This project is an innovative initiative involving the College of Engineering at Rowan University and the Center for Aquatic Sciences (CAS) at Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey to enhance STEM education at all levels. Three other educational institutions will have a direct impact from our proposed activities. These include the Rowan College at Gloucester County (RCGC), Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) and the STEM Academy at Glassboro High School. The project uses algae to introduce engineering students to the Global Grand Challenges of the 21st Century with a strong focus on combining critical reflection through activities that invest in the humanities especially literary readings, sociology, environmental justice and public policy. While everyone recognizes algae as a photosynthetic organism that is ubiquitous, it is rare that that students make a connection to the prospect of this microbe playing a significant role in impacting the future of this world. The use of algae can range from biofuels, carbon sequestration, nutrient removal to use in the nutraceutical industry. The algae production facility is the backbone of CAS activities at the Adventure Aquarium as it is food for various zooplankton, filter feeders or larval fishes. Students are engaged in the scientific discovery process using both exciting hands-on activities and cyberlearning experiences that introduce chemical, mechanical, electrical engineering, civil and environmental principles such as mass and energy balances; fluid flow; work, energy, and efficiency; water quality and treatment; unit physical, chemical and biological processes; microbiology; power and electrical signal processing. The algae theme also adds to the need for an understanding of biological systems, ecosystems, pollution, alternate energy and sustainable development. A strong unique focus of this project is in combining critical reflection through activities that invest in the humanities.
Kauser Jahan, is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rowan University. She received her B.S.C.E. from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, an MSCE from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and a Ph.D. from the Un
Dr. Stephanie Farrell is Professor and Founding Department Head of Experiential Engineering Education at Rowan University (USA). Prior to 2016 she was a faculty member in Chemical Engineering at Rowan.
Ying Tang received the B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Northeastern University, P. R. China, in 1996 and 1998, respectively, and Ph.D degree from New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, in 2001. She is currently a Professor of Electrical and Comput
Dr. Bodnar is an Associate Professor in the Experiential Engineering Education Department at Rowan University. Her research interests relate to the incorporation of active learning techniques such as game-based learning in undergraduate classes as well as innovation and entrepreneurship.
C. Stewart Slater is a professor of chemical engineering and founding chair of the Chemical Engineering Department at Rowan University. He has an extensive research and teaching background in separation process technology with a particular focus on membra
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professor of Chemical Engineering
Parth Bhavsar, is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rowan University. His research interests include Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), Connected, Autonomous, and connected-automated Vehicle Technologies, Transportation Data Analytics, and Alternative Fuel Vehicles. Dr. Bhavsar has published in peer reviewed journals such as the Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technology, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and the Environment and Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board. Dr. Bhavsar was previously a postdoctoral fellow in a connected vehicle research program in the Glenn Department of Civil Engineering at Clemson University, where he worked on several connected vehicle technology research projects. Dr. Bhavsar received his Ph.D. degree in 2013 and his M.S. degree in 2006 from Clemson University. His Ph.D. dissertation focused on development of an evaluation framework for connected vehicle technology supported alternative fuel vehicles. Dr. Bhavsar also has three years of experience in the private sector in developing transportation engineering and planning solutions, specifically traffic micro-simulation projects.
Angela Wenger has worked in informal science education since 1991. She has been involved in many facets of the museum experience, including designing and presenting many of the museum’s public programs and exhibits, youth development programs, programs for underserved audiences, and professional development experiences. Her background includes 23 years of scientific research in a myriad of science topics, as well as psychology and family learning in museums. She has taught general biology, chemistry, aquatic science, and ecology for 20 years.
Ms. Wenger is active in a variety of professional informal education organizations and is co-founder and chairperson of the Mid-Atlantic YouthALIVE! Regional Network. She has co-authored two publications focused on family learning. Ms. Wenger is deeply commitment to diversity issues and broadening access to science for underserved audiences. She is also passionate about professional development of youth and staff working in science centers and museums.
DeMond S. Miller is a Professor of Sociology and Director of The Program in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.
Dr. Kara Ieva is currently an Associate Professor in the Counseling in Educational Settings program at Rowan University. Kara’s areas of research interest include counseling children and adolescent of underserved populations regarding college and career readiness particularly in STEM and group counseling. Further, she was the principal investigator and project director for the Rowan University Aim High Science and Technology Academies (grant funded; $998,259), that aids first generation and low-income college students access and preparation for post-secondary education in STEM. She currently serves a Co-Pi on a grant from the Forman S. Acton Foundation ($198,000) to evaluate funded college access programs.
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