RMSC News Newsletter of the Regional Math/Science Center Frostburg State University

FALL 2017

About the RMSC New RMSC Participants RMSC Refunded! The RMSC is excited to announce that it has been Twenty-two students were accepted into the RMSC for the awarded another 5-year U.S. Department of 2017 summer program and the 2017-18 academic year Education grant to serve 70 students in our target The Regional Math/Science Center program. Congratulations to these students and many area every year. Of the 638 proposals submitted (RMSC) is funded by the U.S. thanks to parents, guidance counselors, teachers, from around the country, only 147 were selected Department of Education. It is an principals, and community members for assisting these for funding. We recognize that it is the hard work Upward Bound Math and Science students with their applications and for providing and determination of our current and former (UBMS) program with a primary recommendations. participants that have led to our long-lasting goal of providing academic success. Since 1993, at least 349 of our 398 HS support to high school students Baltimore City graduates have enrolled in post -secondary education (87%) and 269 of these students have who come from families where • Laura Ochieng- Waverly MS/Baltimore City College HS either earned Bachelor’s degrees or are currently financial resources are limited and • Ayana Jackson- Mt. Royal MS/Baltimore Polytechnic Inst. enrolled (77%). Nationally the college-going rate • Aniya Wade- Cristo Rey Jesuit HS parents do not have college is only 68% and the degree attainment rate for a • Nijah Fleet- Mercy HS degrees. The RMSC works to help population similar to RMSC graduates is less than •Mikerria Melvin- Mercy HS these students develop to their full 40%. Additionally, we have at least 29 RMSC •Amari Page-Botengma- National Academy Foundation HS potential and prepare for success alumni who have earned or are pursuing advanced in college math and science Frederick County degrees. Keep up the good work! programs. • Asia Heffner- Brunswick MS/HS Thank you for your support! • LeVar Smallwood- Brunswick MS/HS We like to acknowledge the continued backing of Our residential summer • Jude Salisbury- West Frederick MS /Frederick HS Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, component takes place on the • Rachel Adeoye- Gov. Thomas Johnson HS Representatives Elijah Cummings, John Delaney, campus of Frostburg State • Audrey Badjouen- Gov. Thomas Johnson HS Jamie Raskin, Dutch Ruppersberger III, and John University (FSU). Opportunities • Emmanuella Boue- Gov. Thomas Johnson HS Sarbanes. Our students would not be afforded this include a challenging summer • Kitana Connors- Gov. Thomas Johnson MS/HS educational opportunity if it were not for their academic program with a focus on • Gissel Cuestas- Gov. Thomas Johnson HS support on Capitol Hill. hands-on science research • Jo Lyner- Gov. Thomas Johnson MS/HS projects, career exploration • Lenzy Mondo- Gov. Thomas Johnson HS In addition, we like to thank our school superintendents, teachers, guidance counselors, • Elizabeth Pena Cardenas- Gov. Thomas Johnson MS/HS workshops and educational field and community members who recommend • Angel Stouter-Workman- Gov. Thomas Johnson HS trips. students to our program and provide assistance • Axel Weingard- Gov. Thomas Johnson MS/Oakdale HS throughout the year; and the FSU Biology, • Damian Qualls- Crestwood MS/Tuscarora HS During the academic year, the Chemistry, and Physics and Engineering faculty RMSC provides academic support Washington County and staff for their continued cooperation, and monitors students’ progress. assistance, and advice as RMSC students and staff • Joshua Brooks-W. Heights MS/North Hagerstown HS The program also provides design and conduct their summer research. • Zachary Brooks-W. Heights MS/North Hagerstown HS educational trips and college visits for students throughout the year. We also greatly appreciate the FSU administration, and the dining services, facilities, housekeeping, ID The beginning researchers services, and events staff as they work to ensure our students have positive educational summer project group who studied experiences every year. behaviors of fruit flies. Thank you for helping us nurture the development of these young scientists and mathematicians.

Summer Research Projects This summer the RMSC introduced a three-tiered approach to preparing students for the challenges of a college science program. Our Beginning Researchers, primarily rising 9th graders, were introduced to scientific investigations via a study of fruit fly orientation behaviors. Students conducted a series of laboratory experiments in which they learned to develop testable hypotheses based on background knowledge and then follow a prescribed method to test their hypotheses. Emphasis was placed on drawing conclusions based on a critical analysis of the collected data and writing detailed and thorough responses to discussion questions. The Beginning Research program is designed to introduce students to scientific investigations and how to present study findings in both oral and written form. On the final day of their 2-week program, students presented their findings to an audience of parents and RMSC students and staff.

