APPLYING STUDENT AND SCIENTIST PARTNERSHIPS TO VARIOUS DOMAINS
Group Charge: Student and scientist partnerships can be effective in many domains of science. This working group brainstormed ideas for many domains and considered how such partnerships might differ depending on the domain. Are there issues and patterns that are domain specific? What research questions might students and scientists collaborate on within a domain? Do some areas of science lend themselves more to SSPs?
Reports of several ongoing, successful SSPs have been given above. All seem to have certain elements in common, including a compelling need for partnership on the part of the scientists and a recognition of that need on the part of the students. In general, the scientific problem under study is either one where gathering data over a large geographical area is necessary or at least advantageous, or one where a very large number of observations is necessary or advantageous. As a consequence, environmental monitoring is a dominant (but not exclusive) theme in the projects under way. The goal of this working group was to examine the application of SSPs to various domains. There were two major reasons for wanting to develop a larger view. First, we would like to see the SSP model as applicable to a wide range of topics within the K-12 science curriculum, particularly as the high school curriculum is often subdivided into biology, chemistry, and physics, with earth and planetary sciences or ecology considered to be only electives. A broader base is needed if large numbers of students are to be engaged. Second, there are many scientists who may be interested in participating in SSPs but who do not see their professional interests mirrored in the available models.
Our discussions suggested two kinds of solutions to these problems. First, there could be more studies done for environmental monitoring. For example, Forrest Mims pointed to several extensions of environmental studies currently being developed. Annual assessment of the health of selected trees in the Thomas Jefferson Project could be used as a springboard to investigations in all aspects of plant structure and function, engaging the support of a botanist. A study of the spectral responses of mosquito larvae (in the Mosquito Project, an extension of the Sun Photometer Atmospheric Network) requires some understanding of the spectral characteristics of light, an appreciation of sensory biology, and an appreciation of insect development. Similarly, with the support of a microbiologist, the Outdoor Bacteria Project could be a springboard to the study of mutagenesis and microbial genetics. Many of the topics currently incorporated into projects such as GLOBE and GREEN are appropriate to the chemistry classroom. For example, a study of acid rain depends on a thorough understanding of the concepts of pH, buffering capacity, etc., usually taught as part of the high school chemistry curriculum. Thus, while the data gathered in these projects is integral to the research of a small group of scientists, by providing a larger context, it may be possible to engage the support of larger groups, recruiting volunteers through the appropriate professional societies.
Suggested Topics for SSPs
It might be possible to encourage scientists who have not considered the SSP model to develop projects in other areas that meet the above criteria, requiring a geographically diverse or a very large set of observations. The following topics were suggested.
- Physics: measurements of radiation, seismic monitoring.
- Astronomy: observations of asteroids, sunspots.
- Mathematics: puzzle solving, math challenge responses.
- System dynamics: observation of chaotic systems and use of devices based on same.
- Microeconomics: choice behavior.
- Science policy: surveys of environmental attitudes, including sponsorship of environmental problems within the "Model United Nations."
- Health sciences: data on the spread of common infectious diseases (colds, chicken pox, etc.); other health statistics; presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria; incidence of allergies, allergic responses to environment; sampling for heavy metal contamination; sampling for mutagens (Ames test).
- Ecology and evolution: species diversity surveys, impact of local changes; flora and fauna of North America; fluctuating asymmetries (flowers, insects); other aspects of systematics, large-scale surveys.
- DNA science: participation in the Human Genome Project (described by Maureen Munn and Nancy Hutchison above); population surveys within human groups; monitoring biodiversity, evidence of evolution in local populations of plants, insects, etc.
- Cognitive sciences: surveys of visual and spatial perception; studies of language and learning; impact of environmental factors (such as exercise) on cognition.
Group Recommendations
The discussions suggested that we might expand current successful SSPs and stimulate the formation of new SSPs across a wide range of disciplines. One mechanism to encourage more scientist participation might be through presentations to targeted professional scientific societies or technically oriented businesses. For example, just as General Motors provides a pool of professional volunteers to participate in GREEN, it might be possible to recruit members of the American Chemical Society to support teaching about pH in the context of the GREEN project. We would want to work closely with members of a given society to make sure that the project materials fit (or could be further developed to fit) with the expertise available in that society. Volunteer opportunities could be publicized through the society newsletter and by workshops at society meetings. Such workshops might stimulate the formation of new SSPs as well as recruit scientists to current SSPs. SSP leaders could be encouraged to seek such linkages, contacting the education committees of the various societies. Such activities would be greatly stimulated if a specific mechanism were in place within NSF to solicit proposals for the development of SSPs or if funds were available to support a student and scientist partnership component of an ongoing research project.
