Governor's School Students Present Research at the University of Arkansas:
NCSSSMST Student Research Conference

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Two students from the Jackson River Governorís School at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, Johnny Alerding and Shaymus Hudson, participated in a national symposium at the University of Arkansas earlier this week. The students were accompanied by Chuck Bartocci, Program Head, Pulp and Paper Technology at DSLCC. Bartocci teaches mathematics and engineering classes for the JRGS.

Students from 21 schools across 12 states converged on the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville to participate in the Fourteenth Annual NCSSSMST Student Research Symposium. The National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology (NCSSSMST) was established in 1988 to serve the growing number of science-focused schools, such as the Jackson River Governor’s School, with information and ideas to strengthen the student learning experience.

At this symposium students presented their research to their peers and faculty, as well as to interested students and professors from the University of Arkansas. In addition students participated in a poster session which was viewed by the wider campus population. Two Jackson River Governor’s School students were invited to participate in this symposium, Johnny Alerding and Shaymus Hudson, both from Parry McCluer High School. Alerding presented his findings on the effect of temperature on the power output of PEM fuel cells. Hudson presented a purely mathematical paper on fractals.

During the symposium, students participated in two academic workshops, and had tours of the Engineering Research Center and area employers. The science faculties were impressive and the hospitality provided by the Honors College of the U of A made the students feel like heavily recruited athletes!

Next year the student research symposium will be hosted by the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida. With its close proximity to the Space Center, plans are being made to include a tour of that facility in the planned activities.

The Jackson River Governorís School at DSLCC will begin its eighth year this fall, offering outstanding opportunities for motivated students to participate in an innovative program of studies in mathematics, science and technology. Student research projects, internships, visiting speakers and field trips are included to complement more traditional learning activities conducted in the classroom. For information about the JRGS and the student application process, contact Dr. Mary Wilson at 540/863-2830.

Poster Session

Mr. Chuck Bartocci, math and engineering instructor, accompanied the students.