# Keck Foundation LOI

(Difference between revisions)
 Revision as of 22:38, 20 January 2006 (view source)Parkero (Talk | contribs)← Older edit Revision as of 19:05, 29 January 2006 (view source)Charliep (Talk | contribs) Newer edit → Line 1: Line 1: - '''INTRODUCTION''' + \documentclass[12pt,letterpaper]{article} + \usepackage{fullpage} + \usepackage{url} + \textheight=9.0in + \textwidth=6.5in + \parskip 1.7mm + \pagestyle{empty} + \raggedbottom + \raggedright + \setlength{\tabcolsep}{0in} - Earlham College requests $354,400 to develop multidisciplinary science curriculum modules and summer research projects focusing on a common environmental issue. This project will emphasize collaboration among the natural and physical sciences departments at Earlham College, including biology, chemistry, computer science, geosciences, mathematics, and environmental science. It is clear that cutting-edge scientific research is becoming increasingly multidisciplinary and collaborative at all levels; therefore, it is essential to train our students to develop multi-faceted approaches to problem solving. This project will introduce an important scientific problem and ask students to collect and analyze data, as well as make interpretations, using different disciplinary perspectives in both coursework and independent research projects with faculty. We believe this idea of collaborative learning will transform our undergraduate curriculum in the sciences and provide a model for collaborative programs among the sciences at other liberal arts colleges. + % \usepackage{times} + \usepackage[small,compact]{titlesec} - A grant from the Keck Foundation, together with support from Earlham College, would support a modest amount of equipment and a three year program of development and initial offerings of the curriculum modules including a summer research component. The curriculum modules will be created for both introductory and upper-division science courses in geoscience, chemistry, computer science, biology, mathematics, and environmental science. The three methods (field, laboratory, and computational) will be integrated in the modules such that students at all levels will experience first hand how modern scientific inquiry is carried out using multidisciplinary approaches. + \begin{document} - Our choice of metals in the environment will generate module and research topics centered around faculty expertise, student interest, and local impact. We anticipate that following the scientific and pedagogical success of this initial topic, we would further develop it as well as additional topics to reflect the changing interests of students, faculty, and the community. + \centerline{\large \bf Multidisciplinary Science Curriculum Modules and Student/Faculty Research} + + \section*{Introduction} - '''Local physical aspects:''' The environmental impact of agriculture, local industry and geology on ground water sources would be studied using quantitative analysis of metal uptake in different trophic levels including bioaccumulation studies in plant and aquatic life and computational modeling of aqueous speciation to assess bioavailability. The study sites will include a local plot developed on-campus, conveniently located within walking distance of classrooms, as well as Springwood Lake, a small Richmond lake with documented pollution impacts from previous industrial activity. Recently, an Earlham student (Graham, 2003) demonstrated a pronounced increase in metals concentrations with depth in Springwood Lake sediments. + Earlham College requests \$342,400 to develop multidisciplinary science curriculum modules and student/faculty research projects focusing on a common core problem: metals in the environment. This project will emphasize collaboration among our natural and physical science departments, including biology, chemistry, computer science, geosciences, mathematics, and environmental science. Scientific research is becoming increasingly multidisciplinary and collaborative; therefore, it is essential to train our students to develop multi-faceted approaches to problem solving. This project will introduce an important scientific problem, ask students to collect and analyze data, and to make interpretations using different disciplinary perspectives in both coursework and independent research projects with faculty.  We believe this idea of collaborative multidisciplinary learning will transform our undergraduate curriculum in the sciences and provide a model for programs among the sciences at other liberal arts colleges. - '''Computational science:''' Computational methods are now an important part of basic research in all of the natural sciences, yet few undergraduate programs have such components. Earlham is very well positioned to develop a template for incorporating computational methods into science curricula, e.g. our multidisciplinary approach, the high percentage of our graduates that go on to earn Ph.D.s in the sciences, and our existing computational science research program. + A grant from the Keck Foundation, together with support from Earlham's Burgess fund, would support a modest amount of equipment, curriculum module and seminar development, and student/faculty summer research over three years.  