Fall 2002

Presenting the World's Greatest Mathematical Magician . . .
DR. WONDERFUL!
Dr. Wonderful, William (Bill) Futrell, has been a special part of the SMTC family since the earliest days of the SMTC. Bill was born and reared on the isolated banks of the Dismal swamp area of northeastern North Carolina. He attended Campbell University of NC, the University of CA, and the UW earning a B.S., M.Ed., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry, physics and education. His professional experiences include teaching the sciences and math classes at the secondary level and acting as a science, math and environmental consultant for the Wyoming State DOE and now an educational magician specializing in mathematical magic. Bill was a graduate student here when the SMTC was formed. He went from here directly to the WDE's tenure at the department of Education, which ran from 1975-1995, and was a very productive time for the Department, for SMTC and especially for the teachers of Wyoming. Bill did an extraordinary job of making sure that the SMTC was informed of all WDE projects, which involved science, math and environment education. As busy as he is, he still volunteers his time to present his mathematical magic show to the College of Education's undergraduate methods classes. 

Bill is a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Society of American Magicians, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Science Teachers Association. He is a horologist (A Horologist is a maker of, or dealer in timepieces), a musician specializing in country music and an amateur radio operator. Bill believes that magic is a way of dealing with the interests of students and approaching the learning of mathematics in a very different way.

Thousands of students dislike mathematics and science, yet all seem to enjoy magic.

Mathematics is a science of patterns involving processes such as observations, discovery, experimentation, classification, hypothesis, inference, measurement, estimation and imagining. Most magic is rooted in the use of and sometimes the misuse of the process skills of mathematics and science. Good teachers have long recognized that mathematics comes alive for students when it is learned through experiences they find meaningful and valuable. The educational uses of magic are virtually unlimited. Magic is a universal medium for exciting children and adults about learning mathematics, science or anything. Math, science and magic are equally fascinating when one realizes the power, beauty, and wonder of the unknown and the excitement that is generated in active learning in these disciplines. The problem solving aspects allow students to formulate alternative and creative solutions to the magical illusions in a classroom setting. The solutions for the magical effects are revealed to the participants so they can adapt them for other instructional settings. Magic is a method to bring the learning of anything alive and especially mathematics.

Students love Dr. Wonderful, and many teachers can relate stories of having Bill drop into their class, unannounced, and conduct an impromptu magic show for the students that made everyone's day.

Here is your chance to see Dr. Wonderful in action! Bill will be a speaker at this year's Math and Science Teachers Workshop January 10th and 11th in Casper. For more information on the workshop go to: http://techworkshop.1wyo.net/ or here.

Future Problem Solving Program (FPSP)
Receives Contribution From
Kinder Morgan Foundation
The Kinder Morgan Foundation has donated $5000 to the FPSP to advance program efforts in two areas. First, to encourage expansion into more Wyoming school districts by providing training for teachers interested in forming FPSP teams. Second, to provide opportunities to meet with district administrators and teachers to create a longer-term plan for sustaining the program.

The FPSP has been in place for over 15 years in Wyoming, but has functioned year-to-year on grants and short-term sources. This has made it difficult to create a program plan that builds over time and supports continued growth of the program. The Wyoming FPSP is part of a national network that is recognized for involving K-12 students in a problem solving process around timely global issues. Students gain skills in problem solving, research, and collaborative interactions that address content standards in their K-12 curriculum and that will serve them in their adult lives. Wyoming teams have competed very successfully at the national level. Thank you Kinder Morgan for supporting this fine program!

If you are interested in learning more about the WY FPSP or in forming a FPSP team, please contact Cindy Moore at 307-766-6735 or cmoore@uwyo.edu and visit our website at http://smtc.uwyo.edu.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: http://smtc.uwyo.edu/opportunities/
to find out about different workshops, classes, and funding opportunities that are coming up! 

