Assessments as Teaching and Research Tools in an Environmental Problem-Solving Program for In-Service Teachers

This article discusses the use of a scenario-based assessment tool in two environmental geoscience in-service programs for middle school and high school teachers. This tool served both to guide instructional techniques and as a method to evaluate the success of the instructional approach. In each case, participants were assessed before the workshops to reveal misconceptions that could be addressed in program activities and afterwards to reveal shifts in their understanding of concepts and approaches. The researchers noted that this scenario-based assessment was effective in providing guidance in refining instructional techniques and as a method to evaluate the effectiveness of an instructional program. In addition, participating teachers reported significant changes in their teaching as a result of the program. Educational levels: Graduate or professional, Graduate or professional

Classroom Research Project Helps Students Know Their Readers

The goal of this research project was to help student writers learn about interests of readers

Monitoring genetic population biomarkers for wastewater-based epidemiology

We report a rapid “sample-to-answer” platform that can be used for the quantitative monitoring of genetic biomarkers within communities through the analysis of wastewater. The assay is based on the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) of nucleic acid biomarkers and shows for the first time the ability to rapidly quantify human-specific mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from raw untreated wastewater samples. mtDNA provides a model population biomarker associated with carcinogenesis including breast, renal and gastric cancers. To enable a sample-to-answer, field-based technology, we integrated a filter to remove solid impurities and perform DNA extraction and enrichment into a low cost lateral flow-based test. We demonstrated mtDNA detection over seven consecutive days, achieving a limit of detection of 40 copies of human genomic DNA per reaction volume. The assay can be performed at the site of sample collection, with minimal user intervention, yielding results within 45 min and providing a method to monitor public health from wastewater

Assessing Reader Interest: An Ohio Study

Because of intense competition for readers\u27 attention, communicators at colleges of agriculture must understand readers\u27 interests

Righting words

"Revised 7/82/2M"This is a guide to help correct common grammar errors.Barbara Cooper and Phil Leslie, illustrations by Doug Ross ; Extension Informatio

Employment and Job Satisfaction Of Agricultural Communications Graduates

Few studies have focused upon the occupational structure of agricultural communications or the job satisfaction of agricultural communications professionals. This void in the literature prompts questions about the types of positions falling under the broad umbrella of agricultural communications. For teaching faculty, in agricultural communications, a more specific question is frequently posed: What types of positions do majors in agricultural communications pursue after graduation, and how satisfied are the graduates with their positions? The primary purpose of this study was to determine the types of positions held by Ohio State University agricultural communications graduates. A second purpose was to assess their salaries and level of job satisfaction. A mailed questionnaire was sent to 131 agricultural communications alumni. The response rate was 57.1 %. The graduates held a variety of positions in agricultural communications and most were satisfied with their positions. Their annual salaries depended upon the type of position held, age, and gender. The best indicators of job satisfaction were ACT membership and annual salaries which the graduates earned

Agricultural Communications Curriculum: Perceptions Of Ohio State Graduates

This study was designed to determine the perceptions of Ohio State University graduates regarding the agricultural communications curriculum. Specific objectives were to determine the graduates\u27 demographic characteristics, satisfaction regarding the curriculum, and perceptions of academic experiences needed for future agricultural communicators. A mailed questionnaire went to 131 agricultural communications alumni. The response rate was 57. 1%. Ohio State agricultural communications graduates tend to be white females, who earned under $25,000. Graduates are satisfied with courses in agriculture and journalism/communications, and less satisfied with basic education requirements. For future agricultural communicators, graduates place more importance on journalism/communications classes than agriculture classes

'Green incubation':avian offspring benefit from aromatic nest herbs through improved parental incubation behaviour

Development of avian embryos requires thermal energy, usually from parents. Parents may, however, trade off catering for embryonic requirements against their own need to forage through intermittent incubation. This dynamically adjusted behaviour can be affected by properties of the nest. Here, we experimentally show a novel mechanism by which parents, through incorporation of aromatic herbs into nests, effectively modify their incubation behaviour to the benefit of their offspring. Our study species, the European starling, includes in its nest aromatic herbs which promote offspring fitness. We provided wild starlings with artificial nests including or excluding the typically selected fresh herbs and found strong support for our prediction of facilitated incubation. Herb effects were not explained by thermal changes of the nests per se, but by modified parental behaviours. Egg temperatures and nest attendance were higher in herb than herbless nests, egg temperatures dropped less frequently below critical thresholds and parents started their active day earlier. These effects were dynamic over time and particularly strong during early incubation. Incubation period was shorter in herb nests, and nestlings were heavier one week after hatching. Aromatic herbs hence influenced incubation in beneficial ways for offspring, possibly through pharmacological effects on incubating parents.</p