L
ILLINOIS MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY
r'-^IIVI^A '^ Pi()ncerini> Ecliicalioiuil Coiiumiiiity
Volume 14 No. 1 • Winter 2000
IMSA-Chicago Public Schools
Consortium to Prepare Quality Teachers
Speaker Hastert, Congressman Blagojevich Help Secure $4 Million Grant
On December 20, Speaker of
the House Dennis Hastert,
U.S. Representative Rod Blagojevich,
Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas
and IMSA President Dr. Stephanie Pace
Marshall announced the establishment of
a unique partnership designed to increase
the number of well qualified teachers for
the 21st Centui7. Special emphasis will
be given to the high needs areas of mathe-
matics, science and technology, and urban
and rural settings.
At a press conference
held in the Tellabs
Studio for Professional
Development at IMS.A.
Speaker Hasten said the
IMSA-Chicago Public - '
Schools (CPS)
partnership was an important step in
ensuring evei7 student a good education.
■"We need to put the best teacher in
every classroom in this state and in this
nation," Hasteil said. "Eveiy kid in this
country deserves a good school and a
good learning experience."
The three components of the
Consortium include:
OJointly, the CPS and IMSA will
plan, develop, implement and disseminate
model programs to address the critical
needs of recruitment, preparation and
retention of quality teachers in Chicago
and other urban centers:
©The CPS will develop programs
to help launch the National Teaching
Academy of Chicago
(in Chicago):
©IMSA will
develop programs
to help launch the
Institute for the
Ad\ancement
and Renewal
of Learning
Speaker dj the House
Dennis Hastert visited
IMSA December 20.
IW9 to announce a
'1.7 million gift front
the U.S. Department
of Edncation. The grant
Mill he used to help
uh rccise the number of
\iell qualified teachers
for the 21st century.
Pholo b\ Rich Malec Photography
and Teaching in Mathematics, Science
and Technology (on IMSA's campus).
Initial funding includes a $4 million
grant from the U.S. Department of
Education: the CPS will receive
$2.3 million and IMSA will receive
$1.7 million. Public and private sector
investments also will be sought.
Among other things, TTie Consortium will:
• Attract exceptional teachers to teach
in Chicago and other areas of Illinois
" Provide ongoing professional
development and mentoring
'• Create alteniati\'e pathways to
teacher licensure
• Recruit some of Illinois' best and
brightest high school and college
students to explore careers in teaching
• Support career teachers in their
pursuit of advanced certification
through the National Board of
Professional Teaching Standards
"Already the National Commission
on Teaching and America's Future has
reported that 50,000 unqualified teachers
have been hired annually on an emergency
basis to meet this growing demand,"
(Continued on page 8)
SIDE
Center® IMSA Activities 5
From the President 2
Great Minds Program/Calendar 3
IMSA Open House 7
News in Brief 7
Real Science CD-ROM 4
Women Leaders Luncheon 6
r^lMSA
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
1500 West Sullivan Road
Aurora. Illinois 60506-1000
630/907-5000
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Chairman
John H. McEachem Jr.
President
Wayne Circuits Incorporated
Vice-Chairman
Sheila MB Griffin
Vice President and Director
Strategic Marketing Office
Motorola Incorporated
Trustees
Dr. Joseph Cipfl
Executive Director
Illinois Community College Board
Fred Conforti
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pittway Systems Technology Group
Dr. Sherry R. Eagle
Superintendent
Aurora West School District #129
Dr. Forest Etheredge
Dean
School of Business and Professional Studies
Aurora University
Steve Isoye
Science Department Chairperson
Highland Park High School
Dr. Glenn "Max" McGee
State Superintendent
Illinois State Board of Education
Dr. Luis Nunez
Chemist
Separation Science and Technology Section
Argonne National Laboratory
James D. Pearson
President
Aurora Metals Division L.L.C.
Dr. Marsha R. Rosner
Professor
The Ben May Institute for Cancer Research
The University of Chicago
Dr. Keith Sanders
Executive Director
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Jesus Manuel Sosa
Administrator
Chicago Public Schools. Region One
Sharon Tenhouse
Teacher and Parent Educator
Community Unit School District #2 (Liberty. IL)
Dr. Alfonzo Thurman
Dean. College of Education
Northern Illinois University
Dr. Michael S. Turner
Department Chairman
Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics
The University of Chicago
President
Dr. Stephar
; Pace Marshall
NOVA is published three times a year by the
IMSA Office of Institutional Advancement
and Public Policy.
Send comments or questions to:
Editor and Writer
Brcnda Buschbacher
brenda{s imsaedu
From the President
Dear IMSA shareholders.
V
/ . / elcome to the new millennium! It is indeed exciting to be a part of history
\_ as we celebrate the new century. At the Illinois Mathematics and Science
Academy, I am pleased to report many new and exciting initiatives for the beginning
of the year 2000. Let me cite a few highlights:
First, we are very proud to announce that two IMSA faculty members. Mathematics
teacher Susan Eddins and Biology teacher Dr. Donald Dosch, successfully completed
all of the requirements for certification with the National Board of Professional
Teaching Standards (NBPTS). This is a rigorous and competitive national certification
process that credentials successful candidates as Master Teachers. The success rate is
less than 50% of those applying so we congratulate and celebrate their success.
As noted in the cover story, we are excited to announce the formation of a unique
partnership between IMSA and the Chicago Public Schools, designed to increase
the number of well qualified teachers for this new century. The partnership, the
Consortium for the Advancement of Teaching, was announced at a special press
conference at IMSA by Speaker of the House Dennis Hasten, U.S. Representative Rod
Blagojevich and Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas. We are extremely excited
about the impact that this unique partnership can make and hope that it can serve as
a model to be replicated nationwide.
From March 1-4. we will host the 13"' Annual Professional Conference of the
National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science
and Technology (NCSSSMST). IMSA is a founding member of the Consortium so
we are especially pleased to host the event which will bring together approximately
300 educators from around the country.
Keynote speeches will be presented by Robert W. Galvin, chairman of the
executive committee. Motorola. Inc.. Dr. Paul Sereno. world-renowned paleontologist
and dinosaur hunter, and Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic
Orchestra. We are delighted to have the Motorola Foundation as our exclusive
corporate sponsor. You can visit our website at www.imsa.edu/ncsssmst/ for
additional conference information.
Finally, on April 4 IMSA will be hosting the Annual Horwitz Lecture on Ethics
featuring keynote speaker Rabbi Lawrence Kushner. Rabbi Kushner. who will
present Invisible Lines of Connection: Social Responsibi!ir\- and Cowardice, has
served as rabbi of Congregation Beth El in Sudbury, Massachusetts for the past 27
years and is widely regarded as one of the most creative religious writers in America.
As the NCSSSMST conference host this year. IMSA has chosen the theme
Liberating Goodness and Genius for the World. What greater calling can you imagine?
As we enter into a new century, we hope you will join us in our quest to liberate the
soodness and senius of all children.
Sincerelv,
p^^:>€z5tA»*vc/^
/yUUC^-jLaU^C^
Stephanie Pace Marshall, Ph.D
President
1999-2000 IMSA Great Minds
Program Draws Sold-Out Crowds
Bill Kurtis One of Headline Speakers
rhe IMSA Great Minds Program,
now in its second yeai". got off to a
successful start in 1999 and most recently
featured some of the prominent figures in
national print and television media.
On December 1. 1999. Malcolm
Browne, New York Times Senior Writer.
Paula Apsell. Executive Producer of the
award-winning PBS television series
NOVA, and Bill Kurtis (pictured).
E.xecutive Producer and host of the
award-winning The New Explorers and
Investigative Reports with Bill Kurtis
\isited IMSA to present the Great Minds
Program dialogue Science and the Media.
During the dialogue, which was
attended by more than 430 middle and
high school students and teachers from
throughout the Chicagoland area, the
three panelists discussed how media
coverage influences the public percep-
tion of science, and the challenges media
face in communicating science in an
informative yet interesting way. The
Spring 2000 Great Minds Program Calendar of Events
1/06/00 The Science and Politics
of Climate Change
Nobel Laureate
Dr. Mario Molina
\l2Am Frontiers of
Educational Technology
Roger Schank. Robert
Tinker. Louis Gomez,
Alan November
2/09/nn Stories of a Scientist-
Physicists Dr. Leon Lederman
& Dr. Edward "Rocky"' Kolb
2/23/00 Science, Law & Technology
Dr. Marsha Rosner and
Attorney Charles Laff
4/t)4/0() Richard L. Horwitz
Lecture on Ethics
Rabbi Lawrence Kushner
4/ 1 2/00 Science Education
in the 21st Century
Ronald Anderson. Rodger
Bybee. George "Pinkey""
Nelson. Lynn Haeffele.
Jane Kahle. Ronald Gidwitz
and Norman Lederman
panelists also answered questions from
the audience such as "how does the
media decide what science stories to
report'" . "how does the media educate
themselves about science?," and "how
does the media separate science from
science fiction?"
Earlier in the year iin October 12.
IMSA Resident Scholar and Nobel
Laureate Dr. Leon Lederman presented
the Great Minds Program community
lecture Science in the 21st Century: Issues
and Predictions. The evening lecture,
vv hich was open to the public, was
attended by approximately 250 guests.
On October 13. Dr Lederman and
Dr. Edward "Rocky" Kolb. professor
of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the
L'niversity of Chicago and Member of
the NASA Fennilab Astrophysics
Group, presented the dialogue Stories
of a Scientist. The dialogue was filled
to capacity by middle and high school
students and educators. Because of the
osei'whelming response, an encore perfor-
mance is being held February 9. 2000.
Watch for future stories in NOVA
on the following Great Minds Program
Events listed in the chart at lower left.
For more information on a
particular event, contact Dr. Judy
Scheppler at (630) 907-5899 or visit
the Great Minds Program website at
webdb.irnsa.edu/ereatminds.
Dr. Ethicinl "Roikx" Kalh talk.', with .stiiJeiil.s
follcnviiii; the ilialoguc. Stories of a Scientist
on October 13. IW9.
IMSA FUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman
President
James R. Thompson
Michael J. Birck
Chairman of the
President and CEO
Execuiive Committee
Tellabs, Inc.
Winston & Straw n
Vice President
Vice President
William J. While
Robert Malotl
Professor
Retireii Chairman
Northwestern University
FMC Corporation
SecretarjTTreasu re r
Susan S. Schanlaber
President
The Landmark Group. Inc.