From the Director
Judy Ellsworth
We are well into another academic year and, as always, are involved in a variety of projects and classes. This past summer marked the beginning of Cohort 1 of our Middle-level Math Initiative. Twenty-four students participated in the summer courses and are now involved in a fall distance class using the Wyoming Equality Network (WEN), a compressed video system available in all Wyoming 
high schools. We are currently reviewing applications for Cohort 2.

The 2002 summer MSNS science session involved 20 students in life science topics, which, to their delight, took them on several fieldtrips to the Snowy Range and other local areas. 

 We are already in the process of planning the 2003 Physical Science summer. If you are interested in this program, there are still a few openings for the upcoming summer.

An interactive Wyoming Coal project is available on our website, http://smtc.uwyo.edu/coal/ that many of you will be able to use with your students. Also take note of the calendar and opportunities section of the website. If you would like to post events, there is a form on the website that lets you send information to be posted. And, as you can see by looking through the newsletter, there are a number of interesting projects in which our affiliate faculty, graduate students, and teachers in the field are involved. If you are interested in particular science or mathematics workshops or courses in your district, call Pete Ellsworth, SMTC Coordinator (766-6671; peterc@uwyo.edu). Knowing what you would like to see available makes our planning more effective.

Who is Dr. Ronald Beiswenger?
The SMTC is affiliated with numerous UW faculty members including Dr. Ronald E. Beiswenger, a professor of Geography and Recreation. Dr. Beiswenger has been a UW faculty member since 1971 and has accomplished a great deal during his years at UW. He is presently the co-coordinator of the Wyoming Geographic Alliance and team leader of the Wyoming Toad Recovery Group.

Dr. Beiswenger is the man to talk to if you have questions regarding toads (not to be confused with frogs!). He earned his doctorate at Michigan University studying the behavior and ecology of the American species of this amphibian. In 1971, he came to UW and began to study Wyoming toads, which had become very rare. Over the years, Dr. Beiswenger has participated in census and field searches to estimate existing population numbers and locate unknown populations. 

 He has published protocols for these surveys, recovery plans and conservation reports related to the toad. 

Ron also develops an annual plan for geography education in our state, and teachers receive Geography Alliance presentations and materials from him. As the Coordinator of both the Geography Awareness week and the State Geography Bee, Dr. Beiswenger attends geography conferences, and publishes a triannual newsletter and an annual report for the Alliance.

Dr. Beiswenger's interest in education is apparent. In fact, he was the SMTC director from 1985-1987. He has numerous publications and reports, including the article "Developing Science Courses for Prospective Elementary Teachers", and he co- authored the college text Environmental Science. We would like to welcome this educator, geographer and toad scientist back to UW following his latest sabbatical at the Open University in Britain. Dr. Beiswenger is currently featured on our SMTC's Faculty Display Board, located on the 4th floor of Wyoming Hall. If you are in the neighborhood, swing by and take a peek at the small selection of his toads on display!

Paul Crips and the National Weather Service (NWS)
As a consultant for the NWS, Paul Crips (Master of Science in Natural Science, 2002) recently started the process of establishing a policy that the weather service will use to bring women and minorities into the NWS. Paul was picked by the NWS because of his ties with the Women in Science Forum that is held annually at UW. Paul started this project with assistance from William Parker, Meteorologist in charge of the NWS office in Cheyenne, to promote women in science and provide mentors for female students who would be interested in science as a career. An offshoot of this project is a weather box that will be equipped with lessons and materials that teachers around the country can use to learn about meteorology. The weather box comes with equipment to study the atmosphere and provides hands-on science activities that students can follow that will help them understand weather forecasting and the dynamics of the atmosphere. Currently the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has funded three boxes, which are located in Wyoming, Missouri, and Michigan. 

Wyoming Math and Science Teachers Workshop
Friday and Saturday, January 10th and 11th, 2003

Come join your fellow science and math educators at Casper College for two days of presentations and hands-on training in the use of technology in the classroom! This workshop is for all K-16 Mathematics and Science Educators. Each teacher may bring up to 2 students (10th & 11th grade) for technology training and exposure to academic opportunities and competitions available to them! Student and Teacher door prizes! Limited number of $200 and $500 mini-grants available to participants!

