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Fjf file:/C:/Program Files/GridNexusI.0.2/examples/chemistry/JmolToMolStart.xml File View Edit Graph Debug jutilities actorlibrary | luserlibrar molDat ' A a journey ofintellectual inquiry university of north caroling Wilmington v ^ ^^ a messagefrom the dean faculty, staffand studentscontribute directlyto improvingthewayswelive and learn. Inside this issueofresearch youwill find described themanyways UNCWbrings together researchers, students and the communityto solveproblems facing people in Southeastern North Carolina and around theworld. A spotlighton education—from instructional technologytokeeping students safe—shines brightlythese days at UNCW. Ourfacultyisengaged in high qualityeducational research andevaluation includingevaluatingtechnology in public schools and whether laptops andcomputers can improvestudents' academic performance. Ourfacultyare studying theeffectiveness ofonline learningmethods, howmusic encouragescognitive development in children andthe effectivenessofprograms aimed atcurbing schoolviolence and anti-socialbehavior. At UNCWwe recognizethevalue ofcollaborative research. Facultyin several departments havejoined to takea multi-disciplinaryapproach to studyingsocial issues that affect us all from countering obesityto reducingviolence. We are proud to announce the formation oftwo newresearch groups around thethemes ofobesityandviolencethat arepursuing research initiatives and linkingtheir findings to real-life situationsthrough partneringwith areanonprofits. UNCW prides itselfon providingopportunities for students to be involved in research. Inthis issue,you'llfind profiles ofthree superlative undergraduate researchersworkingwith facultymentorsto studythe invasivepopulation of lionfish alongtheEast Coast, the roleofsyntax, semantics and pragmatics ofconditional statements in classical logic and ways to improve learningand memory. You'll also read about theGrid Nexus Project in which undergraduatecomputer programmers havecreated usefulWeb interfaces thatare UNCW usedbyresearchers at and across North Carolina. UNCW We're proud that at research is collaborative, solves importantproblems and involves facultyand students. Take alookatthis issue ofresearch; I'm sureyou'll be impressedwith thebreadth andvalueofour research activities. Sincerely, RobertRoer, Ph.D. HfL^FFn Of KN Dean ofthe Graduate School . . and Research UniversityofNorth CarolinaWilmington isa publiccomprehensive universitydedicatedtoexcellence inteaching,scholarshipand artisticachievement, and service.The universityseekstostimulate intellectual curiosity, imagination, rationalthinking, andthoughtful expression in a broad rangeofdisciplinesand professionalfields. InterioroftheSchoolofEducationatrium duringcommencement,spring2006. CONTENTS: collaborativeresearch: researchers workacross disciplines and withinthe community Counteringthe Obesity Epidemic two CommunityandscholarshipeffortscombinetofightobesityinSoutheasternNorth Carolina UnderstandingViolence three ViolenceResearch Groupcollaboratesandsharesdata tohelp thecommunityaddressconcerns aboutviolence spotlighton education iPods andXylophones four Dr. DanielJohnson uses musictofostercriticalthinkingskills Learningwith Laptops four Dr. TracyHargroveevaluates theeffectivenessofpersonallaptop use inNorth Carolina elementaryschools StoppingSchoolViolence six Dr. CarolineClements evaluatesa hostofprogramsaimedateliminatingviolencein schools A Teacher's Commitment seven Dr. MahnazMoallem uses technologyto improvelearningonlineandaroundthe world specialfocuson studentresearch involvement GridNexus: aTrue Collaboration eight Studentprogrammerscreatecutting-edgegridcomputingtoolsforresearchers OutstandingStudent Research ten An in-depth lookatthree UNCWstudentresearch accomplishments appliedresearch TechnologyTransfer, Economic Development andthe Public Good thirteen Ron Podraza explainsthe necessityofbusiness-universitypartnerships ShapingUp theWorkplace backcover Dr. RobertBoyce usesergonomics andexercise to improve thelivesofworkers research ajourney CoverphotoofDr. RonVetter, leadPrincipal InvestigatorontheGridNexusproject,takenbyJamie