2019
Welcome This year saw great change as Dr. Cheryl Lovell was named President of ASU. As we “grow our way to excellence” under her guidance we look forward to a future of great stories with her. If you saw last year’s newsletter, you know that our department has also undergone much change and there is even more to report. We were sad to see both Drs. Comfort Cover and Matt Ikle leave for other opportunities, but we were pleased to have Mr. Chris Olance and Mr. Randy Smith from ASU computing services teach a few information technology courses. We were glad to see Dr. Matt Nehring back in the physics classroom and for Drs. Thomas Carey and Umesh Bhattarai to join us in chemistry as visiting professors. We are happy to report that Dr. Bhattarai will continue with us as our new assistant professor of organic chemistry starting this fall. On a very sad note, Dr. Ed Adams, former chair of the math department passed away this fall. A service that included hockey jerseys and a beer toast proved to be a most excellent way to remember his life. These stories and more are detailed in the newsletter. Please consider sending us your great story, or telling us in person by stopping by. Thanks,
Christina Miller Chair of the Department of Chemistry, Computer Science, and Mathematics
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Department News
Math Teachers’ Circle Summer Workshop Last summer, Adams State University hosted the Rocky Mountain Math Teachers’ Circle annual summer workshop. This week-long workshop was attended by K12 math teachers from all over the state, including several SLV teachers. In the workshop, teachers experienced mathematics from the learner’s perspective, as they were challenged with a series of mathematical puzzles, riddles, games, and tasks. Teachers explored the mathematics behind the game of SET, discovered the geometry of piles of salt, learned modular arithmetic by studying baseball cards, and more. A second workshop, hosted by Dr. Meredith Anderson and the math program, was held in May of 2019. All teachers in attendance of either workshop found the sessions to be extremely rewarding, as they do not spend as much time as they might like simply doing mathematics. The math department hopes to continue to provide more regular professional development opportunities like this one in the future.
Chemistry Magic Show Each year the Adams State chemistry program holds its chemistry magic show for the community. Senior Adams State chemistry students perform an array of different magic “tricks” for the audience and then explain the science behind the tricks after they are performed. This year we held an exciting show involving explosions, color changes, and it may have even involved a molten table after one fiery magic trick. The faculty finished the performance with several exciting spectacles including skateboarding methanol jugs. Adams Atom • 2019 • Page 3
Department News 3D printing in Analytical Chemistry It seems that you can hardly go a week without hearing about new applications of 3D printing. At its simplest, 3D printing is a computer controlled process in which material is added together, one layer/piece at a time, to create a three-dimensional object. The objects being printed range from whimsical (a fire breathing dragon) to practical (a cuvette holder), from being found at construction sites (bridges) to the dinner plate (cheese burgers). As you can imagine 3D printing sparks student interest in general and especially those taking Analytical II (instrumental analysis). It was that interest, and the availability of The Original Prusa I3 MK3 3D printer located in POR 308 (independent study lab) that stimulated us to develop a 3D printing lab experiment. In this first go around, students selected an object from the website Thingiverse or designed an object using Tinkercad and printed it using PLA (poly lactic acid) filament. Students immersed themselves in the lab printing an animated Fibonacci sculpture and a self-watering flower pot, storm trooper mug (figure 1), finger rosary, Lamborghini, a shelf organizer, and prints of small dogs, frogs, and so much more. Students found the lab engaging, interesting, practical, artistic, and for some, just enough to make them want to learn and do more in regards to Figure 1 3D printing. Thanks, in part, to a grant written by Drs. Novotny, Adams, and Nehring that received funding from Adams State’s Faculty Technology Advisory Committee we will have 3 additional Prusa Printers for Fall 2019. Future work includes the incorporation of 3D printing into the new first year seminar class that will be taught by Dr. Nehring in Fall 2019, incorporating 3D printed cation/ anion dice into lower division chemistry classes to help with balancing formulas and nomenclature (figure 2), expanding the Analytical II lab to include that students design their own object using Tinkercad, Fusion 360, or a similar program, and possibly an elective course in Spring 2020 open to students across campus.
