NISMEC The Northern Indiana Science, Mathematics and Engineering Collaborative

What is NISMEC? An outreach organization between Saint Mary’s College and the University of Notre Dame, and the local schools of St. Joseph County and the Community A link between different STEM outreach programs already in existence at Notre Dame, and to promote their coordination, particularly during the summer session. For example, some ongoing Notre Dame Programs include The Notre Dame Science Fair The Notre Dame Lego League Center RET - Teachers at Quarknet, Physics, Chemistry, Nanotechnology, Math and Biology REU - Undergraduates doing summer research in the Physics Department ACE – Education Master’s Degree (2 summers plus in-service at Catholic Schools)

Some NISMEC Programs Our primary focus is on bringing techniques of “Guided Inquiry” into all classrooms. Present programs include: 1. Training of all elementary teachers (gradesK-6) in the school system of Mishawaka – to use Guided Inquiry and FOSS experimental modules (kits). - The 3-year program involves about 130 teachers in 7 elementary schools, includes weeklong summer workshops, followed by school year advising, evaluation and assessments in the classrooms - funded by the State of Indiana Math-Science Partnership program 2. Siemens Foundation workshops for Middle-school Science and Math teachers- 4 week long summer programs, plus school-year advising and evaluation. 3. A 2nd MSP program - for SB (5 schools) and Mishawaka (1 school) 7th and 8th grade math & science teachers – in development A hemispherical light interceptor – “Notre Dame Clear-Dome” – used by the Middle-school teachers….

Some problems…… we will discuss your solutions before leaving 1.Write down the names of the Kings and Queens of Science carved in stone above the doors of the Jordan Cathedral of Science. If you have not noticed them, write down the names of Scientists you think should be there. 2.“They” decided not to put a Foucault pendulum in the Jordan Cathedral. If “they” had, and you set the pendulum swinging at midnight tonight, where would its plane of swing be tomorrow at midnight? 3.What would be the radius of a black hole which has the mass of the earth? (neglect relativity – just a factor of 2!) [Check out John Mitchell’s calculation – 1783] also