CT Science Center, CSUS launch collaboration
The "i4 Initiative" showcases science research and applications underway at the four universities, and highlights career paths for young people pursuing scientific fields. Initial applications currently being featured include geology, genetics, navigation and technological simulations in healthcare.
Initial science applications developed through the i4 initiative
Life's Common Thread: Geneticswill provide a basic understanding of genetics, techniques for analyzing DNA, and research applications that illustrate how genetics is used to understand health and in tracking ancestry. It builds off the research of a team of Connecticut high school students who helped identify the genetic marker for a mutation that results in curly hair. Visitors to the Science Center will have the opportunity to analyze DNA and explore research applications that illustrate how genetics are being used to understand health and physical traits. The research program is led by Dr. Patricia Szczys in the Department of Biology at Eastern, Dr. Thomas King in the Department of Biomolecular Sciences at CCSU, and Dr. Denise Mathews, who teaches at Eastern in the Communications Department.
The Dynamic Earth: Geologywill provide a basic understanding of geology, promote understanding of erosion, explain how scientists examine historical data to interpret land changes, and provide a unique artistic look at the topic. Professor William Jones, in the art department at Eastern, has developed an artistic application to scientific study of changes in the landscape and geological processes. He is joined by Dr. Cynthia Coron in the Earth Sciences Department and SCSU and Dr. James Hyatt in Eastern's Department of Environmental Earth Science. Science Center visitors will get an overview of Connecticut's unique geology and then examine historical data sets to assess weathering, erosion, plate tectonics and the human-influenced changes on the land.
Finding Our Way: Navigation and Remote Sensingwill present a historical perspective of multicultural navigation, as WCSU's Dr. Theodora Pinou and SCSU's Dr. Scott graves have developed a unique a wii-based tracking devise that will help visitors explore navigation and how past cultures have solved the problem of understanding where they were, how to get to someplace else, and return again. Within the Science, Center, visitors will use the device to experience remote sensing. Research on satellite tracking of marine turtles around the globe, for example, present real-world applications to remote sensing technology and how it is increasing our understanding of earth systems.
Simulating the Human Bodywill demonstrate how a sophisticated, computer- controlled machine can simulate the human body's responses and create experiences close to human patients. SCSU Department of Nursing Professor Barbara Glynn is an expert in utilizing state-of-the-art simulators to allow students put in practice theory through hands-on experiences as close to real life as possible. CSC visitors will be able to interact with the simulator, observe and understand the work of nurses in health care settings.
Science faculty from a range of academic disciplines will be included on a rotating basis each year. Leaders of both organizations say the i4 initiative, as the collaboration is called, will help to ignite a fresh look at science by students and citizens across the state.
"The initiative is all about the innovation, ingenuity, imagination and invention that's taking place right here at Connecticut's state universities," said Matt Fleury, President and CEO of the Science Center. "Exposing our visitors firsthand to these superb CSUS faculty and students helps achieve our mission of elevating the profile and knowledge of science and scientists here in Connecticut."
"Yankee ingenuity is alive and well in a new generation, and this partnership is a dynamic opportunity to shine a spotlight on what is happening and what can happen in Connecticut," said CSUS Chancellor David G. Carter. "This collaboration will illustrate the excellence of the research being done, encourage young students to pursue careers in the sciences, and make connections between science education and Connecticut's future."
The universities will provide 3 or 4 new science application demonstrations each year, culled from proposals developed by university faculty and connected with the CSC's various theme-based science galleries. The partnership will include university graduate and undergraduate students in a range of capacities, including working directly with student visitors in hands-on science.
Faculty proposals are reviewed by a peer committee and presented to CSC education staff. Selected faculty projects receive the support at the universities and the CSC for their completion.
The Connecticut Science Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing science education throughout the state of Connecticut, providing learning opportunities for students and adults of all ages, and engaging the community in scientific exploration.
Connecticut Science Center Website