Size Matters: Introduction to Nanoscience
This unit provides an introduction to nanoscience, focusing on concepts related to the size and scale, unusual properties of the nanoscale, tools of the nanosciences, and example applications. Upon completing this unit, students will understand: The study of unique phenomena at the nanoscale could vastly change our understanding of matter and lead to new questions and answers in many areas, including health care, the environment, and technology: There are enormous scale differences in our univer
Manipulation of Light in the Nanoworld
"Manipulation of Light in the Nanoworld" extends the standard topics of wavelength, diffraction, and interference into the nanoscale by introducing students to the concept of photonic crystals. Hands-on activities present macro and microscale diffraction and interference effects in an engaging way. Computer simulations that parallel some of these hand-on activities allow students to observe the changes in these effects as objects move from the micro to the nanoscale. These concepts are then appr
Introduction to Nanoscale Science: Surface Area to Volume Ratio Module
Many intriguing phenomena observed in the "nanoworld" can be attributed to the increase in the surface to volume ratio ( SVR ) at the nanoscale. Understanding the surface area effects to volume changes is thus crucial to the understanding of nanoscale phenomena and nanotechnology applications. As an introduction to the nanoworld, the major goals of this module are to (1) give students a feel for just how small the nanoscale is, (2) give students practice in mathematically communicating nanoscale
Introduction to X-ray Diffraction
This site is intended as a brief introduction to some of the common x-ray diffraction techniques used in materials characterization. It is designed for people who are novices in this field but are interested in using the techniques in their research. Topics include x-ray generation and properties, lattice planes and Bragg's Law, powder and thin film diffraction, texture measurement and pole figures, residual stress measurements, small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), and x-ray crystallography.
Igneous Petrology
This PowerPoint presentation is part of the Whitman College petrology course. The presentation provides an introduction to the structure of the earth in the context of the generation of igneous rocks. Slides in the presentation cover the composition of layers of the earth, P-wave and S-wave velocities through layers of the earth, pressure and heat characteristics of the earth, and regions of igneous generation within the earth. This resource is part of the Teaching Petrology collection. http://s
Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology Class Materials
This web site is maintained by John Winter of Whitman College, and contains 31 PowerPoint presentations for an igneous and metamorphic petrology course. The course and the lectures are keyed to his text, An Introduction to Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. The PowerPoint presentations are organized by chapter and contain many maps, graphs and illustrations. Each chapter is a separate PowerPoint file that can be downloaded and modified to suit the user's needs. In addition, the website includes
Treats in a Basket
Students develop intuitive understandings about the probability of landing on particular board spaces when a die is rolled. They analyze the probability of multiple rolls by making outcome tables, trees, etc.
Treats in a Basket is designed to encourage students to experiment with probability. It will motivate students to learn about the subject in order win the most treats. It should be played by students who are already comfortable with fractions. Students should also be familiar with calculat
Blackboard 9 - Exporting and Importing Tests
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Introductory Statistics: Concepts, Models, and Applications
The book, Introductory Statistics: Concepts, Models, and Applications, presented in the following pages represents over twenty years of experience in teaching the material contained therein. The high price of textbooks and a desire to customize course material for my own needs caused me to write this material. This Web text and associated exercises is a continuing project. Check back often for updates.
Light, optics and lenses
Physical Science Content Standard B of the National Science Education Standards encompasses transfer of energy and specifically states, Light interacts with matter by transmission (including refraction), absorption, or scattering (including reflection). We begin with early investigations into the nature of light that culminated in the current understanding of the nature of light, both visible and invisible as the same physical laws apply to the entire electromagnetic spectrum. From there student
Data analysis: as real world as it gets
In Data Analysis: As Real World As It Gets, we feature resources for teaching about data and statistics as supported by the NCTM Standards (NCTM, 2000). Data collection and analysis can be an avenue into the meaningful mathematics and problem-solving skills needed by students in the twenty-first century. And an answer to the student question, Why do we have to study math? can be found when teaching mathematics with a real-world statistics approach.
Algebraic thinking: a basic skill
The resources highlighted here aim to reflect students' growing mathematical capacity over the span of the middle school years. The activities and lessons, intended as supplementary materials, range from introduction to the fundamentals of algebra to work on linear functions. Uniformly, they take into consideration the preference of the middle school student for concrete models, visual representations, and interactive tasks.
Hunting Bears with a Microscope
In this online activity, students use lichens and tardigrades (water bears) to investigate their use as bioindicators of key air pollutants. When lichens are exposed to some kinds of air pollutants, especially to sulfur dioxide, the lichens are injured and die. The lichen coverage in a specified area should be a good indicator of the level of air quality. The diversity of the tardigrade species on the lichens will be used to develop another level for bioindication of air quality. Sections of thi
Addition and Subtraction Face-Off! Game
Students place markers on the numbers 2-12. Students toss two 6-sided dice, find the sum and remove a marker from that number, if there is still one. The first player to remove all markers wins the game. This game can be used as addition practice or as an introduction to the probability of the different outcomes of rolling two dice. This game was developed by a Monmouth University student for the Probability Fair. These games help students acquire proficiency in addition and subtraction facts.
Genetic Disease WebQuest
Students take on different roles to learn about DNA and genetic diseases, including how a genetic disease causes a person to get sick, how we test for and treat a genetic disease, and how we help people to make better decisions regarding all the complicated issues involved with genetic diseases. This webquest, designed for high school and undergraduate students, is an ideal introduction to the concepts of bioinformatics, genetic diseases, and potential careers in science fields. The activity can
Reading for Philosophical Inquiry
In this introduction to philosophical thinking, we will read some essays specially chosen from four main areas of interest: (1) the philosophy of life, (2) the philosophy of religion, (3) ethics, and (4) metaphysics and theory of knowledge. Although our approach is not comprehensive, it is reasonably representative of some of the more significant areas of philosophical inquiry. The readings are intended to illustrate the interrelations between these subject areas of philosophy and, as well, to p
Fundamentals of Program Evaluation
Fundamentals of Program Evaluation familiarizes students in different types of program evaluation, including needs assessment, formative research, process evaluation, monitoring of outputs and outcomes, impact assessment, and cost analysis. Students gain practical experience through a series of exercises involving the design of a conceptual framework, development of indicators, analysis of computerized service statistics, and development of an evaluation plan to measure impact. This course cover
Introduction to Methods for Health Services Research and Evaluation
Introduction to Methods for Health Services Research and Evaluation provides an introduction to basic methods for undertaking research and program evaluation within health services organizations and systems. In addition to basic methods, the course also provides "the state of the art" in research and evaluation through the review of major completed studies. This course is recommended for students who will be carrying out policy research, social science research, or program impact evaluation with