Curriculum modules will be created for both introductory and upper-division science courses. Field, laboratory, and computational methods will be integrated in the modules for students at all levels to experience first-hand how modern scientific inquiry is carried out using a multidisciplinary approach.  Our study of metals in the environment will generate module and research topics reflecting faculty expertise, student interest, and local impact. Following the scientific and pedagogical success of this initial topic, we intend to expand it to reflect the changing interests of students, faculty, and the community.  We will study anthropogenic impacts on two local ecosystems: nearby Springwood Lake with documented pollution impacts from industrial activity and a site on campus. - '''DESCRIPTION, PURPOSE, AIMS AND IMPACT''' + Four aspects of our project work together to make it powerful: 1) our focus on local problems; 2) the combined use of field, laboratory, and computational methods;  3) the longitudinal involvement of students as they take introductory through upper-level science classes; and 4) showing students how modern science is multidisciplinary with teams of scientists who inform and illuminate the different disciplinary perspectives of a problem. - '''CURRICULUM MODULE DEVELOPMENT:'''Curriculum modules relevant to this proposal will be incorporated into six introductory courses in five departments in the Sciences with a total enrollment of approximately 310 students per year. XXX% of Earlham Students will have taken one of these courses by the time they have graduated. Additionally, curriculum modules will be incorporated into seven upper-level courses in Chemistry, Geology, and Computer Science. + \section*{Description} - '''Introductory Course Modules:'''  To illustrate how traditional topics can be introduced in an innovative way into an introductory course using this environmental project as a unifying theme, we propose to incorporate a new environmental chemistry component into our general chemistry class (typical enrollment of 90). This unit will introduce students to fate and transport modeling of metals by measuring the distribution coefficient, Kd, which is a common parameter used to estimate the concentration of metal pollutants in aqueous systems. Kd is a measure of the chelating ability of the soil in a soil-water mixture. A distribution coefficient for copper has previously been measured in a standardized soil material, and the procedure will be adapted to soils collected from our study sites. The module will be conducted over two laboratory periods. The first week will consist of a spectroscopy lab, where the students will be introduced to atomic and molecular absorption spectroscopy for the determination of the metal concentration in water, and to infrared spectroscopy for the characterization of soil components + Curriculum modules relevant to this proposal will be incorporated into 6 introductory courses in 5 departments in the Sciences. Almost every one of Earlham's 1200 students will take at least one of these classes before they graduate. Additionally, curriculum modules will be incorporated into at least 7 upper-level courses in 4 departments in the Sciences. - In the second week, students will use atomic spectroscopy to determine Kd of one or more metals in both standard soils, as well as soils collected from both Springwood Lake and our on campus test site.  The effect of pH on Kd will also be investigated for the soils.  The results will be used to discuss such environmental issues as acid rain and metal mobilization. The soil Kd results will be compiled in a database for use in fate and transport modeling. + {\bf Introductory Course Modules} - To illustrate how traditional topics can be introduced in an innovative way using this environmental project as a unifying theme, we propose to incorporate a new environmental chemistry component into our general chemistry class (typical annual enrollment of 90). This unit will introduce students to fate and transport modeling of metals by measuring the distribution coefficient, Kd, which is a common parameter used to estimate the concentration of metal pollutants in aqueous systems. Students will learn the significance of Kd, a measure of the soil sorption capacity, by determining this parameter in standardized material and applying the procedure to soils collected from our study sites. - '''Upper Division Course Modules:''' Hydrogeology serves to illustrate application to an upper-level course. The lab modules for hydrogeology will target complete hydrogeologic characterization of both the on-campus research plot and Springwood Lake. For the on campus plot, this will entail installation of ground water monitoring wells and multi-level piezometers. Subsurface hydraulic properties will be determined via constant-head slug tests and constant-discharge pump tests.  Quantitative analyses (using Earlham's Inductively Coupled Plasma spectrometer) will establish baseline metals concentrations.  