Deep teaching in a college STEM classroom

Cultural Studies of Science Education - The retention of underrepresented students remains a significant challenge in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) disciplines. A broad range...     

The Influence of Hygroscopic Materials on the Fluctuation of Relative Humidity in Museums Located in Historical Buildings

ABSTRACT

The preservation of artefacts in museum collections is profoundly affected by fluctuations in temperature and, especially, relative humidity (RH). Since the late nineteenth century, many studies have been carried out on the best way to control hygrothermal conditions. In old buildings located in maritime temperate climate zones (such as Portugal) with strong thermal inertia, and which have low ventilation rate (relative to the volume and number of visitors), daily and seasonal hygroscopic inertia may help to assure the maintenance of RH stabilization conditions. The use of expensive active systems may be minimized through the passive behaviour of internal finishing building materials. This work presents the results of an experimental laboratory study conducted in a flow chamber to demonstrate the enormous potential of hygroscopic materials in stabilizing interior relative humidity. Based in these results and in-situ monitoring in a museum housed in a building, located in Porto, with a typical construction of the 1950s (granite masonry and reinforced concrete slabs), a numerical analysis was done to quantify the influence of hygroscopic materials in stabilizing the interior relative humidity.     

Proclaiming Library Worth in a Program Prioritization Process at a Mid-Sized Public University

Abstract

In an economic climate when colleges can no longer presume that legislators see institutions of higher learning as tacit public goods, institutions around the country are facing budget cuts. This article presents a case study of the experience of a mid-sized public state university and its Library in a budget crisis undergoing a university-wide program prioritization process. The authors review the process of writing three reports on the Library’s value, along with the approach to engaging staff in the process including a retreat. This article raises questions about what every library should consider assessing and provide tools for libraries navigating similar terrain.     

Medieval and renaissance glass technology in Valdelsa (Florence). Part 1: raw materials, sands and non-vitreous finds

A significant number of archaeological finds of the 13th–16th century from the Tuscan sites of Germagnana and Gambassi in Valdelsa—FI, was studied by different physico-chemical investigations (SEM–EDS, ICP, Mössbauer spectroscopy, XRD, XRF, TG-DTA) in order to contribute to clarify the production methodology and the pre-industrial glass manufacture technology. The studied samples are mainly non-vitreous finds as production waste, refractory materials, crucibles and raw materials; also vitreous finds as frits, skims, glasses (glass masses, glass working waste and finished products) have been taken into consideration. The obtained petrographic and physico-chemical data strongly suggest that both Gambassi and Germagnana glass manufactures were strictly connected with the sources of vitrifiable materials, situated in Tuscan sand quarries. In particular a comparison between sands from the neighbouring quarries and appropriate finds of the two archaeological sites evidences that the employed vitrifiable materials possibly belong to La Casina La Cava resort. The archaeological classification, based on macroscopic observation and stratigraphic position, was compared and verified with the scientific classification of the examined finds of Germagnana and Gambassi sites based on their composition, morphology and physico-chemical properties.     

Physical activity levels of 5-11-year-old children in England as determined by continuous observation.

Continuous observation of the physical activity of 56 preadolescent children was conducted in four regions of England from October 1988 to July 1989. Observations were undertaken during school break times, lunch times, and physical education lessons, as well as during the children's free time. Of total time observed, the children spent 32.4% of it engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Children were shown to be most active during school breaks and least active during free time at home. However, it is thought that cardiorespiratory benefits are best achieved by participation in sustained periods of MVPA. Only 8 (14%) of the 56 children were observed to participate in MVPA for sustained periods of 20 min or longer. A random sample of 55 physical education lessons was observed. Only 6 children engaged in MVPA for sustained periods of 5 min or more, and no children participated in MVPA for 10 min or longer. The implications of these results are that, although the children engaged in a reasonable amount of MVPA, it may not have been sustained for periods of sufficient length to produce a cardiovascular training response. Consideration is given to ways of promoting lifelong involvement in physical activity.     

浅谈如何上好艺术体操选修课

对普通高校艺术体操选修课教学从形体姿态的培养、教学成套动作的编排,音乐的选择及口令、手势的运用等,进行了分析探讨.