Students and supervising research faculty from Augsburg College, Bemidji State University, and Bethel College attended symposium.
Three oral presentations and seven poster presentations highlighted the second annual MnSGC Undergraduate Research Symposium held at Bethel College May 8, 1998.  Faculty and attendees were rewarded with a dinner and a tour of the Bethel College physics lab, equiped with special laser optic instrumentation.  Dr. Tom Greenlee, physics professor at Bethel, hosted the event.  Dr. Richard Peterson, also of the Bethel physics department, conducted the tour of the facility.

 
Dr. Peterson (pictured top right) was awarded the American Physical Society (APS) 1998 Prize to a Faculty Member for Research in an Undergraduate Institution in a ceremony April 20 during the APS/APT Joint Meeting in Columbus, Ohio.  The award  consists of a $5,000 grant for Peterson and an unrestricted grant of $4,000 for Bethel College.  Peterson was cited for "establishing an outstanding research program in applied optics involving undergraduate students at Bethel College, and for his work in infrared spectroscopy and interferometry, holographic interferometry, plasma diagnostics, optical and acoustical measurements, and instructional laboratory experiments in optics."  Dr. Peterson has been in the Physics Department of Bethel College since 1980, has served as a consultant to 3M Corporation, and as editor for the American Journal of Physics. His research has resulted in more than 40 published or invited papers--including about two published papers per year with student coauthors.  Peterson quotes Yeats ("Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.") and Wordsworth ("To the solid ground of nature, trusts the Mind that builds for aye") as forming the basis for his "modest contributions in the world of physics teaching."

Return to Table of Contents

Augsburg College Hosts Sverdrup Lecture on Marine Life

Dr. Marcia McNutt (pictured above), President and Chief Executive Officer of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) in Moss Landing, CA, addresses students at a visit to Marcy Open School.  Dr. McNutt was the featured scientist at the annual Sverdrup Lecture Series sponsored by Augsburg College and the MnSGC on April 27th.  Her lecture was titled "Beyond Jules Verne:  Ocean Exploration for the 21st Century." The globe in Dr. McNutt's hands helps demonstrate how magnetic fields have shifted chaotically over time as the earth revolves around the sun.

Return to Table of Contents

NASA Academy Accepts Record Three MnSGC Students in '98

Every year junior and senior undergraduates from across the MnSGC apply for sought-after internships with the NASA Academy Program. This year was no exception and the MnSGC is pleased to announce the 1998 awardees.

Wendy Davis, physiology and psychology major at the U of M, is attending the Ames Academy in Moffett Field, CA.  Wendy is working with Dr. Patricia Cowings on the "Psychophysiological Studies of Altered Gravitational Effects on Human ANS and CNS Function."   Wendy is one of 15 students working at the Ames Astrobiology Academy where she will gain a working knowledge of NASA's programs, technical experience in a world-class laboratory, and fraternal teaming experience that demonstrates the power of people working together.

Emily Eelkema, majoring in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics at the U of M, is at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in Edwards, CA.  Emily is working Dr. John Bosworth on the Model F-16XL to act as a testbed for the automatic landing system of the X-33 and on stability analysis of the landing trajectory of the X-38.

Jim Chase, Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics major at the U of M, is at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD.  Jim is working with Dr. David Buhl on an automated laser control and monitoring system.  In order to amplify an infrared signal from Jupiter to measure atmospheric wind, astronomers must use a very precise laser frequency which Dr. Buhl would like to be able to mount on a Boeing 727 or a satellite, to be monitored from a distant location.  Jim is helping to develop a control for the laser.
All 23 Goddard Academy participants will also complete a group project to study the feasibility of sending a small (50kg) satellite to impact on the moon inexpensively.

At all of the Academy sites, participants are involved in supervised research and team-building activities and are exposed to a variety of people involved in space science.  Jim says, "The speakers have been fantastic.  We have heard from a variety of directors, scientists, company presidents, policy makers, education directors, and business people.  My favorites have been Dr. Julius Dasch (who led an antarctic team and discovered a lunar meteorite) and Dr. Diamands (who started the X-prize foundation, SEDS, and others)."  The Academy doesn't leave much time for play, but Jim has managed to find time to go spelunking and white-water-rafting anyway.
Academy applications are available every January in the MnSGC Office or on the NASA Academy website.
 
