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South Carolina State University

Drs. Smith and Walter present at the American Astronomical Society Meeting

Dr. Daniel Smith and Dr. Donald Walter gave presentations at the joint meeting of the American Astronomical Society and the American Association of Physics Teachers in Seattle, Washington, January 5-10, 2007 (link).

Smith’s presentation:

Research-Infused STEM Reform at South Carolina State University

Authors: Daniel M. Smith, Jr., J. A. Anderson, K. Adzievski

Institution: South Carolina State University.

Abstract: South Carolina State University (SCSU) has embarked upon a mission to transform its science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines by offering more scholarships to students talented in the sciences, by introducing advanced topics in the introductory STEM courses, and by expanding research opportunities for STEM students. Specific examples will be provided from physics and astronomy. Program accomplishments after one year of operation will be highlighted, along with the difficulties of instituting such a broad-based reform. NSF HBCU-UP Award #0506062

Walter’s presentation:

Astrophysical and Planetary Science Research at Four Minority Institutions

Authors: Donald K. Walter1, L. P. Johnson2, S. A. Austin2, C. Salgado3, P. A. Morris4

Institutions: 1South Carolina State Univ., 2Medgar Evers College, 3Norfolk State University, 4University of Houston - Downtown.

Abstract: We describe a range of faculty and undergraduate student research programs at our four institutions. These include current studies or planned work in high energy astrophysics, gamma-ray bursts, AGNs, nearby galaxies, the ISM, transient phenomena and comparative analysis of terrestrial and Martian evaporate environments. We have nearly a decade of experience in preparing underrepresented students for research at majority institutions and government laboratories with our own pre-REU summer internships. We have partial or full ownership in robotic telescopes at observatories in Arizona and Virginia that will be fully operational in the near future. For the past three years we have had a balloon program flying student payloads. In addition to our research, we are heavily involved in education and public outreach in astronomy and related fields. To further enhance our individual and collective programs, we have formed the Minority University Collaboration for Earth and Space Science (MUCESS). This collaboration includes South Carolina State University (SCSU), Medgar Evers College (MEC), the University of Houston - Downtown (UHD) and Norfolk State University (NSU). We are interested in partnering with other institutions that have similar or complementary programs.

We acknowledge the support of all of our institutions through the NASA MUCERPI program; specifically, to NSU (NNG04GD93G, NAG5-10140), MEC (NNG04GD61G, NAG5-10142), SCSU (NNG04GD62G, NAG 5-10145) and UHD (NNG04GD68G, NAG5-10149).