For registration forms or more information go to: http://techworkshop.1wyo.net/

Newest Master of Science in Natural Science Graduate
Congratulations!
Sharon Catchpole graduated in the summer of 2002. Her Plan B paper was titled Technology Integration to Enhance Learning in Earth Science. The research was prompted by the necessity to integrate technology into Earth Science in an elementary classroom with a limited number of computers.

Sharon's research project successfully integrated technology in Earth Science (ES) with an electronic portfolio assessment. Two 5th grade classes of 37 students were involved in this research. A station-based classroom allowed small group learning and equitable computer time for each student to develop an individual portfolio. Research and technology rubrics were used to assess the contents of a portion of the portfolio. A comparison of pre-test and post-test scores showed learning did occur. Students who did additional assessments in a specified area showed increased learning, but not significant in that area. Integrating technology into ES using small group learning was a successful learning strategy and could be used in other areas of science and the elementary curriculum.

WANTED: Lesson Plans, Web-based Resources,
and Assessment Instruments
Common Core Science (CCS) directors Alan Buss and Judy Ellsworth, are seeking exemplary science lesson plans (K-12), web-based resources, and assessment instruments to populate the Wyoming Education Gateway (WEdGate). WEdGate is a searchable database contracted by the Wyoming State Department of Education. The project is calling for thoughtful, engaging, student-centered lesson plans that include several experiences and build on a concept while integrating multiple standards from various content areas. CCS personnel will review submitted lesson plans and, if accepted the submitting teacher will receive a stipend of $50 for each plan. An interactive workshop has been set up for Saturday, February 1, 2003, at the Casper UW Outreach Center (8:30-4:00) for K-12 educators interested in developing these lessons. Teachers attending will be paid a stipend of $100 plus travel and expenses. Teachers will also receive a $50 stipend for each additional lesson plan developed and accepted thereafter. If you are interested in participating and would like registration information, contact Sharon Yovich, CCS Workshop Coordinator at sharyovich@aol.com or 307-742-4880. Once your registration information has been accepted, you will be given information concerning a block of rooms that has been reserved at the Parkway Plaza Hotel in Casper for the participants. The rooms are being paid for by a grant.

Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment
(GLOBE)
The 2002 Summer GLOBE Workshop was a great success with 15 teachers completing the training. The GLOBE workshop provides 4th-12th grade teachers with ways to involve their students in real-world data collection and analysis activities to study earth system science. A GLOBE Workshop is being planned for next summer (2003). The tentative dates are July 7-11. Full details will be available in the spring 2003 newsletter. Visit the GLOBE website at: http://globe.gov/.

SEARCHING FOR INTERNS
Sherman Mountain Outdoor School (SMOS) is an outdoor science education program operating in the Laramie/Cheyenne area. Mark Mcilvain (Master of Science in Natural Science, 2001), director of the SMOS at the Retreat of the Rockies, found the program to be highly valuable to him in his plans to create a school in which natural science is experienced where it is happening. Elementary students from around southern WY and Northern CO come for 1 to 3 days to study natural science and work on team building. 

The SMOS is currently looking for instructors who have a desire to experience a non-traditional classroom setting, and to participate in an internship program. Part of the internship will include training in science activities and challenge course facilitation.

The position is full-time from April 1-May 31 or August 26-October 25. Housing is available for those months and meals are provided. The internship also provides a stipend. Up to 8 hours of college credit is available through the UW. There are additional requirements for those wishing to receive college credit. 

For more information contact Mark Mcilvain at 307-638-6257 or email markmcilvain@msn.com.