Directors
G. Carl Ball
Richard Lumpkin
President
Chaimmn and CEO
Ball Foundation
Consolidated
Communications, Inc.
G. Thomas Castino
President and CEO
Robert M. Malchione
Underwriters Laboratories,
Vice President
Inc.
The Boston Consulting
Group. Inc.
Dr. Floyd English
President and CEO
Timothy McCormick
Andrew Corporation
Vice President
Farmer's State Bank
Larry Flynn
of Emden
Major Accounts Vice
President
Andrew M. Oh
Nortel
Research Analyst
Stifel. Nicolaus and Co.
Peter Fox
Senior Managing Director
James D. Pearson
Bear Steams and Company
President
Aurora Metals Division
Dr Philip Francis
L.L.C.
President
Mascon Management
James T. Schaefer
Consulting
Real Estate Consultant
David J. Geary
Honey Jacobs Skinner
Vice President-North America
Partner
Lucent Technologies
Sidley & Austin
Joanne Hansen
WilhamA. VanSanten
President
Partner
Fumas Foundation. Inc.
Wood. Phillips. VanSanten.
Clark and Mortimer
Leon Jackson
President
Joset Wright
Multi-Fac Corporation
President
Ameritech Illinois
James Lancaster
Retired Executive
Linda Anderson*
Vice President
C/i7c Leader
First Chicago NED Corp.
Roger E. Anderson*
Steven H. Lesnik
Retired Chainnan and CEO
CEO
Continental Bank of
Kemper Lesnik
Chicago
Organization
Gordon R. Lohman
Retired Chairman
and CEO
Amsted Industries, Inc.
Vice-president for Institutional Advancement
CEO, IMSA Fund
Ted Parge
* Honorary Members
"Printed by Authority of the State of Illinois,
6500. 01/00, Purchase Order No. 200854."
The Center@IMSA Programs
IMSA Students Share Love of Science
through the Real Science CD-ROM
Slumnim Dohsiin
'02 inten'iews
Dr. Ledennan for
the Real Science
CD-ROM at the
Ledennan Center.
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IMSA students have developed the
second issue of Reed Science, an
interactive CD-ROM designed for upper
elementary school students (grades 3-5).
hi it, students can learn everything from
Atoms to Rockets.
The 1 999 issue was developed
during the 1998-99 school year by
students involved in the Real Science
club, headed by Editors Jorge Reyes "99
(Chicago). Janessa Stream "99
(Ro.'isville). Hari Phatak "99 (Wilmette}
and Neha Narula "99 (Barringion).
More than 1200 elementary schools
were mailed surveys in 1998 about
Real Science topic development: 350
schools returned the survey and as a result
received a free Real Science CD-ROM
this fall. The concept and first issue of
Real Science was developed in 1995 by
IMSA students Matt Brody "95 (Highland
Park) and Ai-vind Sekar '95 (Danville).
Huong Banh, ESL/Computer Teacher
from Willard Elementary in Evanston, is
pleased with the 1999 issue and gives it
high marks for ease of use and content.
Students use the CD-ROM individually
in the computer lab and in a classroom
setting, "ifs great. My students really
enjoy this," Huong said. Topics in the
Real Science "99 issue include:
Aerodynamics, Atoms. Cell City,
Polymers, Plutonium and Rockets.
Interviews with Nobel Laureate Dr.
Leon Ledernian and Captain James
Lovell are also included. The printing of
Real Science '99 CD- ROMS and book-
lets was donated by Mr. John Benson of
Beta Graphics Corporation in Aurora.
Real Science 2000 is currently under
development and will contain articles to
address curriculum areas needing more
information, technology or resources as
identified in the fall '98 survey. Some of
the topics for the 2000 issue include:
Seasons. Tropical Rainforests. The Lives
of Stars. Parts of Plants, Our Solar
System and "On the Road at Feniiilab."
Editois for Real Science 2000 include:
Jonathan Berger "00 (Wayne). Ashlee
Riddle '00 (Elgin), Denny Tu '00
(NapeiTille). Cindy Xi '01 (Napennlle)
and Margai-et Wat '01 (NapeiTille). Senior
Editor Ashlee Riddle has this to say about
her experience, "Real Science has been a
wonderful way for IMSA students to
acquire new writing and multimedia
skills, and to find a way to reach out to
the young, curious minds of Illinois' chil-
dren." Real Science 2000 will be mailed
out to participating Chicagoland elemen-
tai7 schools in May. 2000.
^rvices for Illinois Students & Teachers
Registration Now Open for Programs of The Center@IIVISA
'I'liis spring and snnimer. llie Illinois
Mathematics and Science Academy will
once again fill its classrooms with students
and teachers from throughout Illinois. For
the following opportunities, student ages
are specified; professional development
experiences are most appropriate for
middle and high school teachers.
Call The Ci'it!cr@IMSA at (630)
907-5^56 III- email center@imsa.edu
for more detailed information <m these
or other programs available, or to
register for the following professional
developmeni programs:
FOR TEACHERS
Spring 2000
Experiences in Mathematics
2/.^ So, What is Matheiuatica?
2/16 Paper, Pencil or
Graphing Calculator?
2/16 Patterning,
Discoveries, Connections
2/23 My Students Have /7-<V9'v.
\'ow What Do I Do?
Reform Based Calculus:
A Series of 3 Individual Workshops
(participate in one or all three)
3/8 Workshop I:
Differential Equations
Fall Workshop II: Derivatives
Fall Workshop III: Integrals
3/ 1 4 Assessing What Counts
4/ 1 4 Mathematical Investigations
(IMSA's curriculum)
Summer 2000
Experiences in Mathematics
and other Areas
6/ 1 6 or How to Apply for Teaching
Fall Awards or Master Teacher
Certification
6/12-15 Patterning, Discoveries,
Connections
6/26-30 C++ Practicum
7/10-12 T3 PCALC-CALC Seminar
7/13-14 Mathematica in the Classroom
(no previous experience reipiired)
7/10-21 Illinois Prohlem-Iiased
Learning Network Summer
Institute {Sunimer Sleuths)
7/10-14 Biotechnology in the Classroom
8/7- 1 ( ) Harris Institute for Introduction
to Problem-Based Learning
(Morton Arboretum location)
In addition to the above scheduled
professional development programs.
The Center@lMSA is also coordinating
Project Keystone, funded by the ISBE
Scientific Literacy Program. A series
of two-day Institutes offered in six loca-
tions across Illinois immerses teachers
in strategies for curriculum alignment
with Illinois Learning Standards while
addressing implications of international
research fmdings relating to curriculum
and instruction.
Numerous learning opportunities in
other areas will also be available thi.s
spring and summer including:
• Standards-based Education
curriculum materials evaluation,
unburdening the curriculum, etc.
• Science Content and Pedagogy
physical ami earth science concepts
and strinegies. scientific inquiry, etc.
• Strategies for Learning:
Technology - IMSA Internet Toolkit,
locating/evalualing/iutegraling infonua-
tion resources, online opportunities, etc
Problem-based learning-specific
/() special education, gifted, culiim
research, cognitive cocuhing.
mcasurenicn! striUcgies and tools, etc.
For more information on dates and
locations, contact The Center&IMSA
at (630)907-59.56 or email center@imsa.edu
oi check our web.site: www.imsa.edii/center
(some customizing opportunities are also
available to meet your specific district's
or school's needs; please call us).
Registration for summer programs for
Illinois students begins March I. 2000.
Call the IMSA Kids Institute at (630)
907-5041 or email klong@imsa.edu to
be placed on the nuuling list for the
following progrcuns.
FOR STUDENTS
Science Explorers
6n9-2} Session I
7/3 1 -8/4 Session II
For students entering 4-6lh grades
6/26-30 Math Explorers
For students entering 7th and 8th grades
7/17-20 Summer Sleuths
For students enternig 7-9th grades
Explorations in Biotechnology
6n9-M) Session I
7/\l-2» Session II
For high school science students
Elvii! Harms. Jr.
Fennilab Engineering
Physicist, gives a
tour (if the Antipriiton
Siiiirce enclosure to
Rt'iil Science inler-
\ic\\'cr .Sliiiiiiitui
l)ohs,m V2.
IMSA Fund Hosts Luncheon for Women Leaders
Focus on Female
student Research
and Preparing
Tomorrow's
Workforce
.^
IMSA senior Mita Patel presents lite
findings of her research on heart
disease conducted at Loyola University
Medical Center
(At rii;htl IMSA senior Danielle Neuell
discusses education with event co-chair
Honey Jacobs Skinner (left) and luncheon
guest Melanie Hununer president of
Hummer Financial Advisory Sen'ices,
Inc. in Chicago.
everal female IMSA students
V>r^,# recently had the unique opportu-
nity of discussing their passion for
inquiry and research at a luncheon held
for Chicago area women leaders.
The luncheon, sponsored by the IMSA
Fund for Advancement of Education,
was held to raise awareness about IMSA
and its programs, and more specifically,
to showcase the unique learning opportu-
nities available for female students. The
event was co-chaired by IMSA Finid
Board Member Honey Jacobs Skinner
and Former First Lady of Illinois Jayne
Carr Thompson. In welcoming the
guests. Thompson spoke about the
importance of preparing tomorrow's
women leaders.
"Although more women are beginning
to pursue careers in mathematics,
science and technology, women are still
underrepresented in these fields."
Thompson said. "This must change, for
the sake of women and for the sake of
business and society who simply need
more talented women to provide exper-
tise and leadership in these fields which
are so important to future economic
development and quality of life in our
state, nation and world."
During the luncheon, women leaders
from the corporate, education and private
sectors who have an interest in exem-
plary educational programs heard
research presentations by IMSA seniors
Alexa Bisinger of Naperville and Mita
Patel of Mattoon. Both Alexa and Mita
participate in mentorship at IMSA. and
have made substantive contributions to
their respective fields of research.
"Through their research. IMSA
students" substantive contributions are
making the world better; from discovering
a new technique in immunology to identi-
fying better intervention programs for
abused children, from identifying why
prostheses disintegrate in the human body
to creating mathematical formulas to
predict the shelf life of products." said
Mentorship Coordinator Dr. Peggy
Connolly. "Thanks to the support of
people like you. IMSA students are trans-
forming human thought and experience."
Other IMSA student participants at the
event included IMSA seniors Annie
Vankata Naria of Springfield. Ashlee
Riddle of Elgin. Donielle Newell of
Naperville and Grace Yang of Chicago.