Moncrief, UNCW. ofintellectual inquiry toexploreorexamine inordertodiscover 2006 research is published by UNCW's Division of AcademicAffairs. Pleasedirect correspondenceto: UniversityofNorth Carolina Wilmington Division ofAcademicAffairs 601 South College Road Wilmington, NC 28403 910.962.3137 http://www.uncw.edu/aa UNCWilmingtoniscommittedtoandwillprovideequaleducationalandemploymentopportunity.1250copiesofthispublicdocumentwereprintedatacostof57,233.44orS6.03percopy(G.S.143-170.11 collaborative research COUNTERING THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC Thestatisticsarestartling: 61 percentofNorthCaroliniansareeither childhoodobesity."Thisisexactlytheeffortbeingundertakenby UNCW overweightorobese. TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention andCapeFearHealthyCarolinians,abranchofastatewide estimatethatmedicalexpendituresresultingfromobesitytotal healthadvocacyorganizationthatismadeupoflocalgovernment $75billion,andinthestateofNorthCarolina,theseexpenditures institutionsandnon-profitorganizations. total$2,138billionannually.AccordingtoStephenDemski,vice Themaingoalofthecollaborationistoreducethepercentageof chancellorforpublicservice overweightandobesechildren. andcontinuingstudies,45 Specificprojectsinclude: onsistent action by many percentofNorthCarolina's • nutritioneducationforhome childrenareoverweightorat daycareproviders different groups will enhance riskforobesity; 59percent • communitywalkingand ofNewHanoverCounty's fitnesstrails the quality and speed necessary population isoverweight. • communitygardeninalocal Thereisnodoubtthat to reduce childhood obesitv. publichousingdevelopment moreAmericanadults y • educationcampaigntoinform andchildrenareobeseor communitymembersabout overweighttoday,withserious healthylifestyleandnutrition personalandpublichealth choices relatedconsequences. Obesityaffectsbothphysicalandmental • advocacyprogramforchangingpublicpolicyregardinghealth health,socialrelationshipsandcommunityeconomicproductivity. andfitness. Obesitycanbeattributedtoamultitudeofcauses,including Duringeachprojectyear(ofthethree-yearperiod),theneedsof improperdietandlackofphysicalactivity. thelower-incomeobeseandoverweightpopulationwillbeassessed UNCW researchersarecollaboratingwithCapeFearHealthy regularlysothatinsubsequentyearstheinitiativewilleffectively CarolinianstotackletherisingproblemofobesityinNewHanover addressthoseneedsthroughthepartnerinitiativesthatarepartofthe andBrunswickcounties."Wecombineourscholarshipeffortswith comprehensiveproject. UNCW theirabilitytogetthingsdone,"saysDemski. bringsqualityresearchtothisinitiativethatcanbe UNCW The DivisionforPublicServiceandContinuingStudies appliedtocommunityprograms."Thereisagreatdealofobesity UNCW andCapeFearHealthyCaroliniansrecentlyreceiveda$286thousand researchgoingonat saysDemski. IntheDepartment grantfromtheKateB.ReynoldsCharitableTrustanda$75thousand ofHealthandAppliedHumanSciences,facultymembersare grantfromtheCapeFearMemorialFoundation.Thefundswill conductingresearchonhowgastricbypassaffectsthesocialand beusedtocombatobesityandpromotehealthylifestylechoicesin leisureactivitiesofindividualsundergoinggastricbypasssurgery. childrenandadultsinNewHanoverandBrunswickCounties,witha Anotherstudyinvolvescollectingdataonhowobesityaffectsworker focusonlower-incomeresidents.AccordingtoMovingOurChildren productivity.MBAstudentsintheCameronSchoolofBusinessare toHealthy Weight,apublicationoftheNorthCarolinaDepartment completingasocialmarketingpracticumonhowtoinfluencethe ofHealthandHumanServices,"consistentactionbymanydifferent publiconissuessuchasnutritionandfitnessawareness. groupswillenhancethequalityandspeednecessarytoreduce • Obesity is one ofthe leading causesof unnecessary death inthe nation. • Obesity-related health carecosts in adults reach over$100 billion nationwide each year. • North Carolina residents are amongthe nation's least physically activeand have one ofthe highest obesity rates inthe nation. sources: American ObesityAssociation, N.C DepartmentofHealthandHumanResources, andCapeFearHealthyCarolinians StephenDemski,vicechancellorforpublicserviceandcontinuing studies [email protected] pagetwo