Summer 2003 Mathematics Institute
The UW Math Department is happy to announce the 15th consecutive summer of mathematics institutes. This year, the institute is being sponsored by the Kinder Morgan Foundation, Toyota USA Foundation, and the UW Office of Academic Affairs. The topic this year is Cryptological Mathematics. The science of secret writing, born on the banks of the Nile over 4,000 years ago, bears little resemblance to the sophisticated techniques of today. Secrecy is often required when transmitting information during financial transactions over the Internet or in government intelligence operations. All of the cryptological schemes have one thing in common, mathematics. The summer institute will offer a review of elementary, but rigorous, mathematics from several branches including number theory, abstract algebra, matrix algebra, and probability. Much of the math is inherently enjoyable in itself and will also play a major role in enciphering and deciphering secret messages. The material covered also serves to provide some "real life" answers to that perennial student question, "Where will I ever use this math?"

Institute dates: Monday, June 9-Friday, June 20 2003. 9am to 12pm daily. For more information and/or an application form, please contact: Dr. Terry L. Jenkins 
(307-766-3353). tjenkins@uwyo.edu.

CRM IN THE CLASSROOM
Coordinated Resource Management (CRM) is now in it's 5th year of involving teachers and students in the Natural Resources Decision-Making Process. Participating students address state standards in science, mathematics, language, and social studies. For a detailed description of the program, check us out at: http://smtc.uwyo.edu/crm/Wyoming_Activities-Based_Assessments.pdf. 

"Using the Landscape as a Classroom"
Summer Workshop
Scholarships of up to $600 available for this year's "Using the Landscape as a Classroom" Summer Workshop, July 22-26, 2003. This workshop provides training for teachers who want to participate in the classroom project. This will be the last year that we are able to offer scholarships funded by the Eisenhower program.  The institute provides training on ways to teach students how to make informed decisions about natural resource issues. Information regarding the 2003 workshop will be available on our website in a few weeks. If you are interested in learning more about the program, contact Pete Ellsworth, Project Director, at 307-766-6671 or email peterc@uwyo.edu.

ENC Resources

If your school or district in interested in a workshop on Eisenhower National Clearinghouse (ENC) resources (materials in mathematics and science), please contact Judy Ellsworth (jze@uwyo.edu) or Traci Brumfield at (tlbrum@uwyo.edu).

Wyoming Future Problem Solving Program
(FPSP)
Get involved in a wonderful school-based problem solving opportunity! The FPSP allows students to think critically, analytically and creatively. The FPS program takes students beyond memorization and challenges them to apply information they have learned some of the most complex issues facing society. This year the topics include: Sports Medicine, E-Commerce, Nanotechnology, DNA Identification and Worldwide Communication. The FPS program gives teachers an outstanding classroom process that can address many of the standards in various curriculum areas.

Wyoming FPS participated at the International Conference in Storrs, CT last June. We had students from Green River, Kaycee, Pine Bluffs, and Sheridan representing Wyoming. Aisha Bradshaw from Sheridan participated on a team with students from other states and they placed third in the On-Site Scenario Writing competition.

Registration for 2002-2003 is still open. In September, the FPS program presented at the School Improvement Conference. Cindy Moore, FPS Affiliate Director, and Pat Best, Sheridan FPS Coach and Jeanne Spawn of Casper showed how the program works and how it addresses many of the Wyoming State Standards. You may still register for this year. There is a practice problem due in January and to get started now, contact Cindy Moore at the state office. You can use this program in the regular classroom or as an enrichment program. Call 307-766-6735 or send an email to cmoore@uwyo.edu. We are also on the web at: http://smtc.uwyo.edu/wfpsp/. 

Geology of Your Local Area
Learn about the geology of your local area, including the origin of local mountains and landforms, resident rock layers and fossils, natural hazards, and natural resources, through a hands-on workshop, an all day field trip, and an on-line follow-up.

This two-day lab/field trip course is offered through the SMTC and taught by Dr. Jim McClurg. One UW credit hour may be available. State Department Continuing Education credit may also be available. Content will be keyed to the "Standards". The usual arrangement is to have an indoor lab on Fridays from 4pm to 9pm and an all day field trip on Saturday to explore your local geology. 

