Sept. 9, 2011
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CHAMPAIGN, Ill./VICKSBURG, Miss. — This summer, ERDC's Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) hosted 16 local students as an outreach program under Gains in the Education of Science and Mathematics (GEMS).
The GEMS program allowed students entering grades 7 and 8 in fall 2011 to intern at the lab and be exposed to career opportunities in math and science. The program targets students who may have potential to excel in these disciplines, but who need motivation or positive experiences to pursue this goal.
A standard series of learning modules comprise GEMS and host sites can choose to present one or more of them. These modules may be augmented by other science and math activities.
At CERL, the Material World Modules presented were Smart Sensors, led by Susan Drozdz, and Biosensors, led by Dr. Irene MacAllister.
C.E., a local private school student, said, "I learned that smart sensors help track down things that we can't, like heat, light, and radiation. Smart sensors help save lives by tracking radiation, smoke, nitrogen, and toxic gas."
According to Jadin, a regional junior high student, "…smart sensors was the most interesting when we got to build microphones, pass motion sensors without being noticed, and make coin counters." These activities made up the hands-on portion of the module.
The second course focused on making and testing a cholesterol biosensor. Lindsey, a Champaign middle school student, learned that "biosensors are sensors that sense living things or things that were once living. They also tell you things like your blood sugar so they really help."
Most of the students attending the GEMS camp hope to have some type of career in math or science. Dong-Ha, a student from a Champaign middle school, stated, "A career I may want to pursue is nano-technology, more so, leaning toward biotechnology because biotechnology is both interesting and lucrative in the near future. Imagine designing machines composed possibly of regenerative biological parts, especially in the face of a dearth of natural resources."
In addition to the two modules, CERL volunteers conducted three interactive demonstrations, geological sensors, corrosion sensors, and a course on fuel cells and photovoltaics in which students raced solar-powered cars.
Said Carolyn, "I would tell my friends that the GEMS camp is REALLY awesome! Not only do you get to learn a lot about math and science (trust me, it's not boring!), you can also make a lot of new friends at the camp! Also, another great thing about GEMS is that questions are encouraged, and the instructors will try to help and give you the best possible answer!"
At ERDC-Vicksburg, GEMS II campers received a lesson in the principals of centrifugal force and the advantages of using centrifuge technology in a fun and unusual way—they made candy.
"A cotton candy machine uses a combination of heat and centrifugal force. The force slings out melted sugar radially and, as it cools, fine strands of sugar are formed," said ERDC Centrifuge Researcher Wipawi Vanadit-Ellis. "We showed that this is not only a tool for solving complex research problems, it's something we use in our everyday lives."
In addition to making their own cotton candy, campers also participated in a variety of other centrifugal-related activities including using a rope to spin buckets filled with water. The lesson was just one of many during the week-long, ERDC-Vicksburg-wide event.