Students will track the environmental fate of target metals added to the control plot under controlled conditions.  Aqueous species distributions will be calculated from concentration data using a public-domain equilibrium speciation model (e.g. MINTEQA2,PHREEQC). + The module will be conducted over two laboratory periods. The first week will consist of a spectroscopy lab, where the students will be introduced to absorption spectroscopy for the determination of the metal concentration in water, and to infrared spectroscopy for the characterization of soil components. In the second week, students will use atomic spectroscopy to determine Kd of one or more metals. The effect of pH on Kd will also be investigated for the soils.  The results will be used to discuss such environmental issues as acid rain and metal mobilization.  The soil Kd results will be compiled in a database for use in fate and transport modeling. - The proposed modules for Hydrogeology will give students an experience that embodies much of the professional practive of the science.  Students will conduct all facets of the subsurface investigation, aquifer property determination and sample collection. Students in other courses will cooperatively engage with Hydrogeology students to develop the protocols for running the environmental fate experiments, chemical analyses and equilibrium speciation modeling. + {\bf Upper Division Course Modules} - Hydrogeology serves to illustrate an application of our project to an upper-level course.  The lab modules for hydrogeology will target complete hydrogeologic characterization of both the on-campus research site and Springwood Lake. For the on-campus site, we will install ground water monitoring wells and multi-level piezometers. Subsurface hydraulic properties will be determined via constant-head slug tests and constant-discharge pump tests.  Quantitative analyses (using Earlham's Inductively Coupled Plasma spectrometer) will establish baseline metals concentrations.  Students will track the environmental fate of target metals added to the control site under regulated conditions. - '''SUMMER RESEARCH:'''  Overall, we propose that the summer research component of this project will involve an annual average of six faculty and twelve students over three summers. Research projects will be carried out in chemistry, biology, geosciences and computer science. + The proposed modules for hydrogeology will give students an experience that embodies much of the professional practice of the science.  Students will conduct all facets of the subsurface investigation, aquifer property determination, and sample collection. Students in other courses will cooperatively engage with hydrogeology students to develop the protocols for performing the environmental fate experiments, chemical analyses and equilibrium speciation modeling. - '''Chemistry:''' Initial work in the chemistry department will center on the collection, sample preparation and analysis of metals in a variety of environmental matrices, and the development and implementation of metal speciation protocols. Additional research projects will include investigation of the redox chemistry of soil, characterization of the metal ligand complexes present in these soils/leachates and synthesis of metal chelating ligands for use in soil studies and linking to nanoparticles for detection of metals. Chemistry will collaborate in the implementation of remote monitoring of chemical species (e.g. pH, dissolved oxygen, ion specific electrodes...). + {\bf Summer Research} - Overall, we propose that the summer research component of this project will involve at least 6 faculty each year, about 18 projects total, and at least 36 students over three summers. - '''Biology:'''  Initial work in the biology department will include the sampling of aquatic biota (macropthytes and animals) in Springwood Lake in order to describe and quantify the food chains, evaluate the extent of bioaccumulation of metals by those organisms, and assess the rates of biomagnification occuring in higher trophic levels. + Chemistry: collection, sample preparation and analysis of metals in a variety of environmental matrices, and the development and implementation of metal speciation protocols; investigation of the redox chemistry of soil; characterization and model synthesis of the metal-ligand complexes present in these soils/leachates. - '''Geosciences:'''  Summer research in the geosciences department will focus on characterizing the physical properties of subsurface soils by conducting whole-soil hydraulic conductivity tests and laboratory grain-size analyses.  