Author: College of Engineering

Sue Hill is the Digital Content Manager for the College of Engineering.

MTTI Driving Research Seminar Series

MTTI DrivingA new “MTTI Driving Research Seminar Series” is being launched as an activity of the Exploring Next Generation IN-vehicle INterfaces (ENGIN) project supported by Michigan Tech Transportation Institute (MTTI).

This seminar series will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month in room 109 of the Harold Meese Center.

The title of the first talk by Shabnam is “The Effects of Google Glass on Driving Behavior.” This work has been done in the Humane Interface Design Enterprise (HIDE) under advice of Robert Pastel (CS).

In addition to the presentation, we will discuss and share ideas for research projects and proposals together. All faculty, students and staff who are interested in driving research are welcome.

The tentative list of presenters for this spring semester includes:

Tuesday, February 2 — Maryam “Shabnam” FahrHosseini (CLS/HIDE Enterprise)
Tuesday, March 1 — Mehdi Jafari (ECE)
Tuesday, April 5 — Ye “Sarah” Sun (MEEM)
Tuesday, May 3 — David Nelson (CEE/MTTI/RTP)

We will discuss various topics, such as Human Factors issues-distraction, stress and fatigue, emotions, electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles, sensors, grade crossing and naturalistic driving research. Refreshments will be provided.

If you have any questions about the seminar or want to present, contact Philart Jeon.

From Tech Today, by Myounghoon Philart Jeon (CLS/CS).

Mi-STAR and the NEW Michigan Science Standards

Geoseminar: Jacqueline Huntoon, Provost
The next Geoseminar will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2016, in 610 Dow. The discussion topic will be “Mi-STAR and the NEW Michigan Science Standards.”

Anyone who is interested in working with K-12 science educators needs to be familiar with some of the major changes taking place as a result of development of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). In Michigan, new Michigan Science Standards, which are based on the NGSS, were adopted in the fall of 2015. Currently, the Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Science Teachers Association, teachers and teacher-educators are working together to prepare for implementation of a reformed curriculum and new instructional practices in our state.

In the past, science standards focused primarily on disciplinary content. In contrast, the new standards ask for teachers to help students become proficient in doing science, as opposed to simply learning about it. This change requires wholescale reform of curriculum and instructional practice. The Mi-STAR project, funded by the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, is working with teachers from throughout the state of Michigan to enact the needed reforms. Preliminary research and evaluation results indicate that the new standards and teaching methods are engaging students in science who were previously uninterested in the subject.

This presentation will include a brief overview of the NGSS and the Mi-STAR project along with the opportunity for everyone to try to come up with an idea for a “three-dimensional” learning opportunity for middle-school students. Come prepared to work with a partner or group to begin to create something meaningful and fun.

From Tech Today, by Bill Rose, GMES.

Hands on: Students do science, not just learn facts

HOUGHTON – When Michigan Tech researchers proposed and won funding for the new MiSTAR science curriculum development project, they were facing some challenging new state standards, according to principal investigator Jackie Huntoon.

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Dan Roblee. (Subscription required.)

L’Anse students pilot hands-on science lessons

L’ANSE, Mich. (AP) – Students in L’Anse are taking part in new hands-on science units being piloted this year in the state.

Read more at 9 and 10 News.

Houghton County Cardboard Recycling Kickoff and Celebration

The Michigan Tech Center for Science and Environmental Outreach is among the organizers of a celebration to open the Houghton County Cardboard Recycling Facility.

The celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, January 16, 2016, at the Portage Lake District Library in Houghton.

There’ll be hands-on activities for kids, including making paper, garbage pizzas, recycling machine, cardboard forts, lunch safari and more.

A display and information on the cardboard recycling facility, upcoming plans for how to improve curbside recycling in Houghton County and information on how you can get involved will be available.

Bring your cardboard to the Portage Lake District Library during the celebration and it will be transported to the new Cardboard Recycling Facility in Atlantic Mine.

From Tech Today.

What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s In Psychology?

Krista Knight, Susie Amato-Henderson, and Corey LaBissoniere were interviewed for Michigan Tech Magazine.

Of the 72 undergraduate degree programs available at Michigan Tech, perhaps none is more misunderstood than Psychology. Susan Amato-Henderson, chair of the Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences, says the problem begins with the definition of the subject itself. “People don’t know what psychology is,” Amato-Henderson says. “Educating our students, and others, is a battle.”

Amato-Henderson says one of those battles involves stereotypes. “When you say the word ‘psychology,’ people tend to conjure up images of patients on chaise lounges confessing feelings about their parents. But psychology is much broader than just therapy.”

Read more at Michigan Tech Magazine Fall 2015, by Mark Wilcox.

After School Science & Engineering class for Gr. 6-8

An  after school science and engineering class taught by Michigan Tech Innovation Fellows who are nationally-trained facilitators is available for students in grades 6-8.

“Discover Your Creative Confidence & Inner Maker” will be taught from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays from Jan 14 to Feb 18, in a mobile makerspace at the Great Lakes Research Center.

 This class will introduce students to:

  • design thinking
  • creativity
  • innovation

The course will prepare students for a variety of future paths, whether that involves capitalizing on a big idea or implementing entrepreneurship. Action-filled problem solving! Students put ideas into action using a variety of materials.  Tinker, dream, invent!

The cost: $75/student and you must register by Jan. 6. Pay by credit card by calling the cashiers office 7‐2247. (Space is not reserved until payment has been received.) Register online

Any questions? Email Joan Chadde or call 7‐3341.

Note: Houghton school bus will drop off students at the GLRC by 3:45 pm

From Tech Today, by Joan Chadde.

Green Film 2016 Lineup Announced

Green Film Racing to ZeroThe Green Film Series announces the 2016 titles and dates. The series run monthly from January to May.

Below is the list of titles, dates and locations, including one lecture next month.

2016 Green Films Titles and Locations

The Green Film and Lecture Series is cosponsored by, Lake Superior Stewardship InitiativeMichigan Tech Center for Water and SocietyKeweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and Keweenaw Land Trust.

Monthly flyers will be posted here.

After School Science and Engineering Classes at Michigan Tech for Grades 1-8

There will be six after school science and engineering classes for students in grades 1 through 8 taught by Michigan Tech science and engineering students. The sessions will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays from Jan. 14 to Feb. 18, 2016.

These classes are coordinated by Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach at the Great Lakes Research Center.

For more information see the flyer. Call Joan Chadde or Lloyd Wescoat at 7-3341 with any questions.

Note: Houghton school bus will drop off students at the GLRC by 3:45 p.m.

From Tech Today, by Joan Chadde.

Chadde Presents on Transportation Education

MTWCJoan Chadde, director of the Michigan Tech Center for Science and Environmental Outreach, presented “Engaging K-12 Students & Teachers in Learning About Transportation” at the Midwest Transportation Workforce Summit held last week at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Attending the conference with Chadde were Ronesha Strozier, an MS graduate in Environmental Policy (SS) and Rachel Chard, a 2nd year student majoring in Supply Chain & Operations (Business Management).

From Tech Today.

Emily Dare is a 2016 NARST Finalist

Emily Dare
Emily Dare

Assistant Professor of STEM Education Emily Dare is one of three finalists for the 2016 NARST (National Association for Research in Science Teaching) Outstanding Doctoral Research Award. The official description for the award is as follows:

This award was established in 1992 to be given annually for the Doctoral Dissertation judged to have the greatest significance in the field of science education.

NARST is an international association that is perhaps the largest and most renowned for science education researchers.