock Desert Learning Center Core Group Meeting: December 6, 2005, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions & Announcements (5 min.)
2. Approval of Minutes from October 18, 2005 Meeting (5 min.)
3. Update on Project Schedule – Michael Reiland (10 min.)
   A. Utilities
   B. Water Line
   C. Parking
   D. Operator
4. Update on Design Development – Michael Reiland (10 min.)
5. Cultural Treatment Plan – Michael Reiland (10 min.)
6. Environmental Assessment Update – Otak Inc. (10 min.)
7. Curriculum Update – Jeanne Klockow (10 min.)
8. Standing Reports (10 min.)
   A. BLM Capital Improvements – Michael Reiland
   B. Community Outreach – LaNelda Rolley
9. Committee Reports (5 min.)
   A. Building Committee
   B. Design Oversight
   C. Educational Programs
   D. Fund-raising and Partnerships
   E. …

Industrial Technology Education Teachers Perceptions Of National Standards For Technological Literacy In The State Of Arizona, Allan R. Mcrae

Theses and Dissertations

Today, it is becoming increasingly clear that there is a growing interest, concern, and need for technological literacy. To this end, the International Technology Education Association (ITEA) through the Technology for All Americans Project, has developed and promulgated the Standards for Technological Literacy: Content for the Study of Technology. This effort is part of the ongoing initiative to develop technology standards on a national level, and to focus on what every student in grades K-12 should know and be able to do in order to achieve technological literacy (ITEA, 2000). The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived …

Minerva 2005, The Honors College

Minerva

This issue of Minerva includes an article on the development of HON 170: Currents & Contexts; a discussion of the Honors College's "Last Lecture Series;" a reflection on the legacy of former Honors Program Director, Robert Thomson; and an article on the visual art found around the Honors College complex.

On Sequential And Fixed Designs For Estimation With Comparisons And Applications, Mekki Terbeche, Broderick O. Oluyede, Ahmed Barbour

Department of Mathematical Sciences Faculty Publications

A fully sequential approach to the estimation of the difference of two population means for distributions belonging to the exponential family of distributions is adopted and compared with the best fixed design. Results on the lower bound for the Bayes risk due to estimation and expected cost are presented and shown to be of first order efficiency. Applications involving the Poisson and exponential distributions with gamma priors as well as the Bernoulli distribution with beta priors are given. Finally, some numerical results are presented.

A Study Of How Precursor Key Concepts For Organic Chemistry Success Are Understood By General Chemistry Students, Patrick Gerard Meyer

Dissertations

This study examines college student understanding of key concepts that will support future organic chemistry success as determined by university instructors. During four one-hour individual interviews the sixteen subjects attempted to solve general chemistry problems. A think-aloud protocol was used along with a whiteboard where the students could draw and illustrate their ideas. The protocols for the interviews were adapted from the Covalent Structure and Bonding two-tiered multiple choice diagnostic instrument (Peterson, Treagust, & Garnett, 1989) and augmented by the Geometry and Polarity of Moleculessingle-tiered multiple choice instrument (Furió & Calatayud, 1996). The interviews were videotaped, transcribed, and coded …

Looking Beyond The Curriculum In Jamaica, Jon T. Jacobsen, Michael E. Orrison Jr.

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

In August 2004, we had the opportunity to travel to Jamaica to lead a pilot workshop for Jamaican high school math teachers. The workshop focused on the importance of mathematical context in the teaching of mathematics. It was sponsored by the Gibraltar Institute, a Jamaica-based nongovernmental organization led by Trevor Campbell (Pomona College) and Reginald Nugent (Cal State Pomona), Jamaica’s College of Agriculture, Science and Education, and Harvey Mudd College.

Studying The Performance Of A Firewall In Network Courses, José M. Garrido

Faculty and Research Publications

This paper presents a simple simulation model of a firewall to derive several performance metrics and briefly argues on the importance and value of modeling and simulation in courses that study various aspects of perimeter defense in network security.

The simulation model mentioned previously is part of an effort by faculty of our department to develop a multi-disciplinary repository of computational models that includes object-oriented discrete-event simulation models. One of the goals of this repository is to build resources that help educate students of computer science, software engineering, and information technology, in modeling and information security.