collaborative research UNDERSTANDING VIOLENCE "We knowviolence exists everywhere, but we don't un- Dr. Caroline Clements, psychology, is compiling broad data derstand how to affect it," says Elizabeth Demski. Demski about the behaviors ofteens inNew HanoverCounty. The UNCW facilitates the Violence Research Group, a group of group is also associated with Healthy Carolinians, a statewide UNCW facultywith common interests in violence research health advocacy organization. Cape FearHealthy Carolin- and astrong research record. "Violence is anational and ians, which servesNew Hanover and Brunswick counties, is a local concern. The universitycan serve the communityin consortium ofcommunity organizations, includingnonprofit UNCW helping to address itmore effectively. has acohort of groups, schools, hospitals, organizations such as the Domestic facultywho have strength in this area, have been working in Violence Shelter, andthe campus andcounty police. "Healthy violence research and are nowcollaborating with each other," Carolinians hopes to improve violence prevention efforts by says Demski. engaging neighborhood leaders, churches and minority groups "One ofthe reasons I'vebeen interested in studying with influence intheirarenas to reach populations we may not violence is that I am adomesticviolence survivor," says Dr. otherwise have access to," notes Demski. "We wantto pull in KimberlyCookofthe Department ofSociologyand Criminal people who haven'tbeen inthe conversation." Justice. "I wentto collegeas aformerlybatteredwoman and a Members compile and share local datato extract valuable single mother. I havewalked amile intheirshoes, soto speak. information foreach oftheirdisciplinary fields. In addition, Also, as asociologist, I'mveryconcernedabout howpeople the varyingperspectives on their individual datagathering interpretthe utilityofviolenceas ameans to achieve their provide opportunities forinterdisciplinary research. "We are goals, from spankingchildren towarfare; it's allconnected." currently sharing datato write a series ofcollaborative work- Cookhasexpanded herown research on domesticviolenceto ingpapers andpublications," says Demski. Furthermore, as the include researchonthe death penalty, anti-abortionviolence group develops stronger international ties, members plan to do andalternatives to adjudication ofviolence. comparative researchwith similarpopulation groups around Theviolence research groupworkswithin the localcom- theworldto gain insight into cultural differences andhow they munitythrough avariety ofvenues. Faculty in the Sociology affectviolence patterns. and Criminal Justice Department have been studying dispro- In addition to Cook, Clements, and Demski, the Violence portionate minority contact, which refers tothe overrepresen- Research Group includes Dr. Adrian Sherman, assistantpro- tation ofminority youth in thejuvenilejustice system, forthe vost for internationalprograms, Dr. Mike Maumeofsociol- North CarolinaGovernor's Crime Commission. ogy, Dr. Susan Bullers, directorofUNCW's Women's Resource Throughthe Safe Schools/Healthy Student Initiative, Center, and Dr. Yeoun Soo Kim-Godwin, ofnursing. Elizabeth Demski, directorofgrantdevelopment [email protected] pagethree education research AND IPODS XYLOPHONES Dr. DanielC. Johnson,assistantprofessorintheDepartment ofMusic,studiesdifferentwaysofteachingmusicthatfoster students'criticalthinkingskills.Twoparticularresearch projectsexemplifyhisresearchlinkingmusicinstructionvia technologyenhancements. Inanon-goingresearchstudyinvolvingapproximately UNCW 200 undergraduatesinabasicstudiescoursehe designed,Johnsonisinvestigatingtheeffectofextracurricular musiclisteningassignmentsonstudents'abilitiestodescribe music. Usingpreliminaryresultsfromthisstudy,Johnson demonstratesthatrepeatedmusiclisteningusingiPodsresults insignificantlyenhancedabilitiestodescribeunfamiliar musicalexamples. Johnsonisalsoanationallycertifiedteacher-trainerinthe Orff-Schulwerkapproachtomusicand movementeducation.Thisinnovative pedagogyfocusesoncreativeand criticalthinkingandisbasedonwhat childrendonaturally,suchassing, chantanddance. Closelyalliedwith learninglanguage,thisapproach