Texas Institute partners with University of Texas at Dallas Science and Engineering Center (SEEC)
Nobel Professor Gives Schools High-Powered Science Help
Physicist says Project-Based Learning Helps Build Interest and Aptitude Early
The scientist who co-discovered the first binary pulsar is tackling a new challenge these days: how to invigorate science education in the nation’s K-12 classrooms.
Dr. Russell Hulse, along with Dr. Joe Taylor from Princeton University, received the 1993 Nobel Prize in physics for discovering two dense, collapsed stars closely orbiting each other. One of these stars is a pulsar, which can be detected by its emission of regular pulses of radio waves. The discovery of the first binary pulsar provided the first way to test Albert Einstein’s prediction that moving objects emit gravitational waves.
Now in an effort to broadly increase science literacy as well as encourage future Einsteins, Hulse, a regental professor and associate vice president for strategic initiatives at UT Dallas, has formed the Science and Engineering Education Center (SEEC) at UT Dallas to ignite scientific interest in young minds through hands-on, project-based learning. In a partnership with the Metroplex Technology Business Council (MTBC), Hulse is taking this education approach to a group of sixth-graders in the Richardson Independent School District (RISD).
Using Lego Mindstorm NXT robotics kits, the students are learning about torque, force and other math and engineering concepts in order to craft robots that can perform specific tasks. Using a process called project-based learning, Hulse’s approach focuses on tasks, such as designing robots that can climb ramps and push objects around with precision. The approach resembles the way real scientists and engineers think, with questions arising at each stage of discovery: How fast should the robot ascend the ramp? How much force is required? How can the robot’s speed be controlled as it travels across the top of the ramp?
“Integrating tools like Lego Mindstorm NXT into curricula helps teachers create lessons that are more like the way scientists really do their work rather than having students simply memorize scientific facts and formulas with no connections to one another,” Hulse said. “Project-based learning creates functional, integrated knowledge, as well as real personal engagement with the subject at hand.”
Hulse’s center, working with Betty Justus from Lego Education, trained the sixth-grade teachers in the project-based approach. Berry, who is a robotics education expert, designed the robotics curriculum and is spending time working in the different classrooms. Two education researchers from the center, Dr. Cynthia Ledbetter and Dr. Koshi Dhingra, are following the students’ progress and will assess the effectiveness of the curricula. UT Dallas also has four of its UTeach students participating in the classrooms, helping the teachers and the students.
“An effort like this is a real credit to this part of Texas,” Hulse said. “It involves a school system, a research university; a technology company consortium and an educational technology company all working together to bring science and engineering to life in the classroom.”
ERCOT Initiating Search for New Independent Board Member
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), grid operator for most of the state, will begin a search for a new independent board member to replace Mark Armentrout who announced today he will not seek election to a third term.
Armentrout, whose term ends in November, was elected to the board in June 2003 when ERCOT first added independent board members – those unaffiliated with ERCOT market participants – and re-elected for a second term in 2006. He was the first independent board member to be elected as board chair, serving from 2005 to 2008.
“Mark has been an important contributor to the work of the board through his knowledge of the ERCOT processes, his strong management experience, and his experience in the information technology area,” Board Chair Jan Newton said. “As board chair, he did a tremendous job guiding the board through some complex and difficult issues during his tenure.”
Formerly an information technology executive and independent management consultant, Armentrout has accepted a position with the Texas Institute, an independent nonprofit organization in North Texas dedicated to advancing sustainable technology. He will serve as president and chief operating officer, developing strategic partnerships with university, government and corporate partners that will help advance the institute’s mission.
“I am appreciative of being allowed to serve the people of Texas for six and a half years and being able to contribute my small part to the greatest power market on the planet,” Armentrout said. “I look forward to my continued service, in a different role, to Texas and the development of energy solutions.”
The board is expected to authorize ERCOT staff to retain an executive search firm to conduct a statewide search and provide candidates to fill the position. After the search firm identifies qualified candidates, the board's nominating committee will make a selection. The new independent board member must also be reviewed by the Public Utility Commission and approved by the ERCOT membership.
ERCOT’s 16-member “hybrid” board includes five independent members; three consumer segment representatives (industrial, commercial and residential); the ERCOT CEO; the Public Utility Commission chairman (non-voting); and one representative from each of the six industry segments – investor-owned utilities (or transmission owners), municipally-owned utilities, cooperatives, generators, power marketers and retail electric providers.
Texas Institute Sponsors New Lecture Series Hosted By UTD with T. Boone Pickens Kicking Off the First Lecture
Jonathan Shapiro (left), T. Boone Pickens (middle), Dr. David Daniel (right)
The Texas Institute for Sustainable Technology Research has the honor of being the Founding Sponsor for a new lecture series hosted by UTD, the “Forum on Energy Issues and Innovation.”
On November 5, T. Boone Pickens kicked off the lecture series with a town hall style lecture on the Pickens Plan and the need for Americans to reduce dependence on foreign oil and increase our use of domestic and sustainable resources like wind, solar, and natural gas.
As the Founder and CEO of the Texas Institute, it is a pleasure to be associated with not only UTD, but also T. Boone Pickens.
Jon Shapiro
To view pictures and watch the Boone Pickens speech at UTD, please click here.
To learn more and join The Pickens Plan, please click here.