- View Belize Projects Synopsis
Mary Ann Studer, Assistant Professor of Physical Science, will analyze macro and micro nutrients in the agricultural fields of indigenous farmers on the periphery of the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area. This study will compile three years of soil testing to ascertain trends in nutrient levels for specific fields in an effort to promote more effective farming practices. Finally, Studer will also study the feasibility of installing a solar grid to provide electricity to the school in San Carlos, an agricultural village on the New River Lagoon, Belize.
- View Cambodia Projects Synopsis
Jo Ann Burkhardt, Associate Professor of Education, will continue a three-year project working with under- trained teachers in Cambodia. Using data from a 2006-07 needs assessment, Burkhardt will both train and develop teacher training materials for K-8 life science instruction, pre-algebra and algebra instruction, and general instructional strategies for in-service teachers in the schools at Ba Prey and Prekk Royea. Educational materials developed through this long-term project appear to be the only such materials available in Khmer to in-service teachers pertaining to pedagogy, theory and applied practice.
Professor Jeffrey Weaner, Professor of Social Work and Sociology, will continue his on-going work with the Cambodian Women’s Crisis Center (CWCC). Weaner’s focus this year will be on a comprehensive program evaluation to gauge the effectiveness of the various forms of existing shelter programming for successful reintegration. Evaluation research findings will be used to help CWCC improve its service to clients and substantiate organizational effectiveness to external funding agencies.
- View New Orleans Projects Synopsis
Kenneth Christiansen, Professor of Religion and Sociology, will research what has motivated people to respond to the Churches Supporting Churches movement for Katrina recovery and use this knowledge to aid CSC and potentially other similar movements to connect with a base of donors. Dr. Christiansen’s research will gather information from groups and individuals who have supported CSC in the past and continue to do so now. The data will be collected and analyzed within the framework of the sociological field of study called Symbolic Interactionism.
Michelle Tabit, Assistant Professor of History, will develop a digital archive of the history of Katrina survivors by collecting the oral histories of survivors. Tabit will also assist with Scholars’ research projects.