IMSA student Kathleen King of St.
Charles served as the pianist for the event.
E W S
I N
BRIEF
Professional Contributions
Recent examples include:
President Dr. Stephanie Pace
Marshall cd-produccd the play 2L\i
Centuiy Learning: Education on Trial
presented during the annual State of the
World Forum in San Francisco. CA. The
play was written hy I MSA Social Science
teacher Dr Robert Kiely and Novice
Network Administrator Anthony DiSanlo.
Mathematics teacher Susan Eddins
and biology teacher Dr. Donald Dosch
recently earned certification with the
National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards. The NBPTS desig-
nation is a rigorous and competitive
national certification process that creden-
tials successful candidates as Master
Teachers. Eddins also recently presented
Good Tasks + Discourse = Matheniatical
Connections at the National Council of
Teachers of Mathematics Western
Regional Conference.
Mathematics teacher Don Porzio
presented Using Tl-92 Geonietiy
to Create Geometric Models for
Optimization Problems at the 1 2th
Annual International Conference on
Technology in Collegiate Mathematics.
Director of Enrollment Services
Dr. LuAnn Smith co-presented
Advising and Recruiting the Young
Intellectual at the 55th National
Conference of the National Association
for College Admission Counseling.
Dr. Susan L.S. Bisinger, coordinator
for strategic initiatives, co-presented
Effective Staff Development in 20
Minutes at the annual conference of
the National Staff Development Council.
8 faculty and staff members presented
at the 5 1st Annual Meeting of the Illinois
Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Deb Gerdes. professional development
and research coordinator, co-presented
Investigation II: Problem-based Learning
with the Centers for Disease Control at
the Fall Forum Pre-conference for the
Coalition of Es.sential Schools. Classroom
teachers were engaged in a one-day PEL
immersion experience organized around
data from the CDC.
Karen Meyer, research associate,
and Dr. Steve Cordogan. coordinator
of research and evaluation, presented a
research paper on SAT Scores and the
Student Descriptive Questionnaire at the
29th Annual Conference of the Illinois
Association for Institutional Research.
In addition. Cordogan and Research
Specialist Jay Thomas presented a
research paper on Web-based Sun-eys
in Institutional Rcseai\h and Evcdiiation.
Dr. Ray Dagenais. coordinator of
strategic science initiatives, co-authored
the chapter The Emeritus Teacher in the
book LZ/i? Cycle of the Career Teacher.
In addition. Dagenais" past publication
on the subject of Mentoring was
referenced in another chapter titled
The Apprentice Teacher.
Dr. David Barr. director of
Learning-at-a-Distance Programs,
presented Searching the Internet:
Tools/Techniques at the Illinois
Education and Technology Conference.
Tracey Rosenberg, instructional
program assistant in English, was
awarded a Fulbright grant to Romania for
the 1999-2000 school year. The Fulbright
Program is designed to ""increase mutual
understanding between the people of
the United States and the people of
other countries." Rosenberg is based in
Bucharest, Romania, and is researching
and writing a novel about Jewish
dissidents during the communist era.
Charter Librarian and Archivist
Martha CJuarin assisted Peoria High
School (PHS) for two days with the
preservation of school and community
documents. PHS was founded in 1856
and is the oldest high school in Illinois.
Guarin studied archival preservation at the
National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Student Achievements
Recent examples include:
Ahkil Narang of Crystal Lake and
Samir Meghani of Naperville were
named two of only 10 Midwestern
Regional Finalists in the national
Siemens-Westinghouse Science &
Technology Competition. The competi-
tion, in its inaugural year, was open to
indiv iduals or teams of high school
students who develop independent
research projects in the physical or
biological sciences, or mathematics.
In addition, Jason Chang of Glenview
was named a regional semitlnalist in the
competition.
Heidi Kim of Flossmoor ( 1999 gradu-
ate) co-authored the paper /I role for
hcpatocMc growth factor during earlv
post-implantiUum growth of the placental
lineage to be published in the medical
journal. Biology of Reproduction.
Loretta Li of Naperville was one of 50
students selected from U.S. high schools
to attend the 16th annual Research
Science Institute at the Massachu.setts
Institute of Technology. During the six-
week session, Loretta attended classroom
instruction and research activities on the
MIT campus in the summer
Andrea Llenos of Carol Stream
received a perfect score of 36 on the ACT
exam. She was one of only 60 students
nationwide to receive a perfect score.
43 IMSA seniors qualified as
semifinalists m the 2000 National Merit
Scholarship Corporation competition.
Three qualified as semifinalists in the
2000 National Achievement Scholarship
Program and two students qualified as
finalists in the 2000 National Hispanic
Recognition Program.
40 IMSA students attended the
workshop Don 7 Put The Fhuues Out:
A Life in the Arts by nationally recog-
nized functional potter Steven Hill at
Waubonsee Community College.
FermiUih Direct, >r .Muhae! Wilhcrcll in:^hl)
gets a tiiur of the new Grainger Center for
Imagiiuition and Inquiiy during the IMSA
Open House. Also pictured are Dr Judy
Schepplen IMSA Coordinator of Student
Impun/Director of the Grainger Center, and
IMSA Resident Scholar Dr Leon Ledcnnon.
The Open House was held Dec. 7 and was
ullendecl h\ 200 i;ues/s.
Consortium (continued fi-om cover)
Blagojevich said. "We cannot afford to
ignore tiiis disturbing trend."
The Institute
(envisioned for IMSA 's campus)
The Institute is envisioned to be an inter-
active, intergenerational learning and
teaching laboratory/center in mathematics,
science and technology for Illinois teach-
ers, educational leaders, policymakers
and students. It will be clo.sely linked to
IMSA's pioneering academic/residential
program for Illinois students and will build
on and significantly scale up programs and
services for Illinois educators, policymak-
ers and students currently offered by The
Center® IMSA (see pp. 4-5).
Marshall thanked Hastert for his
leadership in helping to create this part-
nership. "We believe this partnership and
The Institute to be designed on IMSA's
campus will enable us to fulfill in an
innovative and bold manner, our legisla-
tive mandate to the teachers and school
systems of the State of Illinois,"
Marshall said.
National Teaching Academy (Chicago)
The National Teaching Academy is
a Pre K-8 Chicago Public Elementary
School and a 9-12 Chicago Public High
School that combines classroom instruc-
tion and student learning with teacher
recruitment and preparation.
pictured l-lo-r: Chicaga Public Sclu«,ls CEO Paul Vallas: IMSA Vice Presuleiu for Pulylic Policy
and Service Dr Micliael Pcdmisano; Diane Grigsby Jackson, Chief of Staff to Paul Vallas; IMSA
President Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall: Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert: U.S. Rep. Rod
Blagojevich: Board of Trustees Chairman John McEachern. Jr
Vallas said IMSA will play an active
role in the training of teachers who attend
the National Teaching Academy.
"In partnering with IMSA. our mentor
(master) teachers will go through various
training programs at IMSA .so that we
can take their skills up to another level,"
Vallas said.
IMSA mathematics teachers Sue
Eddins, who was recently certified by the
National Board of Professional Teaching
Standards and serves on the board of the
National Council for Teachers of
Mathematics, said the focus on teacher
recruitment, preparation and retention
makes the IMSA-CPS partnership
very compelling.
"It is incredibly exciting to know that
IMSA will be working on the grassroots
level of a unique partnership that can have
such as significant impact on teaching and
student performance nationwide, she said."
r^lMSA
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
1 500 West Sullivan Road
Aurora. Illinois 60506-1000
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
AURORA, IL
PERMIT NO. 129
Address Correction Requested
Visit us on the World Wide Web!
http:/Av\v\v.imsa.edu/
Although we strive for accuracy,
if you see an error in yinir mailing
label please call the Office of
Institutional Advancement and
Public Policy at (630) 907-5033.
R^
W
ILLINOIS MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY
r'-^IIVI jA ^ Pioneering Educational Coiiiniunity
Volume 14 No. 2 • Spring 20(){)
IMSA Hosts National Education Conference
Theme: Liberating Goodness and Genius for the World
Z. pproximately 300 educators from
— 1_ around the country gathered at
the Illinois Mathematics and Science
Academy March 2-4 for the 13th Annual
Professional Conference of the National
Consortium for Specialized Secondary
Schools of Mathematics, Science and
Technology (NCSSSMST). IMSA is a
founding member of the Consortium.
The conference, sponsored by a gener-
ous contribution from the Motorola
Foundation, featured keynote speakers
Robert Galvin, chairman of the executive
committee. Motorola, Inc.: Dr. Paul
Sereno. professor at The University of
Chicago and world-renowned paleontol-
Di: Paul Sereno. i>rofessor at
The University of Chicago
ogist and dinosaur hunter; and Benjamin
Zander, conductor of the Boston
Philhannonic Orchestra {see photos inset).
Educators attended presentations
and panel discussions by IMSA faculty
and staff and educators from other
Consortium schools in tlve strands —
Student Research and Inquii7. Student
Leadership Development. Under-
represented/Underserved Populations,
Professional Development, and Public
Policy for Mathematics, Science and
Technology Education.
Conference Program Coordinator
Dr. Susan Bisinger said she was
extremely pleased with the quality of
programming for this year's conference.
■"The individual break-out sessions
covered a breadth of topics that engaged
all the participants," Bisinger said. "The
presenters did a terrific job!" (see page 3
for liighliglits of these sessions.)
Steve Howard, mathematics teacher
at Central Virginia Governor's School,
was especially impressed with the
keynote speakers. "The speakers you had
were FABULOUS! They could have
been a conference all by themselves!"
The most interactive keynote presen-
tation was given by Zander, whose
transformational, motivational and inspi-
rational speech Leadership. Teamwork,
Creativity. Relationship, Partnership
and tlie Liberation of the Human Spirit
featured a German sing-a-long, an
impromptu cello performance and a
lesson in how to transform the "ordinary"
song "Happy Birthday to You" into
something "extraordinary."
"The role of classical music is to take
people out of the box of ordinary life . . .
and take people into the world of possi-
(Continiied on page .^)
Robert Calvin, chainnan of the exeeulivi
committee. Motorola. Inc.
Benjamin Zander, conductor Boston
Philhannonic Orchestra
AAAS Research Conference 6
From an IMSA Partner in Education 2
Great Minds Program 5
Horwitz Lecture on Ethics 4
National Education Conference 3
News in Brief 7
Smithsonian Network 8
Summer Proaram Resistralion 8
r^lMSA
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
1500 West Sullivan Road
Aurora. Illinois 60506-1000
630/907-5000
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Chairman
John H. McEachem Jr.
