Sunday, November 9, 2003

Lunar Eclipse Quicktime (11/08/03)

Hello,

I thought you might like to see a quicktime slideshow of most of the spectacular Lunar Eclipse on Saturday, Nov 8, 2003. It was very cold--temperatures were below freezing by 8:00pm! Totality was reached at 8:06 pm EST. The colors of the moon were fantastic, an impossible palette much too difficult to duplicate. The photos do not come close to reflecting reality! It was the most fantastic lunar eclipse of my life!

Just click on the link below to view the quicktime movie: http://typhoon.wcp.muohio.edu/western/naturalsystems/lunar_eclipse_110803.mov

The Anatomy of a Lunar Eclipse, from the BBC's Skywatchers await lunar eclipse.

Enjoy!

Hays

Discuss &/Or View Responses

Friday, October 3, 2003

hello,

I know that most of you are concerned about your upcoming research proposals. I understand and I wanted to give you some advice that might help in putting it all together. Take a look at the outline shown below--extra comments have been added in Italics. Please feel free to come speak with me about your proposals as need be, I'll be happy to help!

Here is a listing of the basic proposal requirements (as shown on the Natural Systems Proposal Page):

1. Introduction

1. Purpose/Problem. What is your hypothesis? What is your research question? What are your predictions? Be Clear and Specific!
2. What do you plan to accomplish?
3. Why is this research interesting to you?

2. Relevance of your research question: Background Information--Expend Lots of Effort Here!

It is very important to provide an extensive background that will serve as a foundation for your work. How does your research relate to a larger question? For instance, if you are working with bacteria, your readers might want to know about the most basic things: what are bacteria? why are they important? why are some bacteria beneficial while others are toxic? So on and so forth.....Strut your stuff!

(A) Literature Review--What have others done? Place your work in the context of the literature and larger world.
--a minimum of 12 Library/Journal references. Be sure to include a brief explanation as to why you selected each source. Integrate this literature into the Body of Your Work
--a minimum of 5 website references that are pertinent to your study. Make sure the URLs are "Hot" links in your proposal posting (see instructions below). Also, be sure to include a brief explanation as to why you selected these specific websites.

3. A Specific Research Design--Let the Reader Know that You Know What and How you're going to make this porject happen

**What is your experimental design? Be specific. What will you be measuring and why? How will your experimental techniques address your specific research questions?
--Include a specific sampling design for each method. Make sure each method is statically sound.
--Will you be surveying people? interviewing? If so, include your interview/survey instrument.

4. Materials and Methods

1. Describe important materials and how they will be used.
2. Describe other methods. How will you involve the class in your study? Be specific!
3. Have you included a Data Sheet?
4. Have you included a Research Time Line of research execution?

5. Results (To be included in your final report)

1. Observations
2. Tables (numerical data) and figures (graphs, drawings, etc.) when appropriate

6. Discussion & Conclusions (To be included in your final report)

1. Interpret your results, explaining why you got the results you did.
2. Think beyond the project. What additional questions do you have?
3. What suggestions do you have for further investigation?

And, Check the Database for past student projects that are similar to yours--make sure you are thoroughly familiar with what other Natural Systems students have done in your research area! Who knows, maybe their past research efforts will help you with yours!

Search WWW FIND THAT PROJECT

Wednesday, December 11, 2002

Final Natural Systems Research Postings

Here are the final research postings from Hays Cummins' sections for Natural Systems 1, 2002. The students did an excellent job. Take a look!

