2004 NYSC® Lecture Series

  indicates an alumnus of the National Youth Science Camp®

  indicates an trustee of the National Youth Science Foundation®

Dr. Jay Lockman

Research Scientist, National Radio Astronomy Observatory

"The Story in Sky: What Radio Astronomy Tells Us"

Dr. Lockman will show photographs of the cosmos taken in the radio frequency spectrum. He will illustrate how information can be drawn from these photos that is not available in the spectrum of visible light. He will also discuss ongoing projects at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory near camp.

Dr. A. J. Abu El-Haija

Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

"Modern Physics: Its Story, Limits And Boundaries"

This lecture sheds light on the background of physics prior to the birth of modern physics. It then takes two examples: one is the theory and nature of light whose understanding represented the igniting burst for modern physics, and another is the duality principle that restated with proof the identity of physical entities as being dual in nature. The success of the latter paved the way for a complete theory of quantum mechanics. The presentation analyzes the limits and boundaries of physics in view of the reality that although many fields in science can be considered closed-off subjects, physics is not. Its domain keeps expanding in resonance with human curiosity and quest for more answers.

Mr. Art Stormer

Chemistry and Physics Teacher, Benjamin Logan High School

"Science Education Globally"

This lecture will detail the current state of science education around the globe, covering problems and opportunities effecting the education of science students, primarily at the secondary school level. Mr. Stormer will give examples from his experiences in eastern Africa and citing examples of 'making do' with noncommercial science equipment. The allocation of resources to an exponentially growing world population will also be touched upon.

Dr. Carl Spetzler

Chairman, Strategic Decisions Group

"Making Good Decisions--The Application of Decision Sciences"

The combination of the behavioral and analytical decision sciences provides the foundation for making better decisions. In this session, he and the delegates will define a good decision and begin to understand how one can systematically make good decisions. He will also show how to avoid some of the common decision traps.

Dr. Armand Singer

Professor Emeritus, Department of Romance Languages, West Virginia University

"The Majesty of the Mountains"

Dr. Singer will show slides of mountains in all their glory that he has collected over half a century of trekking and photographing. He will show a picture of a flat island in the Hawaiian chain, which is so flat that rain does not fall on it. He uses that as a comparison with the normally lush landscape of the rain-belted Hawaiian chain. He will show delegates that without mountains, there is no rain or snow, and therefore no way to raise crops, and therefore no way to stay alive. Comparing the two halves of West Virginia he will show how the mountains have given rise to some cultural and linguistic differences. Religious aspects are obvious; the gods live on top of mountains (Christian or Pagan -- Sinai, Olympus, etc.). These are among many factors that mountains influence.

Dr. Mac Louthan

Consulting Scientist, Savannah River National Laboratory

"Why Stuff Falls Apart"

This humorous, motivational lecture discusses the six fundamental causes of failure of large engineered systems: a deficiency in design, improper material selection, defects in materials, improper processing, errors in assembly and improper service. The discussion demonstrates that these fundamental causes of failures in engineered systems can also be associated with human failures such as divorce, child abuse and managerial ineptitude. The similarities among failures in engineering systems and failures in modern society are also discussed. Frequently, the failures are associated with a compromise of personal ethics and morals brought on by greed and other societal influences.

Dr Norm Marriott

Food Science Department, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

"Meating' Opportunities and Challenges For Those Who Like Food"

Meat Science, an area of food science, is the interface of basic and applied sciences in the production of a major component of the diet. Successful application of meat science principles will provide a safe and nutritious muscle foods supply. This is neither easy nor straightforward as illustrated by recent media attention to the "mad cow" disease and pathogenic microorganisms. This lecture will discuss current and future meat issues and pose 10 questions to establish the participants' potential interest in food science/meat science. Ten potential career areas in meat science will also be identified and discussed.

Dr. Terry Keating

Office of Air and Radiation, US Envrionmental Protection Agency

"Over the Horizon: The Implications of the International Transport of Air Pollution"

While domestic sources are the primary contributors to our nation's air and water quality problems, the United States is both a source and a receptor for the international transport of air pollutants. Pollutants flow not only across our borders with Canada and Mexico, but also travel great distances between North America and Asia, Africa, Europe, and other parts of world. Thus, for many pollutants, concentrations and exposures in the United States are due to the combined effects of local, regional, and international sources of emissions. Dr. Keating will discuss what we know about the influence of emission sources in other countries on environmental quality in the United States and the impacts of sources in the United States on environmental quality in other countries. He will discuss the implications of future development around the world for environmental quality in the United States and the roles of science and policy in addressing this emerging issue.