Figure 2 Adams Atom • 2019 • Page 4
Visiting Assistant Professors of Chemistry Dr. Umesh Bhattarai received his B.S. and M.S. in Organic Chemistry from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of New Mexico. As an active researcher and instructor of chemistry and biomedical science, he is committed to providing a holistic chemical education with a multidisciplinary connection. Being from a country famous for its mountains, he loves the geography of the San Luis Valley. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, soccer, and exploring foods and culture. Dr. Bhattarai will continue with us as our new Assistant Professor of Organic Chemistry starting this fall. Dr. Thomas Carey graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in Spring 2018 with a Ph.D. in Chemistry. His research centered around devising a general synthesis for rigid dimers of linear polyacenes for spectroscopic study. Thomas received his B.S. in Chemistry (Honors in the Major) from the University of Wisconsin Madison. At Adams State, Thomas taught Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and two introductory classes. In his free time, Thomas enjoys playing with his three kids, climbing, and mountaineering.
Chemistry Brewing Course: This spring the Adams State chemistry program offered a chemistry brewing course. We had 11 upper-division students from geosciences, chemistry, biology and math. The students got an opportunity to learn how to brew beer beginning with novice homebrewing techniques before graduating to more advanced techniques as the semester progressed. In addition to learning the ropes of homebrewing, we had the opportunity to perform several experiments on the beer. The students performed a UV-VIS analysis on the beer to determine its color, they experimented with the effects of fermentation temperatures, and they exposed some bottles of beer to sunlight to investigate a “skunked” beer.
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Department News Report from the SLV STEAM Shop – Our new makerspace, first year on campus It’s been a busy first year on campus for the SLV STEAM Shop located in the former community partnership building, on the corner of Hwy 160 and Edgemont Blvd. A few years ago a small, dedicated group brainstormed the idea of bringing a makerspace to the San Luis Valley and the result is the SLV STEAM Shop Maker Space. The Maker Space provides opportunities for individuals to work on projects, large or small, or for groups to come together to teach and learn. We envisioned a place where creators can meet to share tools and ideas. We wanted a place where anyone and everyone can learn and create together. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Last year we were given the opportunity to move the STEAM Shop to a much larger facility on the Adams State University campus. With the larger space we were able to expand the cool tools we have available to the maker community. We started the year with a laser cutter, electronics and soldering stations, three 3D printers, and a general shop area (bench, drill press, power saws, etc. ). We also have supplies for all these centers such as plastic sheets, wood, microcontrollers, sensors, etc. Over the past year we completed our small-scale metal casting area with an electric crucible, kiln, and vacuum unit. We have also added a machine knitting area with five knitting machines. Classes in machine knitting are free and open weekly.
Small scale casting center, PRUSA i3 3D printer, knitting machine
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Our electronics and soldering centers have been expanded with new soldering stations including two rework stations for surface mount soldering and pc board repair. Workshops on basic and surface mount soldering are offered periodically throughout the year. We have also added two new Prusa 3D printers to our 3D printing area.
Laser cut plastic designed by students for a general education art class
Last fall we applied for an equipment grant from the Army Research Office. If funded, the grant will allow us to add several new tools to the STEAM Shop, including a laser metal cutter, a high precision 3D scanner, and ceramics 3D printer. Keep your fingers crossed!
The STEAM Shop is open to all Adams State University students, Alamosa school district students, and community members that are interested in using the space. We have also been known to tour Adams State alumni through the facility and, of course, let them get their hands dirty. If you are interested in finding out more about the STEAM Shop visit our website: slvsteamshop.org/ or on facebook: www.facebook.com/SLVSteamShop/. Autonomous robot made with laser cut acrylic, 3D
printed wheels, raspberry pi , and assorted sensors. You can also become a member or donate to the STEAM Shop through our website’s donation page. Be sure to set the “Restricted To” field in the donation page to “SLV STEAM Shop”. We especially like regular monthly donations.
