Outliers: Students in ACTION Newsletter
October 2019
Outliers: Students in ACTION is a monthly publication during the academic year highlighting students and events in the Science and Math Education in ACTION Choose Ohio First grant program at BGSU.
Table of Contents
Reflections from the ACTION Director
ACTION Peer Mentoring
First-Year Research Projects
STEM in the Park
Upcoming Events
Re flections from the ACTION Director
by Dr. Daniel Brahier

October is always an exciting month for ACTION. It is the first full month of recruitment and applications for a new cohort of scholars who will begin next year. It’s BGSU Family Weekend month where many of the families of our scholars return to visit campus, spend time together, and attend a football game. It’s also the month that the Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics (OCTM) will be hosting its annual conference, to be held this year at Kalahari in Sandusky.
 
Every few years, the OCTM conference moves to Northwest Ohio. When that happens, ACTION is engaged to help with the planning and volunteering for the event. Approximately 1,200 teachers from around the State of Ohio will be in Sandusky on October 24-25 to learn the latest best practices in mathematics education. One ACTION scholar has served for the past year on the planning committee, and dozens of others will serve as volunteers and attendees at the two-day event. Some of our scholars, including alumni, will make presentations at the conference, and we are proud to announce that two of our alumni are being honored at the Awards Luncheon for exemplary teaching in Ohio. Only 16 teachers receive this prestigious award each year, and 2 of them are graduates of BGSU and alumni of ACTION. Look to next month’s newsletter for photos and details on the conference and the awardees.
 
October for ACTION also includes our annual Fall Seminar. This year, scholars can choose among three sessions that will feature discussions of the Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE exams), Surviving Methods and Student Teaching, and Building a Resume for Success. We look forward to hosting guest speakers, including alumni, to make presentations at this event that will take place on October 15.
 
Meanwhile, we ask you to help us to recruit another strong freshman group – Cohort 12 – who will join us with Summer Bridge next July 12-31. Application materials are available at the ACTION website (bgsu.edu/action), with a deadline of January 15, 2020. You can help us to spread the word by talking to students, guidance counselors, and administrators in your area. We will also have a Preview Day table on Saturday, October 19, to promote the program – yet one more activity for ACTION this month. Have a happy and wonderful October!
ACTION Peer Mentoring

At the beginning of each school year, ACTION hosts a workshop for junior scholars who have offered to serve as peer mentors for freshman Cohort 11 members. After ACTION staff members review expectations with the mentors, guest speakers are typically available to conclude the training.
 
This year, Briana Reithmeier, Academic Advisor from the College of Education and Human Development, contributed to the Peer Mentor training by providing updates on courses and answers to advising questions that may come up. Kate Hutson followed by discussing common concerns that mentors may see among freshmen and how they can provide help in different situations. Kate also communicated the various resources offered by the Counseling Center and how to utilize their services.
Following the training, freshman scholars joined the group and using “clues” the mentor and mentee matches were revealed. Some of the students had met previously during the optional “speed mentoring” session hosted the week before the match, while some were meeting for the very first time. As pairs began interacting and getting to know each other, they also discussed where and when to have their first of three meetings of this semester. Both junior and freshman scholars benefit from this opportunity and we all enjoy seeing the relationships develop and grow over time.  
First-Year Research Groups

Cohort 11 freshman scholars are engaged in science and/or mathematical research this year as they work in groups alongside a faculty member. The students were introduced to each of the five research team leaders during Summer Bridge before selecting the research project that was of most interest to them. Now each group is meeting consistently throughout the academic year to explore their specific topic. The subject matter is varied, with two of the five groups being highlighted this month.
The group of first-year scholars who are working with Dr. Eileen Underwood are observing chahoua geckos with two different food options; normal and fig flavored to see which they prefer. Color change with age and weight are also being documented throughout the study. Group members: Zach Chamberlin, Isabel Chaplin, Rachel Chesbrough, Emma Davis, Erin Dawson, Dylan Mathess.
Dr. Jim Albert’s  research group is getting a taste of big data exploration by learning the statistics open-source software R. They are learning basic methods for summarizing and graphing data using the R language while gaining an introduction to a range of datasets; with many of the datasets being sports-oriented. Group members: Isaac Bennett, Ryan Griesmer, Caitlyn Luthman, Kayla Taylor, Kate Walker, Max Weaver.
STEM in the Park

STEM in the Park never ceases to amaze all who are part of this huge annual community event. In fact, the smiles on the faces of the adult volunteers often match those of the young participants. Once again, it was wonderful to see a large number of ACTION students assisting in various ways on September 28 with many working at either the ACTION table or at activity tables hosted by other BGSU departments and organizations.
Some scholars helped with activities where they were engaged directly with kids while others volunteered with the overall event to help with set up/tear down or assisting exhibitors and attendees. "Twist and Paint" was the theme of the ACTION station with Math Twister offered as well as water color painting using a compass. Every aspect of STEM in the Park is an important component that helps make the event such a big success.
Upcoming ACTION Events
Fall Seminar - October 15
BGSU Preview Day & Fall Social Event - Sat., October 19

To find out more specific details about what is happening in October, click on the image of the calendar.
As a Choose Ohio First grant program sponsored by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, our goal is to produce exceptional science and mathematics teachers who will impact the next generation across the state to improve STEM areas.
Science and Math Education in ACTION
Director: Dr. Daniel Brahier
Program Manager: Wendy Standinger
Program Secretary: Cindy Fuller
Phone 419.372.6561