International Approaches To Renewable Energy Education – A Faculty Professional Development Case Study With Recommended Practices For STEM Educators

Calls for increased international competency in U.S. college graduates and the global nature of the renewable energy industry require an exploration of how to incorporate a global perspective in STEM curricula, and how to best develop faculty providing them with global knowledge and skills necessary to update and improve existing teaching practices. To expand awareness of the global renewable energy sector, a cohort of renewable energy educators from across the United States participated in two international learning exchanges to Australia/New Zealand and Germany/Denmark. The exchanges provided opportunities for the participants to meet with technical educators, visit teaching labs, review industry partnerships, talk with policy makers and government representatives, and to share knowledge and best teaching practices.  Three years after the initial international exchange, participant data was collected to measure the extended impact of the experience and the perceived value of various learning activities.  The results show that the exchanges expanded participant’s knowledge of renewable energy technologies and issues both in the U.S. and abroad, and also influenced teaching curriculum and instruction, and academic community engagement. This study serves as a model program for providing STEM faculty with rich international experience. The findings in this manuscript highlight the key components to building a successful international professional development program, and illustrate the type of impacts that can result from these activities.  The lessons learned are meaningful to other institutions or organizations planning similar international activities in a variety of disciplines.

Estrogenic botanical supplements, health-related quality of life, fatigue, and hormone-related symptoms in breast cancer survivors: a HEAL study report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It remains unclear whether estrogenic botanical supplement (EBS) use influences breast cancer survivors' health-related outcomes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined the associations of EBS use with health-related quality of life (HRQOL), with fatigue, and with 15 hormone-related symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats among 767 breast cancer survivors participating in the Health, Eating, Activity, and Lifestyle (HEAL) Study. HRQOL was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study short form-36 physical and mental component scale summary score. Fatigue was measured by the Revised-Piper Fatigue Scale score.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Neither overall EBS use nor the number of EBS types used was associated with HRQOL, fatigue, or hormone-related symptoms. However, comparisons of those using each specific type of EBS with non-EBS users revealed the following associations. Soy supplements users were more likely to have a better physical health summary score (odds ratio [OR] = 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-2.70). Flaxseed oil users were more likely to have a better mental health summary score (OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.05-2.94). Ginseng users were more likely to report severe fatigue and several hormone-related symptoms (all ORs ≥ 1.7 and all 95% CIs exclude 1). Red clover users were less likely to report weight gain, night sweats, and difficulty concentrating (all OR approximately 0.4 and all 95% CIs exclude 1). Alfalfa users were less likely to experience sleep interruption (OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.12-0.68). Dehydroepiandrosterone users were less likely to have hot flashes (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.14-0.82).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings indicate that several specific types of EBS might have important influences on a woman's various aspects of quality of life, but further verification is necessary.</p

Expanding the diversity of mycobacteriophages: insights into genome architecture and evolution.

Mycobacteriophages are viruses that infect mycobacterial hosts such as Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. All mycobacteriophages characterized to date are dsDNA tailed phages, and have either siphoviral or myoviral morphotypes. However, their genetic diversity is considerable, and although sixty-two genomes have been sequenced and comparatively analyzed, these likely represent only a small portion of the diversity of the mycobacteriophage population at large. Here we report the isolation, sequencing and comparative genomic analysis of 18 new mycobacteriophages isolated from geographically distinct locations within the United States. Although no clear correlation between location and genome type can be discerned, these genomes expand our knowledge of mycobacteriophage diversity and enhance our understanding of the roles of mobile elements in viral evolution. Expansion of the number of mycobacteriophages grouped within Cluster A provides insights into the basis of immune specificity in these temperate phages, and we also describe a novel example of apparent immunity theft. The isolation and genomic analysis of bacteriophages by freshman college students provides an example of an authentic research experience for novice scientists

International Approaches To Renewable Energy Education â A Faculty Professional Development Case Study With Recommended Practices For STEM Educators

