BW Physics and Math Star Inspires STEM Careers on YouTube

BW student and academic powerhouse, Kaylee Yuhas is truly a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) superstar. Kaylee has earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average majoring in physics and mathematics and has set the bar unbelievably high by earning the highest grade point average among all physics majors. Yet, what distinguishes Kaylee as entirely exceptional is her passion for motivating young women to pursue STEM careers.

Kaylee has recently created an instructional video series called Explorium, earning her YouTube channel hundreds of loyal subscribers. The intent of Explorium is to make science more approachable and fascinating as well as to inspire budding scientists, especially girls and young women. The video series teaches complex scientific and mathematical concepts in an accessible and entertaining way.

Included in Kaylee’s scholarly work, is original research on starspots, which she presented at the American Astronomical Society’s 225th annual meeting.

Outside of the classroom Kaylee serves as President of The BW Problem Solving Club, is an avid reader and volunteers with the Richfield Kiwanis Club. Kaylee has also partnered with physics faculty to help teach 12-18 year old students at a problem solving summer camp and works five part time jobs to help pay for her education. She aspires to earn a Ph. D. in either astrophysics or software engineering.

Ohio Magazine Showcases BW STEM Scholar Success

The BW STEM Scholars program and physics and philosophy double major Sam Schwab '15 are featured in the current issue of Ohio Magazine. The "Career Choices" article notes the rise in U.S. jobs related to STEM, short for science, technology, engineering and math, and details how four Ohio colleges, including BW, are working to support student success in challenging STEM-related majors.

Schwab, who lives in BW's STEM Living Learning Community, had praise for opportunities that occur outside the classroom. “I was lucky enough to connect with some students and created a hands-on calculus course with a professor [ Dr. Edwin Meyer] last semester.”

The development of personal and professional career skills is another hallmark of the BW program. “We like the students to see the STEM fields as a business or entrepreneur opportunity,” Dr. Jacqueline Morris, director of neuroscience explained in the piece. “We want them to make the connection ... to make their education into a career.”

BW's director of STEM student initiatives, Stephanie Forstner, told the magazine that the BW approach, "offers holistic support — financially, academically and socially. Each student gets a success coach...throughout their college experience, and there is a real sense of community within the STEM program.” 

Statistics show that extra support pays off. BW STEM majors who are a part of the scholars program are nearly twice as likely to graduate with a STEM degree in four years, versus STEM majors who do not participate.

Neuroscience Major Secures Major Grant for Thesis Project

Rachel Zacharias '15 won a prestigious $5,000 grant from the International Honor Society in Psychology, Psi Chi, to fund the research for her thesis project. This is just one of many successes for the impressive neuroscience and psychology major.

Zacharias just wrapped up a summer internship at West Virginia University where she won recognition and a cash prize for her poster presentation. She spent the summer at WVU as part of a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program.

"I learned lab techniques, such as running western blots and radial arm water maze testing, that will be helpful as I continue my career in neuroscience,” she said of the experience. "One of the highlights was attending the WVU Neuroscience Retreat at Oglebay, where I won an award for my poster presentation of my research project.” She was one of just four undergrads to receive recognition.

With a successful summer behind her, Zacharias now turns to her thesis research, which focuses on possible treatments for the negative impacts of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on daily life. She hopes to "discover more about the effectiveness of (the drugs) acetazolamide and corticosterone as either prophylactics or treatments for PTSD."

Calculus Success Strategy Focuses on Concepts over Calculation

Ed Meyer, chair of BW’s Physics Department, is out to help students improve their chances of success with calculus in high school or college. “I struggled with undergraduate calculus under the traditional mathematics teaching model,” admits Dr. Meyer, who worked for more than a decade as a corporate research scientist. “Calculus should not be a roadblock to success in the STEM disciplines.”

In a two-evening Hands-on Calculus short course coming up on August 12 and 14 at BW, Meyer and several master teaching assistants will throw out the usual derivatives and integrals, in favor of fun, hands-on exercises that will help students grasp the ideas behind calculus.

“Students can get the right derivative and still be frustrated because they have no idea what it means,” continues Meyer. “The new Common Core standards emphasize an understanding of the concepts over the ability to memorize formulas. This course will focus on concepts over calculation.”

“Hands-on Calculus” will run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12 and Thursday, August 14 at BW’s Center for Innovation and Growth (340 Front St, Berea). The course is appropriate for motivated and curious middle school students, high school students, and entering college freshmen that have a basic understanding of manipulating equations with algebra. Dr. Meyer is hoping for multi-generational attendance so that all can have some fun with applying calculus to better understand it.  The cost is $39 or $49 for families and includes all materials and snacks. Call 440-826-2312 for information or to register.

BW Recognized as One of the Top Network Security Schools in US

Education Portal has recognized BW as one of the "Top Network Computing and Information Security Schools" in the country. Just 22 schools made the list!

Education Portal describes the in-demand field of network security as "the area of computer science tasked with planning and maintaining security for an organization's computer network. Those who work in network security can install security software, monitor networks for security issues, and gather data for prosecuting cyber crimes."

BW's Computer Science Department offers a comprehensive computer science major that utilizes a generalist approach combining theoretical study in computer science and mathematics with applications in software development, database systems, and systems design.

Cyber Defense Team Wins First Place in Ohio

BW's Cyber Defense Team, advised by BW computer science professor Kenneth Atchinson, was tops in Ohio at the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) State Qualifier for Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky and Ohio.

With the win at the state level, the team moves on to the Midwest Regional Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition to compete for the Midwest CCDC Champion title March 28 and 29 in Chicago.

From STEM to STEAM: BW Prof Leads Academic Panel

BW's Margaret Stiner, left, with fellow panelists

BW's Margaret Stiner was invited to present her expertise at the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Conference in Salt Lake City as part of a panel discussing the importance of incorporating the arts into the STEM Education Coalition — changing the coalition's name from STEM to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics).

Stiner and her fellow panelists argued that while it is important to promote STEM, one cannot overlook the arts as the basis of creativity and innovation.

Stiner serves as the director of BW's Academic Advising Office and is a lecturer in the English Department.

Biology/Neuroscience Major Wins Prestigious Scholarship

Kara Gawelek ’14 was one of three scholarship winners at the prestigious, 2013 YWCA Women of Achievement Awards in Cleveland. Gawelek, a Brunswick native, was selected to receive the $1,500 Dr. Jennie S. Hwang Award, which recognizes an outstanding female sophomore or junior student who is majoring in a science, engineering or technology-related discipline. She was chosen from more than 40 student nominees from 12 universities!

Gawelek, an aspiring pathologist who credits her late father with inspiring her to “live up to her potential,” has earned a 3.96 GPA while studying Neuroscience/Biology and Chemistry at BW.

The first-generation college student is head ambassador for BW’s Undergraduate Research and Creative Studies Program, vice president of the Pre-Medical Society and a Choose Ohio First STEM Scholar, as well as a STEM Scholars Leadership Council member. Read more on the Strongsville Patch.

Gawelek (center) at a meeting of BW's STEM Scholars, an innovative BW scholarship program preparing students for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).