PresUienl
Wayne Circuits Incorporated
Vice-Chairman
Sheila MB Griffin
Vice President and Director
Strategic Marketing Office
Motorola Incorporated
Trustees
Dr. Joseph Cipfl
Executive Director
Illinois Community College Board
Fred Conforti
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pittway Systems Technology Group
Dr. Sherry R. Eagle
Superintendent
Aurora West School District #129
Dr. Forest Etheredge
Dean
School of Business and Professional Studies
Aurora University
Steve Isoye
Science Department Chairperson
Highland Park High School
Dr. Glenn "Max" McGee
State Superintendent
Illinois State Board of Education
Dr. Luis Nufiez
Chemist
Separation Science and Technology Section
Argonne National Laboratory
James D. Pearson
President
Aurora Metals Division L.L.C.
Dr Marsha R. Rosner
Professor
The Ben May Institute for Cancer Research
The University of Chicago
Dr. Keith Sanders
Executive Director
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Jesus Manuel Sosa
Administrator
Chicago Public Schools. Region One
Sharon Tenhouse
Teacher and Parent Educator
Community Unit School District #2 (Liberty. IL)
Dr Alfonzo Thurman
Dean. College of Education
Northern Ilhnois University
Dr Michael S. Turner
Department Chairman
Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics
The University of Chicago
President
Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall
NOVA is pubUshed three times a year by the
IMSA Office of Institutional Advancement
and Public Policy.
Send comments or questions to:
Editor and Writer
Brenda Buschbacher
brenda@imsa.edu
From an IMSA Partner
in Education
Dear IMSA Shareholders,
Zs a long-term partner in education and teacher professional development with
_^_ the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. I am pleased to share highlights
of the Smithsonian Institution's work with IMSA to help transform mathematics and
science teaching and learning in Illinois.
The Smithsonian Institution's support of IMSA began in 1992 with a unique part-
nership designed to develop innovative curriculum models in mathematics and science
that could be shared with teachers to help improve mathematics and science teaching
and learning. Eight years later, the IMSA-Smithsonian Partnership continues to grow
and is now focused on measuring the impact of curriculum models in schools.
This year, 1 1 Illinois middle and high schools are working with IMSA as part of the
Smithsonian Research and Diffusion Network. The Network is supported by a grant
from the Smithsonian Institution and is designed to gather evidence to see how innovative
educational approaches are transforming teaching and learning in Illinois.
Members of the Smithsonian Research and Diffusion Network use several IMSA-
developed curriculum models in their classrooms including problem-based learning,
integrated science, mathematical investigations, interdisciplinary instruction and
curriculum alignment with state standards.
As Director of the Smithsonian Institution's Center for Education and Museum
Studies, working with IMSA gives me great hope and excitement for the future of
education in America. IMSA's commitment to educational excellence and teacher
professional development serve as a model for the rest of the country.
I am proud to work in collaboration with IMSA and want to thank you, our
shareholders in the public and private sectors, for supporting IMSA's work.
Sincerely,
Ann Bay
Director, Smithsbnian Center for
Education and Museum Studies
X
Conference iamtinueJ from cover)
bility." Zander said. "My job is to remind
people of the rhythm of transformation."
Speaking on the theme of leadership.
Zander said that we all have the choice
to lead and to transform all of life's
experiences.
"Tliere are three possible responses for
all life's situations: resignation, anger and
possibility," Zander said. "It's all invented
... so why don't we invent something that
lights up our life and the life of the
people around us. because we actually
have the choice to do that all the time."
The NCSSSMST is the nation's fore-
most alliance of schools dedicated to
transforming mathematics, science and
technology education. There are more
than 60 member .schools in the
Consortium representing about half the
states. Affiliate members include colleges
and universities throughout the U.S.
Two IMSA staff members ser\e on the
NCSSSMST Board of Directors. They are
mathematics teacher Susan Eddins and
research specialist Jay Thomas.
Ricsenter Dana Yaiicoskie shows lu>w to use
pain- paper to explore math topics such as
Ali;ehra I & II and Precalcuhis.
Children from Cabruu Green in Chicago
demonstrate their love for biochemistry in a
DNA Learning Lxib presentation. IMSA
students help to teach the children as part of
CI mentorship and community setrice project.
Fostering Leadership
through the Community
Development Program
Unlocking Goodness and
Genius through Research,
Inquiry and Investigations
Teaching Inquiiy with the
Latest Technologies
Physics for Eve ly one
Crossing Boundaries:
Integrating Math
and Science
State Standards and the
Specialized School
Where Do They Go From
Here? A Longitudinal Study
of NCSSSMST Graduates
Panel: Identifying
and Serving
Talented Minorities
Economic Theoiy. Derivative
Trading and the Internet
Forensic Science in
High School
The Discovery-Based
Learning Approach
to Diversity
Benjamin Zander leads NCSSSMST
conference participants in a rousing
rendition of "Happy Birthday to You.'
EMSA FUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman
President
James R. Thompson
MichaelJ. Birck
Cliairman of the
President and CEO
Executive Committee
Tellabs, Inc.
Winston & Strawn
Vice President
Vice President
William J. White
Robert Malott
Professor
Retired Chainnan
Northwestern University
FMC Corporation
Secretary /Treasurer
Susan S. Schanlaber
President
The Landmark Group. Inc.
Directors
G. Carl Ball
Richard Lumpkin
President
Chairman and CEO
Ball Foundation
Consolidated
Communications, Inc.
G. Thomas Castino
President and CEO
Robert M. Malchione
Underwriters Laboratories,
Vice President
Inc.
The Boston Consulting
Group, Inc.
Dr. Floyd English
President and CEO
Timothy McCormick
Andrew Corporation
Vice President
Farmer's State Bank
Larry Flynn
of Emden
Major Accounts Vice
President
Andrew M. Oh
Nortel
Research Analyst
Stifel, Nicolaus and Co.
Peter Fox
Senior Managing Director
James D. Pearson
Bear Steams and Company
President
Aurora Metals Division
Dr. Phihp Francis
L.L.C.
President
Mascon Management
James T. Schaefer
Consulting
Real Estate Consultant
David J. Geary
Honey Jacobs Skinner
VicePresident-I^hrth America
Parmer
Lucent Technologies
Sidley & Austin
Joanne Hansen
William A. VanSanten
President
Partner
Furnas Foundation. Inc.
Wood. Philhps, VanSanten.
Clark and Mortimer
Leon Jackson
President
Joset Wright
Multi-Fac Corporation
President
Ameritech Illinois
James Lancaster
Retired Executive
Linda Anderson*
Vice President
Civic Leader
First Chicago NBD Corp.
Roger E. Anderson*
Steven H. Lesnik
Retired Clminnan and CEO
CEO
Continental Bank of
Kemper Lesnik
Chicago
Organization
Gordon R. Lohman
Retired Chairman
and CEO
Amsted Industries. Inc.
Vice-president for Institutional Advancement |
CEO, IMSA Fund
Ted Parge
*Honorary Members
"Trinted by Authority of the State of Illinois.
6500. 04/00. Purchase Order No. 201 172,"
Rabbi Lawrence Kushner Attracts
Crowd of 400 to Ethics Lecture
L— ) abbi Lawrence Kushner attracted
~^ more than 400 people to the
eighth annual Richard L. Horwitz
Lecture on Ethics held April 4 in the
IMSA auditorium.
Rabbi Kushner. widely regarded as
one of the most creative religious writers
in America, presented his lecture
Invisible Lines of Connection: Social
Responsibility and Cowardice.
The lecture series is held in memory
of Auroran Richard Horwitz. IMSA's
first legal counsel, who died in August
1990. Lectures are presented by promi-
nent leaders in education, goveminent
and the private sector for IMSA faculty,
staff, alumni and seniors, and friends
and family of Richard Horwitz.
Rabbi Kushner served as rabbi of
Congregation Beth El in Sudbury.
Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, for
the past 27 years. Through his lectures,
articles and 10 books, he has helped
shape the agenda for personal and
institutional spiritual renewal.
A well-published author, his most
recent books include Eyes Remade for
Wonder ( 1998) and Invisible Lines of
Connection (1996). Following the
lecture, Kushner signed copies of his
books and met with students, staff and
guests for a special reception.
The Horwitz lecture is supported by
the Richard L. Horwitz Ethics Lecture
Fund within the IMSA Fund for
Advancement of Education. The IMSA
Fund is a not-for-profit corporation that
enlists investments of corporate, founda-
tion and individual donors in the
Academy. These investments support
curriculum development projects,
statewide outreach programs, minority
recruitment programs, laboratory
equipment purchases, facility enhance-
ments, special student activities and a
permanent endowment.
Registration Open for
Summer Programs of
IMSA is accepting registration for a variety of profes-
sional development experiences being offered from
May through August in mathematics, science and
problem-based learning. These experiences are most
appropriate for middle and high school teachers.
Call The Center@IMSA at (630) 907-5956 or email
center@imsa.ei:lu for more information or to register
for a professional development program.
In addition, registration is open for programs of the
IMSA Kids Institute for students in grades 7-12.
Call the IMSA Kids Institute at (630) 907-5041 or
email klong@imsa.edu lo register.
y
Great Minds 2000 Program Events
Dr. Louis Gomez speaks about educational technology
during the Great Minds Dialogue "Frontiers of
Educational Technology" held Januaiy 24.
m t^ ^
\ ^M'
L
#'^
^1
ti
B
Nobel Laureate Dr Mario Molina speaks about global
warming during the Great Minds Lecture "The Science
and Politics of Climate Change " held January 6.
Dr Bob Tinker d Alan November discuss thei
views of educational technology in the future.
(l-to-r) Nobel Umreate Dr Mario Molina, IMSA
President Dr Stephanie Pace Marshall and Nobel
Laureate Dr Leon Ledennan.
IMSA Students Present Impressive Work at
National Professional Conferences
LMSA students recently showcased
the results of their hard work while
attending several national professional
conferences.
Nineteen IMSA students and one
student from Niles West High School
represented the Illinois Junior Academy
of Science at the AAAS/AJAS Annual
Meeting and Science Innovation
Exposition February 17-22 in
Washington, D.C.