This 20-page article is provided by the American Journal of Engineering Education and discusses the findings from two international learning exchanges. These exchanges were conducted by the California Regional Consortium for Engineering Advances in Technological Education (CREATE), now the Center for Renewable Energy Advanced Technological Education Resource Center (CREATE).&amp;nbsp;These learning exchanges&amp;nbsp;focused on renewable energy education and expanding awareness of the global renewable energy sector. Fourteen educators participated in the exchange and met with technical educators; visited renewable energy labs; reviewed industry partnerships; and met with policy makers and government representatives in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and Denmark.&amp;nbsp;The following sections are included: Introduction; Purpose; Methods: German Learning Exchange - 2014, Knowledge Building Activities, and Measuring Impacts on Educational Practice; Results: Impacts on Teaching Practice, Impacts on Curriculum, Impacts on Professional Knowledge, Impact on Community Engagement and Dissemination, Impact on Teaching Perspectives and Professional Growth, and Perceived Value of Project Learning Activities; Conclusion: Internationalizing STEM Education and Addressing the Skeptics; Summary; Acknowledgements; Author Biographies; and References.&amp;nbsp

Renewable Energy Technician Education: The Impact of International Faculty Collaboration

This 39-page article is provided by Career Education in Renewable Energy Technology (CERET) and the Center for Renewable Energy Advanced Technological Education Resource Center (CREATE) and discusses the findings from two international learning exchanges that were focused on renewable energy education and expanding awareness of the global renewable energy sector. Fourteen educators participated in the exchange and met with technical educators; visited renewable energy labs; reviewed industry partnerships; and met with policy makers and government representatives in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and Denmark. These exchanges expanded the participants knowledge of renewable energy advances, technologies and issues, and influenced teaching practices, curriculum development, and academic community engagement. This article includes short author biographies and the following sections: Abstract; Introduction; Context - Participants, Australia Itinerary 2013, Germany Itinerary - 2014, Knowledge-Building Activities; Methodology - Approach, Instrument Design; Results - Impacts on Teaching Practice, Impacts on Curriculum, Impact on Professional Knowledge, Community Engagement and Dissemination, Perceived Value of Project Learning Activities; Discussion; Conclusion; Acknowledgements; References; List of Figures with Captions; List of Tables with Captions; and Appendices.Â

Results of 2021 Energy Education Stakeholder Survey

This 12-paper was presented at the ASEE 2022 Annual Conference and includes the results of a 2021 energy education stakeholder survey that was conducted to examine energy industry trends and educational programming needs for the next decade. The survey was sent to over 700 faculty ranging from middle school to university level along with 150 industry representatives. The survey generated a response rate just over 10% for both the educator and industry groups. The top three technologies identified as areas for growth in the next decade were solar photovoltaics, energy storage, and electric vehicles. The biggest obstacle faced by faculty were a lack of tools, materials, and supplies necessary to provide hands-on learning with energy technology. Educators expressed a strong preference for face-to-face instruction that included access to tools and equipment, and also indicated a need for electronic open educational resources that were compliant with website accessibility requirements.The results of the survey are presented along with analysis, conclusions, and recommendations for engineering educational programs that address energy technology

Delphi Study to Determine Rehabilitation Research Priorities for Older Adults With Cancer

Objective To solicit expert opinions and develop consensus around the research that is needed to improve cancer rehabilitation for older adults. Design Delphi methods provided a structured process to elicit and prioritize research questions from national experts. Setting National, Web-based survey. Participants Members (N=32) of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine completed at least 1 of 3 investigator-developed surveys. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures In the first survey, participants identified up to 5 research questions that needed to be answered to improve cancer rehabilitation for older adults. In 2 subsequent surveys, participants viewed the compilation of questions, rated the importance of each question, and identified the 5 most important questions. This generated priority scores for each question. Consensus scores were created to describe the degree of agreement around the priority of each question. Results Highest priority research concerns the epidemiology and measurement of function and disability in older adult cancer survivors; the effects of cancer rehabilitation interventions on falls, disability, participation, survival, costs, quality of care, and health care utilization; and testing models of care that facilitate referrals from oncology to rehabilitation providers as part of coordinated, multicomponent care. Conclusions A multipronged approach is needed to fill these gaps, including targeted funding opportunities developed with an advisory panel of cancer rehabilitation experts, development of a research network to facilitate novel collaborations and grant proposals, and coordinated efforts of clinical groups to advocate for funding, practice change, and policy change