Dr. Alyson Wilson

Technical staff Member, Los Alamos National Laboratory

"Statistics, Reliability, and Big Science"

In this lecture, Dr. Wilson will discuss the role of statistics in "big science" as practiced at the national laboratories. Los Alamos is faces with enormous quantitative challenges; for example to quantify the reliability of the nuclear weapons stockpile. How can statistics play a role in these assessments?

Dr. Greg Wilson

Systems Ethnography and Qualitative Modelling Team, Los Alamos National Laboratory

"The Social Lives of Scientific Facts""

This lecture will look at how an idea becomes a scientific fact. Experimental results do not spring directly into textbooks and universal acceptance. Work in science studies has shown that scientific ideas undergo a long social process to gain acceptance. This "factification" depends on successful negotiation of disciplinary rules (i.e., adherence to method, affirmation of disciplinary orthodoxy, credentialing, publication, cooperative citation, etc.) and sometimes is attributable to factors that have little to do with science. Dr. Wilson will discuss the idea of universal, self-evident "T"ruth verses socially constructed "t"ruth, and what the heck a "fact" is anyway. He will also talk about the types of "fact" one might find in different information sources (i.e., journals, web pages, textbooks, popular science magazines, television, high school and college courses, and political policies) how "facts" function in different genres for different audiences for different purposes.

Dr. Rick Walker

Private Surgeon, F. W. Walker, M.D., P.A.

"Genetic Breast Cancer Risks"

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women. The current "shotgun" approach to screening has led to significant but limited reductions in the death rate. Dr. Walker will demonstrate how "selective screening" can lead to a reduction in incidence, severity, and mortality of breast cancer. Cancer genetics, risk modeling, and ductal lavage will be discussed. The use of diagnostic ultrasound will be demonstrated.

Dr. Zoon Nguyen

President and CEO, American Radiation Oncology

"Implications of Computable Numbers: What it means to be human"

Dr. Nguyen will show the delegates how to build a digital computer using water, syringes, and plastic tubes. The purpose of doing it this way is to show them that (1) the idea of a universal digital information processing machine has nothing to do with transistors or electricity and that (2) it is very hard to see how it could be designed differently. Then he will show there are ridiculously simple problems that people can solve but a digital machine can't. In light of (2) above, he hopes this gives delegates a new perspective and a new appreciation for what it means to be human.

Dr. David Hackleman

Linus Pauling Chair of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University

"Sustainable Engineering for our Planet"

How does one attain sustainability? Do you know how long it takes to regenerate petroleum? How do you calculate the amount of energy needed to manufacture a battery? How much energy is stored in a battery? Sustainable Engineering is proposed as the practice of creating devices, systems, and processes, which can be utilized in perpetuity that either improve or do not reduce the habitation qualities of our home, Earth. Do we practice sustainable engineering today? The lecture will utilize a discussion of the comparison between the utilization of Bio- and Petroleum diesel as a transportation energy source to allow us all to explore the Sustainable Engineering field. A few guiding principles including something we will call "Balance of Planet" will be introduced.

Dr. Holmes Morton

Director, Clinic for Special Children

"Gene Mutations and Diseases of the Brain: Understanding Complex Biological Problems"

How do gene mutations cause problems such as coma, brain edema, uncontrolled movements, seizures, and mental retardation? How are basic concepts in anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, and physiology used to develop therapies that limit the effect of genetic disorders on the brain? The lecture is based upon a 12-year experience caring for children with inherited diseases.

Dr. John Ochsendorf

Assistant Professor of Architecture, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Structural Analysis of Ancient Monuments: From Inca Suspension Bridges to Gothic Cathedrals"

The technical analysis of ancient construction is a field of growing interest internationally. Engineering analysis can shed new light on our understanding of historical monuments and can help to preserve such monuments for the future. This lecture highlights Dr. Ochsendorf's research on early suspension bridges and on the collapse behavior of masonry structures. The goal of the lecture is to illustrate how engineering analysis can be used in a multidisciplinary setting to create new understanding for various disciplines. Historians and archaeologists can learn a great deal from such engineering studies, and furthermore, ancient monuments can offer important lessons for engineers of the future.

