PAMS Focus - September 2011

PAMS Focus is the bi-monthly electronic newsletter for alumni and friends of the NC State University College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (PAMS). If you have any suggestions or comments, please share them with us by e-mailing pams_info@ncsu.edu.

BEICHNER NAMED 2011 RECIPIENT OF MCGRAW PRIZE IN EDUCATION

Bob Beichner, professor of physics at NC State and a leader in the research and development of new technologies in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) classrooms, has received the McGraw Prize in Education. The other 2011 recipients are Mitchel Resnick, professor of learning research, MIT Media Lab; and Julie Young, president and CEO, Florida Virtual School. Past winners of the Prize include former first lady Barbara Bush and several U.S. senators and governors, including former NC Gov. James B. Hunt.

 

FUENTES RECEIVES $5M TO TRAIN ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCHERS

Montserrat "Montse" Fuentes, professor and head of the Department of Statistics, will lead a five-year, $5 million project to build a national network of statisticians with interdisciplinary expertise in atmospheric and oceanic science in order to better quantify and interpret climactic and environmental data. The National Science Foundation is funding the project, which will provide interdisciplinary training for mathematicians and statisticians who are interested in atmospheric and oceanic science. Students will have the opportunity to receive specialized training at one of 12 participating institutions across the U.S.

 

PAMS ENGAGES LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH "MATH CIRCLE IN THE TRIANGLE"

How do you spend your Saturday mornings? Molly Fenn and some of her colleagues in the Department of Mathematics spend theirs engaging and challenging the minds of tomorrow's great mathematical problem solvers through the Math Circle in the Triangle program.

 

PAMS LAUNCHES STUDENT AMBASSADORS PROGRAM

The PAMS Student Ambassadors made their debut at this fall's College Connections event at Marye Anne Fox Labs. Members of the PAMS Student Ambassadors Program are top students from across the college dedicated to the task of creating a more vibrant campus culture and bridging the gap between past, present and future PAMS students. The next issue of PAMS' Scope magazine will include more information on the inaugural group of PAMS Ambassadors.

IN OTHER NEWS …

Into Africa, via the Penguin Conveyor Belt
 
Boxing up sub-atomic particles
 
Comins elected president of ISHC
 
Pirates of the Paleolithic
 
SAVE THE DATE: Scope Academy 2012