While our Beginning Researchers are provided a template for their hypothesis development and scientific investigation, our Intermediate Researchers are not. Instead, these three-week students begin the summer with a brief, introductory experiment and are asked to develop a series of questions based on the results of this experiment. These questions then provide a foundation for their background research. This summer, students were introduced to isopods in their initial experiment and developed questions that led to investigations regarding millipede behaviors in the presence of decaying food, and millipede preference for terrain. At the end of their 3-week program students presented their studies via poster presentations.

Like our Intermediate Researchers, our five-week Advanced Researchers begin the summer with introductory experiments that sparks interest in various topics. This summer, one group began by using only previously acquired knowledge to create and test cardboard gliders. The students qualitatively compared the results of the various designs and questioned which features influence glider performance: fuselage shape and weight, wind design and position, and tail design and position. The students then conducted background research in aerodynamics and glider designs and applied the new knowledge to their individual gliders. Students used an AutoCAD program and a 3D printer to construct their gliders. The gliders were tested using protocol developed by the students. The results and conclusions were presented via poster presentations to university faculty and staff, public officials, parents, school personnel, and RMSC staff.

Our second Advanced Research project group conducted investigations into how well organic and inorganic substances inhibit bacterial growth. Students began by observing culture plates containing bacteria exposed to various compounds. This introduction led students to research concepts in microbiology, specifically how different bacteria spread and how certain compounds may reduce the spread of bacteria. Our researchers became curious about whether organic or inorganic compounds are better at inhibiting bacterial growth and developed a study to test this question. They exposed three different bacteria typically found on humans to organic compounds such as bleach and hand sanitizer and inorganic compounds like tea tree oil and aloe, and measured the resulting inhibition zone (area in which bacteria did not grow). Their findings were also presented in our final day poster presentation.

Audience members were able to interact with our researchers and then evaluate each poster presentation and provide feedback to the students. Poster presentations are typically used in academic and professional conferences as they provide the researchers opportunities to actively engage with audience members regarding the research project. This format was well received by students and audience members alike. Summer Field Trips RMSC students work very hard in their academic classes and science research teams throughout the week and as a reward they enjoy fieldtrips on weekends. This summer all students traveled to Pittsburgh, PA for a day at the Carnegie Science Center. Here they explored multiple floors of interactive exhibits including the all new BodyWorks for discovering how the human body works, and roboworld®, the world’s largest permanent robotics exhibit. This trip was followed by a relaxing Sunday at the Frostburg City Pool. During the second weekend, 3- and 5-week students were guided through the National Historic Park and surrounding battlefields of Harpers Ferry, WV and then toured the John Brown Wax Museum and other historic buildings. A few adventurous students explored the park’s hiking trails to take in the natural beauty of this area. On Sunday, while at Dan’s Mountain State Park, some students went fishing in the park’s pond and others went in the outdoor pool. Our final weekend fieldtrips included an outing to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium and adventurous day at Seven Spring Mountain Resort where students rode chair lifts, paddle boats, hydro bikes, and paddleboards, coasted down the alpine slide, climbed the alpine tower and rock wall, slid down the summer tubing mountain, competed in games of bowling and mini golf, and just relaxed in the pool.

RMSC is life changing! Summer 2018: We are always excited to hear about the successes of our program alumni, and we are always humbled by the amazing things they share Recruiting Students & Staff regarding how RMSC impacted their lives. Planning is already underway for Summer 2018 and the RMSC will Mike Shaffer, a 1995-98 RMSC participant, earned his Bachelor’s from soon be searching for new students, staff, and workshop volunteers. FSU in 2002 and his PhD in Atomic Physics from Old Dominion University in 2008. Mike recently shared this message with the RMSC staff: How can a student join? I would like to express to you, the TC’s and instructors, my sincere A student can apply to the RMSC while in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade appreciation and gratitude for the unique opportunity to be a part of and can be considered for acceptance if he/she attends a target area RMSC…The summers spent at Frostburg during my high school years gave school, will be at least 13 years old by the start of the summer me direction, a sense of community and belonging among peers, and an program (mid-June), is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and has inspiration to apply myself and delve into science- which would eventually an interest in pursuing a math or science career. In addition, a become my career. I will be the first to admit that my time at RMSC was student must meet at least one of the following criteria: be a not without challenges, both personally internal and external, and at times I potential first-generation college student and/or meet the federal was far from the model student, but the program and the patience and income guidelines. For more information about the RMSC program guidance shown to me through those summers apparently did some good at requirements and for applications, please visit our website or call shaping the future of a kid with little to no aspirations. our office.