The 166th national meeting of
the American Association for the
Advancement of Science (AAAS)
brought together more than 5,000
scientists, engineers, educators,
policy-makers, and researchers in a
multi-disciplinary forum to share the
latest research advances.
Students from IMSA and Niles West
made oral and poster presentations on
their research projects as representatives
of the Illinois Junior Academy of
Science (see list). As part of the annual
AAAS meeting, the American Junior
Academy of Science showcases the work
of promising future scientists who repre-
sent their state Junior Academies from
across the nation.
IMSA students conducted their
research as part of the Student Inquiry
and Research Program (SIR). This chal-
lenges students to engage in scholarly and
.scientific investigation, as well as creative
and artistic expression. This process
culminates in the exhibition of products
of ethical research, study and creativity.
In addition to presenting at the AAAS
conference, students also made presenta-
tions at the joint National Conferences of
the National Association of African
American Studies, National Association
of Hispanic and Latino Studies, National
Association of Native American Studies
and International Association of
Asian Studies.
The joint national minority conference
was held February 21-26 in Houston,
Texas, and IMSA was the only high
school invited to attend.
Students Bayly Wheeler of Glen Ellyn
and Anjali Joshi of Schaumburg made
presentations on the CYCLE'S WIZ
Factory of Learning program for
students from North Town Cabrini
Green. Wheeler and
Joshi created the
"Girls Love Math
Lab" for students in
grades K-2 from the
Cabrini Green low-
income housing
development. Students
Kiyomi Davis of
Calumet City and
Nicole Brown of Oak
Lawn made a presen-
tation on the IMSA
Science Explorers
program for students
in grades 4-6.
The trips for the IMSA students were
sponsored in part by the Lucent Young
Scientist Program, created by a grant
from Lucent Technologies of Naperville.
In partnership with the Smithsonian Institution. IMSA student
Jennifer Vanichsomhat of Chicago introduces 5th grade students
at Stuart-Hol}son Magnet School in Washington D.C. to IMSA's
Science Explorers Program.
■ fUi^njiu-h^,
Alexa BJsinger (Naperville)
Meivy Mathew (Downers Grove)
The Effects of Hypoxia on the Frequeticy of
Investigations of How Mutations in Large
Gasp-like Rhythm Generation in Mice
T-Antigen Affect SV40 Growth
Jason Chang (Glenview)
Akhil Narang (Crystal Lake) and Samir
Cloning and Characterization of a Novel
Meghani (Naperville)
NLS Receptor, Importln a 4, from
Optimization of Magnetic Field Homogeneity
Caenorhabditls elegans
With Respect to the Nuclear Magnetic
Sylvie Chau (North Aurora)
Resonance Spectrometer Coil Geometry
The ADP Pathway as a Mechanism for Platelet
Donielle Newell (Naperville) &
Activation in HIT
Jennifer Vanichsomhat (Chicago)
Jennifer Creamer (Brimfield)
Science Explorers: Hands-On Learning.
Underhalr Structure of Castor Canadensis and
Mita Patel (Mattoon)
Its Historical Implications
Monitoring of the Anti-platelet Effects of New
Thomas Kim (Naperville)
Drugs for the Management of Acute
Isolation and Characterization of Human
Myocardial Infarction
Antl-alphaGal IgG Antibodies
Ashlee Riddle (Elgin)
Jennifer Leung (South Barrington) and
Fabrication of Porous Structures Using
Jill Starzyk (St. Charles)
Layered Manufacturing
Pediatric AIDS: HIV- 1 Viral Burden, VIRAL
Clara Shih (Arlington Heights)
BURDEN. CD4/CD8 Counts, and the role of VPR
Development of a PVDF film sensor for
in Disease Prevention
Infrastructure monitoring
Loretta Li (Naperville). Steven Andreoli
Himabindu Vidula (Naperville)
(Wheaton), and Matthew Noesen (Bartlett)
Assaying the Effects of FGF on Mouse
Analysis of the MLL Breakpoint Cluster Region
Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation to
to Identify Sequence Polymorphisms
Myocardial Cells
Grainger Center Awards
IMSA's Grainger Center for Imagination
and Inquiry received the Shirley Cooper
Award from the American Association
of School Administrators, American
Institute of Architects and Council of
Educational Facilities Planners; this is
one of the top honors given by AASA
each year. The Grainger Center also was
recognized for excellence in the design
of Educational Environments by the
Illinois Association of School Boards.
Fort St.Louis des Illinois
For lhree+ years. IMSA sriidetils wider
the siipeiTision of social science teacher
Dr. Claiborne Skinner, have researched and
Iniih an incredible diorama that depicts "The
Siei;e." a 10-day battle between the Iroquois,
the French officers, and Illiniwek Indians in
the Fort (see photo). Tlw defeat of the Iroquois
was a prelude to the French and Indian Wars
and France 's claitn to the entire Mississippi
Valley. It marked a turning point in the
history of colonial America.
Fort St.Louis des Illinois, from 1682- 1691
France 's westernmost outpost, will go on
permanent display at Starred Rock State Park
in Utica. Illinois, this year
Recent examples include:
President Dr. Stephanie Marshall
was recently appointed to a national
commission for the National Academy of
Science to recommend programming for
the advanced study of math and science
for American youth.
Gemian teacher John Stark's article
"Educating Global Citizens."" was
published in the January-August 2000
edition of Lenmelten. Issue 3, a journal
of the Goethe Institute. New York, for
German students in the USA.
Tonda Hager, coordinator for profes-
sional development in mathematics,
presented a workshop on advocacy for
girls in mathematics and science at the
Association of Girl Scout Executive Staff "s
spring 2000 conference in Elgin. IL.
Mathematics teacher Ruth Dover
recently presented a workshop on tech-
nology applications in the mathematics
classroom at the Teachers Teaching with
Technology Annual Conference in
Dallas. Texas.
Julia Husen, Russian teacher,
presented a session on video assessment
in foreign language classrooms at the
American Association for the Advance-
ment of Slavic Studies conference in
St. Louis.
Mathematics teacher Dr. Don Porzio
is serving on the Program Committee
for the 13th Annual Illinois Council of
Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM)
International Conference on Technology.
Ted Parge, vice-president for institu-
tional advancement, was appointed to the
board of directors for Avery Coonley
School in Downers Grove, IL.
Eight staff members presented sessions
for 320 Illinois educators at IMSA"s
Great Minds Program Frontiers of
Educatiou Technoloiiy Jan. 24. They were
Dr. David Barr, Ruth Dover, Dr. Don
Porzio, Dr. Mark Horrell, Britta
McKenna, Dr. Steven Rogg, Catherine
Veal and Matt Wicks.
Dr. David Barr. director of Online
Learning Programs, presented Introduction
to Internet Information Literacy Concepts
to .school and public librarians in Illinois
School Districts 203 and 204.
English teacher Dr. Riva Kuhl served
as Poet-in-Residence at the Mary
Anderson Center for the Arts in Mt. St.
Francis, Indiana, from May 1-7.
Recent examples include:
IMSA captured tnst place in overall
points in this year's North Suburban
Math League competition. Kartik
Lamba of Downers Grove placed first
overall at the Senior level.
Donielle Newell of Naperville, one of
20 outstanding African-American high
school seniors nationwide, is the only
student from Illinois to be named a Ron
Brown Scholar. She was awarded a
$40,000 college scholarship by the CAP
Charitable Foundation (USA).
Jason Chang of Glenview was named
a semifinalist in this year's Intel Science
Talent Search competition for his
research on a cell's regulation of the
nuclear transport process.
Yogesh Raut of Springfield was
named First Team All-State for the 1999-
2000 season by the Illinois High School
Scholastic Bowl Coaches' Association.
The Science Olympiad Team recently
won the regional competition and quali-
fied for state competition. Eleven of the
1 5 team members earned one or more
first place medals.
Matt Noesen of Bartlett, Margaret
Anderson of Chicago and Carl Pickerill
of Genoa have won a year-long student
trip to Germany sponsored by the U.S.
Congress and the German Bundestag.
Because of their high scores on the
American Mathematics Competition test,
96 students are eligible to participate in
the American Invitational Math Exam.
Fourteen students are on the Chicago
Area All Star Math Team.
Student saxophonist Mark Zelesky of
Calumet City received an award in the
National Foundation for Advancement
in the Arts' 2000 Arts Recognition and
Talent Search program.
Winn Wasson of Dixon. Christopher
Young of Westchester and Ryan Kelly
of Makanda scored in the 99th percentile
on this year's national German exam
sponsored by the American Association
of Teachers of German.
Angela Campbell of Geneva partici-
pated in the NASA Reduced Gravity
Student Flight at Johnson Space Center
in Houston.
Seven students won awards in the
Advanced level of the 1 8th National
Russian Contest.
Smithsonian Partnership Flourishes: Networic
Established to Research Effects on Student Learning
( -«_ ince 1992, the Smithsonian
C^^ Institution has generously
supported IMSA's work to develop
innovative curriculum models in science
and mathematics to share with schools
throughout Illinois. Eight years later,
the IMSA-Smithsonian Partnership
continues to flourish with the recently
established Smithsonian Research and
Diffusion Network.
The Smithsonian Research and
Diffusion Network, developed this
year and supported by a grant from the
Smithsonian Institution, is designed to
gather evidence to see how these inno-
vative approaches are transforming
teaching and learning in Illinois schools.
Dr. Linda Brazdil. coordinator of the
Network, said it is important to help
support teachers in their work and to
gather evidence that shows how innova-
tions are affecting changes in classroom
instruction and school-wide practices.
■'While the ultimate goal is improved
student learning, it is changes in teachers'
knowledge, skills and attitudes that lead
to modifications in classroom conditions
and activities that enhance student
learning." Brazdil said. "Changes in
school-wide practices also are necessary
to sustain and support innovations so that
student achievement is improved."
Illinois schools selected for the
network represent urban, suburban and
rural communities. All of the schools in
the network have a history of long-term
involvement in IMSA's professional
development programs and have teachers
and administrators that are committed to
curriculum innovation. Members of the
Smithsonian Research and Diffusion
Network in the 1999-2000 year include:
Alan B. Shepard High School
Aurora West High School
Burr Ridge Middle School
Charleston Middle School
Hinsdale Central High School
Lisle High School
Morton High School
Newark High School
Niles North High School
Roxana High School
Williamsville Junior High School
The curriculum models being tested
at partner schools include problem-based
learning, integrated science, mathema-
tical investigations, interdisciplinary
instruction and curriculum alignment
with state standards.
