The Newsletter for Science
in Motion at Susquehanna University
Volume IV Issue 1 September 2004
Science in Motion : New Director – Same Commitment
As the new Director of Science in Motion, I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I earned my B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA, and my Ph.D. in Genetics from Iowa State University. After my Ph.D., I pursued postdoctoral work at Penn State University funded by Howard Hughes Medical Institute. I taught Genetics at Juniata College and am in my second year teaching non-tenure track for Susquehanna University. This summer I was involved in both the SIM workshop and the CSIU workshop held at Susquehanna University. I have been interested in the Science in Motion program since I taught at Juniata, but I’ve been interested in science education far longer. In high school, I had a fantastic biology teacher, Mrs. Rich, who instilled in me the wonder of science. Mrs. Rich stimulated my curiosity about biology and encouraged all students to explore the world around us. Unfortunately, our science experiments were limited by the school budget. I was one of a handful of graduates from my high school that pursued a college degree in science. Looking back, I wonder if my high school had access to modern science equipment, how many more students would have developed a desire to pursue a career in science? To me, the Science in Motion program represents opportunity. Science teachers are no longer limited by their school budget; SIM provides the newest equipment and experiments absolutely free of charge. As the new Director, I plan to not only continue this wonderful program lovingly established by Dr. Jan Reichard-Brown, but also expand to meet the needs of even more teachers in our area. I welcome you to contact me anytime with comments or suggestions.
I also want to take this opportunity to introduce our new Chemistry and Physical Science Mobile Educator Erica Merriett. Erica has a B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in Biology from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY, and a Masters Degree in Chemistry from Syracuse University. She most recently taught Chemistry at Arlington High School in Lagrangeville, NY. We welcome Erica into the SIM family and hope that you will aid in her transition.
Erica Merriett, Chemistry Mobile Educator Says…
I am very excited to join the Science in Motion team as the Chemistry Mobile Educator. I recently came to central Pennsylvania from New York and am looking forward to getting to know the area. My first few weeks at SIM have been spent exploring and learning about the various equipment and labs available. I am looking forward to being able to bring it out and use it with all of you. I have a few dates scheduled for the upcoming school year, but for the most part my calendar is open. I am looking very forward to meeting and working with everyone!
Madge Schworer, Biology Mobile Educator Says…
The beginning of the school year is an exciting time as we look forward to new students and new experiences. With the addition of Erica to the Science in Motion team, we will be able to make more classroom visits and provide more services to you. To help with the coordination of our efforts, we have a new reservation form that will provide the information we need to prepare for your visit, as well as, the data we need for our service reports. This new form is included in this newsletter and is available on the Web site at www.susqu.edu/sim/services. Please read the form carefully to familiarize yourself with the new procedures. Remember to complete and return the reservation form within one week of your original request to guarantee your dates. Keep in mind that there is a two-week time limit on equipment loans. Check your calendars and get your visits on the schedule soon!
Mike McDevitt, Equipment Manager Says…
Attention teachers of Physics and Physical Science. During the summer of 2004, Science in Motion at Susquehanna University purchased a tremendous variety and quantity of physical science apparatus. Participants of our summer workshop suggested most of these items. Make sure you check out the available equipment listed below as to title and quantity available. This equipment can be utilized as a SIM laboratory activity accompanied by a Mobile Educator or as a 2-week loan option.
SIM has a new equipment loan program policy. We have set aside Mondays as pickup/drop-off days for all types of equipment in all subject areas. SIM personnel can drop off requested apparatus and peripherals on a Monday and return to pickup said equipment 2 weeks later. This should ensure sufficient setup/takedown performance time. If interested, please contact Madge Schworer at schworer@susqu.edu or Erica Merriett at merriett@susqu.edu to reserve the lab experience or apparatus. In case of extreme time constraints or last minute planning, I can be available at the SIM office to loan equipment any normal school day at 4:00 p.m. by appointment only. Feel free to contact me by e-mail at mcdevitt@susqu.edu or mcdatbaldtop@aol.com.
New Equipment Fall 2004
16 additional Palm Pilots (total 36)
Advanced Chemistry Lab Manuals from Vernier (1 copy per school)
Atwood Machine (8)
DC Power Supply (8)
Digital Blood Pressure Cuffs (8)
Digital Video Camera (1)
Fluorometers (2)
FTIR “Infrared” Spectrophotometers (4)
GPS Units (8)
Hanging Weight sets w/hooks
Horizontal Electrophoresis Units (4 additional -14 total)
HPLC (2 additional - 5 total)
Jugs Radar Gun (1)
Leica Stereomicroscopes (4)
Spring Sets
Super Dynamics (cart) Track System (8) w/all accessories
Teaching Stethoscope (8)
Thermal Cyclers (1)
UV-VIS Spectrophotometer (2)
Various Forensic Kits i.e., hair, footprint, drugs, etc.
Vertical Electrophoresis Chambers (4 additional – 8 total)
Zire 72 Palm Pilots with camera capability (3)
Erica Merriett
with one of the new
FTIR "Infrared" Spectrophotometers.
Upcoming Events
Science in Motion at Susquehanna University together with the Susquehanna Valley Association of Chemistry Teachers is sponsoring our annual “Mole Day” Dinner on Wednesday, October 27, 2004, at 6:02 p.m. in the Degenstein Campus Center. Come speak with our Mobile Educators about your specific classroom needs and sign-up to have a van visit at your school. There will be an informal get acquainted session starting at 6:02 p.m. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., a buffet dinner for all secondary science teachers and other special guests will be provided by Science in Motion. Following dinner, there will be more time provided to talk with the Science in Motion staff and to network with other teachers. Invitations will be going out in the very near future so mark your calendars now and plan to come out and join us for an exciting evening!
Also, a one-day teacher
workshop is planned for January 6, 2005. Details
will follow as the date approaches.
Save a Tree
If
you wish to receive this newsletter in electronic format, please send us your
e-mail address at sciencemotion@susqu.edu
or phone us at 570-372-4779.
Courtney Thomas
Director, Science in Motion
570-372-4778
thomasc@susqu.edu