highlightstheexperienceofmaking musicbeforetheformalreading andwritingofmusic,alsoknown as"soundbeforesight."Thefocusis oninteractiveandparticipatoryexperiencessuchasmoving, Aprincipal and studentworktogetherata North Carolina 1-2-1 grant- funded elementaryschool. chanting,singingandplayinginstruments(xylophones, glockenspiels,drums,etc.)Thisapproachisbasedonthework LEARNING ofCarlOrff,aGermancomposerandmusiceducator.Through thisprocess,Johnsonreinforcesthemanywaysthatmusicis WITH LAPTOPS intrinsicallyconnectedtoliteracyandlanguagedevelopment. JohnsonemploystheOrff-Schulwerkapproachwhen teachingmusictoabout 100predominantlyHispanicelemen- taryschoolchildreninafter-schoolprogramsattwoNew Research suggests thatwhen students have accessto apersonal HanoverCountyschools. Johnson'sinstructionispartof computer, theyaremore motivated to learn andacademic achieve- theOLASandASPIREprograms,twofederallyfunded21st ment increases. Drs. TracyHargrove, KathyFoxand Kathleen CenturyLearningGrantprojects. Inaddition,hedirectsthe Roney ofthe DepartmentofCurricularStudieswithin theWatson Orff-SchulwerkProgramatUNCWandoffersin-service School ofEducation, are conductingan external reviewofthe trainingandcertificationcoursesforareamusicteachers North Carolina 1-2-1 grants for theNorth Carolina Department throughouttheyear.Anecdotalresultsfromthison-going ofPublic Instruction. Dr. Hargroveserves asprincipal investigator projectincludeverypositiveparent,teacherandstudentfeed oftheproject. The NC 1-2-1 Program is aone-yeargrantprogram, back. Statisticalanalysesofachievementdataareinprogress. fundedthrough aNo Child Left Behind Enhancing Education ThroughTechnologygrant. Thegroup began workon the reviewin DanielJohnson,Ph.D., music August 2005. [email protected] The 1-2-1 grant is based on the premise that an improved teaching and learning climate, increased student motivation and pagefour education research The goal of the NC 1-2-1 program is to prepare students to enter the world of higher education and work with a history of technology literacy and academic success. higher student achievement occur when each student has access to a personal computer for his or her own use throughout the school day or during a specific class or course ofstudy. These grants have provided additional hardware to each school so that the participatinggrade level either has one computer forevery student orone computer for every two students. This studyis designed to measure both motivation and academic achievement. The goal ofthe NC 1-2-1 program is to prepare students to enter the world ofhigher education and workwith a history oftechnologyliteracyand academic success. Four elementary schools in North Carolina were awarded 1-2-1 grants. Each — schoolwas assigned an external evaluator Fox, Roneyor — Hargrove who visits four times during the school year. Hargrove, Fox and Roneyare using quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate the success ofthe grants over a three- year period. Quantitative measures include the administration ofavarietyofstandard instruments. Qualitative data is being gatheredvia student and teacher self-report as well as on-site observation byresearchers. The hypothesis to be tested is that the integration oftechnologyinto instructional practice will make Elementaryschool students in NC 1-2-1 grant-funded programs have a significant difference in student achievement, attitudes, values accessthroughoutthedayto laptopcomputersequipped with Internet and behaviors. accessand appropriatesoftware. Research suggeststhatthesestu- "We are collecting the same quantitative data from four com- dentsare moremotivatedto learn, andtheiracademicachievement parison schools. Each school receiving grant moneywas matched improvesasa result. to acomparison school. Schools were matched bycontrolling for a number ofdemographic variables including school size, and the percentage ofstudents in various categories identified byNo Child Left Behind such as ethnicity, socio-economic status and English proficiency," notes Hargrove. Environmental factors, including principal's leadership style and school population characteristics will also be considered. Leadership