Additional work will focus on determining soil reactivities of soil minerals by quantifying mineral constituents, cation-exchange capacities, organic matter content and surface functional groups. + Biology: sampling of aquatic biota (macrophytes and animals) in Springwood Lake to describe and quantify the food chains; evaluate the extent of bioaccumulation of metals by those organisms; assess the rates of biomagnification occurring in higher trophic levels. - '''Computer Science:'''  Development, deployment, and management of the field monitoring equipment. + Geosciences: characterization of the physical properties of subsurface soils by conducting whole-soil hydraulic conductivity tests and laboratory grain-size analyses; determine reactivities of soil minerals by quantifying mineral constituents, cation-exchange capacities, organic matter content and surface functional groups. - '''PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS:''' Weeklong professional development workshops for the faculty involved in the project will be held each summer to increase the breadth of knowledge of each of the participating faculty in the other core disciplines.  Possible topics include: computational science and modeling methods, environmental geology and hydrology, analytical laboratory techniques, and bioavailability, toxicity, and bioaccumulation of metals. + Computer Science: design, development, deployment, and management of the field monitoring equipment using photovoltaic panels, batteries, imbedded controllers, wireless data transfer interfaces, environmental sensors, and open source tools; modeling of the biochemical and groundwater processes. - '''PURPOSES, AIMS, AND IMPACT:'''  The purpose of this project is not only to bridge the gap between scientific research and science education by incorporating research modules into courses and encouraging summer research activity, but also to introduce students to the different disciplinary perspectives that can be used to approach scientific problems.  In addition to using multidisciplinary approaches and techniques in courses and research as previously described, we will also institute a series of seminars offered at multiple levels taken by small groups of interested students who are also enrolled in one of the courses with a research project module.  In these small groups, students will discuss and present the work their class is pursuing on the topic, and students will do weekly readings and assignments meant to broaden their understanding of the nature of modern, multidisciplinary science.  In this way, students will have an opportunity to see how different disciplines inform one another during actual scientific research. + \section*{Purposes, Aims, And Impact} - In addition to the impact on the Earlham curriculum, this project will also have an impact on the local community.  Since all projects will be grounded in scientific issues important to our local and regional environment, we will hold a yearly poster session open to our community in which students will present aspects of their projects linking them into a larger scientific and social context.  We believe this innovative approach, combining classroom scientific inquiry, summer research projects, multidisciplinary discussion, and community participation, will give our students a unique opportunity to engage in truly collaborative science. + This project will bridge the gap between modern scientific research and science education by incorporating research modules into courses and further developing multidisciplinary summer research activity.  In addition to using multidisciplinary approaches in courses and research, we will institute a series of seminars for small groups of students who are enrolled in one of the courses with a research project module.  In these small groups, students will discuss and present the work their class is pursuing on the topic, and engage in weekly readings and assignments meant to broaden their understanding of the nature of modern, multidisciplinary science. - '''TIMELINE:''' 3 years, full summer of activity in 2007 through spring semester 2010. + An important artifact of this project will be further development of Earlham's Environmental Studies program, which is largely staffed by the same faculty that would be a part of this work. - January 2007-June 2007 Purchase and installation of equipment + Because this project will impact the local community, we will hold an annual poster session for the public in which faculty and students will present their results.  We believe this innovative approach of combining classroom scientific inquiry, summer research projects, multidisciplinary discussion, and community participation will give our students a unique opportunity to engage in truly modern collaborative science. - June 2007-August 2007 Course module and seminar development; faculty/student research + - August 2007-May 2008 Initial implementation of course modules and seminars + - June 2008-August 2008 Course module development; faculty/student research + - August 2008-May 2009 Continued implementation of course modules + - June 2009-August 2009 Course module development; faculty/student research + - August 2009-May 2010 Final implementation of course modules + - In 2010, Earlham will be in the final stages of a capital campaign that we believe will provide an endowment for sustainable summer science research.  This will allow continued research in this and expanded topics. + \section*{Timeline} - '''JUSTIFICATION FOR KECK REQUEST:'''The costs involved in the proposed interdisciplinary project exceed the capacity of the Earlham College operating budget.  