Choosing a Thesis Advisor: Surprise and Success

One of the most daunting and yet important decisions in graduate school is the selection of your thesis advisor. Inviting an advisor into your graduate thesis process is like hiring a ship navigator who will help guide your graduate study through the sometimes choppy waters of data research and thesis writing and into the safe harbor of graduation and a good job. Although you remain the captain of your own career, your graduate advisor teaches you how to use the charts and equipment that will bring you to the completion of your graduate degree. The specific steps involved in choosing an advisor vary according to department and school; however, some aspects of this process are universal, no matter which college or university you attend. Many people compare this selection process to choosing a spouse, because the thesis advisor is someone who will be with you, directly or indirectly, throughout your professional life. As in finding and forging any successful professional relationship, identifying a compatible advisor is not an easy task, and few road maps exist that explain how to manage it. Consequently, most graduate students begin the process of choosing their thesis advisor without much background information. A lack of preparation can lead to disappointing results, whereas an informed approach can achieve a very satisfying outcome. In fact, a compatible advisor can function as your career navigator, someone you can consult for professional advice whenever your career takes an unexpected turn or presents a promising opportunity. In the end, the rewards that come with a reliable advisor who is right for you, your professional goals, and your field of study, are worth the investment of extra time and energy in a thorough search process. In the stories that follow, I offer you some insight into this sometimes unpredictable quest and share my decision-making process, as well as a few of the experiences I have had in my search for thesis advisors. I hope this chapter will prepare you to choose an advisor who will work well with you and see you through to the completion of your graduate degree

Analysis of the Encapsulation of Beeswax Microspheres with Ibuprofen

Beeswax is extremely versatile, often used in candles, lubricants. This compound is readily available and is not very expensive. We are interested in using beeswax as a biodegradable capsule to self-encapsulate drugs like ibuprofen

Encapsulating Ibuprofen using Beeswax Microspheres

Beeswax is extremely versatile, often used in candles, lubricants. This compound is readily available and is not very expensive. We are interested in using beeswax as a biodegradable capsule to self-encapsulate drugs like ibuprofen

Perspectives on Science Literacy: A comparative study of United States and Kenya

Results from a science literacy survey administered to the American and Kenyan educators are presented. Sixty-three educators from the U.S. and Kenya responded to a survey about their perspectives on science literacy. The research questions were designed to examine the factors that affect students’ performance in science, the skills required for students to be successful in science, and the challenges of teaching science and recommendations for improving scientific literacy in both countries. Results indicate that educators from both countries have similar concerns about science teaching and learning but they also face some unique problems. The participants were all in agreement regarding proficiency in English language and literacy skills as key contributors to the acquisition of science literacy. The educators integrated these skills through reading, writing of science materials, research, and the discourse of science. The main challenges identified included students’ attitude towards science and lack of interest. In addition, the Kenya educators also identified lack of proficiency in English language, lack of good science foundations, and lack of resources and materials as additional challenges. The results of this study imply that both science and literacy educators should work together to increase students’ proficiency in science

Choosing a Thesis Advisor: Surprise and Success

One of the most daunting and yet important decisions in graduate school is the selection of your thesis advisor. Inviting an advisor into your graduate thesis process is like hiring a ship navigator who will help guide your graduate study through the sometimes choppy waters of data research and thesis writing and into the safe harbor of graduation and a good job. Although you remain the captain of your own career, your graduate advisor teaches you how to use the charts and equipment that will bring you to the completion of your graduate degree. The specific steps involved in choosing an advisor vary according to department and school; however, some aspects of this process are universal, no matter which college or university you attend. Many people compare this selection process to choosing a spouse, because the thesis advisor is someone who will be with you, directly or indirectly, throughout your professional life. As in finding and forging any successful professional relationship, identifying a compatible advisor is not an easy task, and few road maps exist that explain how to manage it. Consequently, most graduate students begin the process of choosing their thesis advisor without much background information. A lack of preparation can lead to disappointing results, whereas an informed approach can achieve a very satisfying outcome. In fact, a compatible advisor can function as your career navigator, someone you can consult for professional advice whenever your career takes an unexpected turn or presents a promising opportunity. In the end, the rewards that come with a reliable advisor who is right for you, your professional goals, and your field of study, are worth the investment of extra time and energy in a thorough search process. In the stories that follow, I offer you some insight into this sometimes unpredictable quest and share my decision-making process, as well as a few of the experiences I have had in my search for thesis advisors. I hope this chapter will prepare you to choose an advisor who will work well with you and see you through to the completion of your graduate degree

Development and assessment of a chemistry-based computer video game as a learning tool

The chemistry-based computer video game is a multidisciplinary collaboration between chemistry and computer graphics and technology fields developed to explore the use of video games as a possible learning tool. This innovative approach aims to integrate elements of commercial video game and authentic chemistry context environments into a learning experience through gameplay. The project consists of three areas: development, assessment, and implementation. However, the foci of this study were the development and assessment of the computer video game including possible learning outcomes and game design elements. A chemistry-based game using a mixed genre of a single player first-person game embedded with action-adventure and puzzle components was developed to determine if students’ level of understanding of chemistry concepts change after gameplay intervention. Three phases have been completed to assess students’ understanding of chemistry concepts prior and after gameplay intervention. Two main assessment instruments (pre/post open-ended content survey and individual semi-structured interviews) were used to assess student understanding of concepts. In addition, game design elements were evaluated for future development phases. Preliminary analyses of the interview data suggest that students were able to understand most of the chemistry challenges presented in the game and the game served as a review for previously learned concepts as well as a way to apply such previous knowledge. To guarantee a better understanding of the chemistry concepts, additions such as debriefing and feedback about the content presented in the game seem to be needed. The use of visuals in the game to represent chemical processes, game genre, and game idea appear to be the game design elements that students like the most about the current computer video game

Perspectives on Science Literacy: A comparative study of United States and Kenya

Results from a science literacy survey administered to the American and Kenyan educators are presented. Sixty-three educators from the U.S. and Kenya responded to a survey about their perspectives on science literacy. The research questions were designed to examine the factors that affect students’ performance in science, the skills required for students to be successful in science, and the challenges of teaching science and recommendations for improving scientific literacy in both countries. Results indicate that educators from both countries have similar concerns about science teaching and learning but they also face some unique problems. The participants were all in agreement regarding proficiency in English language and literacy skills as key contributors to the acquisition of science literacy. The educators integrated these skills through reading, writing of science materials, research, and the discourse of science. The main challenges identified included students’ attitude towards science and lack of interest. In addition, the Kenya educators also identified lack of proficiency in English language, lack of good science foundations, and lack of resources and materials as additional challenges. The results of this study imply that both science and literacy educators should work together to increase students’ proficiency in science

Microwave Synthesis of Zinc Hydroxy Sulfate Nanoplates and Zinc Oxide Nanorods in the Classroom

In this hands-on, inquiry-based lab, high school and undergraduate students learn about nanotechnology by synthesizing their own nanoparticles in a single class period. This simple synthesis of zinc oxide nanorods and zinc hydroxy sulfate nanoplates can be done in 15 min using a household microwave oven. Reagent concentration, reaction temperature, and time all affect the size and shape of the particles synthesized, allowing students to explore how materials scientists control reaction conditions to achieve desired results