Upper Iowa University students and faculty present research at Iowa Academy of Science
Upper Iowa University faculty and students who participated in the 123rd Annual Meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science in Waverly, Iowa, are (from left): Dr. Kata McCarville, Dr. Jennifer Stoffel, senior Kiel Middleswart, senior Derek Steele, senior Sarah Kray, senior Mark Brown, senior Laurie Remmen, senior Jeremy Payne, Dr. Sara Sheeley, and Dr. Scott Figdore.
FAYETTE, Iowa (July 15, 2011) — Seven Upper Iowa University students and numerous faculty from the Division of Science and Math were invited to present research projects at the 123rd Annual Meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, recently.
The Iowa Academy of Science (IAS) is a non-profit organization established to promote scientific research, science education, public understanding of science, and recognition of excellence in these endeavors. The mission of the IAS is to further scientific research, science education, public understanding of science and recognition of excellence in these endeavors through many programs and activities.
IAS members contribute to the success of the IAS goals by serving on committees and in leadership roles. IAS membership is made up of researchers and educators from all areas of science and from all academic levels from secondary education students to doctors.
In order to present at this meeting, students were required to submit abstracts of their research for approval. Upper Iowa students presenting their work included junior Matt Johnston, Fayette, Iowa, majoring in conservation management; senior Derek Steele, Ely, Iowa, majoring in conservation management; senior Laurie Remmen, Lawler, Iowa, majoring in biology; senior Kiel Middleswart, Indianola, Iowa, majoring in conservation management; senior Mark Brown, Fairfield, Iowa, majoring in conservation management; senior Sarah Kray, Strawberry Point, Iowa, majoring in environmental science; and senior Jeremy Payne, Washington, Iowa, majoring in conservation management and IT.
The following projects, identified by the student authors and faculty advisors, were accepted for presentation:
1) "Identifying Ground Nest Predators" by Johnston and Steele. Advisor—Dr. Aaron Haines, assistant professor of biology
2) "Control of Alliarai Pertiolata and survey of native flora at the Yellow River Forest" by Remmen. Advisors—Dr. Jennifer Stoffel, assistant professor of biology, and Richard Kittelson
3) "GPS tracking of ring-necked pheasants: A pilot project" by Middleswart, Steele, and Brown. Advisor—Haines
4) "GIS mapping of glacial erratics, Fayette County, Iowa" by Kray. Advisor—Dr. Kata McCarville, assistant professor of geosciences
5) "Developing virtual environments for conservation education: a work in progress" by Jeremy Payne. Advisors—Dr. Joseph Elarde, assistant professor of information technology and Haines.
Other UIU professors in attendance at this meeting included Dr. Scott Figdore, professor of science, and Dr. Sara Sheeley, assistant professor of biology.
"The size of this group representation demonstrates the great effort and accomplishments being achieved by our undergraduates," stated Haines. "I believe it also makes this the largest presence Upper Iowa University has ever had at this scientific meeting."
For more information about the Iowa Academy of Science, go to www.iacad.org. For more information about Upper Iowa University, go to www.uiu.edu.
Contact:
Monica Bayer Heaton
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Phone: 563-425-5773
Cell: 515-291-2070
heatonm@uiu.edu
About Upper Iowa University
Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to nearly 6,800 students—nationally and internationally—at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.