MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMIT
MARCH 22, 2014 9 A.M. to 3 P.M.
STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA, VENICE CAMPUS
SUMMIT
SUPPORT
FROM
STATE COLLEGE
OF FLORIDA
Teri A Hansen
President | CEO
601 Tamiami Trail South
Venice, Florida 34285
941.486.4600 GulfCoastCF.org
Dear STEMsmart Summit Participant,
On behalf of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, welcome to the third annual
STEMsmart Student Summit!
Once again this year, we have gathered a diverse and talented group of college
educators, working scientists, and other STEM professionals to offer you an
engaging day of hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, and math.
As you walk the grounds and learn inside the classrooms and labs of State
College of Florida’s Venice Campus, you will get a taste for the exciting STEM
opportunities that await you—in college and beyond.
Gulf Coast has many people to recognize for making this event possible. First,
I must thank SCF Provost Darlene Wedler-Johnson for opening the campus to us
today and for being such an enthusiastic supporter of STEMsmart. We also have
an outstanding and generous group of educators from SCF as well as Mote Marine
Laboratory who have volunteered their time to share their passion for science
and math with you.
This year, we are fortunate to have several new partners as well. Digital health
company BioLucid—recent winner of the STEMsmart Innovation Award—
has joined us, as has the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and the nonprofit
Sarasota Bay Watch.
Gulf Coast also values the collaboration of the Sarasota and Charlotte county
school districts in promoting this opportunity and assisting students in attending.
Your school administrators and teachers understand the importance of STEM,
and they want you to take advantage of opportunities like today’s summit.
Indeed, I hope you see that everyone involved in this summit has your future in
mind. In our changing world, STEM is the future, and we are eager for you to
experience it right now. Most importantly, enjoy yourself today as you experience
the possibilities ahead. Your community believes in you!
Warmest regards,
Teri A Hansen, President | CEO
Gulf Coast Community Foundation
STEMsmart Summit Schedule
Registration
Welcome
Session 1
Session 2
Lunch
Session 3
Session 4
Closing Remarks and Prizes
8:30 – 9 a.m.
9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
9:20 – 10:20 a.m.
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
11:40 – 12:20 p.m.
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
1:40 – 2:40 p.m.
2:50 – 3:00 p.m.
Building 800
Building 800, Selby Room
Campus‐wide
Campus‐wide
Building 500
Campus‐wide
Campus‐wide
Building 800, Selby Room
Summit Sessions
Aquaculture Aids to Save Our Oceans
Bldg. 200 – Rm. 213
Each day, oceans are stripped of precious resources. As a result, our coral reefs are disappearing at an
alarming rate, impacting the earth as a whole. How can we strive to save these precious coral reef
systems? You will explore aquaculture and how it can be used to replenish coral populations, and you’ll
also learn ways to lessen our impact on the oceans. This class includes “hands-on” coral propagation.
Eco Reef Corals is a Venice retail store that is environmentally responsible by specializing in
aquacultured corals as well as healthy tank-bred fish.
Climate Change’s Evil Twin: What Is Ocean Acidification?
Bldg. 400 – Rm. 416
During this interactive adventure, students will use hands-on activities and simulate real Mote Marine
Laboratory research to discover the impacts of ocean acidification on our shell-building ocean animals.
Jessica DeVault graduated from Rutgers University in 2012 with a degree in marine biology and
is now a marine science educator at Mote Marine Laboratory. She also teaches biology and
chemistry to high school students.
Discovering the Universe in a Grain of Sand
Bldg. 300 – Rm. 334 and
Environmental Classroom (Outdoors)
Behind nature’s math and engineering successes lie several core designs, repeated at scales ranging
from galaxies to tiny cells. Explore a half dozen of these efficient, elegant patterns found all over the
planet in plants, rocks, animals, wind, water, and even people. Learn to recognize and capture the
patterns around you, and you will then start seeing and appreciating nature’s architecture everywhere
you go. The Nature’s Blueprint Discovery Guide that you will create can be used for years to come.
Nan Summers is the coordinator of continuing education for the University of South Florida
Sarasota-Manatee’s College of Hospitality and Technology Leadership. Previously, she worked
for an environmental, archaeological, and historical museum on the bay where people have
successfully lived for over 5,000 years by understanding nature’s ways. Ms. Summers loves
sharing this knowledge that is still vital to our survival today.
DNA Fingerprinting – Crime Scene Investigation
Bldg. 200 – Rm. 205
You are a CSI! Test samples of DNA and then use Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis to
compare the banding patterns of DNA left at a “crime scene” to those generated by each of five
suspects. Through this process, you’ll become a Crime Scene Investigator and figure out who did it!
