Research Experience for Teachers (RET)

The Center is pleased to offer one to two awards to support a research experience for a secondary teacher.  These awards include a stipend to support related research and curriculum development. For more details on how to get involved with research projects, contact Joanna McNulty, program coordinator for the Center.

Past RET Participants

Mr. Keith O'Connell - Penn High School - Predicting Environmental Conditions Using GIS

Mr. O'Connell's research focused on using GIS tools to predict calcium levels in lakes for which there was no recorded data for this abiotic parameter. Calcium levels can be one factor in determing which lakes might be at risk for invasion from certain mollusk and crustacean species, particularly of zebra mussels or rusty crayfish, two well-known invaders in the midwest. This research focused on an area in northern Wisconsin that has a high density of lakes, many of which might be at risk for future invasions. Using a technique known as interpolation, a method of constructing new data points from a discrete set of known data points, Mr. O'Connell was able to assign calcium values to many lakes that had not been previously sampled and these values can now be used in predictive models.

Ms. Kristin Povlitz - Frang-Penn High School (formerly)

Application of network theory to the spread of rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus). Ms. Frang explored the application of network theory to the spread of rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus), an invasive species, among inland waters of the Midwestern United States. Using sources of information on the relative attractiveness to boaters of different lakes (e.g., lake size, boat access, fishing quality), she helped develop a predictive model of rusty crayfish spread in Vilas County, Wisconsin.  This predictive model was then applied to data that were available when rusty crayfish were first discovered in Vilas County in the 1970s. The results demonstrate that data available early in the invasion sequence could have been used to accurately predict which lakes would become invaded in the future.  Thus, it would have been possible to apply targeted measures, such as boater inspection stations, to prevent many of the invasions that have taken place.  This work has led to a submitted manuscript (Keller, Frang, and Lodge).

Ms. Sally Spahn-Trinity High School

Investigating Ionic Liquid Toxicity in Aquatic Environments - Ms. Spahn looked at the toxicity of new Ionic Liquids (Ils) on aquatic organisms. Currently used solvents, including toluene and benzene, are hazardous and contribute to ozone depletion, global climate change, and smog formation. Researchers at Notre Dame are creating new room temperature Ionic Liquids (Ils), non-volatile chemicals synthesized to replace volatile organic solvents. Ionic Liquids pose no known significant threat to air quality but researchers in the biology department are testing their toxicity in aquatic environments. Her results were combined with a larger effort to determine the toxicity of various classes of these ionic liquids, which was given to the engineering research team to inform their efforts.