In order to plan and implement this project, we must secure outside funding.  Private and government funding sources generally favor proposals which focus on one core discipline with collaborative disciplines radiating from the core.  In addition, most are targeted toward large research universities, and not at undergraduate colleges and liberal arts institutions. + \begin{tabular*}{6.5in}{l@{\extracolsep{\fill}}l} - By reviewing W.M. Keck Foundation funded projects, we believe that Keck places a high value on research at undergraduate colleges and in funding innovative projects. With educational programs that have strength across the full range of the liberal arts and sciences, Earlham has demonstrated unusual strength in the sciences, and stands alongside the undergraduate institutions that have received Keck support. Because of our shared interest in multidisciplinary projects and the confidence in undergraduate collaborative research, Earlham turns to the W. M. Keck Foundation to seek support. - == '''BUDGET''' == + Spring 2007 & Purchase and installation of equipment \\ -
+                                                                                            Summer 2007 & Course module and seminar development, student/faculty research \\
-                                                                                          Year 1      Year 2      Year 3       Total                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             +                                                                                            Academic 2007-08 & Initial implementation of course modules and seminars \\
+                                                                                            Summer 2008	& Course module and seminar development, student/faculty research \\
+                                                                                            Academic 2008-09 & Continued implementation of course modules and seminars \\
+                                                                                            Summer 2009 & Course module and seminar development, student/faculty research \\
+                                                                                            Academic 2009-10 & Continued implementation of course modules and seminars \\
+                                                                                            \end{tabular*}
+
+                                                                                            \section*{Justification For Keck Request}
+
+                                                                                            The costs involved in the proposed interdisciplinary project exceed the capacity of Earlham's operating budget.  In order to plan and implement this project, we must secure outside funding.  Private and government funding for multidisciplinary projects at 4-year colleges is limited.  Furthermore, many focus on one core discipline with collaborative disciplines radiating from the core.
+
+                                                                                            With educational programs that have strength across the full range of the liberal arts and sciences, Earlham has demonstrated unusual strength in the sciences, and is well-positioned to develop and disseminate the multidisciplinary approach to science education described in this proposal.
+
+                                                                                            \newpage
+
+                                                                                            \section*{Budget}
+
+                                                                                            \begin{verbatim}
+                                                                                            2007       2008       2009      Total
PERSONNEL                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           PERSONNEL
-                                                                                          Faculty Salaries and Stipends                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +                                                                                            Faculty Stipends
-                                                                                          Summer research              $28,800$28,800     $28,800$86,400                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               +                                                                                            Summer research (@$600/wk)$28,800    $28,800$28,800    $86,400 - Workshop facilitators$3,000      $3,000$3,000      $9,000 + Project Coordinator$3,000     $3,000$3,000     $9,000 - Project Coordinator$3,000      $3,000$3,000      $9,000 + Student Stipends Student Stipends - Summer research$38,400     $38,400$38,400     $115,200 + Summer research (@$400/wk) $38,400$38,400    $38,400$115,200