Julie Fronczak, the mother of Tiffani Perez, a 2012-15 RMSC participant How can educators help? who is currently a junior at , shared an update on her Most RMSC students are recommended to the program by guidance daughter’s progress: counselors and teachers in our target area schools. If you have students in your school who you believe meet the criteria and are I am glad to hear RMSC was funded again. If Tiffani was not so busy at interested in pursuing careers in math and/or science, please college, she would come back to RMSC to talk to the students about how contact the RMSC for application details. The RMSC staff is also the time spent with RMSC taught her so much. Her writing skills improved available to visit target area schools and speak with students and and critical thinking skills exploded. She often says, “Mom, the things we parents about the program. did at RMSC really help me do better in college.” Some kids do not or cannot think as far ahead as college, but RMSC really gives these kids a leg up to What are the Target Area Schools? their college peers… Thanks for helping my Tiffani be the best version of Our target area schools are the public high schools and feeder herself. Two years of college down, and two more to go. middle schools in Baltimore City and following counties: Allegany, Garrett, Washington, and Frederick. Fall College Visits How can college students, community RMSC students are encouraged to visit multiple colleges and members and professionals get involved? universities before their senior year. This fall the RMSC will be The RMSC hires teachers and residential staff members for each taking students on two college tours and interested students summer program. Please check our website for information on should contact the RMSC to join a trip. available positions. The RMSC is always eager to find math/science professionals willing to speak with students about their careers. Thursday, October 5th- University of Maryland Please contact our office if you would like to speak to or conduct a Friday, November 3rd- professional workshop for RMSC students.

Assignments New for the 2017-18 school year, RMSC assignments are going paperless (at least for the majority of assignments). We will be Senior Reminder: FAFSA posting all assignments on the RMSC website for easy access and most can be completed via Survey Monkey, email, or The 2018-19 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) phone. We realize not all students have on-line access, so for will become available on October 1, 2017. Seniors and their those who do not we will continue to mail assignments. We parents are encouraged to complete this form in October. have been updating our preferred method of contact for each RMSC staff will be available to assist you with your application. student; if you have not already done so, please let us know if Please contact the RMSC office to discuss your needs and to set you prefer to have your assignments mailed. up a time to meet with a staff member. We are happy to travel and work with our seniors and parents this school year. Assignment reminders will be sent out on social media, via email, and through the Remind texting service (Letters were Remember, this is a FREE form, never pay any organization to recently mailed regarding the implementation of this new service. help you with the FAFSA! Please sign-up if you would like text reminders.).

Let us know what you think of this new assignment format!

High School Graduates Congratulations to the 2017 graduates and best wishes in their first semester of college.

Laila Abdul Rahman- Frederick HS

Michael Ames- Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Frostburg State University

Peyton Bell- Brunswick HS Loyola University Maryland

Frank Biggs- Gov. Thomas Johnson HS Towson University

Trevon Brisbane- North Hagerstown HS (Left) Students toured roboworld ® at Carneige Science Center. (Right) Students hiked Salisbury University and explored the scenic beauty of Harpers Ferry, WV.

Jordan Bryant- B. Ingram School for the Arts University of Maryland Upcoming Exam Dates

Jetta Lewis- Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Exam Date Registration Deadline Frostburg State University SAT- Oct. 7 Past Nov. 4 Oct. 5 Kaia Mase- Frederick HS Dec. 2 Nov. 2 Frederick Community College ACT- Oct. 28 Sept. 22 Jeremy Moore- Washington Co. Technical HS Dec. 9 Nov. 3 Univ. of Maryland Baltimore County Please contact the office for fee waivers on these exams Hollyann Wettstein- North Hagerstown HS University of Delaware FSU is committed to making all of its programs, services and activities accessible to persons with disabilities. To request accommodation through the ADA Compliance Office, call 301.687.4102 or use a Voice Relay Operator at 1.800.735.2258. Frostburg State University is a smoke-free campus.

(Below) The advanced researchers group demonstrates glider prototypes.

Contact Us

Regional Math/Science Center

Frostburg State University 101 Braddock Road Connect with RMSC on Social Media Frostburg, MD 21532 . You can follow RMSC staff on Facebook, Instagram or SnapChat. We Phone: 1-800 -646-6004 or 301-687-4295 welcome students, parents, guidance counselors, teachers, alumni and Fax: 1-301-687-4207 our many supporters to follow us. RMSC will be posting important Email: [email protected] announcements and reminders on social media, so it is a great tool for Website: www.frostburg.edu/clife/mscenter student and parents to see what is happening. • Facebook: @rmscfsu Rita Hegeman, Director • Instagram: rmsc_fsu Angie Ferguson, Assistant Director • SnapChat: rmsc_fsu Kayla Precourt, Educational Assistant