 The field trip will be an outdoor lab, not just "look and see". Emphasis will be on places you could take your classes. Friends and children are welcome on the field trips.

The course will focus on giving you an understanding of the geologic history of your area and the resulting scenery, resources and problems it has left you. We will explore the effect your geology has had on people and visa-versa. Both elementary and secondary teachers will find the material very useful in their classes. For more information on this class please contact Anne Crocco at 307-766-6381 or email acrocco@uwyo.edu.
Governor's Youth Initiative for Wildlife and
Natural Resources Conservation
In 1998 Governor Jim Geringer established the Governor's Youth Initiative for Wildlife and Natural Resources Conservation through the Wyoming Community Foundation. This program, funded by the proceeds from the sale of the Governor's complimentary hunting licenses, provides grant opportunities for Wyoming youths to develop imaginative wildlife and natural resources conservation projects. During the past four years, 40 grants in the amount of $141,000.00 have been awarded to schools and youth organizations for this program.

This program encourages Wyoming youth to learn about wildlife and natural resources conservation, science and technology and their application to the well being of Wyoming citizens.

We invite you to fill out an application for participation in this program. Applications are available through the Wyoming Community Foundation at 221 Ivinson Avenue, Suite 202, Laramie, WY, 82070 or by calling 1-866-708-7878, or by email: wcf@wycf.org.
SMTC Launches Middle School Math Program
Summer 2002 launched the new Middle-level Math Program through the SMTC. This program, developed with a National Science Foundation grant, features a two-year course sequence on-campus in the summer and through distance learning mechanisms in fall and spring. It involves practicing teachers in math content and pedagogy directly related to middle grades (5-8). The program can be the core of a Master of Science in Natural Science degree focusing on middle-level mathematics.

Cohort I of this new program is an interesting and energetic group of 24 practicing teachers throughout WY. They come from schools in Arapahoe, 

Big Horn, Buffalo, Casper, Cheyenne, Ethete, Hulett, Jackson, Kaycee, Meeteetse, Mountain View, Pinedale, Pine Bluffs, Rock River, Thermopolis and Wilson.

In the summer 2002, two courses were taught during an intensive three-week session. In the morning, teachers addressed ideas of number, operations, and patterns; and in the afternoon, they moved their thoughts to geometry. Faculty from the College of Education, the Mathematics Department in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Wyoming mentor teachers identified as exemplary in mathematics instruction, developed and were the instructional team for these first two summer courses.

The Number, Operations, and Patterns course celebrated number, especially modern applications, issues and the elegance of connections. Cohort members responded wonderfully to the call to become more symbol savvy, and in return could join math faculty Bryan Shader and Chanyoung Shader on a trek into the world of mathematical codes and computer security systems.

 Other areas of excitement included working with fractions and proportional reasoning where Linda Hutchison, head of the Secondary Education Department, and Barb Maguire, mentor teacher from Casper, introduced deeper understanding that tied in with the number theory introduced earlier. Associate professor of math Lynne Ipina and Barb Maguire interspersed ideas of infinities, as they challenged the class to think about relative size of number sets. These are examples of only a few of the many things that happened in this course. Students felt challenged and were fascinated with the depth that one could go to in thinking about seemingly easy concepts.

The Geometry course celebrated tools, some you might expect and others not. From the start, Cohort members became devotees of a software tool called Geometers Sketchpad. Ben Roth focused attention on reflections in the plane as problem solving tools. Bob Kansky furthered geometric understanding using ideas of area. Among the many other tools introduced, non-standard tools such as hubcaps became a course for rotational and reflective symmetries.

Next summer, Cohort I will return to take two new courses: "Using Instructional Technology" and "Mathematics of Change." A new group, Cohort II, will begin the program, taking Geometry and Mathematics Assessment.