style instru- mentswill be used to assess whether a principals' leadership style influences the success oftechnologyprograms. This studyalso examines the effect ofschool technologyprograms on the utiliza- tion oftechnologyin the home. Parents will be asked to complete asurveytwice eachyear, and asample ofparents will participate in an interview. "We have not finished collecting or analyzing quantitative data, but qualitative data suggest that students are more motivated to engage in academic activities and are developing a more positive attitude toward learning," says Hargrove. TracyHargrove, Ph.D.,curricularstudies [email protected] pagefive education research STOPPING SCHOOL VIOLENCE Dr.CarolineClements,associateprofessorofpsychology,hasabigjob: iinnggaarroouunnddtthheeccooumntry.Violenceratesaredecreasingatafasterratein sheservesasprojectevaluatorfora$9.5millionSafeSchools/Healthy SSSSHHSSggrraannttaawwaarrddee<dschools,"saysClements. Students(SSHS)federalgrantprojectawardedtotheNewHanover ""EEvveerryyssttuuddeennttinNewHanoverCountyisaffectedbythisgrant," CountySchoolSystemincoordinationwithothercommunitygroups. nnootteessCClleemmeennttss..TThheegrantsupportsprogramsthatfocusonsocialskills UNCW Nottomentionthatsheservesasdirectorofthe Centerfor ttrraaiinniinnggiinnpprree--KKtthh)roughfifthgrade,alternativestosuspension,mental TeachingExcellence.Nottomentionthat healthsupportinschools,teenleadership she'sbeenknowntoteachclassesontop £^ Violence rates arree ddeeccrreeaassiinnfgl experiences,peermediationtraininganda ofeverythingelse."Mylifeisverybusy," youthcourtinwhichstudentsparticipatein sighselements a«>undthe countrIyy......Iraalteeas adiree modeljudicialhearingsandtrytheirclass- Thesshsinitiativeprovides decreasing at a faaSstteerr rraattee iinn matesforminoroffenses. grantfundingtoNewHanoverCounty g^ Schoo s/Heaaltthhyu SQttuurdleonnttjc Clementscoordinatestheevaluationof schoolsandcommunitygroupssothey , , * alloftheprograms,andherteamdocu- ^^ canimplementprovenprogramsand grant-awarded SCCnnOOOOlISS.. j j mentstheeffectivenessoftheprograms servicesthatpromotehealthychildhood twiceayear. Sheemploysafullstaff:three development,violenceprevention,and full-timeemployees,threegraduatestudents alcoholanddrugusepreventionamongschool-agechildren.The aannddaappaarrtt--ttiimmeePPhh..D.student."Wegeneratetonsofdata,"saysCle- federalprogram,whichbeganin 1999,hasdistributedfundstomore mmeennttss,,""WWeeggoooovveerralloftheagenciestoseewhatstepsthey'vetaken than90schooldistrictsaroundthecountry.Then-presidentClinton aannddwwhhaattiimmpprroovveemnentshavebeenmade.Kids'behaviorshould establishedthegrantprograminthehopethatitwouldreducethe iimmpprroovveeoovveerrttiimmee.."" likelihoodofincidentsofschoolviolence,particularlyinresponseto CClleemmeennttssaanndd'h. erevaluationteamalsosurvey28,000children, theColumbineshootingsin 1999. ppaarreennttssaannddsscchhoooollpersonneleachyeartoassessschoolsecurity.The In2003,NewHanoverCountySchools,incollaborationwiththe sscchhoooollssaaddmmiinniisstteerrthesurveysandClementsandherteaminterpret NewHanoverCountySheriff'sDepartment,theSoutheasternCenter tthheerreessuullttss,. forMentalHealthServices,and27othercommunitygroups,formedthe AAlllloofftthheepprrooggramsimplementedbytheinitiativeareevidence- UnitingforYouthInitiative.Theinitiativereceivedthe$9.5milliongrant bbaasseedd,,mmeeaanniinnggtthhaatthereispublisheddatashowingthattheprograms in2003,andisfundedthrough2007.Thegroupsgoalsincludeimprov- aarreeiinnddeeeeddeeffffeeccttiivvee,.Clementscontinuallyevaluatestheeffectiveness ingsafetyandsecurityatcountyschoolsanddaycarecenters;increasing oofftthheepprrooggrraammssttoofshowthattheyarestillworking."Weonlyusewhat parentalinvolvement;preventingviolenceinthehome,schoolsand wweekknnoowwiisseeffffeeccttiivvee,andwecontinuallyevaluateit.Weonlywant withinthecommunity;preventingdrugandalcoholuseamongminors; pprrooggrraammsstthhaattwwoorrkk,"saysClements.Thegoalistoidentifychildrenin andimprovingthementalhealthofthe21,000studentsservedbyNew tthheemmoossttnneeeeddooffssee:rvice,yetallareaffected."Thefocusisonpreven- HanoverCountySchools. ttiioonnrraatthheerrtthhaannrreenmediation,"saysClements. Oneofthemaingoalsoftheprojectistoteachchildrenpositive