In addition to gathering important
evidence about student learning in the
classroom, the network also provides
opportunities for professional develop-
ment in classroom-based action research.
The Smithsonian Research and
Diffusion Network provides valuable
benefits for both IMSA and the member
schools. "The network schools are able
to receive technical support from IMSA
in the design of action research projects,
data collection/analysis and reporting of
results," Brazdil said. "Most importantly,
the network schools will have data high-
lighting the effects of their innovations
and supporting continued innovation
to enhance student achievement in
mathematics and science."
"IMSA's involvement with the
Smithsonian Research and Diffusion
Network gives us formative data to help
improve our professional development
programs statewide and to measure the
usefulness of IMSA-developed models
to teachers in local school settings."
r^lMSA
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
1500 West Sullivan Road
Aurora, Illinois 60506-1000
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U.S. POSTAGE
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AURORA, IL
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Although we strive for accuracy,
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ILLINOIS MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY
Jz_||y|^y^ A Pioui'i'hug Echicatiimal Coinmunin
Volume 14 No. 3 • Summer 2000
Seniors Present at Prestigious Russian Research
Conference; Elsenheimer Wins Highest Honor
I n 1999-2000. IMS A student researchers
|_ presented their work at several national
and international scientific conferences. The
year's presentations ended half way around
the globe in Russia May 14-21 at Sakharov"s
Readings, a highly selective research confer-
ence in St. Petersburg.
Sakharov's Readings Presentations
Si. Petersburg, Russia • May 14-21, 2000
Probing the Birth of the Solar System - this
research involves the analysis of meteorites to
determine the chemical and environmental conditions
present dunng the creation of the solar system.
EVISA Student Researcher: Rebecca Elsenheimer
(Lisle) Mentors: Drs. Steven Simon and
Lawrence Grossman. University of Chicago
Underhair Structure of Castor Canadensis
and its Historical Implications - this research
challenges centuries-old beliefs about the morpho-
logical structure of animal pelts.
IMSA Student Researcher: Jennifer Creamer
(Brimfield); Co-Investigators: Erikka Conrad
(IMSA '99); Nicole Gerlach (IMSA "98); Zachary
Shipp (IMSA '98) Mentor: John Thompson. IMSA
Optimization of Magnetic Field Homogeneity
with Respect to the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Spectrometer Coil Geometry - this research
in\'olves refining imaging equipment with applica-
tions for medicine such as more sensitive diagnosis
of brain tumors. IMSA Student Researchers:
Akhil Narang (Crystal Lake); Samir Meghani
(Naperville) Mentor: Dr. Alan Feinerman,
University of lUinois at Chicago
Monitoring of the Anti-Platelet Effects of New
Drugs for the Management of Acute Myocardial
Infarction - this rese;irch involves determining the
efficacy of new medicines used to treat coronary
disease. IMS.\ Student Researcher: Mita Patel
(Mattoon) Mentors: Drs. Jawed Fareed and Debra
Hoppensteadt. Loyola University Medical Center
Development of a PVDF Film Sensor for
Infrastructure Monitoring - this research involves
developing a technology to monitor stresses in
structures such as bndges and highways as well
as medical equipment, IMS.A Student Researcher:
Clara Shih (Arlington Heights) .Mentors:
D. Satpathi. J.P. Victor. M^L. Wang. H. Y. Yang
and C. C. Shih, University of Illinois
Si.x seniors were among 210 young
researchers from throughout the world
who were invited by the Russian
Academy of Sciences to participate in
the conference. IMSA students" research,
which was reviewed by a panel of scien-
tists and researchers from the Academy
and the loffe Physics Institute, repre-
sents geophysics, imaging technology,
pathology and engineering fields.
The research conference is held
annually as a tribute to the memory
of physicist and Nobel Peace Laureate
Dr. Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov. The
IMSA students' trip was underwritten in
part by The Lucent Technologies Young
Scientist Fund.
"The invitation to present research
at this prestigious conference is an
acknowledgment of the substantive
contributions to science these young
researchers have made," said
Mentorship Coordinator Dr. Peggy
Connolly. "It is a well-deserved honor,
and I am very appreciative of the
mentors who guided the students to
this level of accomplishment."
Rebecca Elsenheimer of Lisle received
the highest recognition given at the
conference for her work on the birth of
the solar system. Delivered in Russian.
Elsenheimer's presentation was cited for
"fundamental and physically significant
choice of problem."
In addition. Akhil Narang of Crystal
Lake and Samir Meghani of Naperville
were awarded honors for "Impressive
synthesis of theoretical research and
experimental development."
IMSA stiiJciU Rchcccci Elsfiilwiimr of
Lisle dtUvt'icd Iwr research in Russian.
Mita Patel of Mattoon presents her research
on coronary disease treatments. Standing with
Palel is IMSA Russian teacher Julia Hiisen.
Commencement - Class of 2000 3
From IMSA Parents 2
Great Minds Program Calendar 3
IMSA Fund Highlights 4
IMSA Kids Institute 5
IMSA-Shcpard Research Partnership ....8
Staff Professional Contributions 6
Student Achievements 7
r^lMSA
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
1500 West Sullivan Road
Aurora, Illinois 60506-1000
630/907-5000
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Chairman
John H- McEachem Jr.
President
Wayne Circuits Incorporated
Vice- Chairman
Sheila MB Griffin
Vice Presiden! and Director
Strategic Marketing Office
Motorola Incorporated
Trustees
Dr. Joseph Cipfl
Executive Director
Illinois Community College Board
Dr. Sherry R. Eagle
Superintendent
Aurora West School Dislnct #129
Dr. Forest Etheredge
Dean
School of Business atid Professional Studies
Aurora University
Steve Isoye
Curriculum Leader for Science
Warren Township High School
Dr. Glenn "Max" McGee
Stale Superintendent
Illinois State Board of Education
Dr. Luis Nuiiez
Chemist
Separation Science and Technology Section
Argonne National Laboratory
James D. Pearson
President
Aurora Metals Division L.L.C.
Dr. Marsha R. Rosner
Director
The Ben May Institute for Cancer Research
The University of Chicago
Dr. Keith Sanders
Executive Director
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Jesus Manuel Sosa
Administrator
Chicago Public Schools, Region One
Sharon Tenhouse
Teacher and Parent Educator
Community Unit School District #2 (Liberty. IL)
Dr. Alfonzo Thurman
Dean. College of Education
Northern Illinois University
Dr. Michael S. Turner
Department Chairman
Departtnent of Astronomy & Astrophysics
The University of Chicago
President
Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall
NOVA is published three times a year by the
IMSA Office of Institutional Advancement
and Public Policy.
Send comments or questions to:
Editor and Writer
Brenda Buschbacher
brenda@imsa.edu
From
IMSA Parents
Dear IMSA Shareholders,
, -^^ raduation 2000 was a wonderful day that will forever be fondly remembered
\^i_ by our family and others. Many emotions, reflections and ideas for the
future all converged upon us as we watched the graduates receive their diplomas
and academic medallions.
An emotional day . . . thinking about how our first bom soon would be attending an
educational institution 2000 miles away. An emotional day... appreciating that our
son. Jonathan, had been given a wonderful opportunity at IMSA, receiving one of the
best educations possible. An emotional day. . . saying goodbye to people who cared for
and about Jonathan with extraordinary dedication. We savored these emotions because
as parents, we knew we had helped direct Jonathan to the "right" place.
A day of reflection... recalling how overwhelmed we were three years ago to
learn of the vast number of opportunities that awaited each IMSA student. A day
of reflection... remembering how initially at IMSA we felt technologically and
scientifically in a different world. We didn't care, however, because it seemed to be
what the students were looking for. A day of reflection... recalling how Jonathan
organized his room away from home and how we took comfort in IMSA's high
expectations for ethical behavior.
A day viewing the future... being grateful for an institution that has shaped and
expanded inquisitive minds, preparing them for a world with many unknowns ready
to be discovered. A day viewing the future... admiring dedicated students who
embrace a larger service that transcends individual self-interest. A day viewing
the future... appreciating students who are genuinely committed to improving their
respective locales and the entire universe.
Graduation solidified our commitment to a renaissance development for our
children. A craving for expansion was evident, and the excitement of approaching
scientific mysteries is ever present. However, fostering a renaissance atmosphere
does not occur automatically or magically. It requires hard work, discipline, consis-
tency, an integrated approach and dedication from all involved - the board, staff,
students and parents. We appreciate IMSA's commitment to the renaissance
student. Our sincere thanks to the People of Illinois for supporting IMSA's work
and to an institution that make us feel proud.
Sincerely,
Carol and John Berger
Former NASA Astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison Urges
Graduates to Take Risks and Care for Planet Earth
s the first African American
_ female astronaut to travel into
space. Dr. Mae C. Jemison knows what
risk-taking means. As the owner of a
company dedicated to using science and
technology for the benefit of everyday
life, she understands what caring for
Planet Earth means.
"Technology is just a tool," Jemison
told IMSA Class of 2000 graduates.
"At its best, technology should address
and further three needs: to be loved,
to feel safe and to be happy."
Proud family members and friends
assembled on June 3 at the Paramount
Arts Centre in Aurora to hear Jemison's
words of wisdom and honor 191 seniors
as they received their diplomas and
academic medallions.
Jemison said that the field of science
is misunderstood by many, including
those who are closest to it. She said there
is much more to science than just the
mathematical, technical side.
"At the heart of science are the words
I think, I wonder and I understand,"
Jemison said. "To me, science is a
search for understanding and technology
is putting that understanding into some
practical use."
Donielle Newell of Naperville and
Mathew Blaine Eubanks of Eldorado
were the student speakers.
Impressive Service to Illinois
All members of the Class of 2000
contributed at least 80 hours of
community service to Illinois. However,
the Class" cumulative hours totaled more
than 20,000 with 70 students completing
100 or more hours. Examples included:
Michael Sunu — 324 hours at Edward
Hospital in Naperville and the Muscular
Dystrophy Association in Hinsdale
Ajali Vijayakumar — 30 1 hours at
Veteran's Administration Hospital in
Chicago and CYCLE Program in
Cabrini Green in Chicago
Stacey Cruz — 296 hours at Elssy
Fabcla Foundation and McCleery
Accelerated School, Aurora
Amith Bokka — 266 hours at Rush
Copley Medical Center, Aurora
Sarah Hoffman — 257 hours at Alexian
Brothers Medical Center in Palatine and
McCleery Accelerated School in Aurora
Jessica McAlear — 250 hours at ADOPT
(Animals Deserving of Proper Treatment)
in Naper\'ille.