This and other network …

Education In The Environment: A Hands-On Student Research And Outdoor Learning Experience: Quarterly Progress Report: Period Ending November 30, 2005, Margaret N. Rees

Reports (PLI Education)

During the past three-months, the focus of the university’s efforts has included the following highlights:

• Forever Earth was scheduled 15 times in the past quarter.
• Twelve Discover Mojave Outdoor World events were completed; a draft Year 2 schedule was completed.
• An Outdoor World assessment report compiled and results were presented at a professional academic conference.
• The Phase I Education in the Environment Strategy document was completed.
• A Phase II action plan is underway by the Environmental Education Committee.
• A place-based education conference, “Our Places Tell Stories,” will be held in January 2006.
• Survey data is being collected from Clark County …

Geosciences Newsletter - 2005, Department Of Geosciences

Geological and Environmental Sciences News

Vol. 2, No. 1

• Mohamed Sultan, Chairperson
• Faculty News
• Emeriti News
• Department News
• Graduate Student News
• Awards & Graduations
• Alumni News
• Professional Meetings
• Outstanding Alumni Academy
• New Faces in the Geosciences

Take Pride In America, Public Lands Institute

Anti-littering Presentations

• To promote a fundamental, unifying awareness of the importance and relevance of litter and dumping prevention to all Nevadans through use of an original, enduring slogan
• To encourage Nevadans to volunteer through Take Pride in America events to beautify Nevada’s public lands

2005 Scholars And Artists Bibliography, Stephen D. Slane Dr., Michael Schwartz Library, Cleveland State University, Friends Of The Michael Schwartz Library

Scholars and Artists Bibliographies

This bibliography was created for the annual Friends of the Michael Schwartz Library Scholars and Artists Reception, recognizing scholarly and creative achievements of Cleveland State University faculty, staff and emeriti. Dr, Steve Slane was the guest speaker.

Red Rock Desert Learning Center Core Group Meeting: October 18, 2005, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions & Announcements (5 min.)
2. Approval of Minutes from September 20, 2005 Meeting (5 min.)
3. Curriculum Update – Jeanne Klockow (15 min.)
4. Review of Project Schedule – Michael Reiland (10 min.)
   A. Utilities
   B. Water Line
   C. Parking
   D. Operator
5. Standing Reports (15 minutes)
   A. Line and Space Architects – Les Wallach/Henry Tom
   B. BLM Capital Improvements – Michael Reiland
6. Committee Reports (5 min.)
   A. Building Committee – Angie Lara
   B. Design Oversight – David Frommer
   C. Educational Programs – Paul Buck
   D. Fund-raising and Partnerships – Blaine Benedict
   E. NEPA – Michael Johnson
   F. Operations – Jackson Ramsey
   G. …

Assessing “Discover Mojave” Instrument Development And Analysis: Final Report, Lori Olafson, Gregory Schraw, Michelle L. Weibel

Reports (DM)

We developed curriculum and a comprehensive assessment plan to determine whether hands-on outdoor recreation events promote knowledge, attitudes, and performance among at-risk urban children. Knowledge, attitude, and performance assessments were developed, refined and conducted through various stages based on cultural and language barriers as well a variety of age groups participating within the events. Findings revealed that knowledge, attitudes, and performance increased substantially as a result of participating in the outdoor recreation events. We conclude that the implementation and assessment of the program is strong. We also make several recommendations for future programs.

Santa Clara Magazine, Volume 47 Number 2, Fall 2005, Santa Clara University

Santa Clara Magazine

6 - THE DRIVE TO CREATE by Elizabeth Kelley Gillogly '93. Albert Hoagland, an adjunct professor at SCU for more than 20 years, helped to build the first disk drive. Now is he working to preserve the history of magnetic disk storage.

10 - UNFINISHED MESSAGE by Toshio Mori. We share an excerpt from a collection of short stories by Mori, whose work highlights the plight of Japanese immigrants in the U.S. during World War II. The book is a part of the California Legacy Series, a partnership between SCU and Heyday Books.

14 - THE FAMILIAR STRANGER By Cynthia …

Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V01n3, Autumn 2005, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Inside This Issue:

--Message from the Executive Director

--A Memorial to Charles Drewes

--Buena Vista University

--ISTS Fall Conference

--Iowa Science Teacher’s Section Fall Conference

--Fall Conference Registration

--Return of the Iowa Science Teachers Journal

--IAS Honors New Fellows

The Planet, 2005, Fall, Sarah M. Kuck, Huxley College Of The Environment, Western Washington University

The Planet

No abstract provided.

Coral Reef Ed-Ventures: An Environmental Education Program For School Children In San Pedro, Belize, H. Allen Curran, Susan Etheredge, Elizabeth Callaghan, Paulette M. Peckol

Geosciences: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Vertices Of Self-Similar Tiles, Da-Wen Deng, Sze-Man Ngai

Department of Mathematical Sciences Faculty Publications

The set V_n of n-vertices of a tile T in \R^d is the common intersection of T with at least n of its neighbors in a tiling determined by T. Motivated by the recent interest in the topological structure as well as the associated canonical number systems of self-similar tiles, we study the structure of V_n for general and strictly self-similar tiles. We show that if T is a general self-similar tile in \R² whose interior consists of finitely many components, then any tile in any self-similar tiling generated by T has a finite …

Work In Progress: The Wsu Model For Engineering Mathematics Education, Nathan W. Klingbeil, Richard Mercer, Kuldip S. Rattan, Michael L. Raymer, David B. Reynolds

Kno.e.sis Publications

This paper summarizes progress to date on the WSU model for engineering mathematics education, an NSF funded curriculum reform initiative at Wright State University. The WSU model seeks to increase student retention, motivation and success in engineering through application-driven, just-in-time engineering math instruction. The WSU approach involves the development of a novel freshman-level engineering mathematics course EGR 101, as well as a large-scale restructuring of the engineering curriculum. By removing traditional math prerequisites and moving core engineering courses earlier in the program, the WSU model shifts the traditional emphasis on math prerequisite requirements to an emphasis on engineering motivation for …

Earth News, V29, Fall 2005, Department Of Earth Science, University Of Northern Iowa.