 

 

ALTERNATIVE TO GRE

An alternative to the GRE has been approved for applicants applying for an SMTC graduate degree (MS in Natural Science or MST). This alternative was approved by the UW Graduate School as a 3-year pilot option at which time it will be re-evaluated. With this alternative, an applicant for one of our graduate degrees may either submit GRE scores and a writing sample or choose to use the alternative process which involves submitting a writing sample and pieces of evidence according to a defined rubric. If you are interested in further information on this option, contact Judy Ellsworth, 766-3776, jze@uwyo.edu.
SUMMER 2002: LIFE SCIENCE IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT
BY: MARY LOVELACE, MSNS STUDENT
Around the end of May most teachers' thoughts turn to those "lazy" days of summer. But in early June, 20 elementary, middle school and general science teachers from across WY and several surrounding states converged on the UW campus to study life science.

Though the focus was on the life sciences within a global context, students were introduced to the world of microbes and progressed to the study of ecosystems and the impacts of a rapidly growing global population. This summer session was part of a three-summer Master of Science in Natural Science degree within the SMTC.

Through classes taught by Shelly Robertson, Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture, students were introduced to the world of microbes. Here they learned about the role of DNA in the synthesis of proteins necessary for the maintenance of living ells as well as DNA's role in transferring genetic information during cell replication.

Students further explored the microbial world in a class on video microscopy. Under the direction of Robert Kitchin, Zoology & Physiology, College of Arts and Sciences, each student created their own videotape by observing an organism or phenomenon under a microscope and videotaping with a camera.

From the microbial world of the lab, students embarked on an investigation of slightly larger organisms, the insects. John Lloyd, Jeff Lockwood, and Rabinder Kumar, Renewable Resources, College of Agriculture, guided the teachers as they netted dragonflies, butterflies, bees and other insects. The instructors then assisted the students in identifying and mounting the specimens.

Armed with the basics of insect anatomy, metamorphosis and classification as well as a collection of insects, the teachers left the summer program prepared to share their newly acquired knowledge of the insect world with their students.

From the worlds of microbes and insects, students moved to examine the relationship of selected topics to the global context: the ecosystem.

On a field trip to the Medicine Bow National Forest, led by Duane Keown, Elementary/Early Childhood Education, College of Education, students took soil and air temperature samples, measured soil moisture, and gathered samples of flora and fauna at specific locations as the group traveled up the mountain.

Through the field trip and other activities from "Wild Wonderful Wyoming", Keown demonstrated how to teach the concept of natural selection: those plants and animals adapted to their environment are the most likely to survive while those poorly adapted will die out as evidenced by the changes observed at progressively higher locations on the mountain. 

Mark Lyford, Botany, College of Arts and Sciences led other field trips to the Medicine Bow National Forest and to Chimney Park. Students observed various plots that are currently under study by the university. The effects of fire clear cutting on the ecosystem were examined. Lyford demonstrated how a tree is cored and the rings read to determine the age of the tree.

Back in the classroom, these ideas were connected to the broader topic of paleoecology. Students learned how proxy data such as tree rings, radiocarbon dating and pollen counts taken from ancient lakebed sediments, can be used to determine the ancient climate. Actual climatic records and graphs were examined; the current pros and cons of the global warming debate were discussed as well as the possible impacts of warming on the ecosystems of the Northern Hemisphere.

The impact of exponential worldwide population growth on ecosystems and the global economy was a topic taught by Audie Blevins, Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences. Students learned to look at demographic data with a critical eye to identify and compare population trends among various countries in the world. This was a basis for looking at the possible impacts of rapid population growth, urbanization, industrialization, and the resulting loss of agricultural land on the global food supply.

Together these courses examined how organisms from the simplest to the complex impact the earth system. Teachers gained an appreciation for and a greater depth of knowledge about the interconnectedness of all parts of the ecosystem from the plants and animals to the Greenhouse Effect that maintains an environment in which life can flourish.