Above: IMSA President Dr. Stephanie Marshall
is pictured with Stanford University graduate
Dr Mae Jemison and soon-to-be Stanford
student Jonulhon Berber
Below: Vanessa Clark is overjoyed that her years
of hard work at IMSA have finally paid off!
Great Minds Program - Save the Dates!
The Great Minds Program supports
IMSAs learning agenda by creating
unique teaching and learning opportuni-
ties to help shape mathematics and
science education policy in Illinois
and the nation. The intellectual resources
of the Great Minds Program are shared
with students and teachers throughout
Illinois and the nation through seminars,
dialogues, community lectures, on-line
chat groups and the website
( http ://wcbdb. i msa.edu/greatmi nds/) .
Fall 2000 Great Minds
Program Calendar of Events
Great Minds Seminars
far IMSA students, stuff and invited quests
September 1 8, 2000
Douglas Hofstadter, Mathematician
Title: A Jolly Romp in the EucUdnal
Plane. Where Points and Lines Have
Their Roles Reversed
October 5. 2000, 10:30 am-noon
Lynn Margulis. Biologist on
Endosybiotic Theory
Title: The Living Earth from Space
Great Minds Community Lecture
for the genend public
October 17,2000,7:30 pm
(post-reception with book signing)
Nobel Laureate and IMSA Resident
Scholar Dr. Leon Lederman
Title: Science and Anti-Science:
Technology and Its Burdens
Great Minds Dialogues
for Illinois educators and students
October 25, 2000, 10:00 am-noon
for high school students only
Chemist Dr. Luis Nufiez and
Physicist Dr. Herman White
Stories of a Scientist
For more information, contact
Dr. Judith Scheppler at (630) 907-5899
or email greatminds@imsa.edu.
IMSA FUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman
President
James R. Thompson
Michael J. Birck
Chairman of the
Chairman
Executive Commiliee
Tellabs, Inc.
Winston & Strawn
Vice President
Vice President
William J. White
Robert Malott
Professor
Retired Chairman
Northwestern University
FMC Corporation
Secretary/Treasurer
Susan S. Schanlaber
President
The Landmark Group, Inc.
Directors
G. Carl Ball
Richard Lumpkin
President
Chairman and CEO
Ball Foundation
Consolidated
Communications. Inc
G. Thomas Castino
President and CEO
Roberi M. Malchione
Underwriters Laboratories,
Vice President
Inc.
The Boston Consulting
Group. Inc.
Dr. Floyd English
President and CEO
Timothy McCormick
Andrew Corporation
Vice President
Farmer's State Bank
Larry Rynn
of Emden
Major Accounts Vice
President
Andrew M. Oh
Nortel
En treprenuer- in- Res iden ce
Reactivity
Peter Fox
Senior Managing Director
James D. Pearson
Bear Steams and Company
President
Aurora Metals Division
Dr. Philip Francis
LLC.
President
Mascon Management
James T. Schaefer
Consulting
Real Estate Consultant
David J. Geary
Honey Jacobs Skmncr
Vice President-North America
Partner
Lucent Technologies
Sidley & Auslm
Joanne Hansen
William A. VanSanten
President
Partner
Fumas Foundation. Inc.
Wood, Phillips. VanSanten.
Clark and Mortimer
Leon Jackson
President
Joset Wright
Multi-Fac Corporation
President
Ameritech Illinois
James Lancaster
Retired Executive
Linda Anderson*
Vice President
Civic Uader
First Chicago NBD Corp.
Roger E. Anderson*
Steven H. Lesnik
Retired Cltaimmit and CEO
CEO
Continental Bank of
Kemper Lesnik
Chicago
Organization
Gordon R. Lohman
Retired Chairman
and CEO
Amsted Industries, Inc.
Vice-president for Institutional Advancement |
CEO, IMSA Fund
Ted Parge
*Honorary Members
"Printed by Authority of the State of Illinois,
6500 09/00, Purchase Order No. 210345."
Internet Toolkit Gets $50,000 Boost;
IMSA Fund Welcomes New Investors
I— I — his summer. State Senator
|_ Chris Lauzen presented IMSA
with a S50.000 check from the Illinois
Department of Commerce and Community
Affairs (IDCCA). (See photo below).
The grant will support further dissemina-
tion of IMSAs Internet Toolkit to
Illinois educators. This is part of IMSAs
Internet Information Fluency project.
The Toolkit, developed by IMSA,
includes a set of learning materials and
software tools that helps educators more
easily and effectively navigate the web
"In the coming year, the grant will
help us to field test the online workshop
with 50 Illinois educators (teachers,
librarians and media/technology coordi-
nators) and develop model lesson plans
using Internet Toolkit materials and
tools," said Dr. David Barr, director for
development of online resources.
SBC Supports Minority
Recruitment
The IMSA Fund was named one
of five not-for-profit organizations
to share a $210,000 contribution
awarded in connection with the SBC
2000 Senior Open golf tournament held
June 8. 2000.
The $25,000 contribution will advance
outreach programs for minority students
in mathematics and science. Some of
these include the Early Involvement
Program for 9th graders from Aurora,
East St. Louis and Joliet and the
Summer Enrichment for Academics
in Mathematics and Science program
for 8th graders from Chicago.
"This recent contribution will
allow us to expand our outreach efforts
throughout Illinois so that we can recruit
and retain more minorities who want to
pursue careers in mathematics and
science," Ted Parge, IMSA vice-presi-
dent for institutional advancement said.
New Investors
Several new investors were recently
added to the ranks of those contributing
to IMSAs external and internal programs
for students and teachers.
These include:
• Pritzker Foundation (for the Great
Minds PvogTum-see pg. 3).
• Nalco Foundation (for minority
recruitment and retention programs),
• American Honda Foundation
(for the Kids Institute-j'ce opposite page),
• ComEd (for minority recruitment and
retention programs).
Other 1999-2000 highlights included
a $20,000 grant from The Lumpkin
Foundation for development and dissemi-
nation of the Internet Toolkit and $5,000
from Ford Motor Co. for scholarship
support of deserving IMSA students.
In reflecting on the fiscal 2000
year, Parge noted that the additional
$1 .6 million federal grant
for IMSA (part of the IMSA-
Chicago Public Schools
partnership) brings the total
amount for external funding
of Academy programs to a
record $2.9 million.
"IMSA was created as a
working partnership between
L \ the public and private sector
4 : ■ and the financial results of
l_ FY 2000 clearly demonstrate
growth in these key areas,"
Parge said.
Pictured (l-to-r) are Dr David Barr State Senator Cliris
Lauzen and IMSA President Dr Steplumie Marstudl.
IMSA Kids Institute Expands Summer Programs
Biotechnology and Math Explorers Attract New Illinois Students
I n 1998. the IMSA Kids Institute
[_ began with just 50 students who
signed on as IMSA's first class
of Science Explorers. Since then, the
Kids Institute has grown to serve nearly
300 Illinois students in the summer and
600 students during the school year.
In addition. 350 Illinois schools each
received a copy of the 1999 edition
of the Real Science CD-ROM.
Building on this success. IMSA hosted
two new "camps" this year. Math
Explorers, for students entering 8th and
9th grades in the fall of 2000. was held
June 26-30. Explorations in Biotechnology.
sponsored by the Chicago Public Schools
for Chicago students entering 10th grade
in the fall, was held June 19-30.
IMSA also hosted two sessions of
Science Explorers for students entering
4th-6th grades and Summer Sleuths for
students entering 7th-9th grades.
Chicago Students Delve into DMA
Students from se\en Chicago high
schools spent two weeks at IMSA.
pert'omiing experiments such as bacterial
transformation. DNA spooling, polymerase
chain reaction, restriction enzyme analysis,
and gel electrophoresis of proteins.
These experiments were part of the
Explorations in Biotechnology camp, a
program led and developed by IMSA staff
members Dr. Don Dosch. Dr. Steve Rogg.
Dr. Judith Scheppler and Dr. Sue Styer.
Guest Speakers Kelly Connerton-
Moyer of Loyola University Medical
Center, and Russell "Bo" Kowalczyk
from MediChem. spoke about genetic
birth defects and work at biotechnology
companies respectively.
The final day. students presented
posters about medical advances related
to biotechnology.
iVIath Explorers Solve
Complex Problems
More than 50 Chicagoland students
cracked codes using cryptography,
constructed mobiles using geometry
principles, designed fractals on computers
and played mathematical games
Cldcknisc fiDiii lop "Silence Explorers"
Emily Biiiker (left) and Sam Shanbmin
of St. Charles are testinti natural water
filtration techniques.
Chica,i;o Puhlic School students
peiforni experimenis in IMSA's
Grainger Center for Inuigination
and bujuin:
Science Explorers students
denwnstrate what type of shoe
are needed on Mars during the
Mars Millennium Day.
using logic during
IMSA's inaugural Math
Explorers Program.
This experience was developed by
IMSA students with assistance from
Academy mathematics faculty.
Mathematics teacher Chuck Hamberg.
featured mathematician for the week,
said the 'explorers" were introduced to
mathematical concepts not typically
found in a middle school math curricu-
lum including branches of discrete
mathematics. He said it was exciting to
see IMSA students sharing their passion
for mathematics.
"It was wondert'ul to watch the IMSA
students grow as "coaches' and build upon
and modify their curriculum based upon
the learners' questions." Hamberg said.
Real Science 2000 CD-ROM
The Kids Institute recently released
the newest issue of its Real Science
CD-ROM and plans to distribute it to
more than 500 Illinois schools this fall.
The Real Science 2000 CD-ROM.
funded in part by Nortel Networks, is an
interactive science CD entirely produced
by IMSA students for Illinois 3rd-5th
grade classrooms. The purpose of the
project is to help spark young students'
interest in science.
The latest version is now compatible
on Windows or Macintosh platforms.
For a free copy of the Real Science
2000 CD-ROM, contact Kathleen Long at
630.907.5041 or email kl0n2@imsa.edu.
Professional Contributions of
IMSA Staff Benefit Education
By Catherine C. Veal
ne way the Illinois Mutlwinatics
I ' and Science Academy senses the
educational community in Illinois
and beyond is through the professional
contributions of its faculty and staff.
Many give generously of their time,
expertise and talent to help improve
education in Illinois and beyond.
