Spring 2013
The focus of this study was students' thought processes underlying their responses to questions on a statistics exam. Two innovative measurement procedures were used to study the underlying processes:
Eve's talk will provide a general overview of the Naturally Illinois Expo including: history of the Expo, the types of exhibits, composition of the audience (schools, general public), our goals, and improvements that have been made over the years.
Marc Snir will talk about what supercomputers are used for, how they have evolved over time, how a modern supercomputer looks like, and what are key research problems in the design of future supercomputers.
The Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation currently runs its own program in cooperation with local public school districts 116 and 4 along with many other community partners to clear the way for student success in life post high school. As a comprehensive approach, kids agree to take more rigorous courses, serve as community volunteers, maintain a grade point average, maintain a high attendance rate as well as complete other commitments. Starting its 3rd cohort, this new program has hit the ground running with over 900 participants predicted by August 2013.
Sharlene Denos will present the molecular visualization tool VMD, created by the Theoretical and Computational Biophysics Group of Klaus Schulten in the Physics Department and Beckman Institute. This software was developed for biophysicists who want to model and analyze complex systems of biological molecules. Sharlene will explain how she has also used it to teach basic biochemistry and genetics concepts to high school students.
A brief overview of the Next Generation Science Standards will be presented with possible implications for teaching and learning highlighted. We hope this introduction will spark a rich conversation about where science teaching at the K-12 level is headed.
The Illinois Geometry Lab is primarily a research organization that creates opportunities for undergraduates to work with graduate students and professors on cutting edge research that requires or benefits from visualization. From an engagement standpoint, our main focus is extension. We like to take what we develop in the lab, both skills and content, and make it accessible to our community.
Adam Poetzel (College of Education) and Jay Hooper (Centennial High School) traveled to a rural school in the city of Gramothe, Haiti to engage in professional development work with four secondary math teachers. They spent three days with the teachers at the school and observed several classroom lessons. In this presentation, they will share experiences, insights, and implications from the partnership that was created.
