STEM Seminar Fall 2018 - Class Activities


Fri Nov 30
Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, ASU Computer Science
Monitoring the Health of Honey Bees

Fri Nov 23
Thanksgiving Break

Fri Nov 16
Matrices and Tensors (a.k.a higher dimensional matrices) and Their Role In Differential Geometry”
Jason Osborne, ASU Math
Title: Does Visualization And Coding Support or Hinder the Learning and Understanding of Mathematics?
Abstract: A series of topics from the undergraduate mathematics curriculum will be presented that range from the introductory (Calculus I) to the intermediate (Calculus III and Differential Equations) to the advanced (Control Theory and Differential Geometry). These topics will be introduced and discussed using visualization and computer code (both Mathematica and Maple). During the course of the presentation, you will likely form opinions about whether or not visualization and coding have actually helped illuminate or "de-illuminate" the underlying mathematical content for you. I hope time will be left for vigorous discussion at the end of the presentation regarding varying opinions pro or con on this over-arching question.

Fri Nov 9 - Leadership Workshop
Leadership Style - Dr. Street

Fri Nov 2 - Leadership Workshop
Tasks and Relationships - Dr. Street

Fri Oct 26
Dr. Jim Sherman ASU Physics and Astronomy
Title: What are aerosols and how do they affect climate in the southeastern U.S?. Long-term measurements form the NASA and NOAA monitoring sites at APP State
The southeastern U.S. region (SE U.S.) is often referred to as the " SE U.S. warming hole" due to the region's lack of warming in the last century. The region is home to high summer levels of anthropogenic and biogenic aerosols, which are believed to have contributed to the lack of warming during summer months. The ability to better predict the region's climate response to changing (improved) air quality during recent decades necessitates long-term measurements from regionally-representative sites. The NOAA and NASA-supported aerosol monitoring sites at the Appalachian Atmospheric Interdisciplinary Research facilities (AppalAIR) at APP State (APP) are home to one of the two most comprehensive long-term (nearly 10 years) aerosol datasets in the U.S., uniquely positioning APP at the forefront of aerosol/climate research. Aerosol loading measured at APP has decreased significantly over the past decade, leading to a smaller aerosol cooling effect. Results from the NOAA and NASA sites at APP will be presented, along with the unique role that students play in the aerosol research at APP. Students are also contributing to the development of handheld sunphotometers, deployed as part of a network of aerosol measurements initiated this past summer in Africa.

Fri Oct 19
Dr. Jessica Schlueter, UNCC Bioinformatics
Title: Sequencing Plant Genomes and Opportunities in Bioinformatics
In order to fundamentally understand how a plant functions, the most powerful tool is a complete genome sequence. This can be a time-consuming and computationally challenging process to achieve when considering the size and complexity of many plant genomes. I will compare and contrast the approaches and results of sequencing two oat genomes, one diploid and one hexaploid. I will also be discussing the opportunities for studying Bioinformatics and graduate programs at UNC Charlotte.

Fri Oct 12
Fall Break

Fri Oct 5 - Distinguished Guest Speaker
Algorithms and Game Theory
Dr. Brian Dean, Clemson University - CS
Abstract: Recently, there has been substantial convergence between economics and computer science with the study of game theory from an algorithmic perspective, as it turns out that game theory provides a powerful framework for modeling and optimizing a wide range of real-world systems, including networks, auctions, matchings, markets, and more. In this talk, I'll give an overview of some of the interesting things happening at the intersection of game theory and algorithmic computing, focusing on some of my own research in this area, including algorithms for matching under preferences, and how game theory might help us find the genetic origin of certain diseases.

Fri Sep 28 - Sharing an Experience
Chris Flanigan, Wells Fargo

Fri Sep 21 - Visualization 1
Dr. Tashakkori/Dr. Parry

Fri Sep 14 - Classes cancelled due to Hurricane Florence

Fri Sep 7 - Leadership Workshop
Understanding Our Notions of Leadership - Dr. Street

Fri Aug 31 - Team Building
Team and Teamwork - Dr. Jim Street

Fri Aug 24
First meeting, Team Building
Study Halls to begin on Mon Aug 27 (Mon 5-7:30, Tue 5:00-7:30, Room 318)