-                                                                                          TOTAL PERSONNEL                                                      $219,600 + TOTAL PERSONNEL$210,600

EQUIPMENT                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           EQUIPMENT
-                                                                                          Ultrasonic Nebulizer           $15,000 + Ultrasonic Nebulizer$15,000
-                                                                                          Large freeze drier             $25,000 + Large freeze drier$25,000
-                                                                                          Acid digestion system          $25,000 + Acid digestion system$25,000

-                                                                                          Field Monitoring (4 @ $3000per): + Field Monitoring (4@$3000 each):
-                                                                                          Temperature                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            +                                                                                            Temperature, pH (digital), conductivity, redox (reduction oxidation
-                                                                                          PH (digital)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           +                                                                                            potential), pressure transducer, nitrate selective probe, computer,
-                                                                                          Conductivity                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           +                                                                                            packaging, and communications
-                                                                                          Redox (reduction oxidation potential)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  +                                                                                            Total Field Monitoring       $12,000 - Pressure Transducer + - Nitrate selective probe + - Computer, packaging, and communications + - Total Field Monitoring$12,000                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 +

Field Sampling:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Field Sampling:
Line 88:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Line 106:
Monitoring wells (one time install)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Monitoring wells (one time install)
Drawing equipment                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Drawing equipment
-                                                                                          Total Field Sampling           $15,000 + Total Field Sampling$15,000

-                                                                                          Biology sampling gear           $3,800 + Biology sampling gear$3,800

-                                                                                          TOTAL EQUIPMENT                                                       $95,800 + TOTAL EQUIPMENT$95,800

SUPPLIES                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            SUPPLIES
-                                                                                          Per student per year            $1,000 + Per student per year$1,000
-                                                                                          TOTAL SUPPLIES                   $13,000$13,000     $13,000$39,000                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +                                                                                            TOTAL SUPPLIES                 $12,000$12,000    $12,000$36,000

-                                                                                          GRAND TOTAL                                                          $354,400 + GRAND TOTAL$342,400
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+ \end{verbatim} - + - == Appendix B - Reviewers == + - We'll need complete addresses, telephone, and fax + -
+
-                                                                                          Lew Reilly                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             +
-                                                                                          Ursinus College                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        +
-                                                                                          Department of Physics                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  +
-                                                                                          Collegeville, PA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       +
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-                                                                                          Scott Brooks - BioGeoChemist                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           +
-                                                                                          Environmental Sciences Division, POB 2008                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              +
-                                                                                          Oak Ridge National Laboratory                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +
-                                                                                          Oak Ridge, TN  37831                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   +
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-                                                                                          Mic's friend                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           +
-                                                                                          Oak Ridge National Laboratory                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +
-                                                                                          Oak Ridge, TN                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +
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-                                                                                          Robert M. Panoff, Ph.D.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                +
-                                                                                          President and Exececutive Director                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     +
-                                                                                          Shodor Education Foundation, Inc.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      +
-                                                                                          300 W. Morgan St., Suite 1150                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +
-                                                                                          Durham, NC  27701                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      +
-                                                                                          VOX: +1-919-530-1911  FAX:  +1-919-530-1944                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            +
-                                                                                          rpanoff@shodor.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     +
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-                                                                                          Brock Spencer                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +
-                                                                                          Beloit College                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         +
-                                                                                          Department of Chemistry                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                +
-                                                                                          Beloit, WI  53511                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      +
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-                                                                                          Biologist?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             +
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-                                                                                          Bruce Herbert, Professor                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               +
-                                                                                          Department of Geology and Geophysics                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   +
-                                                                                          Texas A & M University                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 +
-                                                                                          MS 3115                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                +
-                                                                                          College Station, Texas 77845                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           +
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+ - == Appendix C - College Collateral == + Incorporate Burgess fund contribution. - Fact sheet + - Background on each department, orange flyers? + In 2010, Earlham will be in the final stages of a capital campaign which includes support for an on-going summer student/faculty science research program.  This endowment would continue support for the projects described in this proposal. - Division Brag Sheets - EllieV's revisions?  SaraP? + \end{document}

## Revision as of 19:05, 29 January 2006

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\centerline{\large \bf Multidisciplinary Science Curriculum Modules and Student/Faculty Research}