LLiissaaBBrreewwsstteerr,,SSHSprojectdirectorintheNewHanoverCounty socialskills.NewHanoverCountyreceivedoneofthelargestgrants SScchhoooollss,,ssaayyss,,""TThheeevaluationdepartmentisoneofthebestpartsof everawardedbytheSSHSInitiative;otherschooldistrictsusually tthhiissggrraanntt..TThheeoonnggcoingevaluationistremendous,justsoweknow receivesomewherebetween$1 and$2million. wwhheerreewweessttaanndd..""FFoorherpart,Brewsterhaslearnedalotthrough "NewHanoverCountyisadisproportionatelyviolentcounty.Itis wwoorrkkiinnggwwiitthhrreesseeaairchersatUNCWandbelievesthatthelearning oneofthemoreviolentcountiesinNorthCarolina. Ithasthehighest rreellaattiioonnsshhiippiissmmuuttuual,"I'velearnedalotaboutevaluation,andthey've rateoffostercareplacementinthestate,andisamongthehighestin lleeaarrnneeddaalloottaabboouuttischools,"shesays. teenanddomesticviolencerates,"saysClements. Sheattributessome CClleemmeennttss''eevvaalluationteamhasalsoperformedassessmentsof oftheproblemtoahighratesofdrugabuseamongcountyresidents ccoouunnttyysscchhoooollsseeccuuriity.Theysentmock-intrudersintotheschools, andtothesocioeconomicwoesthatcommunitymembersfaceinan uunnaannnnoouunncceedd,,ttoosseeewhenandiftheintruderswouldberecognized. areawherethedividebetweentherichandpoorisgrowing. ""WWeehhaavveesseeeennaanniirmprovementinthisarea,mostschoolsaremore Yet,theSSHSinitiativehasbeenshowntopositivelyaffectsocial aawwaarreeooffssaaffeettyyccoonnceerns,"saysBrewster. behavioramongyoungpeople."Violencerates,ingeneral,aredecreas- FFoorrmmoorreeiinnffoornmation, visitwww.nhcs.kl2.nc.us/sshs/. CarolineClements,Ph.D., psychology [email protected] education research A TEACHER COMMITMENT S Asa special educationteacherin her native Iran, Dr. Mahnaz Moallem strivedto becomea better Someoftheparticularly teacher.Thisdedicationtoteaching drove hertofurther hereducation in Iran and laterat Florida State effectiveprogramsinstigated University, and it iswhatdrives her research in instructional methodsandtechnologyas a professor bySSHSfunding include: ofinstructionaltechnologyattheWatson School ofEducation. "I am deeplycommittedto human development, andfortunately mywork has allowed meto pursuethis passion," says Moallem. ProjectAlert, a preventative Moallem's research focuses on how people learn and howto incorporate non-traditional meth- programfocusing on drug and alcohol abuse.The needfor ods oflearning into a Web-based approach toteaching. Her research also has a strong international focus. Her research interests include instructional design models and principles, development of a program likethis is high in NewHanoverCounty. "In our Web-based instructional materials, design and developmentofonline collaborative learning environments, and how new and emergingtechnologycan improve learning and instruction. Youth Risk BehaviorSurvey, 30 percentofeighth graders She is involved intwo research projects and recently applied for a grantfrom the National Science Foundation with a group ofcomputersciencefacultyand officialsfrom three local school reportdrug use, and 11 percent ofsixth gradersdo," saysCle- systems. Thegroup plansto begin a three-year program to encourage students in New Hanover, Penderand Brunswickcountiesto studyscience,technology, engineering and math (STEM) by ments.Thesurvey, implement- ed in 2005 byClements'evalua- offering expanded informationtechnology programsto students and teachers in grades7 through tionteam,surveyed 1,000 New 12. The goal of—the program istoteach students and teachers how—to exploitthe Squeak Media HanoverCounty middleschool Authoring Tool a free open sourcecomputer-programmingtool as a modeling environmentto and high school students,and infusetechnologyskills into core STEM curriculum. found high ratesofdrug and One ofherother research projects grew out ofherown experience inteaching online courses. alcohol use. Morethan halfof "I confronted issueswhen I started teaching onlinecourses. Students had differentstyles oflearn- all graduating seniorssurveyed ing, and itwas difficultto keep non-traditional students in onlinecourses. Non-traditional students had