An investigation into music effects on memorization and study skills (12/10/02) [ Researcher: Amanda Checco, Hannah Farrin, Owen Burke, Cameron Vail-Section: Cummins ]

The Effect of Environmental Stress on Vulnerable Streams (The Streamers) (12/10/02) [ Researcher: Mark Momper, Jesse Murphy, Elizabeth Nellums, Craig Riffle-Section: Cummins ]

What are the rules of human attraction? (12/10/02) [ Researcher: becca, dan, james, sarah-Section: Cummins ]

Ant Behavior: Which path do they prefer? (12/10/02) [ Researcher: Laura Broseke, Taryn Nye, Elizabeth Gerber, Sai Yan Chu-Section: Cummins ]

Soil Wars: A Look at Soil Composition, Fertilizer, and Plant Production (12/3/02) [ Researcher: Mark Cerny, Jenny Gallow, Kyle Gibson, Diana Maikut-Section: Cummins ]

Bacterial Resistance to Antibacterial Agents (12/8/02) [ Researcher: Eli Balkin, Michael Domek, Michael Durisen, Alejandra Miller, Shirley Wang-Section: Cummins ]

Deep Impact-Meteoric Effects on the Lunar Surface (12/10/02) [ Researcher: Charlotte Bornhorst, Robyn MacConnell, Sara Robinson, Kate Weiland-Section: Cummins ]

The Real Truth About Bathroom Bacteria! (12/10/02) [ Researcher: Chris Jones, James Diewald, Paul Georgeadis, Michelle Cisar-Section: Cummins ]

THe Effect of Acid Rain on Plants (12/10/02) [ Researcher: Jessica, Susan, Tya, Amy-Section: Cummins ]

Best, Hays

Saturday, November 2, 2002

Hi,

Natural Systems must be having an impact on the lives of first-year students. These guys dressed up as honeysuckles" for Halloween---they were "invasive species"......scary!

Thanks to Charlotte Bornhorst for passing this along!

Hays

Monday, October 14, 2002

Hi,

Thought you'd like to see some of your colleagues collecting fish on a very cold and beautiful fall morning.

The slides can be found here:

CLICK HERE to see the slides! A QUICKTIME MOVIE is also worth a look!

Have fun!

Hays

Tuesday, August 20, 2002

Hey,

Here are the Final Natural Systems Project Reports for the fall semester, 2001 from Hays Cummins' sections. Take a look see!

Natural Systems Final Research Report Submissions (2001):

• Effects of Human Land Use on Fish Population (The Fishbusters) (12/7/01) [ Researcher: Grace Schneider, Marta Ralston, Amanda Higley, Kristin Mandish-Section: Cummins ]
• Final Draft: Factors That Influence Dreams (12/7/01) [ Researcher: Lauren Hollinger, Lauren Schone, Carrie Myers, Bong Sok-Section: Cummins ]
• FINAL LAB PACKET: Tarantulas & Climate (12/7/01) [ Researcher: Allison Mouch, Audrey MacWood, Kelly Alter, Nick Anderson-Section: Cummins ]
• Final 2 Organic vs. Chemical Fertilizers (12/7/01) [ Researcher: Tami, Noelle, Dani, and Mike-Section: Cummins ]
• Final - Is it Worth it Brands and Taste? (12/7/01) [ Researcher: Kelly Bush, Hannah Frederick, Josh Marcus, Nicole Santelli, Alison Stanton-Section: Cummins ]
• A TALE of TWO MAJORS Final Report (12/6/01) [ Researcher: Nathaniel Gay, Michelle Geller, Mica Scott, & Heather Storer-Section: Cummins ]
• KEPLER DISCOVERY LAB (12/6/01) [ Researcher: Austin Kleon, Ryan Lazowski, Laura Englehart, Miguel Padilla -Section: Cummins ]
• FINAL 1:THE LEARN'D ASTRONOMERS (12/6/01) [ Researcher: Austin Kleon, Ryan Lazowski, Laura Englehart, Miguel Padilla -Section: Cummins ]
• Draft 1: Rock On! The Cognitive Effects of Music (12/6/01) [ Researcher: Sophia Turczynewycz, Eric McGary, Ashlae Shepler, Laura Fink, John Drain-Section: Cummins ]

Congratulations on a job well done! Hays C

Monday, August 19, 2002

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