\section*{Introduction}

Earlham College requests \$342,400 to develop multidisciplinary science curriculum modules and student/faculty research projects focusing on a common core problem: metals in the environment. This project will emphasize collaboration among our natural and physical science departments, including biology, chemistry, computer science, geosciences, mathematics, and environmental science. Scientific research is becoming increasingly multidisciplinary and collaborative; therefore, it is essential to train our students to develop multi-faceted approaches to problem solving. This project will introduce an important scientific problem, ask students to collect and analyze data, and to make interpretations using different disciplinary perspectives in both coursework and independent research projects with faculty. We believe this idea of collaborative multidisciplinary learning will transform our undergraduate curriculum in the sciences and provide a model for programs among the sciences at other liberal arts colleges. A grant from the Keck Foundation, together with support from Earlham's Burgess fund, would support a modest amount of equipment, curriculum module and seminar development, and student/faculty summer research over three years. Curriculum modules will be created for both introductory and upper-division science courses. Field, laboratory, and computational methods will be integrated in the modules for students at all levels to experience first-hand how modern scientific inquiry is carried out using a multidisciplinary approach. Our study of metals in the environment will generate module and research topics reflecting faculty expertise, student interest, and local impact. Following the scientific and pedagogical success of this initial topic, we intend to expand it to reflect the changing interests of students, faculty, and the community. We will study anthropogenic impacts on two local ecosystems: nearby Springwood Lake with documented pollution impacts from industrial activity and a site on campus. Four aspects of our project work together to make it powerful: 1) our focus on local problems; 2) the combined use of field, laboratory, and computational methods; 3) the longitudinal involvement of students as they take introductory through upper-level science classes; and 4) showing students how modern science is multidisciplinary with teams of scientists who inform and illuminate the different disciplinary perspectives of a problem. \section*{Description} Curriculum modules relevant to this proposal will be incorporated into 6 introductory courses in 5 departments in the Sciences. Almost every one of Earlham's 1200 students will take at least one of these classes before they graduate. Additionally, curriculum modules will be incorporated into at least 7 upper-level courses in 4 departments in the Sciences. {\bf Introductory Course Modules} - To illustrate how traditional topics can be introduced in an innovative way using this environmental project as a unifying theme, we propose to incorporate a new environmental chemistry component into our general chemistry class (typical annual enrollment of 90). This unit will introduce students to fate and transport modeling of metals by measuring the distribution coefficient, Kd, which is a common parameter used to estimate the concentration of metal pollutants in aqueous systems. Students will learn the significance of Kd, a measure of the soil sorption capacity, by determining this parameter in standardized material and applying the procedure to soils collected from our study sites. The module will be conducted over two laboratory periods. The first week will consist of a spectroscopy lab, where the students will be introduced to absorption spectroscopy for the determination of the metal concentration in water, and to infrared spectroscopy for the characterization of soil components. In the second week, students will use atomic spectroscopy to determine Kd of one or more metals. The effect of pH on Kd will also be investigated for the soils. The results will be used to discuss such environmental issues as acid rain and metal mobilization. The soil Kd results will be compiled in a database for use in fate and transport modeling. {\bf Upper Division Course Modules} - Hydrogeology serves to illustrate an application of our project to an upper-level course. The lab modules for hydrogeology will target complete hydrogeologic characterization of both the on-campus research site and Springwood Lake. For the on-campus site, we will install ground water monitoring wells and multi-level piezometers. Subsurface hydraulic properties will be determined via constant-head slug tests and constant-discharge pump tests. Quantitative analyses (using Earlham's Inductively Coupled Plasma spectrometer) will establish baseline metals concentrations. Students will track the environmental fate of target metals added to the control site under regulated conditions. The proposed modules for hydrogeology will give students an experience that embodies much of the professional practice of the science. Students will conduct all facets of the subsurface investigation, aquifer property determination, and sample collection. Students in other courses will cooperatively engage with hydrogeology students to develop the protocols for performing the environmental fate experiments, chemical analyses