By the way, you can donate to any Adams State program you like by going to the ASU foundation’s donations page: adams.edu/foundation/online-donation/. Type the name of the program you want to support in the “Restricted To” field. Come see the STEAM Shop at homecoming and Keep on Making.
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Department News Chemistry Research, Community, Trout Water, and ASU Students This past year several students expressed an interest in doing research, and specifically, being involved in a project that included an outdoor component. Students seem really interested in unscripted problems, especially those that are place-based. The question was, was there a place- based project that had an unscripted problem that could involve multiple students simultaneously? The past two years a student and Dr. Frank Novotny have been working with Pearl Lakes Trout Club (PLTC). Pearl Lakes Trout Club, Inc,. established in 1922, is a private non-profit trout club, with 84 members. Pearl Lakes employs full-time caretakers who live on the premises and boasts 8 beautiful fishing lakes and interconnecting streams. Pearl Lakes is surrounded by the Rio Grande National Forest and is located in Southern Colorado halfway between the small mountain towns of Creede and Lake City. It sits at an elevation of 10,300 feet. In recent years, the quality of fishing has deteriorated to the point that late in the summer, some of the lakes are not fishable due to the amount of aquatic vegetation and/or turbidity of the water. The hypothesis is that high phosphorous levels in the water allow for increased aquatic plant growth. The trout club manages the aquatic vegetation with the use of several algaecides/herbicides. In the fall of 2017, Dr. Novotny was contacted by a board member of the trout club who shared members’ concerns about the use of aluminum and copper containing algaecides/herbicides and introducing them into the watershed. The members also inquired whether the phosphorous levels were elevated and if the metals were accumulating downstream from the property. Preliminary studies (fall 2017 and 2018), involving ASU student Sam Reid, were performed to determine the phosphate/total phosphorous, copper and aluminum levels in the water at a limited number of points in the 8 lakes. While limited in scope at the time of the study, the aluminum and copper levels in the water were not detectable and the phosphate/ total phosphorous levels were at a concentration conducive to supporting plant growth. In conversations with the Trout Club president, caretaker and chairman of the fish committee, the water and the amount of aquatic vegetation at the time of sampling was not the same as what is observed during the spring, summer and winter. This questions if the level of phosphorous, aluminum and copper found in the water changes depending on the time of year and whether the source of the phosphorous can be found. This seems like a perfect project.
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This winter, 7 students and Dr. Novotny, working with the PLTC member, caretaker, and president, started a 9 month study to measure the concentrations of various ions in the fall, winter, and spring run-off and mid-summer in the water as it moves through the property. To collect the samples, researchers snowshoed to the lakes, drilled holes through several feet of ice with a hand auger, and collected and attempted to analyze water samples in temperatures that started at -15oF. The water was analyzed for nitrate, phosphate, sulfate, aluminum, copper, zinc, and iron. The initial plan was to analyze the samples at the lake but given the extreme temperatures, the portable UV-Vis spectrophotometers were not operational or if they were operational, the water was freezing too quickly to give consistent results. Instead, water samples were placed into acid treated sampling bottles and brought back to Adams State and analyzed. As one would predict, and hope, most of the winter samples did not have any or had very little of the tested ions. To ensure that the instruments and methods were working, blind samples of each ion were run and the measured concentrations were within acceptable tolerances. Overall this project will provide students the opportunity to engage in an unscripted research project that is complex and doesn’t have a known or tidy conclusion. They learn that field work provides unique challenges and opportunities (freezing temperatures, walking in snowshoes, drilling through several feet of ice, malfunctioning equipment, the “lack of oxygen” at 10,300 ft), and they are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to collect and analyze spring run-off and summer water samples so stay tuned for an update next year. This project was funded by Title V and UCOWYOAMP.
