Moira J. van Staaden, Ph. D. - US grants

Communication between individuals is ultimately dependent on the functioning of sensory organs, such as eyes or ears, and is affected by a variety of factors, ranging from the physics of signal transmission in the microhabitat, to the neural characteristics of peripheral receptor organs. Although mate choice scenarios have been thoroughly investigated, the evolutionary links between the environment and sensory systems remain virtually unexplored. Notable exceptions occur in fairly advanced vertebrate groups such as frogs and fish. However, the vertebrate central nervous system is almost certainly more plastic than is the peripheral nervous system, and changes in sensory characteristics at this level are difficult to evaluate. In contrast, sensory change in invertebrates is considerably more concentrated at the periphery, thus invertebrates may provide useful model systems. Bladder grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Pneumoridae) are highly specialized for long distance (~2 km) acoustic signaling and presently occupy a range of contrasting sensory-ecological environments. This small family, in which each individual has a dozen ears of two distinct types, offers a unique opportunity to investigate the role of sensory biology in evolutionary processes.
The contributions of environmental constraints and ear structure and function will be explored in this ancient group. To determine whether habitat is a significant selection pressure for divergent calling songs, a series of acoustic playback experiments will be performed to compare the efficiency of sound transmission in forest, grassland and desert habitats. The detailed morphological structure of both a tympanate- and pleural ears will be compared across species, and microscanning laser vibrometry will yield relative estimates of ear tuning and sensitivity. These will indicate to what extent ears are matched to the frequency spectra of species-specific calls, and the potential for sensory partitioning across different habitats. Finally, the evolutionary history of the pneumorid family will be reconstructed using DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene to provide the infrastructure for integrated comparative analyses.
This project involves international travel, and will be carried out in collaboration with several undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral associates. The results of this study will provide insight into the complex associations that exist between the environment and sensory systems, and the potential role of these interactions in the speciation process. Moreover, evolved features of these unique invertebrate ears may be relevant in the design of small, highly sensitive hearing devices.

This project features academic institutions partnering with local community based organizations to increase the number of students graduating with an associate's or bachelor's degree in the sciences or mathematics. At its heart are faculty at a four-year institution who are collaborating with colleagues at a local community college to facilitate student transitions from the two-year institution into a broad range of majors in the sciences and mathematics at the baccalaureate institution. Project activities include a non-residential summer bridge program and a summer research experience, complemented by monthly academic year meetings and faculty-to-student and student-to-student mentoring. The bridging program is designed to mitigate weak academic preparation and issues related to transitioning to the university setting from impoverished/rural communities. The authentic research work provides peak experiences that carry students through the challenges of meeting academic standards. A learning community with a strong thematic center ("Building a Better Environment") provides a point of convergence for diverse scientific interests and highlights the value of interdisciplinary research. The assessment process includes formative and summative evaluation strategies, with particular emphasis on measuring changes in student perceptions and attitudes. Dissemination processes include an array of presentations and publications in both public and academic arenas. The project's intellectual merit lies in its strong programmatic activities that provide unique new opportunities in teaching, research and scholarship that benefit students, faculty, and the participating institutions alike. Evaluation of the project centers on developing evidence of the efficacy of the approach as a model for regional application, where more partnerships of 2- and 4-year institutions are arising as a means to offset the economic barriers to higher education. The project's broader impacts are felt through its creation and enhancement of networks and partnerships for research and education, as well as the professional development of participating faculty. The project is also leading to a better-prepared, more flexible and demographically representative workforce, with consequent economic impact in the northwest Ohio region.

Bowling Green State University and Owens and Terra Community Colleges are collaborating on a scholarship program designed to increase the number of highly qualified and capable students who are able to attend college.

Intellectual Merit: Each year approximately 20 need-based scholarships are being provided to students who are selected by class rank, performance in math courses, successful participation in science and math activities, leadership experiences, and community service. This project is increasing the persistence and graduation rate of these students by combining this scholarship program with an NSF STEP grant, "Science, Engineering, and Technology Gateway Ohio" (SETGO). These programs include a 5-week summer bridge program for entering students to prepare them for the rigors of college science and math courses; a tiered system of mentoring by peers and faculty; learning communities with monthly events that draw students and faculty together by merging academics and social networking; and summer research opportunities. The strategies have been proven in the institution's "Academic Investment in Mathematics and Science" (AIMS) program to increase student persistence and success, particularly of under-represented minority students majoring in science and math disciplines and are based on research that has identified the factors that most account for student attrition from these disciplines.

Broader Impacts: This project is demonstrating how providing need-based scholarships to students who have demonstrated ability and promise, and a support system that is based on rigorous, scientifically based research, can greatly increase the graduation rate in mathematics and science of economically disadvantaged students, and in particular, under-represented minorities including women.

The goal of this project is to increase the number of highly qualified and capable students who are able to complete degrees in STEM majors by providing approximately 20 need-based scholarships at Bowling Green State University, Owens Community College, and Terra Community College. A variety of student support programs are designed, such as a 5-week summer bridge for entering students to prepare them for the rigors of college science and math courses; a tiered system of mentoring by peers and faculty; learning communities with monthly events that draw students and faculty together by merging academics and social networking; undergraduate research; and support and promotion of graduate and professional studies after completion of a baccalaureate degree. This project increases the graduation rate in mathematics and science of economically disadvantaged students and of under-represented women and ethnic minority students.

Quantitative literacy skills are important indicators of civic engagement and social equity, and they contribute to successful progress and college degree attainment. Because of the importance of quantitative literacy skills, the fact that 20-30% of the US adult population (college graduates included) exhibit weakness in these skills is of profound significance for society. Project SEA Change is a cooperative venture of Bowling Green State University and Owens State Community College to increase students' success in STEM undergraduate education by improving students' quantitative competence and logical reasoning skills. Since mathematics is the primary barrier to college completion, this project will have a transformative impact on undergraduate education by increasing degree attainment at both two-year and four-year levels, and increasing access and transfer from community college to a four-year school for students from low-income backgrounds and first-generation college students. In so doing, the project will broaden the diversity of voices within the STEM community, and create a more STEM-literate society.

Project SEA Change will achieve its goals of improving the quantitative literacy skills of undergraduate students in STEM courses through the following strategies: (1) widening implementation among faculty members and teaching assistants of high-fidelity research-based instructional strategies; (2) improving social support for and connectivity among STEM transfer students; (3) offering an "emporium-style" learning model that integrates self-paced computer instruction with on-demand, one-on-one tutoring; and (4) strengthening collaborative leadership among administrators and faculty in support of stronger STEM education. The project will employ social network analyses, in combination with professional development activities, student learning communities, and high-profile interdisciplinary initiatives, to test the power of subgroups to promote rapid, large shifts in the use of evidence-based teaching practices, reduce the "transfer shock" experienced by community college students, and deepen the commitment of students to mastery of mathematics. The research efforts embedded in the project will contribute to knowledge of effective approaches to organizational change that foster deeper student learning.