and equilibrium speciation modeling. {\bf Summer Research} - Overall, we propose that the summer research component of this project will involve at least 6 faculty each year, about 18 projects total, and at least 36 students over three summers. Chemistry: collection, sample preparation and analysis of metals in a variety of environmental matrices, and the development and implementation of metal speciation protocols; investigation of the redox chemistry of soil; characterization and model synthesis of the metal-ligand complexes present in these soils/leachates. Biology: sampling of aquatic biota (macrophytes and animals) in Springwood Lake to describe and quantify the food chains; evaluate the extent of bioaccumulation of metals by those organisms; assess the rates of biomagnification occurring in higher trophic levels. Geosciences: characterization of the physical properties of subsurface soils by conducting whole-soil hydraulic conductivity tests and laboratory grain-size analyses; determine reactivities of soil minerals by quantifying mineral constituents, cation-exchange capacities, organic matter content and surface functional groups. Computer Science: design, development, deployment, and management of the field monitoring equipment using photovoltaic panels, batteries, imbedded controllers, wireless data transfer interfaces, environmental sensors, and open source tools; modeling of the biochemical and groundwater processes. \section*{Purposes, Aims, And Impact} This project will bridge the gap between modern scientific research and science education by incorporating research modules into courses and further developing multidisciplinary summer research activity. In addition to using multidisciplinary approaches in courses and research, we will institute a series of seminars for small groups of students who are enrolled in one of the courses with a research project module. In these small groups, students will discuss and present the work their class is pursuing on the topic, and engage in weekly readings and assignments meant to broaden their understanding of the nature of modern, multidisciplinary science. An important artifact of this project will be further development of Earlham's Environmental Studies program, which is largely staffed by the same faculty that would be a part of this work. Because this project will impact the local community, we will hold an annual poster session for the public in which faculty and students will present their results. We believe this innovative approach of combining classroom scientific inquiry, summer research projects, multidisciplinary discussion, and community participation will give our students a unique opportunity to engage in truly modern collaborative science. \section*{Timeline} \begin{tabular*}{6.5in}{l@{\extracolsep{\fill}}l} Spring 2007 & Purchase and installation of equipment \\ Summer 2007 & Course module and seminar development, student/faculty research \\ Academic 2007-08 & Initial implementation of course modules and seminars \\ Summer 2008 & Course module and seminar development, student/faculty research \\ Academic 2008-09 & Continued implementation of course modules and seminars \\ Summer 2009 & Course module and seminar development, student/faculty research \\ Academic 2009-10 & Continued implementation of course modules and seminars \\ \end{tabular*} \section*{Justification For Keck Request} The costs involved in the proposed interdisciplinary project exceed the capacity of Earlham's operating budget. In order to plan and implement this project, we must secure outside funding. Private and government funding for multidisciplinary projects at 4-year colleges is limited. Furthermore, many focus on one core discipline with collaborative disciplines radiating from the core. With educational programs that have strength across the full range of the liberal arts and sciences, Earlham has demonstrated unusual strength in the sciences, and is well-positioned to develop and disseminate the multidisciplinary approach to science education described in this proposal. \newpage \section*{Budget} \begin{verbatim}  2007 2008 2009 Total  PERSONNEL  Faculty Stipends Summer research (@$600/wk) $28,800$28,800    $28,800$86,400
Project Coordinator         $3,000$3,000     $3,000$9,000
Student Stipends
Summer research (@$400/wk)$38,400    $38,400$38,400   $115,200  TOTAL PERSONNEL$210,600

EQUIPMENT

 Ultrasonic Nebulizer         $15,000 Large freeze drier$25,000
Acid digestion system        $25,000 Field Monitoring (4@$3000 each):
Temperature, pH (digital), conductivity, redox (reduction oxidation
potential), pressure transducer, nitrate selective probe, computer,
packaging, and communications
Total Field Monitoring       $12,000   Field Sampling: Lake sediment cores to 2 m Shelby soil cores Monitoring wells (one time install) Drawing equipment Total Field Sampling$15,000

Biology sampling gear         $3,800  TOTAL EQUIPMENT$95,800

SUPPLIES

 Per student per year          $1,000  TOTAL SUPPLIES$12,000 $12,000$12,000 $36,000 GRAND TOTAL$342,400 \end{verbatim}

Incorporate Burgess fund contribution.

In 2010, Earlham will be in the final stages of a capital campaign which includes support for an on-going summer student/faculty science research program. This endowment would continue support for the projects described in this proposal.

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