Examples of professional contributions
by IMSA staff in 1999-2000 include:
Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall, presi-
dent, wrote an invited article "A New
Story of Learning and Schooling" for
the millennial edition of The School
Administrator. December 1999. She
also was named to the National Academy
of Sciences Committee for the Study
of Programs for Advanced Study of
Mathematics and Science in American
High Schools. Nobel Laureate and
Resident Scholar Dr. Leon Lederman
presented Science Education Research
on IMSA's Great Minds Program and
the ARISE program at the National
Association for Research in Science
Teaching Conference.
Susan Eddlns. curriculum and
assessment leader in mathematics,
was a co-teacher on a grant given to
The University of Chicago to upgrade
the mathematical content knowledge of
teachers in the Chicago Public Schools.
She also helped write the Principles
and Standards for School Mathematics
(2000). the update of the original
National Council of Teachers of
Mathematics Standards ( 1989).
Dr. Raymond Dagenais. curriculum
and assessment leader in science,
was the principal author of the chapter
The Emeritus Teacher in the book Life
Cycle of the Career Teacher, published
by Corwin Press in January 2000.
Dr. Judy Scheppler. coordinator of
student inquiry, co-authored the book
Biotechnology Explorations: Applying
the Fundamentals. Washington. D.C.:
ASM Press. The book {see graphic above)
exposes high school and college students
to modem DNA technologies.
Mathematics teacher Chuck
Hamberg was a member of the
AYA/Mathematics Standards
Committee for the National
Board for Professional Teaching
Standards. His colleague Ruth
Dover presented Logistic
Differential Equations at this
year's National Council of
Teachers of Mathematics
Annual Meeting and sessions
at the Teachers Teaching with
Technology national conference.
Matthew Wicks, director
of virtual learning, co-chaired
the Illinois Virtual High School
Steering Committee.
Mentorship Coordinator
Dr. Peggy Connolly presented
Creating Power from Potential:
Young Women Scientists & Scholars
at the Women's Leadership Institute
Symposium.
Willa Shultz. foreign language
teacher, led a National Coalition
Building Institute Diversity Workshop
for The Institute for Educational
Leadership. Her colleague John Stark
served on the editorial board of Tlte
Unterricht.sprax.sis , a journal devoted
to applied linguistics and the teaching
of German published by the American
Association of Teachers of German.
A number of staff presented sessions
at the 13th Annual Professional
Conference of the National Consortium
for Specialized Secondary Schools of
Mathematics. Science and Technology
Conference. Examples include:
• Paula Altekruse, study skills
specialist, a session on empowering
passive learners;
• Don Porzio and Michael Sloan.
mathematics teachers, a workshop on
the Texas Instruments TI-89 calculator;
• Dr. John Eggebrecht. science teacher,
and Susan Yates, mathematics teacher.
a session on integrating mathematics and
science (they also presented at the
National Science Teachers Association
and the National Council of Teachers of
Mathematics Annual Meeting);
• Jay Thomas, research specialist,
(see photo opposite page) a session
on the results of the first year of the
NCSSSMST longitudinal study, an
investigation involving 10 member
schools and more than 400 student
interviews and
• Dr. Steve Cordogan. a session on
SAT scores, weighting and prediction
(he also presented papers at the Annual
Meeting of the American Educational
Research Association).
Dalia Bach, music teacher, led a
session for choral educators from Illinois
and neighboring states at the American
Choral Directors Association Annual
State Conference. Wellness Team
members Barbara Baber, John Martin
and Nancy Todnem presented the
Wellness standards-based curriculum
to the Naperville Central High School
health and physical education staff.
The editor of the society newsletter News
and Notes. Dr. Christian Nokkentved,
social science teacher, served on the
executive council of the Society for the
Advancement of Scandinavian Studies.
Sandee Donahue, coordinator of
information resource center and elec-
tronic media, served as chair of the
Illinois Library Association (ILA)
Awards Committee. In April, she was
elected Vice-President/President Elect
(continued on page 7)
STUDENT A C H 1
Kelly McArdle of Elmwood Park,
Brian Park of Park Ridge, Erica and
Alison Ruddy of Aurora, and Margaret
Wat of Naperville presented their
research at the Seventh Annual Student
Research Symposium of the National
Consortium for Specialized Secondary
Schools of Mathematics. Science and
Technology June 8-11 at Lynchburg
College in VA.
Jung Hong of Niles won first place
for the Individual Written Competition
(Senior Division) at the Future Problem
Solving Program International
Conference June 8-11 at the University
of Georgia in Athens, GA.
Nia Dukov of Chicago took first place
in the National Spanish Exam competi-
tion (Level 2) for the Chicagoland area.
More than 600 secondary school students
took the exam.
Clara Shih of Arlington Heights was
one of only two Illinois students selected
to be a 2000 Presidential Scholar by
The White House Commission on
Presidential Scholars.
Kartik Lamba of Downers Grove and
Dan Mellis of Chicago were two of only
175 students nationwide who qualified to
take the semi-tlnal exam for the U.S.
Physics team.
Christine Tsai of Naperville was
accepted to MIT's Research Science
Institute this summer. Only 51 U.S. high
school juniors are selected each year.
Maria Wilson of Quincy, Su-san
Johnson of St. Charles. Noah Lauricella
of Dwight, Kevin White of Baillett and
Mark Zelesky of Calumet City were
named to the Illinois Music Educators
Association 1999-2000 All-State Honor
Roll in Band, Choir and Orchestra.
Brian Fitting of North Aurora, Yun Ji
of Hoffman Estates. Zhihao Liu of
Lisle, Nicholas Rupprecht of Gumee
and Denny Tli of Naperville were among
200 students nationally who qualified to
take the USA Mathematical Olympiad
(USAMO). IMSA had the second
highest number of qualifying students
in the nation.
Catherine Kuo of Skokie. Andrea
Llenos of Carol Stream and Katassa
Tenhouse of Liberty received the rank
of "National Outstanding" in the second
annual High School Mathematical
Contest in Modeling (HiMCM). Only
1 1 teams out of 128 that competed
nationwide received this ranking.
Nicholas Rupprecht of Gumee.
Zhihao Liu of Lisle. Taiyang Liang
of Naperville, and Charles Wang of
Machesney Park helped the Chicago A
team win a first place tie (Division A) in
the 25th Annual American Region Math
League (ARML) Competition. Rupprecht
and Liu aLso were two of only 14 students
nafionwide who correctly an.swered 7 out
of 8 possible individual problems.
Four projects by IMSA students
received superior ratings at the 14th
Annual Illinois History Exposition in
Springfield. A video by Kathleen King
of St. Charles and Lisa Kelly of
Libertyville qualified for National
History Day competition.
IMSA Research Specialist Jay Thomas senes
on the NCSSSMST Board of Directors.
of the Illinois Association of College
and Research Libraries which represents
the interests and concerns of academic
libraries in the state.
Charter Librarian Marti Guarin,
who serves on the Board of the Illinois
School Library Media Association repre-
sented public libraries at the American
Library Association's 35th Annual
Legislative Day in Washington, D.C.,
meeting with legislators about library
and education issues.
Vicki Burgholzer, instructional
program assistant in science, presented
a hands-on demonstration of biodiver-
sity in the animal kingdom for 7th and
8th graders at Our Lady of the Wayside
School in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
At the American Association for
College Registrars and Admission
Officers annual convention. Registrar
Sandi Miller facilitated several sessions
dealing with high school issues and
federal record keeping regulations.
Miller has served as the National
Committee Chair on High School Issues
for the AACRAO.
Through their professional contribu-
tions, faculty and staff demonstrate their
strong commitment to teaching and
learning, professional development, and
educational research and public policy.
Catherine C. Veal is I MSA's chief of stuff.
Interdisciplinary
Favorable Marks
multi-year research study
between IMSA and Shepard High
School in Palos Heights. Illinois, is
showing promising results in measure-
ments of student performance and
behaviors after implementation of an
interdisciplinary curriculum program.
The research partnership began in 1993
when Shepard teachers and administrators
wanted to better meet the needs of
"at-risk" students. They joined the
Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning
Consortium, co-sponsored by IMSA and
the Association for Supervision and
Curriculum Development (ASCD).
The Interdisciphnary Teaching and
Learning (ITL) Program at Shepard began
in Fall 1993 with one coordinator and
four teachers who shared the same 48
students for two of their five-period teach-
ing load. The ITL Program integrated
English 1, Algebra. World History and
Biology through themes, concepts, skills
and strategies.
Because of the positive outcomes
the first year, the ITL Program expanded
the following year to include mainstream
students, including an honors group.
Later changes included the incorporation
Curriculum Program Receives
in IMSA Research Study
of problem-based learning, in which
the role of "teacher" is transformed to
that of "facilitator" as students work
collaboratively to solve real-world
problems. IMSA and other proponents of
this approach maintain that the "real-life
relevance" in problem-based learning is
more meaningful to students than the
traditional, discipline-based approach.
By 1998-99. participadon had increased
to 600 freshmen, sophomores and juniors,
as well as 39 teachers from various disci-
plines and academic levels serving on 14
interdisciplinary teams.
Interdisciplinary Findings Positive
The research study of the ITL Program
focused on the 461 students who were
members of the Shepard Class of 2000.
tracking the initial members of the Class
and other students who enrolled in the
ITL Program during high school.
The study compared the interdiscipli-
nary students to the traditional-
curriculum students using academic
performance measures including GPA.
scores on the Iowa Test of Educational
Development and its subsections,
percentages of students taking the ACT
tests and ACT scores. The study also
used behavioral measures including
attendance, tardiness and suspensions.
Findings of the first three years of the
four-year study include:
• Academic performance levels as
measured by GPA, were much higher for
interdisciplinary students:
• The percentage of interdisciplinary
students taking the ACT by the end of
their junior year was much higher and
their average scores were higher;
• The Iowa Test of Educational
Development scores were equal or
higher for the interdisciplinary students;
• Students in the interdisciphnary
program demonstrate lower rates for
absences, suspensions and leaving school.
Transfer patterns in and out of both the
interdisciplinary and discipline-based
programs strongly demonstrate a prefer-
ence for the former by most smdents:
• Interdisciplinary teachers expressed a
strong preference for their current teaching
experience over prior non-integrative ones.
For more informaUon. contact
Dr. Steve Cordogan at (630) 907-5071
or cordogan@imsa.edu.
r^lM
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