Jane Pfeilsticker is a professor of biology, chair of the Natural Science Department, and director
of biotechnology at State College of Florida. She served as a member of the Manatee County
School Board from 2006-2010, and was chair in 2009-10. She has B.S. in medical technology and
microbiology from Pennsylvania State University and an M.S. degree in microbiology and
molecular biology from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Fabulous Fireworks and Slippery SLIME
Bldg. 200- Rm. 210
You will perform two experiments in this session. First, you will burn a number of metal salts used in the
production of fireworks, because the metal salts produce different colors in the flames. You will then
use this technique to identify an unknown metal salt, much in the same way investigators make
assessments in the criminal labs. You also will use regular household products to synthesize an organic
polymer known as “Slime”—and you will even be able to take home your “Slime” sample!
Melanie Wright received her M.S. and Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from Vanderbilt University.
She has taught college-level chemistry for almost nine years. Additionally, she spent eight years
in the environmental field, where she worked with scientists who tested the quality of the air
released from industrial smokestacks.
Fantastic Voyage
Bldg. 400 – Rm. 416
Explore uses for virtual reality! Experience new video game technology being used in medicine and
explore a portion of the human body. Students will be given a brief summary of how video game
technology is being used to help educate us now and to explore the human body in a way that’s never
before been seen by human eyes.
Brian Moore is a veteran art director in the interactive entertainment industry who now works
at BioLucid in Sarasota. While with Microsoft Studios, he most recently worked on Kinect
Disneyland Adventures, Nike Kinect Fitness, and Kinectimals, which was nominated for top
awards by the Visual Effects Society. Previously at Electronic Arts, he directed the art effort on
Madden NFL 06 and NCAA Football 07. He also art-directed for Walt Disney Imagineering and
Activision and worked with DreamWorks Interactive and Marvel Comics as a freelance artist.
Fire & Ice
Bldg. 200 – Rm. 209
Students will get to perform two experiments: They will demonstrate the use of CO2 to extinguish flames
and yet create a system where CO2 sustains the fire in ice. Students will also learn a simple plating
experiment to make one metal look like another.
Jose Ors received his Ph.D. in chemistry from University of South Florida, and he worked in R&D
labs for more than 30 years before joining the State College of Florida faculty in 2010. His area of
work has been the development of new materials for a number of applications, from computer
circuits to contact lenses.
Gen(i)es in a Bottle
Bldg. 200 – Rm. 205
Do you want to learn more about who you are? In this experiment, you will extract and precipitate DNA
from your cheek cells and place this DNA into glass vials that can be worn as a necklace.
Alexandra Collazos has taught biology for 16 years. She has an advanced degree in herpetology
and is working on another in geology. Alex has an extensive background in field biology, doing
wetlands and uplands work, GIS, endangered species surveys, environmental impact
statements, and water quality work. She worked for the State of Florida in water resource
regulation and for a consulting company that did large public infrastructure projects like
roadways and bridges.
HELP! Our Robotic Man Is Having a Heart Attack!
Bldg. 800 – Rm. 856
Come join us in the nursing lab and get first-hand experience in how nurses save lives. You will interact
with our robotic man as he experiences changes in his heart rhythm after suffering a heart attack. With
the help of three registered nurses and SCF nursing students, you will learn to prepare intravenous
fluids, use a heart defibrillator, and observe a nurse anesthetist in action.
Julie Sulinski, RN, MSN, started her nursing career right after high school when she graduated
from LPN school in Vermont. Ms. Sulinski became an RN by attending a community college and
then a university. She worked as an RN at Sarasota Memorial Hospital for 15 years and started
teaching in the SCF Venice nursing lab in 2000. Last August, she graduated with a master’s
degree in nursing education.
Susan Hutton, RNC, MSN, went to a four- year nursing school directly from high school. She has
31 years of experience in obstetrics, which includes the care of women and newborns. Ms.
Hutton still enjoys caring for women when they have their babies and loves sharing that
experience with nursing students as their instructor.
Gary Hutton, BSN, CRNA, served three years in the Navy and became an RN after attending a
community college in Ohio. He worked as the head nurse in an orthopedic operating room in a
large hospital for several years. Mr. Hutton then decided to become an advance practice nurse
and went to school to become a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist).
It’s a Matter of Life and Death
Bldg. 800 – Selby Room and
Bldg. 200 – Rm. 213
You will be outside and view a staged crime scene. You will learn how to collect evidence that will be
processed to identify a suspect who may be involved in the crime. You will then spend the afternoon in
the crime lab with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, learning the techniques to process crime scene
evidence in order to identify a crime suspect.
William Kemper is a retired police officer of 35 years who has 25 years of experience
investigating crime scenes and preparing for court cases. Professor Kemper now teaches crime
suspect profiling, as well as mock crime scenes followed up by mock court trials, at State College
of Florida and the University of South Florida.