smoked marijuana;while foundthatalthough online courses areconvenient,theydidn't matchtheir learning styles," says 46 percent had drunkfiveor Moallem. She has since spentthe lasttwotothreeyears developing instructional strategiesthat morealcoholicdrinks in a row addressthe needsof non-traditional learning and isstudying howonline learning differsfrom traditional classroom-style learning. inthe pastmonth. In December2005, shevisitedthe Philippines andTaiwan and presented herstudyon different Second Step, a social skills learning styles in an online environment. In June, she met onlinewith researchersfrom both places development program in place to begin a study comparing online learning styles ofstudentsfrom the Philippines,Taiwan and the in somecounty preschools and United States. all elementaryschools in New She is alsoworking to partnerWilmington scienceteacherswith scienceteachers in New HanoverCounty. "We've seen Zealand. She's initiated a pilot program forstudentsto collaboratewith one anotheronline and for positivechanges in four-year- the participating scienceteachersto compareteaching methods and set up similargoals. oldsthrough the individual observations inthe preschool setting," says Brewster. Families in SchoolsTogether (FAST), a program serving small groups ofhigh-riskfami- lies. Participants meetoncea weekforthree hourstofocus on parenting skills and cook a meal orworkon a family projecttogether. "It has had atremendous impact," says Clements. Brewsteragrees thatthis program has made significant progress in increasing positive parenting skills amongthe participants. MahnazMoallem, Ph.D., specialtystudies [email protected] pageseven student research Grid computing is one ofthe newest and most intriguing UNCW areas in the computational sciences. is one of student four institutions statewide leading research teamsto investigate grid computing and its applications. research "UNCWhas a long historyof GridNexus involving studentsin research in a varietyofdisciplines. Becausewe TRUE COLLABORATION are a smalleruniversity,we can give undergraduatesthe chanceto become colleaguesintheirdepart- a2003 studysponsoredbye-NC, Dr. Robert Cohen,afellow ments.Wedo notonlyinvolve In attheEconomicStrategyInstituteofWashington, D.C.,estimat- graduate studentsin research. Our edthatgridcomputingwouldgivea$10billionboosttoNorth facultyseesmentoring studentsas Carolina'seconomythrough 2010. Hepredicted thatthedevelop- a partofresearch and scholarship. mentofgridtechnologywouldleadtoanadditional24,000jobsand Ourfacultyprovidesa lotofone-on- $7.2billioninpersonalincomeinthestate. Dr. Cohen notesthatthe one mentoring,andwe do itwithout emergenceofgridcomputingdepends uponthewidespreadavail- a lotofinfrastructure," says Dr. abilityofbroadband Internetaccessacrossthestateand"asufficient Kate Bruce,directorofthe Honors poolofskilledcomputerandcommunicationsprofessionalstofully Program and psychologyprofessor. Dr. Ron Vetter, deployand utilizethenewtechnologiesandapplications." Grid Nexus Principal Dr. Bruce helped organizethe Gridcomputingisoneofthenewestandmostintriguingareas Investigator. UNCW CenterforSupportofUndergraduate inthecomputationalsciences. isoneoffourinstitutions Research and Fellowships(CSURF). statewideleadingresearchteamstoinvestigategridcomputingand CSURFisa resourceto coordinate itsapplications. Computerscienceresearchersandprogrammersare opportunitiesand information integratingtheirknowledgeofthecomplexworkingsofthegridsys- relatedto undergraduate research tem into auser-friendlygraphical interfacethatmakesgridtechnol- andscholarship. ogymoreaccessibletoscientists andresearchers. Formore information about "Anyonewhohas largestorageorcomputationalneedsshould CSURForthe Honors Program, thinkaboutagrid,"says Dr. Ron Vetter,professorofcomputersci- please contactDr. Kate Bruce at [email protected]. Tera Lynchworks underDr.Sridhar Varadarajan'ssupervision. Inchem- istryhis lab, studentsdesignand investigatecytotoxiccompounds thatcan betargetedtospecific cells. Such compoundshavepoten- S JlA. 202PM tial applicationsin diabetesand cancertherapy. Experience likethis AGridNexusworkflow. can helpdefinea student'scareer.