Education Commons^™

Database/Resource Acronyms, Sarah O'Leary-Driscoll

Course Information

No abstract provided.

What Is Bioinformatics?, Sarah O'Leary-Driscoll

Course Information

Bioinformatics has evolved into a full-fledged multidisciplinary subject that integrates developments in information and computer technology as applied to Biotechnology and Biological Sciences. Bioinformatics uses computer software tools for database creation, data management, data warehousing, data mining and global communication networking. Bioinformatics is the recording, annotation, storage, analysis, and searching/retrieval of nucleic acid sequence (genes and RNAs), protein sequence and structural information. This includes databases of the sequences and structural information as well methods to access, search, visualize and retrieve the information. Bioinformatics concern the creation and maintenance of databases of biological information whereby researchers can both access existing information …

Comprehensive Course Syllabus, Sarah O'Leary-Driscoll

Course Information

The bioinformatics seminar is focused on developing an understanding of the principles behind genomic analyses, developing skills using the different available bioinformatics programs, and becoming aware of the past developments and current research avenues that are benefited by these types of analyses.

Glossary Of Bioinformatics Terms, National Human Genome Research Institute

Course Information

No abstract provided.

Imsa360: Fall 2015, Imsa Fund

IMSA Fund Reports

As I begin my second year as IMSA’s President, I consider it not only a privilege to serve, but also a responsibility to lead well. Effective leadership is a critical element of our future success and is inspired by our Board of Trustees, senior administrators, faculty leaders and student leaders. Our leadership also extends beyond our campus in Aurora to the strong voices and ideas from across Illinois and beyond — including alumni, parents, and community leaders.

Excerpt: From the President

Readings On Current Biology: Bibliography, Imsa Biology Team

Nature of Science

No abstract provided.

Post-Assessment, Imsa Biology Team

Nature of Science

No abstract provided.

Current Readings In Biology: Guiding Questions, Imsa Biology Team

Nature of Science

No abstract provided.

Essential Questions, Imsa Biology Team

Nature of Science

Questions that must be addressed in order to understand the current state of biological life and how it has changed over time.

Nature Of Science Pre-Questions, Imsa Biology Team

Nature of Science

No abstract provided.

Science & Spaghetti Monsters: Understanding The Nature Of Scientific Knowledge & Research, Sarah O'Leary-Driscoll

Nature of Science

What is science?

When students are asked to define science, many of them define science as “a body of knowledge gained by performing experiments.”

A more appropriate definition, however, is that “Science is … a process of inquiry aimed at building a testable body of knowledge open to rejection or confirmation” (Shermer, 2005).

There are three important points that this definition makes:

Course Syllabus: Fall 2015, Imsa Biology Team

Nature of Science

No abstract provided.

Learning Opportunities 2015/2016, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Course Catalogs

The graduation requirements of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy are in concert with those maintained by the State of Illinois with additional requirements as established by the IMSA Board of Trustees. Each semester students must take a minimum of 5 academic courses (2.5 credits) for a grade (not Pass/Fail). Fine Arts, Wellness, and Independent Study courses, or any course taken on a Pass/Fail basis do not count towards the 5 course (2.5 credits) minimum. Most students will take between 5 (2.5 credits) and 7 (3.5 credits) academic courses per semester. Only courses taken for a letter grade will count …

Topic 1: Utilitarian Ethics, Lee Eysturlid

Considerations in Ethics

No abstract provided.

Commencement Of The Class Of 2015, Priya Triedi '15, Vinesh Kannan '15, Sheila Mb Griffin, Jamie N. Jones, Branson D. Lawrence, José M. Torres

Ceremony

"Let me conclude my remarks this morning with a quote from Countee Cullen, a poet of the Harlem Renaissance who graduated from NYU, then Harvard University. He said, “For we must be one thing or the other, an asset or a liability, the sinew in your wing to help you soar, or the chain to bind you to earth” (Countee Cullen).

Class of 2015, I ask: Will you be an asset or a liability? Class of 2015, will you give back and pay it forward? Class of 2015, will you invest in this world? Will you advance the human condition? …

Imsa© Fusion: Preparing Students For Future Scientific Expertise, Michelle Kolar, Dora Phillips, Elizabeth Martinez, Laurie S. Sutherland

Publications & Research

Illinois adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) on February 19, 2014 with implementation scheduled to begin in the 2016-17 school year. This article explores (1) the national and statewide need for STEM college and career readiness based on current data; (2) the research on best practices in STEM teaching and learning; and (3) the work of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) to create IMSA Fusion, a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational program that is aligned with NGSS and utilizes research-based best practices to serve Illinois educators and students.

The introduction of the Next Generation Science …

2015 Imsaloquium, Student Investigation Showcase, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

IMSAloquium Event Booklets

"We want to express our gratitude for the generosity and steadfast support of all the experts and leaders who have nurtured These collaborative partnerships are the strength of our SIR program."