Michael Gorn is currently the supervisor of the Forensic Unit for the Sarasota County Sheriff’s
Office. He previously worked for the Boston Police Department Crime Laboratory and for LGC
Forensics in the United Kingdom. Mr. Gorn holds an M.S. degree in forensic science with a
concentration in criminalistics and a B.S. degree in biology. He is certified in crime scene
investigation through the IAI and is a fellow of the American Board of Criminalistics.
Life in a Drop of Water and
Environmental Classroom (Outdoors) and
Exploring Pond Organisms
Bldg. 200 – Rm. 205
In this two-part workshop, you will explore the microscopic organisms that inhabit SCF’s freshwater
lake. In the first session, you will gear up and collect water samples from three different locations, with a
focus on random sampling technique. For part two, you will analyze the water samples in a laboratory
using sophisticated microscopes and chemical analysis instruments. What looks like plain old water to
the naked eye actually contains a tiny zoo of thousands of microscopic creatures!
Dr. Andrew Swanson is an associate professor of biology at State College of Florida and has a
wide range of teaching experience. He designed and developed an introductory biology course
for freshman non-majors called “Diversity of Life” and has provided mentorships for advanced
biology students conducting original research. Dr. Swanson also served as a project manager for
the award-winning, grant-supported “CSI” summer program at SCF, where high school students
were taught the tools of biotechnology in order to help solve a mock crime. He received his B.S.
degree in field biology and M.S. degree in botany from Ohio University, and he received his
Ph.D. in biological science from the University of Arkansas.
OUTBREAK! Simulation of an Epidemic
Bldg. 200 – Rm. 201
Students will participate in an epidemic! Afterward, they all will submit to a diagnostic test to identify
infected victims. They will then be interviewed by the Department of Health’s inspector and attempt to
trace the infection back to its source. Can we get enough information to solve the problem and stop the
spread of infection? Who started the epidemic by bringing their infectious disease to the party?
Eric Warrick Ph.D. is an instructor of bioethics and microbiology in the Natural Science
Department at State College of Florida.
Perfectly Proportional
Bldg. 300 – Rm. 332
Students will build a scale model of a home using proportions to get the correct dimensions. The
building materials will include items like toothpicks, gumdrops, and marshmallows.
Karlie Marks is a math teacher at Bonita Springs Middle School. She attended State College of
Florida and graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.
Jim Condor is the Mathematics Department chair at State College of Florida and has presented
at many national conferences on how mathematics is applied in everyday situations.
Probably Probability
Bldg. 300 – Rm. 332
Probability is a practical math that is interesting and useful at the same time. This workshop explores
some fundamentals of probability and its application to the “real” world. Participants will use hands-on
activities to discover ways to calculate possible outcomes and make predictions.
Mary Beth Headlee earned a master’s degree in pure mathematics from West Virginia
University. She is an assistant professor of mathematics at State College of Florida and has
taught math for nearly 20 years.
Rescue, Rehab, Release
Bldg. 400 – Rm. 417
In this session, you will simulate the process that Mote Marine Laboratory’s Strandings Investigation
Program and Mote’s Dolphin and Whale Hospital and Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center go through to
rescue, rehabilitate, and release a stranded whale, dolphin, or sea turtle.
Dana Henderson is currently the school programs coordinator for Mote Marine Laboratory. This
position combines her background in whale research, wildlife rehabilitation, marine mammal
stranding, and environmental education to create fun and empowering programs for all ages.
Sacred Geometry and the Spiral of Life
Bldg. 400 – Rm. 418 and
Performance Pavilion (Outside)
Flow Arts (e.g., Poi, contact staff, and hooping) will involve you in fun and real-life lessons in science and
math. From Newtonian theory to the Fibonacci sequence, you will design and make your own props and
learn to use them with patterns found in sacred geometry with the added benefits of physical exercise.
Misha Eli Rubinstein is the founder of Spiral Enterprises, an educational entertainment
organization. Mr. Rubinstein has studied healing and martial arts, communications, and
theology for most of his life. He has worked on a variety of local and regional film, stage, and
festival productions and serves in positions for major civic and arts groups.
Marguerite Barnett graduated from the joint Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology
Program. She performs and teaches fire-dancing across the country and locally, in venues from
Circus Sarasota to the Ringling Museum of Art’s Un-Gala.
Scratch an Angry Bird
Bldg. 400 – Rm. 408
In this interactive session, you will create a simple Angry Birds game with Scratch programming language
using variables, loops, selection, motion, animation, and sound. Then launch an angry bird from a
catapult and try to hit a pig. The game is won if you can hit both pigs before you run out of birds.
Patty Roy has taught computer science at State College of Florida for 20 years. She specializes in
web development and programming languages.