Earth News

Inside this issue:

--- Earth Science Staff Activities
--- A T. rex Named Sue
--- Earth Science Seminar Series
--- From Ocean to Ice: GSI 2004 Spring Field Trip Highlights
--- Physical Geology Professor Keeps Passion for Teaching, Researching
--- Earth Science Majors
--- Sigma Gamma Epsilon - Gamma Sigma Chapter
--- 2005 Earth Science Graduates
--- Student Research Presentations
--- 2004-2005 Scholarship and Award Recipients
--- Student Internships
--- Gifts to the Department of Earth Science
--- Earth Science Alumni News

Personality And Programming, Amy B. Woszczynski, Tracy C. Guthrie, Sherri Shade

Faculty and Research Publications

Information systems students continue to struggle to successfully complete computer programming classes. Learning how to program is difficult, and failure and attrition rates in college level programming classes remain at an unacceptably high rate. Since many IS students take a programming course as part of their program of study, IS educators should better understand why IS students tend to achieve low success rates in programming courses and what can be done to improve success rates. Little research to date has addressed potential reasons for student failure in programming principles courses. Many educators simply assume that high failure rates are acceptable …

Red Rock Desert Learning Center Core Group Meeting: September 20, 2005, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions & Announcements (5 min.)
2. Approval of Minutes from August 16, 2005 Meeting (5 min.)
3. Discussion of Scope/Design Issues –Michael Reiland/David Frommer (30 min.)
4. Cost Update – Michael Reiland (15 min.)
5. Schedule Update – Michael Reiland (15 min.)
6. Standing Reports (15 minutes)
   A. Line and Space Architects – Les Wallach/Henry Tom
   B. BLM Capital Improvements – Michael Reiland
   C. Community Outreach – Nancy Flagg
7. Committee Reports (5 min.)
   A. Building Committee – Angie Lara
   B. Design Oversight – David Frommer
   C. Educational Programs – Paul Buck
   D. Fund-raising and Partnerships – Blaine Benedict
   E. NEPA – Michael Johnson
   F. Operations …

Red Rock Desert Learning Center: The Vision, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Oliver Ranch Project

A public meeting will be held to introduce the Red Rock Learning Center, the first outdoor education center for local fifth grade children in Southern Nevada. Designed to enhance math and science skills, the school will be built in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It will feature a curriculum that teaches children about conservation and the natural world by increasing their knowledge and understanding of the Mojave Desert ecosystem.

Discover Mojave Outdoor World ~ Forever Earth, Public Lands Institute

Presentations (DM)

Program goals:

• Introduce economically disadvantaged urban youth, ages 8-12, to outdoor recreation and education
• Foster a belief that outdoor recreation plays an important and positive role in the health and fitness of America’s youth

Prepare Your Mind For Learning, Deborah K. Smith, Trevor T. Moores, Jerry Cha-Jan Chang

Management, Entrepreneurship and Technology Faculty Publications

The learning process must evolve and expand throughout one's IT career. Most would agree that's often easier said than done. Here are some ways professionals can overcome mental blocks that may prevent learning.

Toy Blocks And Rotational Physics, Gabriele U. Varieschi, Isabel R. Jully

Physics Faculty Works

Have you ever observed a child playing with toy blocks? A favorite game is to build towers and then make them topple like falling trees. To the eye of a trained physicist this should immediately look like an example of the physics of “falling chimneys,” when tall structures bend and break in mid-air while falling to the ground. The game played with toy blocks can actually reproduce well what is usually seen in photographs of falling towers, such as the one that appeared on the cover of the September 1976 issue of The Physics Teacher.1 In this paper we describe …

Education In The Environment: A Hands-On Student Research And Outdoor Learning Experience: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending August 31, 2005, Environmental Education Strategy For Nevada

Reports (PLI Education)

During the past three-months, the focus of the university’s efforts has included the following highlights:

• Data compiled, summarized, and analyzed from survey of existing environmental education programs in Southern Nevada.
• Planning underway for place-based education conference to be held in January 2006.
• Survey of Southern Nevada teachers developed and ready to be administered in October 2005.
• Vision, mission, and goals set for area-wide Environmental Education Committee.
• Planning for pre-service teacher training in environmental education and master’s degree environmental education program initiated.
• Coordination efforts underway between the Interagency Environmental Education Team and other interagency teams that have identified education components within …