A course taught by Alan Buss, Elementary/Early Childhood Education, College of Education, introduced teachers to the kinds of probeware available for classroom investigations (which complimented our other courses). Light, temperature, motion, and other sensors can be run by a computer or graphing calculator with the data then graphed and displayed on the screen in a variety of ways. These can be used with students to study everything from the laws of physics to acid rain. The use of light, temperature, and touch sensors was then applied in another way to the design and programming of robotics cars to meet different challenges set by the instructor.

An additional highlight was an evening "star party" at the Red Buttes observatory hosted by Ron Canterna, Physics and Astronomy, College of Arts and Sciences. This built on astronomy sessions from the previous summer. 

Through numerous study sessions as well as occasional nights of dinners and dancing, friendships develop that extend beyond these summer sessions. Over the course of the four weeks a collegiality develops, not only among the teachers attending but also with the university faculty; connections that are as important as the knowledge gained. For more information on this program contact Anne Crocco (acrocco@uwyo.edu). Also, refer to our website at http://smtc.uwyo.edu.
Students Receive Scholarships for
2002 Life Science Summer
Twenty teachers received scholarships to work on a Master of Science in Natural Science this summer. This degree program is designed primarily for elementary and middle school teachers who are interested in deepening their understanding of science and the teaching of science. 

The $2,000 scholarships were awarded to: Sarah Fuller-Laramie, Carolyn Jacobs-Casper, Misti Kern Newby-Dodson MT, Jan Schmitzer-Cheynne, Betty Yedinak-Rock Springs, Brooke Bard Hodges-Las Vegas NV, Greg Bell-Cheyenne, Karen Cole-Midwest, Mary Jo Kinstler-Cheyenne, Mary Lovelace-Casper, Mary Skoog-Wheatland, Jennifer Weber-Thermopolis, Amanda Adami-Sheridan, Michael Busch-Laramie, Ward Bud Byrd-Casper, Brant Jungck-Casper, Marsha Fields-Cheyenne, Aimee Kay-Thermopolis, Cheryl Williams-Ethete, and Peter Davidson-Burlington.
SUMMER 2003 GEOGRAPHY INSTITUTE
Exploring New Habits: Spaces for Species and 
Places for People
The Wyoming Geographic Alliance (WGA) is pleased to sponsor a geography institute June 15-29, 2003. WGA is part of the alliance network of the National Geographic Society. This two-week institute will be located in Laramie and various other state locations. Scholarships are available to pay partial costs for K-12 teachers and pre-service teachers alike. Teacher consultants from other state alliances are highly encouraged to participate.

Some of the topics to be covered are: learning skills and techniques to investigate exploration; learning the components of ecosystems and habitats; looking at the different environments and viewpoints in WY; learning how to set up beneficial environmental lessons; and historical and geographical backgrounds of WY exploration.

For an application or further information please contact Sherry Tavegie at the Wyoming Geographic Alliance office 307-766-3213 or email, wga@uwyo.edu.

CHECK OUT THESE GREAT WEB-SITES

http://learningnetwork.com: Monthly theme-based newsletter provides activities, lessons, resources and an online store. Available free to science teachers who sign up at: http://teachervision.com.

http://sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov: General and current information about ocean topography from space. 

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Library/: Lots of great images accessible from this site, many regarding current natural hazards such as volcanoes, fires, and snowstorms.

UW Computer Science, Engineering, Math
Scholarships Available
UW has received $380,000 in National Science Foundation funding for scholarships in computer science (excluding MIS majors), engineering, or mathematics. Seventeen $3,000 scholarships will be awarded to students intending to pursue computer science, engineering or mathematics degrees at UW beginning Fall 2003. The scholarships are limited to students with financial need, as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The program targets underrepresented populations (women and ethnic minorities) for the scholarship awards.  Seven of the scholarships will be awarded to transfer students.

