Environment, Science and Technology
Why Women Are Underrepresented in Math and Science
Commonly held beliefs about gender preferences and abilities strongly influence women’s choices of college majors and careers and present obstacles for entry into advanced math and science study. This influence is particularly consequential during the middle and secondary school years when students are actively forming their gender-based identities. Karen Bradley discusses research surrounding these issues as well as her collaborative work examining women’s underrepresentation in math and math-based scientific fields within colleges and universities in a wide range of countries.
Dr. Karen Bradley, associate professor of sociology, has done extensive research examining how gender influences educational choices. She is the coauthor, with Dr. Maria Charles, sociology professor at the University of California, San Diego, of a recent study examining higher education degrees awarded in 21 industrialized nations. Their study, which showed that women were consistently underrepresented in math and science, was presented in 2005 at the 100th annual meeting of the American Sociological Association and has received international attention. Bradley is the recipient of an Outstanding International Study of the Year Award for research relating to gender parity in education.
Making Practical Use of Technology
Advances in computer technology are happening so rapidly that keeping up is a challenge. How do you sort through all the options available to find the specific tools you need? Bruce Larson discusses the advantage of using computer technology as a means to an end, not as an end in itself, and demonstrates how needs assessments can be used to find the right technology applications for your business or classroom.
Dr. Bruce Larson is an associate professor at Western’s Woodring College of Education. He has published numerous curriculum guides and contributed book chapters focusing on teacher education, social studies development and the integration of technology in the classroom. His basal reader series won a first place award at the 2003 New York Book Show. Larson currently serves on the National Council for the Social Studies College and University Faculty Assembly’s executive board of directors and on the editorial advisory boards for “Social Studies and the Young Learner” and “Theory and Research in Social Education.” He is a 2003 recipient of Western Washington University’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
Creating a Car for a Sustainable Future: Environmentally Friendly Viking Vehicles
Automakers may say it can’t be done, but Western’s Vehicle Research Institute (VRI) is doing it anyway—building a practical, sporty commuter car that has zero emissions during city driving and runs on alternative fuels. Eric Leonhardt presents a behind-the-scenes look at VRI. He can also talk about the Viking 32 (an electric and natural gas hybrid with an aerodynamic design built to withstand a 50-mph crash), the Viking 33 (an off-road vehicle) and the Viking 30 (powered by a student-designed and manufactured V-8 engine). The VRI, founded by retired director Michael Seal, has been building an award-winning line of experimental Viking cars since 1970. For more information and to see VRI photos, go to vri.etec.wwu.edu.
Eric Leonhardt, assistant professor of engineering technology, worked for Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and General Motors Powertrain division before coming to Western. His manufacturing simulation work involved modeling future factories using computer tools to help analyze how the manufacturing lines and equipment should be configured. He also worked for DaimlerChrysler to help manage requirements for a software development process for engine and transmission design tools. Leonhardt has a master’s degree in automotive systems engineering from University of Michigan, a degree in industrial technology/vehicle design specialization from Western and a degree in economics from Whitman College.
Body Toxic: An Environmental Memoir
Body Toxic: An Environmental Memoir, written by associate professor Suzanne Paola, was named a New York Times Notable Book of 2001 and won an American Book Award for that year. After its publication, Paola received $20,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts to work on her second nonfiction book, published in 2005. In this new book, A Mind Apart: Travels in a Neurodiverse World, Paola, writing as Suzanne Antonetta, shows how we can learn from those with neurological disorders such as depression, multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia and autism. Paola is also the receipient of the 1998 Brittingham Prize for Bardo, her third book of poetry. A fourth book of poetry, The Lives of the Saints, was published by the University of Washington Press in October 2002.Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Tsunamis: Disaster Preparedness, Psychological Adjustment and Resiliency
Population trends in the United States and other countries indicate that increasing numbers of people are moving into regions that are vulnerable to recurring natural disasters. In this presentation, nationally recognized expert David Sattler reviews projects he has conducted following natural disasters in Thailand, India, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the United States. The goal of these projects is to explore ways to increase disaster preparedness and promote recovery following disaster. The findings show that preparation is influenced by demographic and personality characteristics and experience with previous disasters. The findings also show who is most likely to experience disaster stress as well as resiliency and suggest ways to improve intervention and recovery programs.Dr. David Sattler is an associate professor of psychology. He earned his B.A. in psychology at San Diego State University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in social psychology at Michigan State University. He is on the editorial board of the “Journal of Traumatic Stress” and is a social and behavioral science editor of “Natural Hazards Review.” Dr. Sattler has co-authored four textbooks. Additional information about his research program may be found at www.wwu.edu/~sattler.
