Highlights
the
INSTITUTE
DECEMBER 2016
FOR ADVANCED LEARNING AND RESEARCH
Chemistry Lessons
Piedmont Governor’s School for Mathematics, Science and Technology (PGSMST) students in Susan Propst’s chemistry class recently developed interactive science lessons for 70 third grade students from Park Avenue Elementary School in collaboration with the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. The elementary school students completed various hands-on activities. The stations were designed and facilitated by PGS students along with assistance from the Institute’s Advanced Learning staff. Park Avenue Elementary School students were exposed to a variety of interactive labs including: making slime, the science of candy, making silly putty, and a MENTOS/soda geyser. “My students enjoy preparing for this program every year. Our hope is to inspire younger students to enjoy learning about science by showing them how it relates to everyday fun activities,” said Cameron Rigney, Layne Larson, and Carter Light (left to right) ask students Susan Propst. to predict what will happen when a MENTOS candy is dropped in soda.
“We are very thankful to be able to work with the PGS to enhance STEM education for students. Introducing STEM topics early is a great way to spark their interests. The PGS students Piedmont Governor’s School students Amelia Porch, Daniel Francis, Jerry also enhanced Che-Rui (left to right) show the students how to make silly putty. their leadership, mentoring skills by assisting with the activities,” said Dana Silicki, IALR Advanced Learning Coordinator. Piedmont Governor’s School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology is housed at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research for Danville and Pittsylvania County students. The program provides a challenging, project-driven, research-based curriculum in a technology-infused environment. Propst added, “One of the third graders stated this was the best day ever. Seeing their excitement makes all of the hard work and preparation worth it.”
Welcome to the New Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry The Commonwealth’s Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Basil Gooden, visited the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. Secretary Gooden was briefed on current research projects and the Institute’s focus on advanced learning, applied research, workforce development, and economic development for Southern Virginia and the Commonwealth.
The Institute’s precision agriculture and plant research efforts are directly tied to promoting agriculture in the region and Commonwealth. Agriculture is Virginia’s largest industry generating more than $52 billion annually. The industry also provides more than 311,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.
Senior Scientist Kedong Da (left) explains the process of grafting English cucumber plants onto gourd rootstocks in order to produce 2.5 times higher yield per plant. English cucumbers have the potential to be a new cash crop for growers.
Senior Scientist Scott Lowman (right) explains how the Institute uses two SMART tables for precision agriculture research. The tables use precision robotics and technology to record and analyze plant growth and overall health in a variety of conditions for up to 15,000 plants at a time.
PHCC Tour
Students in John Ayers’ Introduction to Plant Science class at PHCC toured the Institute. Ayers said the Institute exposes his students to several different areas of agriculture and research being conducted in Southern Virginia.
VSU Small Farm Symposium
Virginia State University Small Farm Symposium provided a great opportunity for regional small farmers to connect with experts to learn about profitability and sustainability.
GIS Day
Students rotated through several hands-on workshops and demonstrations highlighting ways the City of Danville and scientists at the Institute use GIS (geographic information systems).