Title III Equipment Grant Proposal

 

Name(s):  David Edwards, Holly Boettger-Tong, Jim Ferrari, Barry Rhoades, Wanda Schroeder, Joe Iskra, Hilary Kight, Jim Morey, Charles Benesh, Glenda Ferguson, and Keith Peterson

 

Division/Dept.: Division of Natural Science and Mathematics

 

Phone: x4021 (David Edwards)

 

Date Proposal Submitted: October 1, 2007

 

Course Name(s) and Number(s) to be impacted:

      Division Impact:

BIO203S                                  Research Methods in the Biological Sciences (20)

BIO256                                                Reproductive Biology (8)

BIO360S                                  Conservation Biology (8)

BIO311                                    Genetics (20)

BIO315                                    Animal Behavior (12)

BIO350                                                Principles in Evolution (10)

BIO440                                                Senior Integrative Exercise in Biology (15)

BIO451                                                Directed Independent Study (13)

BIO/CHM/PHY/MAT/ESC499 Honors Thesis (5)       

CHM/ESC206S                        Research Methods in the Physical Sciences (13)

CHM/ESC451                          Independent Study in the Physical Sciences (5)

CHM/ESC351                          Environmental Chemistry (8)

CHM/ESC410                          Senior Integrative Experience in the Physical Sciences (8)

MAT419                                  Probability and Statistics (5)

MAT/PHY405                         Mathematical Modeling (5)

MAT451                                  Directed Independent Study (5)

Total students impacted:  160

    

     Institutional Impact:

            PSY230S                                 Reading, Writing, and ReviewÉ.in Psychology (25)

            PSY305                                   Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences (25)

            BUS303                                   Principles of Marketing (41)

            xxxxxx                                                Art Department

xxxxxx                                                Communications Department

            xxxxxx                                                Alumni Office

            xxxxxx                                                Development Office

            xxxxxx                                                Presidents Office

            xxxxxx                                                Admissions Office

            xxxxxx                                                Physical Plant  

xxxxxx                                                Student Affairs

            Total Students Impacted: 91 + marketing and other events

 

Specify if this is an application for:  $11,526.42 Equipment Grant

 

NARRATIVE

 

I.          Specify how the class would differ from how you have traditionally taught it, describing innovative strategies to be employed.

           

In the last decade, the standards for poster presentations at scientific meetings have evolved from poster boards covered with 8 ½Ó by 11Ó pieces of paper to computer-generated 48Ó x 36Ó poster-sized printouts with a matte or glossy finish. As a liberal arts college, Wesleyan College Mathematics and Science division has the potential to incorporate the construction of these posters into their curriculum on a regular basis, thereby increasing the marketability and preparedness of its Mathematics and Science majors for post-graduate or industry careers. Unfortunately, since Wesleyan does not have the large format photo -printer required to create them, the widespread use of these posters is restricted to only a few students by the prohibitively high cost of commercial poster production (the printer in the Art Department does not have the capacity to print poster this large).   At $144 per poster, even the small scale printing of posters for presentations at scientific meetings (typically 15-20 posters per year) places a significant burden on departmental budgets. 

 

In order to provide more students with experience preparing professional quality research posters, improvements in our printing capabilities must be made.  This process begins with the purchase of a HP Z3100ps Photo Printer.  This large format printer would be used for a wide variety of courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, and Mathematics that contain a significant speech-intensive or research component.  The posters would also be used to present research at on-campus symposia, and local or national scientific meetings.  In addition, the posters can be used as an effective marketing tool because they can be put on display to showcase the research of our students and faculty.  

 

II.             Discuss how your project would have benefits extending over time beyond this particular class or semester and how many students would be impacted.

 

Currently, about 15-20 posters are printed in our division each year.  Based on the current cost for producing posters commercially, the poster printer would recoup its cost in 4-5 years from our divisional use alone. The availability of the photo printer will benefit student development and allow the Division to invest the savings in enhanced hands-on laboratory experiences for students. 

 

Within the Division of Natural Science and Mathematics, the estimated enrollment in the courses that will be improved as the result of the printer's availability is about 160 students per year.  In addition, the photo printer would be available* to other academic divisions and departments on campus.  For example, the Psychology Department currently makes posters to present at meetings in PSY230S and PSY305.  Additionally, the Communications and Development could use the poster printer for marketing.  Physical Plant has also indicated an interest in the photo printer for enlarging blueprint documents.  While the impact in our division is large, the impact of the photo printer to the institution is immeasurable.

 

*In order to maintain the printer and obtain new cartridges, a $10 cost for black and white and $20 for color copies will be charged for Divisional members.  The cost will be doubled for users outside of the division.  The printer will be housed in MSC220 (the copy room for the building).

 

III.           Indicate software/equipment needed to accomplish the project and itemized cost estimate.

 

The photo printer and accessories will be purchased from HP

 

1.  HP Designjet Z3100ps GP 44-in photo printer                                $7,495.00

2.  Ink Cartridges                                                                                      880.77

3.  Paper                                                                                                   182.65

4.  3-yr service contract and warranty                                                    1,499.00

 

Additionally, a computer is needed to run the poster printer (Dell) and compatible software to upload the documents (www.cdw.com) is necessary.

 

5.  Dell Inspiron 531                                                                              1,049.00

6.  Adobe Professional 8.0 and Photoshop 7.0                                                      420.00

                                                                        Total                           $11,526.42

 

IV.           Detail special training you will require in order to accomplish the project.

a. Will this involve consultation with the Instructional Technologist?  NO

 

The training will be minimal and facilitated by the faculty in the Mathematics and Science Division.

 

V.        Describe your assessment plans or how you will know that students are learning more effectively.

 

For the short term, the number of student posters made over the course of a semester with the printer will be evaluated to assess usage.  In the long term, student outcomes and success in obtaining post-graduate employment will be assessed to verify the effectiveness of this purchase.  Further, we will continue to analyze Educational Testing Services (ETS) major field tests in chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and environmental science to assess student performance.  The number of posters made over the course of the printer lifetime will assess the cost-effectiveness.