Smart Growth: Protecting the Green by Land and by Sea
Like many areas throughout the country, Bellingham is at the intersection of growth. Experts predict that from 2000 to 2025, the five U.S. counties lying between Vancouver, B.C., and Seattle could gain 750,000 people, a 72 percent surge in population. With the onslaught of such rapid growth and the infrastructure needed to support that growth, how do we protect the green that lures people to, and roots them, in our communities? Examining the long-term human impact on the environment has been a focus at Western’s Huxley College of the Environment for decades, long before sustainability became an international buzzword. Bradley Smith will discuss the issues surrounding growth that are now receiving universal attention.Dr. Bradley Smith, dean of Huxley College of the Environment, has led a statewide effort for a sustainable Washington. He has been an adviser to UNESCO, the World Bank and the U.S. State Department and has served on the International Scholars Program for the U.S. Information Agency (USIA), speaking on environmental issues at U.S. embassies worldwide. Dr. Smith is the author of “Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships.”
The U-2 Aircraft and Stratospheric Ozone Studies
Made famous in the Cold War era, the U-2 high altitude “spy plane” has been redesigned to serve as an airborne platform for the study of the lower stratosphere and its chemistry, especially ozone. When used in connection with these scientific missions, the newer model is now known as the ER-2 (Earth Resources). It is still used by the military, where it is known as the TR-1. William (Bill) Wilson has been involved with the Atmospheric Dynamics and Chemistry group at the NASA Ames Research Center since 1989 and has extensively studied nitrous oxide in the stratosphere. This gas, used as an anesthetic in medical applications, is found in small amounts at 60,000 to 70,000 feet and higher and is strongly related to the earth’s “ozone holes.” In this presentation, Dr. Wilson shares information about recent stratospheric ozone studies.
Don’t Eat the Snow
The surfaces of snowfields and glaciers are continuously exposed to a variety of atmospheric debris such as smoke, haze, dust, gases and vapors from natural and man-made sources. As they settle out of the air, these debris often bring a variety of undesirable pollutants including waxes, oils, metals, acids, alkalis and microorganisms. One of the major questions facing environmental scientists concerns the fate of these pollutants. Do they get into the water supply? Do they stay in mountain snows and ices until they are absorbed by bedrock or the scree under glaciers as the glaciers melt? Or is there some mysterious mechanism by which they disappear? William (Bill) Wilson has studied the fate of these contaminants in snowfields and glaciers and has found some rather surprising results that he shares in this presentation.
Dr. H. William (Bill) Wilson, emeritus professor of chemistry and former director of scientific technical services, taught at Western for more than 36 years before retiring in 2002. His research has included national projects with NASA as well as local snow chemistry analysis of Mount Baker glaciers. His Ph.D. is from the University of Washington.
Nobody's Ever Alone in the Forest (a short play for children)
Talking trees, singing truffles, animals and old growth forest plants tell the story of their ecosystem. Presented by environmental education majors from Huxley College of the Environment, this play was written by Wendy Walker.
Wendy Walker is a visiting assistant professor of environmental education at Huxley College of the Environment. She teaches courses on experiential education, environmental education and environmental interpretation.
Please note: This play is available only when student performers are available. Fall scheduling is preferred; winter performances may also be arranged.
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