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Dr. Ed Adams, A Character Not Easily Forgotten We are saddened to report the passing of former mathematics professor and department chair, Dr. Ed Adams. Dr. Adams came to Adams State University in 1988 and was a strong figure, both in the department and on campus, until his retirement in 2005. Many readers of this newsletter may recall the curmudgeonly personality of Dr. Adams, which he curated meticulously throughout his life. He was not a character easily forgotten. Apparently, when he was a faculty member at North Dakota State University his persona and wardrobe inspired an annual “Ed Adams look-alike contest” – photos of one such event with everyone wearing classic red flannel shirts was shared at his memorial and celebration of life service. Perhaps the return to Colorado inspired a change of wardrobe as hockey jerseys became his uniform on campus at Adams State College, an image that was remembered and honored at his memorial service by many folks in attendance wearing the same. On a personal note, Ed was a significant mentor for me. He helped me understand the importance of forging personal connections with students, the professional and personal benefits that could be derived from honest and authentic interactions with others, and the rewards that come from consistently working toward a goal. Personality-wise, the two of us may be toward opposite ends of the spectrum, but many qualities that he embodied are attributes I respected, admired, and at times emulated. Ed did not pretend to be someone he was not and people were not left to wonder where he stood on issues facing the department or the university. His work-ethic was tireless; his directness always pointed and acute; and his loyalty clear. Despite his seemingly hard-shell exterior, Ed also had a softer side which was occasionally illuminated by his dry sense of humor. The thought of making him laugh – and he had a great belly-roll laugh – still brings a smile to my face. While he laughed regularly, it was always special. – Matt Nehring
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$250–$499 Steven ‘69 & Aneta Buhl Thuan Dang ‘80
$1–$149 Mike ‘07 & Erika ‘08, ‘09 Henderson David Henkel ‘69, ‘75 Lawrence Pyeatt ‘65 David ‘85 & Lori Salazar
Science/Math Gift
$250–$499 Thuan Dang ‘80
$4,000+ Wayne ‘62 & Ellen Evans
$2,000–$3,999 IBM International Foundation
Wayne & Ellen Evans Mathematics/Science Scholarship
$2,000+ Floyd Higel ‘55
$250–$499 Robert ‘73 & Sharon Lockwood
$5,000+ Floyd Higel ‘55
Löser Scholarship
Shirley Scott ‘79 John Theisen ‘82
$500–$999 Thomas Motz ‘82
Douglas B. Thomas Memorial Scholarship
Vernon Lantis Scholarship Matthew Miller Memorial Scholarship
Dr. Kenneth E. Bean Memorial Scholarship
$1,000+ Mary Oba
William & Taka Oba Memorial Scholarship
$____________ Chemistry Gift Fund $____________ Adams State University Foundation $____________ Löser Scholarship
Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________________ City_____________________________ State____________ Zip_____________ Phone___________________________________________________________ E-mail___________________________________________________________ Graduation Year___________________________________________________ Major___________________________________________________________ Employer_________________________________________________________ Job Title_________________________________________________________
Please accept my donations to: $____________ Dr. Kay Watkins scholarship $____________ Math & Computer Science Fund o I wish to remain anonymous.
Please mail your donation with the form below to: Chemistry, Computer Science, & Mathematics Department, Adams State University, Alamosa, CO 81101. We would like you to include a bit about yourself on a separate page or e-mail to crmiller@adams.edu.
$2,000+ Floyd Higel ‘55
$200+ Frankie Pasquale ‘09
$1–$99 Lawrence Pyeatt ‘65
$100–$249 Patricia ‘70 & John Fitch Robert McAllister ‘67 Daniel Donohoue ‘74 Ronald Rickman ‘78 Jeb Taylor ‘66 Kay ‘55 & Jan ‘63 Watkins
$1–$99 Joshua Spannagel ‘07
$2,000+ David Van Pelt ‘86
Chemistry Gift
Dr. Kay Watkins Scholarship
ASU Emeritus Chemistry Professor Scholarship
We are overwhelmed with the generosity of you, our alumni. We received a total of $22,118 in gifts between January 1 and December 31, 2018. Thank you so much. The Gift Funds will continue to be put to good use for a variety of things including the annual chemistry magic show, chemistry and math seminars, welcome back fall picnic, scholarships and this newsletter.
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Chemistry, Computer Science and Mathematics Department 208 Edgemont Blvd Suite 3060 Alamosa CO 81101