Return to Table of Contents

Eye to the Future Conference for Girls Features Meteorologist Belinda Jensen

The annual Eye to the Future: New Choices Career Conference for 4-7th grade girls was held May 9, 1998 at Augsburg College.  Participants tried on career opportunities through hands on activities and discussions with professional women in mathematics and science fields.  Up to twenty concurrent sessions were offered ranging from "Bee Surprised: From Flowers to Candles," "Discovering the World of Polymers," and "To Tell the Tooth."  Separate adult sessions were held to advocate ways of encouraging young women to continue with science and math study.
 The conference keynote address was given by Kare 11 News meteorologist Belinda Jensen.  Ms. Jensen showed slides of her childhood and career path, encouraging her audience to take math and science right on through high school and college.  "Do I look like a scientist? Well, I am one," said Jensen.

For future conference information contact Dr. Jeanine Gregoire at Augsburg College (612-330-1551).
    
Return to Table of Contents

Sport Aviation Conference, Minneapolis Convention Center, February 14, 1999.  Contact Gordon Hoff, MnDOT (612-297-7652).

Space Science Across the Curriculum Conference, Science Museum of Minnesota, March 13, 1999.  Contact Science Museum Education Office (612-221-4519).

Career Choices and Computing Camp for Girls.  Summer computing camp for girls grades 5-8 sponsored by the IT Program for Women at the U of M-TC and the MnSGC.  Contact the IT Program for Women Office at (612-624-1317).

Enhancement Grant Program Awards.  Competitive funds for K-12 education, higher education, and public outreach available from MnSGC on limited basis.  Contact the MnSGC Office.

NASA Academy Program.  Competitive internship positions at NASA research centers nationwide for qualified undergraduates.  Deadline January, 1999.  Contact MnSGC Office or see NASA Academy website:  www.nasa-academy.nasa.gov/

MnSGC Scholarship and Fellowship Program.  Competitive scholarship and fellowships funds available for qualified undergraduates and graduates.  Applications available after January 1st.  Deadline April 1st.  Contact the MnSGC Office.

Undergraduate Student Internship and Research Opportunities available through all MnSGC Affiliate Institutions.  Contact your Affiliate Faculty Member or the MnSGC Office for current information.

MnSGC Undergraduate Research Symposium will be held again in the spring of 1999.  Poster sessions, oral and/or written presentations are solicited for supervised undergraduate research projects.  Contact the MnSGC Office for information.
NASA Resource Materials.  Contact the MnSGC Office for information.

MnSGC Office
Phone:  612-626-9295
FAX:  612-626-1558
website:  www.aem.umn.edu/other/msgc
 
Return to Table of Contents
 

CONSORTIUM AFFILIATES

Ken Erickson, Physics
Jeanine Gregoire, Science Education
Augsburg College

John Annexstad, Geology
Kris Cannon, Space Law
Bemidji State University

Tom Greenlee, Physics
Richard Peterson, Physics
Bethel College

Cindy Blaha, Physics
Carleton College

Terry Flower, Physics
College of St. Catherine

Jamie Robertson, Science Education
Leech Lake Tribal College

Glenn Langhorst, Physics
Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College

Karl Wirth, Geology
Macalester College

Mark Hollabaugh, Physics
Julie Johnson, Physics
Normandale Community College

William L. Garrard, Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Jack Brownstein, Geology
Paul Lane, Physics
University of St. Thomas

Advisory Board
Alliant Technology
Northwest Airlines
SciMath Minnesota
3M

State-Governmental Affiliate
Gordon Hoff, Aviation Education
Minnesota Dept. of Transportation

-------

Director
William L. Garrard, UM-TC

Co-Directors
John Annexstad, BSU
Ken Erickson, Augsburg College

Program Coordinator
Randi Quanbeck

Minnesota Space Grant Consortium
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
University of Minnesota
107 Akerman Hall
110 Union Street SE
Minneapolis, MN  55455

 
Return to Table of Contents