Students will be supported to completion of a bachelor's degree, as long as they continue to meet the requirements of the program (GPA, satisfactory progress, and participation in program activities). The scholarships are funded through the National Science Foundation Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarships (CSEMS) Program. For more information, visit http://wwweng.uwyo.edu/prospective.
UW Researchers Develop New Method to
Detect Food Bacteria
University of Wyoming scientists are using astronomical imaging techniques to identify deadly strains of food bacteria within a matter of hours, which some researchers say is a major breakthrough in food safety.

Research in detecting food-borne illnesses will have an enormous economic impact, according to Paul Johnson, UW Professor Physics and Astronomy. Paul is also a SMTC Affiliate Faculty Member. There are approximately 200 million cases of food poisoning each year in the United States, costing roughly $9 billion annually, according to FDA figures.

Johnson uses a special video camera (a charge coupled device, or CCD) designed to take snapshots or continuous images of stars and other celestial objects, to detect E. coli. Instead of attaching it to a telescope, he connects the CCD to a microscope, where it can image moving fields of flowing bacteria. Researchers can take up to 1000 images per minute, allowing them to accurately determine the concentration of E. coli in a sample.

The process works by coloring the bacteria with a fluorescent dye specific to the 0157: H7 strain and then flowing the bacteria through a tube and illuminating them with a laser to image them one at a time. The CCD images them and a computer counts them, allowing both detection and quantification of the bacteria.

Meat processors now sample beef for bacteria, but it takes up to three days for the final result and the meat might already be on grocery store shelves and sold to consumers. The goal is to be able to test for the strain in an hour. 

Such rapid detection of bacteria is a major breakthrough in the food safety industry, Johnson says.

The National Science Foundation and more recently the U.S. Geological Survey are the primary funding sources for the research.

Engineering Summer Program
The Engineering Summer Program (ESP) will be held June 15-27, 2003 at UW, for students entering their senior year of high school. ESP, a 2-week summer program, exposes students to the challenges and rewards of careers in engineering. Students participate in hands-on laboratory activities in a variety of engineering disciplines and work directly with civil, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering faculty in exciting, discovery-based learning situations.

In laboratory sessions, students are introduced to developing technologies like robotics, to emerging research in environmental engineering, and to established areas like digital electronics and structural engineering. The academic aspects of the program are complemented by typical university activities, including cultural and recreational events. Students live in the UW residence halls.

Applications are due March 28, 2003. For more information and an application, visit: http://wwweng.uwyo.edu/prospective or contact Susan McCormack at 307-766-4254.

Wyoming Regional Science Bowl
The Science Bowl is a nationwide team competition for high school students, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, and covers all areas of science and mathematics. Teams compete by answering questions on scientific topics in astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, earth, computer and general science. The regional winners receive an all expense-paid trip to Washington D.C., to participate in the National Science Bowl, in early May. The top three teams, at the end of the competition, take back to their schools cash awards to benefit the school's science laboratories or science clubs. 

This year's WY Regional Science Bowl will be held Saturday, February 8, 2003, at Kelly Walsh High School in Casper. Announcements have been sent to all WY high school science departments. We have prepared video using interviews with last year's participants describing the Science Bowl competition both locally and nationally. This is available, at no charge, to any high school science teacher. 

Further information and the video may be obtained by contacting Lorri Jackson, Science Bowl Coordinator, at the U.S. Department of Energy, 307-261-5000 extension 5011 or email at lorri.jackson@rmotc.doe.gov.

NONE OF YOUR STUDENTS' PARENTS ARE ASTRONAUTS??

You can still have an astronaut come to your school! This website (http://www.nasa.gov/events/procedure.html) allows the gravity-challenged public to request appearances of active astronauts. Barbara Morgan (teachers in space) or LTC Pamela Melroy may be able to visit your classroom.

LTC Melroy, who earned her MS at MIT, learned to hang upside down for an hour so that she would be measured just tall enough to become an Air Force pilot. She was one of the first women to graduate from the USAF's Test Pilot school at Edwards Air Force Base. She, as well as other active astronauts, can be requested no earlier than 6 months prior to your event.