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Article Excerpt
Chair: Chris Snyder, USM Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
Vice-chair: Michael Carley, USM Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
THURSDAY MORNING
Hunter Henry Ballroom B
8:00 EMERGING INFECTIOUS CURIOSITY IN HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE STUDENTS
Susan A. Bender, Jim Hill High School, Jackson, MS 38204
From the National Science Standards, teachers are asked to "Select Science content and adapt and design curricula to meet the knowledge, understanding, and abilities and experiences of students. Select teaching and assessment strategies that support the development of student understanding and nurture a community of science learners, and enable students to have significant responsibilities for the learning of all members of the community. Research and current population demographics suggest that the percentage of the United States population that is comprised by members of a minority group is steadily increasing, and that female and minority students are choosing not to pursue careers or academic majors in the Sciences. One way to engage students in inner city high schools, is through the use of Emerging Infectious Disease Activities. These activities, allow students to assume the roles of physicians, patients, and public health experts to investigate a cluster of patients with similar symptoms reporting to different hospitals within the same area with a potentially life threatening emerging infectious disease and the increased likelihood of this infectious agent causing a widespread outbreak. The development of this teaching module is sponsored by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute presented to the Base Pair Program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Project Director, Dr. Rob Rockhold.
8:15 A REVIEW OF THE CENTRAL GULF COAST REGIONAL OCEAN SCIENCES BOWL KNOWN AS THE HURRICANE BOWL
Sam Clardy, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory's J.L. Scott Marine Education Center (MEC), Ocean Springs, MS 39564
The Central Gulf Coast Regional Ocean Sciences Bowl is one of 25 regional competitions held throughout the country. This bowl is an ocean science academic competition for high school students. Teams are comprised of four to five high school students and a coach. The winners of the 25 regional competitions are invited; at no expense to the team, to the national competition to be held April 28-30, 2007 in Stony Brook, New York. The focus of this presentation is to provide information about the regional competition, known as the Hurricane Bowl, and to encourage participation in this academic event that instills the Essential Principals and Fundamental Concepts of ocean literacy to all participants.
8:30 ESTABLISHMENT OF A VOLUNTARY COLLEGE EXERCISE PROGRAM
Johnny L. Mattox, Blue Mountian College, Blue Mountain, MS 38610
Mississippi ranks first in the number of obese citizens and physical exercise programs in some school systems have been discontinued due to inadequate funding. Therefore, it is important that students develop a regular exercise program voluntarily. The benefits of regular aerobic exercise are well-documented and numerous, including lowered blood pressure and heart rate, improved respiratory efficiency and lung function, increased bone density, improved mental well-being, and reduced stress levels, among many others. A program of walking/running has been established at Blue Mountian College. Members of the student body, faculty, and staff meet each week on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. to participate. Members of the program call themselves the BMC "Road Scholars". Students at the college are introduced to the program the first week of the school year during the Freshman Experience. The program is described and they are strongly encouraged to become a participant. Participants have indicated that the program is meeting a degree of success in improvement of their lifestyles. It is also possible that the program will benefit retention efforts by the college since student involvement in extracurricular activities seems to result in an enhanced feeling of belonging to the college community. Therefore, at present, the college plans to continue this program indefinitely.
8:45 RURAL BIOMEDICAL INITIATIVE (RBI): RURAL STUDENTS BECOMING CONFIDENT SCIENTIFIC THINKERS
Cindy Cook (1)*, Jeff Stokes (2), Susan A. Bender (3), Rob Rockhold (4), (1) Puckett Attendance Center, Puckett, MS 39151, (2) Murrah High School, Jackson, MS 39202, (3) Jim Hill High School, Jackson, MS 39204, and (4) University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
The RBI incorporates aspects of the urban Jackson Public School District's science enhancement programs, Base Pair and SOAR, to acclimate rural students to opportunities offered in medical and scientific domains. Puckett Attendance Center in Rankin County is the first rural school in Mississippi to adopt the accredited Biomedical Research course, which combines rigorous, inquiry-based elements of Base Pair at Murrah High School and from SOAR at Jim Hill. In 2006-07, Puckett High School enrolled students into Biomedical Research, based on interest. When polled initially, 70% declared interest in a medical-related career, 20 % in a science-related career and 10% were undecided. The students engaged in lectures and laboratory studies, in areas of Forensics, Medicine and Health, Environmental and Molecular Sciences. Classes addressed academic and laboratory demands required by each discipline. Monitoring of student progress showed that 64% of students progressed at an above average rate (36% performed at an average rate). When students were polled again following exposure to the curriculum, 80% declared interest in a medical-related career and 20% in a science-related career. This initiative exposes rural students to career opportunities in biomedicine while challenging them with realistic career demands. (supported by Howard Hughes Medical Institute)
9:00 Break
9:15 IS IT A CRIME WHEN SCHOOL IS MAKING ME SICK
Timothy E. Fizer and Susan A. Bender*, Jim Hill High School, Jackson, MS 38204
From the National Science Standards, teachers are asked to "Select Science content and adapt and design curricula to meet the knowledge, understanding, and abilities and experiences of students. Select teaching and assessment strategies that support the development of student understanding and nurture a community of science learners, and enable students to have significant responsibilities for the learning of all members of the community." From the Mississippi State Science Framework," students will communicate the results of their investigations in oral, written, and graphic form." These...
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