Using Resting-State Functional Connectivity Of The Basal Ganglia As A Biomarker For Symptoms Of Parkinson's Disease, Neal Modi '16, Lucy Yuan '16, Todd B. Parrish

Student Publications & Research

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, resulting in dysfunctional cortico­-striato-­thalamic­cortical loops. Parkinson's disease patients suffer from chronic movement disabilities as well as cognitive impairments and other nonmotor symptoms, which implies a system­wide effect on overall brain function. Because the disease currently has no cure, the discovery of a biomarker for specific PD symptoms is crucial for monitoring treatment potency. This study aimed to evaluate the validity of using functional connectivity between regions of the basal ganglia as a biomarker for specific symptoms of PD.

“Analyze, Acquire, Apply, And Write” As A New Learning Model In Science, Jeong Choe

Faculty Publications & Research

I have developed a new teaching and learning model called AAAW, which stand for Analyze, Acquire, Apply and Write. This model grows from action research and unique experience in teaching a biochemistry course to high school students who are talented in math and science. In this model, students first "Analyze" lab data to generate questions that lead them to "Acquire" background knowledge. Students then go back to the data and "Apply" their new knowledge to better understand the data. Finally, students "Write" about the connections they make from their reading, data analysis, and application of the data. The rationale behind …

Addressing Misconceptions About Evolution, Sarah O'Leary-Driscoll, Don Dosch

Evolution

"Leave with effective ways to identify and address misconceptions about evolution, with a particular focus on supporting explanations with evidence."

Addressing Misconceptions About Evolution, Sarah O'Leary-Driscoll, Don Dosch

Faculty Publications & Research

"Leave with effective ways to identify and address misconceptions about evolution, with a particular focus on supporting explanations with evidence."

Active Brain Regions During Sleep Using Electroencephalography-Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Grace Duan '15, Sameeksha Malhotra '15, Todd B. Parrish

Student Publications & Research

Purpose: To determine the differences in functional connectivity among brain regions during the different stages of the human sleep cycle.

Topic 5: Rawlsian Ethics, Lee Eysturlid

Considerations in Ethics

John Rawls (b. 1921, d. 2002) was an American political philosopher in the liberal tradition. His theory of justice as fairness envisions a society of free citizens holding equal basic rights cooperating within an egalitarian economic system. His account of political liberalism addresses the legitimate use of political power in a democracy, aiming to show how enduring unity may be achieved despite the diversity of worldviews that free institutions allow. His writings on the law of peoples extend these theories to liberal foreign policy, with the goal of imagining how a peaceful and tolerant international order might be possible.

Topic 2: Kantian Ethics, Lee Eysturlid

Considerations in Ethics

No abstract provided.

Engineering Education For High-Ability Students, Branson Lawrence, Diane Hinterlong, Laurie S. Sutherland

Publications & Research

Over the course of their careers, engineers command a breadth and depth of knowledge from science, mathematics, society, politics, and economics that is needed for continuously updating their knowledge of the latest discoveries and advances. Driven by curiosity and enabled by rapid information technology, engineers are kept abreast of the latest advancements almost instantaneously. Today’s scientific knowledge is fluid and complex, yet these traits of engineering remain constant: the ability to define structure, plan, repeatedly evaluate, and align results to the initial objective. Engineering teachers need to facilitate their students’ ability to access information effectively and to apply it appropriately, …

Is Stem For All? Perspectives Of Black And Latino Students On Stem Motivation, Adrienne Coleman, Kayla Ingram '14

Publications & Research

Is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) truly for all? According to the literature, it is rare to find gifted and talented Black and Latino Students who are engaged in STEM (C. G. Wright, 2011; LSA, 2005; Scott, 2010; Speight & Weatherspoon, 2009). They are virtually invisible in these majors and careers. While Caucasians and Asians view STEM careers as a world of opportunities, Blacks and Latinos see them as challenging and inaccessible (The Center on Education and Work, 2008). This results from a lack of exposure to STEM in K - 12 education, mathematics phobias, students’ misperceptions of what …

Technology Education For High-Ability Students, Carl Heine, James Gerry, Laurie S. Sutherland

Publications & Research

Technologically adept teens not only consume technology voraciously; they create it. Gifted and talented students are attracted to technology for its capacity to transform learners from “receptacles of knowledge to active producers who direct their own learning” (Siegle, n.d.). Beyond the capacity to produce or innovate with technology is the opportunity to conceive and produce innovative technologies, a distinct type of tech giftedness (Siegle, n.d.) and the focus of the present chapter.

Technologically skilled teens have been doing this for some time, typically unassisted. It’s not hard to locate the connections between Facebook, Google, and YouTube and their gifted creators. …

Imsa 2015 Profile, Office Of College And Academic Counseling

IMSA Profile

"The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy ® (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students (grades 10-12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program, and it serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry. IMSA also advances education through research, groundbreaking ventures and strategic partnerships."*

*Excerpt from the IMSA 2015 Profile

The Exploration Sessions Report: November 2013 - September 2014, Vinesh Kannan '15

Student Council (StudCo)

Inspired by flexible curriculum at the University Laboratory High School (Uni High) in Urbana, IL, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) Student Council and History department collaborated to run a pilot program focused on the relationship between student input and interest in social studies courses. The concept of these “Exploration Sessions” was for the instructor to offer a few historical case studies related to a broad theme from the course syllabus and allow the class to vote for the one that interests them most. The resulting class sessions, tailor-made to the student vote, were assessed with a reflection survey …