Dr. Rebecca Stumpf

Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

"Female Reproductive Strategies in Chimpanzees of the Tai Forest, Ivory Coast"

Dr. Stumpf's lecture will focus on her research in primate behavior and psychology. She will detail her reasearch with Chimpanzees in the Ivory Coast, specifically different methods of mate choice and reproductive strategies.

Dr. Frank Wang

Wang Education

"Beauty and Mathematics: A Mathematician's search for Pattern and Order in Apparent Chaos and Disorder"

The lecture describes how mathematicians are able to find order and pattern in what seems to be randomness and disorder. This is actually a supposition of an area of mathematics called Ramsey Theory, which claims that some structure and pattern can be found in any situation, no matter how random and disordered it may seem. As a demonstration of this, Dr. Wang will approximate pi from a bunch of random numbers shouted out by the audience. He will also perform a "death-defying feat" which he will not describe here, so as to build the suspense and anticipation to the talk. The talk is delivered in a fast-paced, Robin Williams style with plenty of humor and anecdotes.

Dr. David Withoff

Wolfram Research

"Using Mathematical Software"

Although an increasing number of mathematical calculations can be done on a computer, there are still times when it is best to use your brain instead. After a brief survey of available mathematical software, this lecture will focus on understanding what computers can and cannot do, how that differs from what a human mathematician can do, and how to choose the right tool for any particular task.

Dr. Noel Hinners

Retired, Lockheed Martin Astronautics

"The Exploration of Mars: History, Hopes and Hallucinations"

The exploration of Mars by spacecraft started some 40 years ago, building upon an extraordinary interest stimulated by telescopic observations, science fiction and prospects for life. Our understanding of Mars started slowly but has now become exponential with the recent Mars Global Surveyor and Odyssey missions. Martian exploration goals - Life, Climate, Geology and Human Exploration - are tied together by the grand theme "Follow the Water". He will trace the history of Mars exploration, its frustrations and promises, look at recent discoveries (the Mars rovers Opportunity and Spirit have just found the first definitive evidence for ancient surface water), politics (Pres. Bush), missions to come and prospects for eventual human exploration, terra-forming and settlement.

Fr. Tom Acker

Forward Southern West Virginia, Inc.

"Nature's Strategies for Reproduction"

From viruses to insects through to birds and mammals, all living organisms must replicate themselves or their species becomes extinct. The strategies for this biological continuance are amazing and intricate, and include asexual as well as sexual reproduction. The lecture will analyze the processes that organisms utilize to reproduce in an ever-changing planet.

Dr. Al Bartlett

Professor Emeritus, Department of Physics, University of Colorado at Boulder

"Arithmetic, Population and Energy"

Growth is the centerpiece of the national and world economies, yet few people have even the slightest understanding of the arithmetic and the consequences of growth. The arithmetic of growth is set forth in its elementary simplicity and is then applied to see the effect of growing populations and of growing rates of consumption of resources. When the rate of consumption of a finite resource is growing, the life expectancy of the resource is significantly and alarmingly reduced, a fact that seems not to be understood by those who write about resources. Many examples are given of incredibly dumb statements made by prominent people who are accepted by authorities on the question of resources. The electrical energy crisis can be understood by simply looking at the growth rates of supply (new generating capacity) and demand. Yet people seem surprised at the shortage of generating capacity. The ultimate growth problem in the U.S. is that of population, which is growing at about 1.2% annually. This translates to over 3 million additional people every year. The growing population and declining fossil fuel resources is a recipe for real trouble. This is not rocket science. It's elementary arithmetic, yet elementary arithmetic seems to be ignored by our leaders.

Dr. Greg Monty

Director of Research and Development, Underwriter's Laboratory, Inc.

"Providing Safe Electronics"

Underwriters Laboratories is concerned about safety. Safety of products, safety of the water you drink, safety in the 'green' characteristics of electronic equipment. They worry about shock, fire, and personal hazards...and are becoming more and more aware of the safety concerns related to hazardous materials. This presentation will give a snapshot into the types of activities performed at UL every day. UL international presence will be described, and some results of this work related to keeping both people and the environment safe. A particular focus will be centered on Research and Development activities in UL. Five major projects will be described including: Restricted Substances, Photovoltaics, Lasers, UV-light effects and Software Safety. Additionally, some Public Safety Mission goals of UL will be discussed including: Stove Fires, Clothes Dryer Fires, and Aged Wiring in Residential homes across the USA.

Dr. Gregory Gancarz

HNC Software

"Neural Networks for Credit Card Fraud Detection"

Credit card fraud amounts to over 1 billion dollars in losses per year in the USA. Common types of fraud include counterfeit, lost/stolen, application, and non-receipt. Fair Isaac's Falcon Fraud Manager software product utilizes artificial neural networks to detect and stop this fraud, and has proven very effective. Falcon currently protects 85% of credit cards in the USA, and 65% worldwide. This presentation will demonstrate the equipment and techniques used by fraudsters, and then review neural networks and the Falcon system. The key job aspects of scientists at Fair Isaac will also be discussed.

Dr. Mike Durbin

RF Engineer, JASON Project

"JASON Expeditions: Past, Present and Future"

Since 1989, JASON Project expeditions have involved students and teachers in live research that have taken their minds and imaginations to some of the most exciting places on Earth -- and even to the very outer limits of our solar system! He will try and show delegates where they've been, what they've done, and what they've learned by exploring this list of past expeditions. Also he will discuss the science and technology as it changed and evolved to make these projects possible. The JASON Project has pushed technology in every expedition, and has become a proving ground for new technologies and the innovative ways it can be used. The science of each of the expeditions will also be discussed. There have, also been other projects such as the Black Sea expedition in 2003 to support the scientific and higher level educational communities. The same technology was just recently used in Doctor Ballard's return to the Titanic.

Dr. Andrew Liu

Research Scientist, Man Vehicle Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"A funny thing happened to me on the way to Mars..."

The new national space policy has given NASA a new goal, namely human missions beyond low-earth orbit and perhaps even on to Mars. In this talk, Dr. Liu will present an overview of some of the physiological and perceptual changes that would likely occur on such a mission to Mars. In particular, he will focus on some of the interesting perceptual issues that affect orientation, space motion sickness, and locomotion (both in the spacecraft and on Mars). Finally, he will describe some of the methods (countermeasures, in NASA-speak) that could be used during the flight to mitigate some of these deleterious effects.

Dr. Samuel Hensley

Surgical and Neuropathologist, Mississippi Baptist Medical Center

"Biotechnology, Genetics and Bioethics--The New Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"

The lecture will begin with a short overview of ethics built around the assumption that science tells us what we can do but not what we should do. Wisdom will be contrasted with knowledge. Representative systems for making ethical decisions will be briefly reviewed. The bulk of the lecture will be built around the many ethical questions that surround genetic testing. One example would be--"Who should have access to your genetic profile? Spouse, other family members, employers, Insurance companies, the government?" How can this information be ethically used without discrimination? Some scenarios would clearly be dehumanizing but how do we even evaluate the questions? In some situations it important just to ask the right questions.

Dr. John Vandenberg

Research Entomologist, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service

"Fungal Pathogens of Insects as Biological Control Agents of Crop Pests"

This lecture focuses on understanding fungal pathogenesis in insects and implementing the use of fungi as safe, effective biological control agents in pest management. Pest insects we have studied include the Colorado potato beetle, the diamondback moth, and the Russian wheat aphid. We take several approaches in our work: 1) We have determined some factors that make fungal strains virulent and insects susceptible to infection. For example, insect susceptibility varies with life stage and molting status. Fungal virulence varies with the ability to attach to insect cuticle and the speed of spore germination. 2) We have used DNA fingerprinting and other means of genetic characterization to distinguish fungal strains. Recently we have shown that only closely related fungal strains can recombine, but that recombinant progeny may differ from their parents in virulence. 3) We have applied fungal spores in field trials using irrigation systems, backpack sprayers and tractors. We have found that field application of a commercial strain for pest control can result in displacement of indigenous strains from agricultural soils. Studies of the impact of this displacement and the possible recovery or loss of indigneous strains from agricultural soils are underway.

Mr. David Masunaga

Mathematics Teacher, Iolani School

"Slime vs. Men's Fashions -- a Contradiction?"

Nebulae, Alimentary tract, Tomography, Islands, Oil diffusion, Neural networks, Alps, Lungs, Yardstick, Origami, Undulating oscillatoria, Tchaikovsky, Hairline fissures, Slime, Chaos game, ILM, Electricity, Noise, Clouds, Expert systems, Coastlines, Aggregation, Mitsumata, Pocahontas.