SENSational Manatees
Bldg. 400 – Rm. 417
Manatees face dangers from human-related activities such as boat strikes. In order to protect these
gentle giants, it is important to understand how they interact with their environment. Join us as we test
manatee senses to understand how they experience Sarasota Bay.
Solveig Poynter studied biology at the University of Alaska Anchorage before transferring to
Florida Gulf Coast University to pursue a degree in environmental studies. Currently, she is a
marine science educator at Mote Marine Laboratory and plans to use her experience to further
her career in biology education.
Star of the Show!
Bldg. 300 – Rm. 331
Do you have a passion for acting? Do you love science and technology? Why not combine the two to
educate others about a topic that truly interests you? In this workshop, you will be the “star of the
show” by creating an iMovie that is exciting, fun, and educational. Do you have what it takes?
Andrea Santilli teaches sixth-grade science at State College of Florida’s Collegiate School and has
been using technology on a full-time basis in the classroom since 1998. She loves inspiring kids
and sharing her passsion for science in innovative ways.
Superhydrophobic Sand (and Other
Bldg. 300 – Rm. 301
Nanotechnology Experiments)
Do you have any phobias? In this workshop, you will be introduced to sand that is super-hydrophobic.
You’ll also meet a fortune-telling fish and perform other cool experiments to help you understand
fundamental principles of nanotechnology.
Adrienne Gould-Choquette is program director and assistant professor in SCF’s Emerging
Technologies programs. Adrienne is a Venice High School graduate and holds a master’s degree
in mechanical engineering from University of Rhode Island. She is also a licensed professional
engineer and was Florida’s 2012-13 Educator of the Year in Engineering Technology. She
previously worked at Lucent Technologies as an Ultra High Purity Gas Systems Engineer and for
Bell Labs as a Multilevel Interconnect Development Engineer.
Technology Expedition
Bldg. 300 – Rm. 302
Come with us as we explore the SCF Venice Campus and discover many exotic species of technology.
Hunt down an amazing robotic arm, take aim at smart house technology, and encounter the rare 3-D
printer. Trek with us to explore a working solar field and to observe science, engineering, and computer
technology in its natural habitat!
Terry Byrne has over 25 years of experience working in engineering technology, architectural
technology, graphic design, and computer technology. After attending State College of Florida,
Terry joined the Information Technology Services department and is currently the lab technical
manager on the Venice Campus.
Terrific T-Shirt Design
Bldg. 300 – Rm. 332
Students will learn how mathematics is used to create different types of designs for clothing. You will
then create your own T-shirt design using modular arithmetic as a foundation for the pattern.
Altay Ozgener is a mathematics professor at State College of Florida and enjoys applying math in
creative ways. He has participated in the STEMsmart Summit for the past three years.
Jim Condor is the Mathematics Department chair at State College of Florida and has presented
at many national conferences on how mathematics is applied in everyday situations.
True Life: Dolphin Mysteries
Bldg. 400 – Rm. 418
Just what secrets do dolphins hold in their bones? Scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory are helping
dolphins in the wild by studying the bones of past generations. Uncover the true life of a Sarasota Bay
dolphin by performing an investigation of a real dolphin skeleton, CSI-style.
Gina Santoianni is a marine science educator with Mote Marine Laboratory. A graduate of
Emory University in Atlanta, she has been teaching environmental education for more than five
years and has worked throughout Georgia, Washington, and Florida. She enjoys leading kayak
tours and field sampling courses that demonstrate the research conducted by Mote.
Where Did All the Scallops Go?
Bldg. 200 – Rm. 201
Learn about local marine biology as we chart the history of bay scallops, their importance in the great
cycle of marine life, their role in the bay as the “canaries in the mine,” why they disappeared from the
bay, and what we can do to help bring them back. The marine food chain, biodiversity, importance of
filter-feeders on water quality, and human impacts all will be highlighted. Local water samples will be
provided and students will test for pollution.
Larry W. Stults is president of Sarasota Bay Watch, a nonprofit organization that restores and
protects our bays through community outreach and volunteer participation. He earned a Ph.D.
in molecular biology from the Johns Hopkins University and a J.D. (specializing in biotechnology
patent law) from the University of Georgia.
Notes
SCF Venice
8000 S. Tamiami Tr., Venice, FL 34293
Professional
Development
Center
All SCF campuses are tobacco-free.
Directory
100
200
300
400
Student Services Center
Science
Library
Academic Resource Center
500
600
700
Student Union & Bookstore
Faculty Offices
Fine Arts
800
Professional Development Center
900
1400
1700
1800
1900
Facilities Planning & Maintenance
Environmental Education Center
Music Practice
Portable: Student Services Center Extension
Performance Pavilion
Rev. 1/12
SUMMIT
SUPPORT
FROM: