list of participants · excellence for the benefit of humanity. ieee and its members inspire a...

List of Participants

NOVEMBER 15, 2014

— Bryn Mawr STEM Career Fair • November 15, 2014 —

ATK

ATK is an aerospace, defense and outdoor sports and recreation company with operations in 21 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally. News and information can be found on the Internet atwww.atk.com on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atk or on Twitter @ATK.


BGE

For nearly 200 years, BGE has been a prominent company in Central Maryland. With a wide array of energy programs, services and resources, BGE is defining the next generation of energy management.


CDI Laboratories

The CDI mission is to empower research and development in proteomics with proprietary technologies, making possible—today—the protein discoveries of tomorrow. CDI protein microarrays and related services make it possible to perform rapid and efficient analyses of thousands of protein interactions using minimal amounts of valuable clinical samples. The Company’s microarray-powered monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and MAb-related services provide unprecedented levels of specificity. The Company has locations in Baltimore, Maryland and in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.


Century Engineering, Inc.

Century Engineering, Inc. is a multi-discipline consulting engineering firm engaged in the planning and design of a variety of projects for the buildings, transportation, environmental, water and power industries. Century serves the entire mid-Atlantic region from multiple offices located throughout the area. We offer our clients a staff of approximately 350 technical and support personnel dedicated to providing quality, innovative and value-added professional services in many specialized areas.


CyberPoint International

CyberPoint delivers innovative, leading-edge cyber security products, solutions and services to customers worldwide. We discover the threats and vulnerabilities that expose data, systems, and infrastructure to compromise and design defenses that protect what’s invaluable to our customers, tailoring that protection to their needs in a world of continuously emerging cyber threats. Employing world-class engineers, mathematicians, computer scientists, and industry experts, CyberPoint supports a broad array of commercial and government customers.


Digital Harbor Foundation

The Digital Harbor Foundation (DHF) fosters innovation, tech advancement, and entrepreneurship by helping youth develop digital age skills through maker activities and tech workforce readiness. We opened the DHF Tech Center in January 2013 and provide tech programs for more than 450 youth a year. In June 2014 at the first ever White House Maker Faire, DHF announced the launch of a new initiative, the Center of Excellence for Innovation in Technology Education, to help build the capacity of other organizations to create and deliver their own maker programs.


Finalsite

Both in and out of the classroom, Finalsite provides a complete web solution to 1000+ schools in 45 states and more than 60 countries.

• We are the nation’s leading provider of website Content Management Systems to independent schools.

• Our Learning Management System includes class pages, activity streams, online quizzes, gradebook, and attendance management.

• Our creative team has won more than 30 design awards.

We offer more than just a website and software. With our wide range of consulting services, expertise on social media, SEO services, systems integration and outstanding support, we are a school’s partner for the future. Our team includes more than 125 professionals who work as web developers, software engineers, project managers, designers, support specialists, data management experts, trainers, and consultants in SEO/SEM/Google Analytics/Pay-Per-Click advertising.


Firaxis Games

A world-renowned game development studio with an unwavering mission to “build games that stand the test of time.” The name Firaxis is a fusion of “fiery” and “axis,” communicating the company’s dynamic process of game development resulting in the creation of groundbreaking titles that deliver unparalleled gameplay and endless fun to millions of gamers around the globe. Under the creative direction of industry legend Sid Meier, Firaxis has released dozens of hit games on multiple platforms and is recognized as an industry leader in game development. Firaxis was named as the World’s #1 Developer of the Year by Game Informer Magazine.

Stanley Black & Decker is proud to support the Bryn Mawr STEMCareer Fair.

Proud Member of the Baltimore Community Since 1910.

© 2014 Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

®


Food and Drug Administration

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, quality, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products, and medical devices. The FDA is also responsible for the safety and security of most of our nation’s food supply, all cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off radiation and regulating tobacco.


IEEE

IEEE is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. IEEE and its members inspire a global community through IEEE’s highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities. IEEE provides resources to help pre-university students explore engineering, computing, and technology.


JHU Applied Physics Laboratory

For more than 70 years, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) has provided critical contributions to critical challenges with systems engineering and integration, technology research and development, and analysis. Our scientists, engineers, and analysts serve as trusted advisors and technical experts to the government, ensuring the reliability of complex technologies that safeguard our nation’s security and advance the frontiers of space. We also maintain independent research and development programs that pioneer and explore emerging technologies and concepts to address future national priorities.


JHU Whiting School of Engineering

As the nation’s first academic research institution, for 137 years Johns Hopkins University has been dedicated to its mission of expanding knowledge and putting that knowledge to work for the betterment of humanity. Although engineering has been taught at Johns Hopkins University since 1912, the Whiting School of Engineering has existed as a separate academic division for only 34 years. Today, faculty members are preparing the next generation of engineering leadership by providing an education that teaches students to solve the complex, technology-based problems of the 21st century while instilling in them an entrepreneurial spirit. Students and faculty have the ability to collaborate on innovative research across disciplines and divisions and work side-by-side with researchers from some of the world’s most renowned schools of medicine and public health.


Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The mission of Johns Hopkins Medicine is to improve the health of the community and the world by setting the standard of excellence in medical education, research and clinical care. Diverse and inclusive, Johns Hopkins Medicine educates medical students, scientists, health care professionals and the public; conducts biomedical research; and provides patient-centered medicine to prevent, diagnose and treat human illness. Johns Hopkins Medicine pushes the boundaries of discovery, transforms health care, advances medical education and creates hope for humanity. Together, we will deliver the promise of medicine.


i2 Camp

i2 Camp (www.i2camp.org) is a national network of hands-on summer enrichment programs designed to broaden elementary and middle school children’s exposure to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through project-based courses. i2 Camp has partnered with some of the world’s leading scientific and academic institutions, including MIT, Stanford University, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the American Museum of Natural History, National Audubon Society and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, to help provide courses in a broad range of topics, not seen in traditional middle school education. The fun and intimate hands-on activities of the courses strive to excite and inspire campers about STEM, creating enthusiasm that will hopefully spill over to their future years.


Key Tech

Since 1998, Key Tech has been transforming complex technologies into intuitive products. We design and develop medical, industrial and consumer products using novel sensors, wireless, ultrasound, microfluidics, optics and robotics, just to name a few. Our uniquely personal approach attracts industry leading global companies, as well as innovative startups to our Baltimore headquarters.


KPMG

KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm, is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”). KPMG International’s member firms have 145,000 professionals, including more than 8,000 partners, in 152 countries.

KPMG delivers a globally consistent set of multidisciplinary services based on deep industry knowledge. Our industry focus helps KPMG professionals develop a rich understanding of clients’ businesses and the insight, skills, and resources required to address industry-specific issues and opportunities.

Our history spans three centuries and features a number of significant mergers, most recently the combination of Peat Marwick International and Klynveld Main Goerdeler, and their individual member firms, into KPMG in 1987.

KPMG global member firm combined revenues totaled $22.7 billion for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, a 10.1 percent increase in U.S. dollars, or 6.2 percent in local currency terms. Global revenue by function and region can be found in KPMG’s International Annual Review.


LaSalle Investment Management

LaSalle Investment Management is a global real estate investment manager with over 30 years of experience. With nearly 700 employees in 16 countries worldwide, the firm manages over $50 billion (as of Q3 2014) of private and public real estate assets. LaSalle Investment Management Securities, a subsidiary of LaSalle Investment Management, manages a $12B global portfolio of publicly traded real estate stocks. LaSalle’s diverse investor base includes public and private investors including pension funds, foundations/endowments, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, insurance companies and individuals from across the globe. The company invests exclusively in real estate and operates across all major property types and real estate markets within Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. LaSalle is a wholly owned but operationally independent subsidiary of Jones Lang LaSalle, one of the world’s leading real estate service providers.


LifeJourney

LifeJourney is an online experience for schools that empowers students to test-drive future STEM careers and learn directly from top industry professionals. Our mission is to provide students in schools across the nation the opportunity to learn about STEM careers, develop new skills, and understand industry challenges with the goal of helping them find their own passion.


The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Founded in 1876, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is the third oldest zoo in the United States and is internationally known for its contributions in conservation and research. More than 1,500 animals are represented in the Zoo’s varied natural habitat exhibits in areas such as Polar Bear Watch, the Maryland Wilderness, African Journey and the award-winning Children’s Zoo. Situated in Druid Hill Park near downtown Baltimore, the Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. For more information, visit www.marylandzoo.org.


Morgan State University School of Architecture and Planning

The School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P) addresses, from an interdisciplinary perspective, the social, environmental, physical, economic, and political issues that shape urban communities and form. The SA+P’s location in Baltimore, Maryland, brings students into direct contact with a diversity of people, cultures, lifestyles, socio-economic issues, and opinions of those who live or work in urban areas.


Morgan State University School of Engineering

Guided by the motto “The Premier Public Urban School Serving the Global Community,” the School of Engineering enrolls 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The nationally accredited programs in civil and environmental, electrical and computer, industrial and systems, and transportation engineering are complemented by student opportunities for pre-professional internship experiences. The school has earned a reputation for close faculty/student interaction, low student/faculty ratio, high student-to-student engagement, and undergraduate research. It embraces diversity and promotes the inclusion of women in engineering, once earning national recognition for the percentage of women in its graduating class. The state-of-the art facilities, innovative curricula, expert faculty, and engagement provide an environment that produces competitive engineers for the global workforce.

The Classic Catering People believe in

supporting and encouraging the

next generation of female pioneers in

STEM.

As a woman-owned business, we are

proud to support this opportunity

for girls to dream, achieve and

succeed.


National Aquarium

The National Aquarium is a nonprofit aquatic education and conservation organization whose mission is to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures. Our living collection includes over 17,000 animals from more than 750 species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals all residing in award-winning, naturalistic habitats.


National Institute on Drug Abuse/NIH

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is dedicated to understanding the causes, consequences and treatment of drug abuse. To meet this challenge, NIDA runs a research facility (Intramural Research Program, IRP) in East Baltimore whose mission is to better understand drug abuse and the many factors which may contribute to this enormous societal problem. We at NIDA understand the personal devastation caused by drug abuse and addiction, as well as its destruction of families and communities. Through research we hope to better understand the causes of this problem and develop new and more effective treatments.

Intramural Research Program


NASA

NASA science is focused on better understanding Earth through the Earth Observing System, advancing heliophysics through the efforts of the Science Mission Directorate’s Heliophysics Research Program, exploring bodies throughout the Solar System with advanced robotic missions such as New Horizons and researching astrophysics topics, such as the Big Bang, through the Great Observatories and associated programs.


Northrop Grumman

At Northrop Grumman, global corporate responsibility is a key component of our business and operating strategies. Since the 1930s, Northrop Grumman has been recognized for technical innovation and achievement, and our commitment to our employees, our customers and the communities in which we live and work. As we continue to grow and evolve, the responsibility we feel to serve our communities and help those in need grows with us. We maintain a strong commitment to programs that improve education and human services, promote cultural awareness and diversity, and support our troops and veterans.


Orbital Sciences Corporation

Orbital develops and manufactures small- and medium-class rockets and space systems for commercial, military and civil government customers. The company’s primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including low-Earth orbit, geosynchronous-Earth orbit and planetary exploration spacecraft for communications, remote sensing, scientific and defense missions; human-rated space systems for Earth-orbit, lunar and other missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense systems that are used as interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also provides satellite subsystems and space-related technical services to U.S. Government agencies and laboratories.


Procter and Gamble

Procter and Gamble is a worldwide producer of consumer products. The Cosmetics division located in Hunt Valley Maryland contains a tech center, corporate headquarters and manufacturing plant for global cosmetics in the Cover Girl and Max Factor Brands.


Space Telescope Science Institute

A free-standing science center, located on the campus of The Johns Hopkins University and operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) for NASA. Operates the science program for the Hubble Space Telescope and will conduct the science and mission operations for the James Webb Space Telescope and supports other astronomy programs and conducts world-class scientific research. STScI creates HST and JWST news, outreach, and education programs. Total staff: approximately 500 scientists, post-docs, engineers, administrators.


Stanley Black & Decker

Since 1843 we’ve set the standard for excellence in everything we do. No company on earth has a stronger or more compelling history of delivering the hardworking, innovative, powerful tools that help professionals around the world build, repair and protect the world’s most valuable objects.

We are the leader in tools and storage. We are STANLEY Tools. We are DEWALT. We are Mac Tools. We are Porter-Cable. And we are much more. We are the doors that protect you at airports. We are the pieces that hold your cell phone together. We are the hydraulic breakers that rescue trapped earthquake survivors. We are the people on the phone in a crisis.

No matter where you live, what car you drive, what stores you shop at or what building you work in, you can bet that we had a hand in making it work. And you can guarantee that we’ll keep making it work.


Textron Systems

Textron Systems brings ingenuity, agility and full-spectrum solutions to its customers. Our businesses’ wide range of products and services fulfill the needs of defense, homeland security, aerospace, infrastructure protection, and other customers around the world.

Textron Systems businesses are industry leading developers and integrators of unmanned systems, advanced marine craft, armored vehicles, intelligent battlefield and surveillance systems, geospatial management and analysis systems, intelligence software solutions, precision weapons, piston engines, test and training systems, and total lifecycle sustainment and operational services.

Textron Systems’ businesses consist of Advanced Information Solutions, Electronic Systems, Geospatial Solutions, Lycoming Engines, Marine & Land Systems, Support Solutions, Unmanned Systems, Weapon & Sensor Systems and TRU Simulation + Training.


T. Rowe Price

At T. Rowe Price, we seek to inspire confidence with thoughtful, disciplined decision-making by principled associates who are committed to helping clients achieve long-term growth.

Founded in 1937 by Thomas Rowe Price Jr., T. Rowe Price serves individuals, financial intermediaries and institutions. We are headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, with offices in 12 countries, and more than 5,400 associates.


Under Armour

It started with a simple plan to make a superior T-shirt. A shirt that provided compression and wicked perspiration off your skin rather than absorb it. A shirt that worked with your body to regulate temperature and enhance performance. Under Armour is the originator of performance apparel—gear engineered to keep athletes cool, dry and light throughout the course of a game, practice or workout. The technology behind Under Armour’s diverse product assortment for men, women and youth is complex, but the program for reaping the benefits is simple: wear HeatGear® when it’s hot, ColdGear® when it’s cold, and AllSeasonGear® between the extremes. Under Armour’s mission is make all athletes better through passion, design and the relentless pursuit of innovation.


University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

Established in 1841, the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy is a thriving center for professional and graduate education, pharmaceutical care, research, and community service. We create the future of pharmacy by pioneering new roles for pharmacists in advanced clinical practice and conducting cutting-edge research in drug discovery and development, comparative effectiveness and patient-centered outcomes, and disease management. Our faculty inspire excellence in our more than 800 students, residents, and postdoctoral fellows through a contemporary curriculum, innovative educational experiences, and strategic professional relationships. We are critical thinkers, lifelong learners, and leaders who are sought for our expertise.


U.S. Army Research Laboratory

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) of the U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) is the Army’s corporate, or central, laboratory. Its diverse assortment of unique facilities and dedicated workforce of government and private sector partners make up the largest source of world-class integrated research and analysis in the Army. ARL’s Mission is to discover, innovate and transition science and technology to ensure dominant strategic land power for our Armed Forces.


The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.

Whiting-Turner provides construction management, general contracting and design/build services on projects small and large for a diverse group of customers. Successful markets include office and headquarters, healthcare, senior living, life sciences, microelectronics, retail, higher education, K-12, industrial, warehouse and distribution, transportation, multi-family residential, mixed-use, urban redevelopment, hospitality, entertainment, cultural, religious and public sector.


POSTER ABSTRACTS

The Bryn Mawr STEM Career Fair is proud to host the first annual Bryn Mawr STEM Research Poster Symposium. The Symposium is a chance for young women from local high schools to present their work and findings to an audience of faculty, peers, and other members of the greater Baltimore community. Students not yet involved in research will find that attending the Symposium is a great way to learn about the broad range of research opportunities available for high school students. The posters range from the life sciences, computer sciences, engineering, medical sciences, and environmental sciences. Students presenting posters will be at their posters from 11:15–11:45 a.m. during the morning session and 12:15–12:45 p.m. during the afternoon session. Abstracts for all posters may be found below.

Nicola Knight, Western High SchoolA number of different synthetic cannabinoids are currently being abused. Collectively these drugs are often referred to as “spice” drugs. While these drugs share many effects with THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, there is concern that these drugs may be more potent than THC or have additional effects (Seely et al., 2012). The research conducted this summer analyzed the physiological effects of certain synthetic cannabinoids: UR-144, XLR-11, AM-2201, CP55,940, JWH-018 and THC itself concerning the cardiovascular system. The synthetic cannabinoids were expected to have effects similar to THC. These synthetic cannabinoids were administered to 6 rats. Data collected displays the affect of synthetic cannabinoids on blood pressure and heart rate.

Toinetta Jones, Western High SchoolThe objective of this research was to determine which organic material paired with an inorganic polymer will have the greatest electrical potential when given various temperature differences. The reason behind particular project is because, when applied, the material could potentially divert the great amount of lost heat energy in the world by converting the energy into electricity. The goal was to see which combination of organometallic material with inorganic polymer would be the most efficient in transferring heat energy to potential electric current. The thermoelectric semiconductors can also be used to collect energy and direct the energy for use. Multiple materials such as Cobalt(III) Acetylacetonate (Cobalt Acac) were combined with various polymers and their conductivity was tested. Although tests are still be conducted, the best single combination was Cobalt Acac because of its high seebeck


POSTER ABSTRACTS

and powerfactor. The other polymer that worked even better was a triple blend of Cobalt Acac and Manganese Acac and the PQT12 polymer, which had a higher Seebeck and powerfactor with a lower conductivity.

Feddi Roth, The Bryn Mawr SchoolHER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) gene codes for the HER2 protein which acts as a receptor on the outside of breast cells and helps regulate division, growth and repairs in healthy cells (1). In 20% of breast cancers however HER2 gene amplification occurs (2). This process causes the HER2 gene to become overexpressed, resulting in excess HER2 receptors causing uncontrolled growth and division, eventually leading to the development or progression of breast cancer (1). The purpose of this project was to test the binding efficacy of nanoparticles conjugated to an antibody that targets these HER2 receptors, called Herceptin, with the hopes that radiation and heat from the nanoparticles could be used in combination to more efficiently kill the cancer cells. Two different batches of BNF nanoparticles, along with both HER2 positive and negative cell lines were used. Cells were labeled with the HER2 conjugated nanoparticles, and then a ferene assay was used to determine the efficacy of binding by determining the iron concentration in the cells. The experiments detailed above yielded many useful results including those concerning the protocol of the ferene assay and the efficacy of the new batch of BNF nanoparticles. Based on the comparison between the Fe bound per cell in first and second experiments, leaving the cells overnight with the working solution as oppose to acid digesting them was just as effective, if not more, at digesting cells for the ferene assay. It can be concluded from the third experiment that the new batch nanoparticles were able to bind with almost the same efficiency as the old ones, based on similar but slightly lower values of picograms of Fe bound per cell. The goal in testing the efficacy of the nanoparticle conjugated antibody was to use the nanoparticles magnetic properties to heat only the cancers cells, and that along with radiation, this synergy would hopefully in the increased death of those cancer cells.

1. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/her2

2.http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understandingcancer/targetedtherapies/breastcancer_htmlcourse/page3

Raina Coleman, The Bryn Mawr SchoolAdderall® has come to be relied upon by students and professional adults alike as both a study drug and as a treatment for ADHD. Methamphetamine has a similar name to the main chemical that comprises Adderall® (amphetamine) suggesting that these two drugs share chemical and pharmacological activity. The purpose of this study was to explore the connection between the aforementioned drugs to


POSTER ABSTRACTS

determine why one is lethal and notorious for ruining lives, yet the other is a crutch to success. The answer to this question was found through researching scientific journals and reviews from various databases, and with further guidance from Dr. Andy Coop at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. The results were that both drugs offer similar dangers when taken in high amounts. The key difference lies in the toxicity of methamphetamine, and in the fact that it is often taken in much higher doses than amphetamine, as both drugs have a high abuse potential. It is often the user’s intended use for the drug that determines the toxicity and addictiveness. Both drugs would be suitable for the treatment of ADHD.

Katherine Nurminsky, The Bryn Mawr SchoolThe objective of the project was to create a building for relaxation in the style of Mies Van Der Rohe. The project was completed over the course of four weeks, ending with a final presentation and constructive criticism from the employees of the firm. Throughout the project, many new skills were acquired, such as new knowledge of different drawings used in architecture, and the importance of paying attention to form. The project was similar to those completed in college and later in life, thus showing a side of architecture. It did not address the more technical points of architecture, but rather focused on the aspects of design.

Auburn Stephenson, The Bryn Mawr School

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer–related deaths among men in the United States, where an estimated 200,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year and 30,000 will die from this disease (1,2). Radiation is a major therapeutic method in clinical, localized cancer treatment. Ionizing Radiation (IR) induces DNA cell damage by causing DNA double-strand breaks, which is an important aspect of cell death. Higher dosages induce more cell killing. However, escalated radiation dosage may also increase injury to noncancerous tissues surrounding the cancer. Radiosensitizing agents can be added to the cancer, which are aimed to cause more cancerous cell death, while protecting normal, surrounding tissues. DNAPK siRNA is a radiosensitizer, which inhibits a DNA damage repair protein, named DNA-pk. When the cell’s damaged DNA becomes irreparable, the cell will eventually die. During radiation, the DNA-pk in cancerous cells must be inhibited in order to prevent this protein from repairing the DNA damage of the cancer cells. But without targeted delivery, these agents will also sensitize surrounding normal tissue. In order to target cancer cells, a low weight molecule, Urea-PSMA inhibitor, was developed to bind to the Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), which is overexpressed on the surface of prostate cancer cells. Conjugated urea-PSMA inhibitor with DNA-pk siRNAs will transport DNA-pk siRNA to the surface of prostate cancer cells, which is taken inside the cell in order to cleave


POSTER ABSTRACTS

DNA-pk mRNA that is required to translate DNAPK proteins. This step will silence the DNA-pk protein function, rendering it unable to repair damaged DNA. The purpose of this project was to examine the usage of urea DNA-pk siRNA as a radiosensitizer in radiation therapy, testing if the small molecule would silence DNA-pk function in prostate cancer cells. Will urea-PSMA inhibitor be able to bind to PSMA positive cells after conjugated to siRNAs? Can the cells internalize urea-siRNA after binding to PSMA? Can DNA-pk siRNA cleave DNA-pk mRNA after cell internalization? Can urea-DNA-pk sensitize PSMA-dependent cells to radiation? This project used IC50 to evaluate Urea-DNA-pk siRNA PSMA binding efficiency; qRT-PCR and western blot analysis to test the amount of DNA-pk expression in the mRNA and protein levels. Survival fraction experiments were also used to compare the amount of cancerous cells that survived after exposure to urea DNA-pk siRNA and radiation. The results of these studies demonstrated PSMA targeted urea-DNA-pk siRNA binds to PSMA-dependent prostate cancer cells, significantly knocked down DNA-pk expression in mRNA and protein level, and sensitize prostate cancer cells following radiation. After receiving conclusive results from these experiments, the next step is to test the functioning ability of urea DNA-pk siRNA in vivo.

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/detailedguide/prostate-cancer-key-statistics

http://www.jci.org/articles/view/45109

Hanna Lau, The Bryn Mawr SchoolGame theory is the study of strategic decision making and is most well known in the world of economics. Research involving game theory concerns how different parties make decisions and how those decisions affect other participants. In their research, Dr. Tarraf and Golnoosh Kamali were formulating a mathematical proof to support a specific game theory strategy that they had been investigating. Dr. Tarraf and Xin Lei were working together using a software called MATLAB in their research. MATLAB is a computer programing software that can be used to create models and applications, develop algorithms, and analyze data. These two seemingly unrelated studies came together in a program that we designed using MATLAB that represented a concept of Game theory. Our final product was a system that represented a simple Game Theory concept called Prisoners Dilemma. When a strategy was imputed into the program we created, it computed the inputted data, creating an answer that showed the payoffs for each of the different participants.

Evan de Lara, The Bryn Mawr SchoolThere are many different documented muscular dystrophies that affect a wide range of the population. There are at least ten different forms of


POSTER ABSTRACTS

the hereditary disease which causes progressive weakening and wasting of both smooth and skeletal muscle, often times leading to premature death of the patient. Though the diseases are widely researched, there is not yet a cure for their often debilitating symptoms. The most widely used medications are glucocorticoids, a type of steroid hormone, which only leads to short term improvement in muscle strength and movement. These steroids, however, have many adverse effects on the human body. Among their negative symptoms are weight gain, a lowered immune system, high blood sugar, and easy bruising. Typically, patients with muscular dystrophy do not have a good quality of life by their mid-twenties, often times needing a wheelchair and profound assistance for daily activities. The Muscle Center at Kennedy Krieger Institute conducts research in order to find better strategies for maintenance and control of the disease. Among the many projects in The Muscle Center was research of the down-regulatory properties of the protein Myostatin and the up-regulatory properties of the Dystrophin protein in muscle. Additionally, the researchers were working to make a mice-model of Lymph Girdle Muscular Dystrophy by xenografting human muscle into the tibialis anterior of the mouse, in order to better understand and test the disease. All of these projects remain a work in progress, however, the researchers are on the right path for discovering different methods of maintenance and forging a better understanding of the disease as a whole.

Fatima Chughtai, The Bryn Mawr SchoolCompound 2149 is a synthetic leucine rich repeat kinase (LRRK) GTP binding inhibitor. LRRK activity has been associated with mental degeneration, therefore compound 2149 is a possible active ingredient for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The equipment used in this experiment such as an HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) which is a technique in analytical chemistry used to separate components in a mixture, identify, and quantify each component. A calibration curve was first created using compound 2149 and human serum, which is a portion of plasma after the blood cells have been removed. A calibration curve is created to ensure proper pipetting skills in order for the scientist to understand if their concentrations are correct. After creating a calibration curve and achieving the correct concentrations through the HPLC, the same procedure is repeated using mouse plasma in order to test the pharmacokinetics of compound 2149. In order to proceed to this stage, the percentage of error between the expected amount and the calculated amount in the calibration curve must be less than 15%. According to the concentrations determined during this complete experiment, the determined concentrations are viable and can be fit to a pharmacokinetic model. By fitting the compound potentially into a pharmacokinetic model, scientists could determine the specific characteristics of compound 2149 and what dosage should be given to the mice, at what interval, and if it will have side effects.


POSTER ABSTRACTS

Sophie Watson, The Bryn Mawr SchoolThe goal of the project is to compare the performance and resilience of critical infrastructure. Two designs of a hospital are being compared in this study; one design is a progressive design (base-isolated) and the other is a more traditional design (fixed base). The project is a collaboration with a world renowned structural engineering firm and the structure that we are modeling is based on an existing (unnamed) hospital in California. The project covers structural, damage, and loss analyses as well as the resilience quantification of the competing designs.

In order to research how various earthquakes would affect the two building structures, we used the REDi system. The REDi system provides a method for quantifying resilience in buildings and structures. The acronym REDi stands for Resilience-based Earthquake Design Initiative, and it is a rating system for business owners to quantify their buildings’ resilience to not only survive an earthquake, but remain usable and repairable afterwards. The REDi system was designed because standard building codes do not focus on earthquake resilience, but rather focus solely on protecting the lives of building occupants. While it is important that the occupant lives are safe, the code does not cover building damage that is sometimes irreparable and requires demolition of the building. In the long run, this can cause more problems and expenses for the building owners, and can cause major issues if the building destroyed during the crisis was a hospital or care facility that is vital after a disaster.

The criteria is sorted into three categories; Building Resilience, Organizational Resilience, and Ambient Resilience. Buildings can reach Platinum, Gold, or Silver levels of resilience. The building resilience criteria aims to minimize expected damage to structural, architectural, and MEP components through enhanced design. Organizational resilience criteria focuses on contingency planning for utility disruption and business continuity. Ambient resilience criteria covers reducing risks that external earthquake-induced hazards will damage the building or restrict site access. REDi also asses downtime in order to give business owners an accurate idea of how long their building will take to repair and reach functional recovery.

Annie Brinkley, The Bryn Mawr SchoolThe Aquarium, see poster for more information.

Teresa Norman, The Bryn Mawr SchoolThe purpose of this research was to find a correlation between how the hydrologic substructure was expressed in the speciation of trees. We studied this by collecting tree data along two transects in Oregon Ridge Park. One of the transects crossed a stream, while the other ran parallel to it. 48 and 65 10 x 10 meter plots were randomly located along each of


POSTER ABSTRACTS

the transects respectively. Trees were identified, counted and diameter at breast height measured in each of the plots. Our results showed a total of 16 species living in the area of the transects. Black Gum trees were the most dominant species, being highly prevalent in the majority of the plots. Other notable species included Mountain Laurel and Red Maple trees which were also very numerous in certain areas.

Bethany Oh, The Bryn Mawr SchoolThis report describes the four-week internship I spent at Hord Coplan Macht, a Baltimore-based firm that offers architecture, landscape architecture, planning and interior design. I explain the process of designing interiors and structures for customers and describe the organization of the company’s inventory of products.

Sophie Trikeriotis, The Bryn Mawr SchoolProstate cancer is the most common cancer among men, and in order to treat advanced prostate cancer, the treatment usually given consists of depriving the prostate cancer cells of androgen and then giving them radiation. For this experiment, androgens were added to androgen deprived prostate cancer cells. The prostate cancer cells that were used were PC-3 and PC-3 AR cells. PC-3 AR cells are mutated cells that have an androgen receptor added to them. This androgen addition is known to cause DNA double strand breaks. It also may sensitize those AR-positive prostate cancer cells to radiation. Thus, this experiment was conducted in order to see the effect that the addition of androgens, in combination with radiation, had on the growth of the tumors. It was tested by using a comet assay of PC-3 prostate cancer cells that were irradiated at 2 Gy. A comet assay is used to measure the DNA fragmentation of cells. The results of this assay showed that cells were still damaged thirty minutes after 2 Gy of radiation were given. However, the cells were able to repair themselves after about four hours after radiation.

I’Jae Alvarado, The Bryn Mawr SchoolMy experience at Johns Hopkins was nothing short of amazing. The things that I have been exposed to in itself will forever be life changing. Every step of the way I had my mentor Dr. Aniket Sidhaye. The first day of my internship I was introduced to one of the metabolism labs main focus, which is how Thyroid hormones actions occur to regulate genes. Mainly we want to focus on how genes go down. And how did we do that? We focused on this by doing a number of labs that measure the actually MRNA levels. There are two thyroid hormone receptors, which are THRA and THRB. These two receptors important functions consist of regulating the metabolism and heart rate, while playing a critical role in the development of organisms. With this information it was time to get hands on and to create model systems to better understand. My first


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solo model system was to create a PCR. PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. Polymerase Chain Reaction is a process that uses primers to amplify specific cloned DNA sequences with the help of an enzyme. DNA polymerase utilizes single stranded DNA as a template from synthesis of a complementary new strand. Once I have a piece of template DNA with the target sequence I needed to amplify I added a pair of primers that hybridize to the beginning and end of the target, all four dexoyribonucleate triphosphates, and a heat-stable DNA polymerase. From here the PCR goes through three steps. Strand separation or denaturation, hybridization of two oligonucleotide primers, and DNA synthesis. All 3 steps above are considered as one cycle; it takes about multiple cycles in order to amplify DNA template. The most common way of seeing the results of a PCR is by running a gel. After running the gel the fragments can be seen with a UV light. The reason we can see the fragments with UV light is due to a dye that has been added to the gel. During my time in the lab I completed many PCR’s.

Meredith Kuser and Mary Bryan Owen, Roland Park Country SchoolOver the past years, there has been an epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the United States. This epidemic has led to major health problems. Many people suffering with obesity and type 2 diabetes often have bariatric surgery because their blood glucose levels have been found to drop, but the reasoning is unknown. Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), a type of bariatric surgery in which part of the stomach is removed, has been found to rapidly improve glycemic control in human patients with type 2 diabetes. Data shows that after performing VSG surgery on diet-induced obese (DIO) mice the blood glucose levels drop acutely. Leptin is a hormone involved in metabolism which helps to regulate weight and to maintain blood glucose homeostasis. Given the role of the hormone leptin, we wanted to see if leptin had an impact on the sudden blood glucose decrease after VSG surgery. In our research, we performed VSG surgery on Ob/Ob (leptin deficient) mice as well as diet induced obesity (DIO) mice and control groups of sham-operated Ob/Ob, DIO mice and DIO pair-fed mice. The sham pair fed mice were fed the same amount of food that the VSG DIO mice ate. We recorded the weight, blood sugar and food intake acutely for 3 postoperative days (POD). A group of VSG, and control mice were sacrificed and hypothalamic double-labeling with c-fos and phospho-S6 antibodies was performed. For transcriptome analysis, we performed Phospho-trap, an immunoprecipitation technique that pulls down the activated pS6. Under the microscope, we look at the activated neurons in the hypothalamus. Immunoprecipitation, using the phospho-trap technique was performed on the VSG, sham, and sham pair-fed groups and is underway for the Ob/Ob mice. As a result from our experiment we found that the Ob/Ob mice


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did not become hypoglycemic postoperative as did the DIO VSG group. Our data suggests that leptin is required for the mice to have an acute drop in their blood glucose levels postoperatively.

Hailey Moris and Marianna Salvatori, Roland Park Country SchoolShort-term memory is information which can be held in the mind for a brief time period. The effect of different iPhone notification signals on short term memory was analyzed in this study. Fifteen female high-school students were tested. A questionnaire regarding each subject’s personal information and iPhone experience was completed. Subjects were shown multiple sequences of letters for 5 seconds with sequences increasing from 2 letters up to ten letters in increments of 2. The entire test was repeated with the iPhone vibration on a continuous loop and then with the default iPhone ringtone, on a continuous loop. Results collected showed a graphical trend that one tends to be more distracted by a musical tone than either a rhythmic vibration or no sound at all. However, a statistical analysis does not support the hypothesis that the two distractors caused the observed difference in the collected data. Testing with more subjects and modifications to the testing procedure are proposed to increase the validity of the results.

Regan Gore, Roland Park Country SchoolIceland is one of the most energy efficient and sustainable countries, generating almost 90% of its energy from renewable sources. However, unexplainably, public transportation and the conservation of fuel is not very popular. If the country has the resources to be even more environmentally friendly, then why aren’t these ideas supported by the Icelandic people? Over the course of two weeks, I visited Iceland with National Geographic Student Expeditions and researched transportation. I interviewed numerous locals and tourists, recorded gas prices all over the country, and researched Iceland’s history of transportation. At first, I thought that the Icelanders were very environmentally friendly people who had simply changed their beliefs when discussing public transportation. Then, I realized that a more environmentally friendly option for transportation was opposed because of financial reasons. In this case, the investment Icelanders had made in cars, including the purchase of the vehicle, the transportation of their cars from other countries, and the general upkeep of the car, overpowered the rising gas prices and the environmental impact of the vehicles. In addition to this, most locals believed that the cost of improving the public transportation to create a larger, more sustainable system would be detrimental and useless, since it would not be used. After hearing many different opinions and researching the topic online, I came to the conclusion that, while public transportation is not currently supported by many Icelanders,


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as gas prices continue to rise and the value of their cars continues to decrease, more and more locals will lean towards this idea in the future.

Tula Raghavan, Baltimore Polytechnic InstituteCurrently, chemoresistance is a major barrier to be overcome in the treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). Specifically, carboplatin and other platinum-based drugs are often ineffective once a tumor is chemoresistant. In this study, the efficacy of treating rats with carboplatin and an antiglycolytic apoptotic promoting drug, dichloroacetate (DCA) to overcome this chemoresistance was explored. DCA and carboplatin were found to have a synergistic relationship in vitro when given simultaneously at their respective ED50s and were found exhibit strong synergism when DCA was given as a pretreatment followed by carboplatin (both at their respective ED50s. Rats were treated with Temozolomide (TMZ), the standard anti-tumor drug, TMZ+DCA, DCA alone, carboplatin alone, and carboplatin + DCA. Rats treated with TMZ, TMZ+DCA, or DCA alone had the same median survival of the control group (13 days). DCA alone group had a median survival of 15 days. Carboplatin alone had median survival of 20 days (p=.0899 vs. control). Carboplatin+DCA had a survival of 39 days (p=.016 vs. control).

Ina Rastegar, Baltimore Polytechnic InstituteDiabetes is a very prevalent, and costly, disease in the United States. As of 2011, 20.9 million people had been diagnosed with diabetes. It is often reported that diabetics who have glycemic, lipid, and blood pressure control often experience less complications from diabetes. However, this association is not well established in a population of older adults, though they are more likely to have diabetes than younger people. My research aims to assess which factors are associated with glycemic control, and to document how prevalent glycemic and cardiovascular risk factor control are in the study population. The study population has been collected from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, which was conducted over five visits over a period of 25 years. While ARIC is a prospective cohort, my research will only use the information collected as part of Visit 5 (2011-2013), making my research cross-sectional. I will have to determine which variables, such as smoker status, body mass index (BMI), age, etc., are associated with glycemic, lipid, and blood pressure control. To determine this association, I will run a logistic regression using various models to determine if there is an association between various variables and risk factor control. Model 1 will determine the association between the independent variable (glycemic, lipid, and blood pressure control) and BMI, waist circumference, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. Model 2 will determine the association between the independent variables and all of the variables included in model 1 as well as age, gender, race, center, and education level. Model 3 will test


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the association between the independent variables and all the variables included in Model 2 as well as physical functioning, functional health/well-being, and functional disability. Waist circumference was shown to have the strongest association, and only statistically significant association, across model 1, except for blood pressure control. Waist circumference has a negative association with glycemic control, while it has a positive association with lipid control. In model 2, age was shown to have a positive association with glycemic and lipid control, while it had a negative association with blood pressure control.

Phoebe Sandhaus, Baltimore Polytechnic InstituteSince white dwarfs are just as prevalent as solar-type stars, they can potentially be turned to in the ongoing search for exoplanets. In addition to this, they have radii similar to that of earth theoretically providing a basis for a deeper analysis of earth-sized planets. Before looking at three different white dwarfs, I looked into the sensitivity of the Hubble instrument COS by getting a sample of about one-hundred files and analyzing them. Once we learned that COS was seemingly photon-limited when count rates were in the range of moderate to high, I proceeded to look at the light curves of GD153, GD71, and WD0308-565 and look for outliers beyond five standard deviations away from the mean. Numerous instances of outliers of positive five-sigma, as well as a hand-full of negative five-sigma events, were found in these three white dwarfs. We then went on to change the time sampling from thirty-second intervals to five-second intervals, which led to the discovery that these outliers no longer showed up in both GD153 and WD0308-565. GD71 is yet to be investigated. Despite not seemingly finding anything, we are able to say with a degree of certainty that for the observation periods of GD153 and WD0308-565 that no objects are shown transiting these stars. Since this is far from a good sample size of white dwarfs, our hope is that people recognize this fact and consider looking to white dwarfs for future investigations into the presence of exoplanets.

Kathy Le, Baltimore Polytechnic InstituteChildren from older men are more likely to have genetic disorders than children from younger fathers. This concept, known as the Paternal Age Effect, is due to an accumulation of sperm with spontaneous mutations as the men age. It is thought that these mutations originate in the germ line stem cells, the cells that eventually become the sperm. In addition, advantageous mutations in stem cells can cause a competitive advantage, which is called positive competition. While it has been observed in many cases, positive competition between germ line stem cells is still poorly understood. In order to study competitive mutations in germ line stem cells that cause the Paternal Age Effect, we use the Drosophila testis stem cell niche, which is a microenvironment that sends regulatory signals to surrounding stem cells. We induced a mutation


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in some of the germ line stem cells by overexpressing Raf, which is a gene that is known to cause over proliferation, to see if these cells could outcompete their non-mutant neighbors. However, the mutant cells appeared as frequently as the non-mutant cells, indicating that the Raf gene did not produce a competitive advantage. We are currently working to find other genes that cause a competitive mutation in the germ line stem cells that allow them to outcompete their non-mutant neighbors. Knowing how mutations accumulate in the sperm will help us understand how the Paternal Age Effect works and will be the prerequisite for finding a way to prevent mutation accumulation and genetic disorders.

Anna Delwiche, The Bryn Mawr SchoolThis presentation outlines my summer internship, taken place at Johns Hopkins University in the civil engineering department. This internship lasted for four weeks, five days a week. The two main projects were exploring and using a computer program called MATLAB and learning about stiffness matrices, a topic in structural engineering.

MATLAB is a unique computer program that can be applied for many different fields of mathematics and engineering.1 This program is often taught to engineering majors in undergraduate programs, often in the first year. MATLAB provides an interactive environment that is useful for programming, visualization, and numerical computation. It is especially convenient when working with matrices, both computing and plotting.

After becoming a little more comfortable and familiar with MATLAB, the next project was then to learn about stiffness matrices, a component of structural engineering. Because of MATLAB’s unique properties with matrices, stiffness matrices can be inputted into MATLAB and thus interpreted. The stiffness of some element, a bar for example, is the force divided by displacement, meaning the force required to displace the bar a specific amount.2

Maire Stierer, The Bryn Mawr SchoolThe following experiments were performed in order to aid an ongoing project in Dr. Frechette’s lab. The purpose of the project is to determine the role of intercellular channels in between the epithelial cells on the toe pads of animals, such as tree frogs, in the process of adhesion to flooded surfaces. The experiments were conducted in order to find the terminal velocity of six different spheres rolling down a smooth surface in water so as to find the minimum distance that it would take for the spheres to reach terminal velocity in this environment. The six spheres: a large aluminum (0.01261 m)*, medium aluminum (0.0078 m), large Delrin (0.01261 m), medium Delrin (0.0078 m), large steel (0.00713 m), and large acrylic (0.00792 m), were rolled from eight different lengths: 19.3 cm, 16.8 cm, 14.2 cm, 11.7 cm, 9.1 cm, 6.6 cm, 4.1 cm, and 1.5 cm.


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The velocity of the spheres was recorded by two Vernier photogates. The results produced were not expected. The spheres were not reaching a terminal velocity at the different lengths, but instead were rolling at different, inconsistent velocities. The data collected was then plotted against a theory from the Journal of Hydraulic Research by Chyan-Deng Jan and Jinn-Chyi Chen, and instead of matching the curve of their theory after completing the calculations, the data fell below the curve. According to the theory, this meant that the spheres were in fact in free fall, and floating down the incline instead of rolling down it. This could have happened for many reasons, one of which being that the incline was too severe and the spheres were not making contact with the surface. Another reason could have been because the spheres tended not to travel in a straight line, but rather a zigzag motion. This most likely contributed to the inconsistency of the velocities. One of the experiments that will be performed in the future is to roll spheres of different densities and sizes down a structured surface, similar to that of epithelial cells of a tree frog, and to compare those results to those of the smooth surface. This way, the effect of the structured surface could be quantified using velocity.

Si Lin, Baltimore Polytechnic InstituteALS is a neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons in the brain and the spinal cord. One possible cause of ALS is genetic mutation; a mutation in the C9orf72 gene is one of the possible pathways to the disease. However, the function of the C9orf72 coded protein in the cell is unknown. One possible way to determine its function is to identify other proteins that will bind to it. Previous work at the Wang lab shows that the SMCR8 coded protein binds to the C9orf72 coded protein. However, like the C9orf72 protein, the function of the SMCR8 protein is unknown as well as its binding site to C9orf72. By establishing the binding site between the two proteins, it might be possible to discover the functions of both proteins as well as the pathway in which the C9orf72 mutation leads to ALS. In order to do this, versions of the SMCR8 gene with deletions are cloned and inserted into cells for protein expression. If the SMCR8 protein still binds to the C9orf72 protein after a section of the SMCR8 gene is deleted, then the deleted section is not necessary for binding. If the proteins no longer bind after a section of SMCR8 is deleted, then the deleted section is important for binding. Once binding sections of SMCR8 have been established, how and where these sections bind to the C9orf72 protein can possibly reveal clues about the functions of the proteins as well as the pathway through which the C9orf72 mutation leads to ALS.

D Allgood, Western High SchoolPrevious studies have shown that there are multiple factors that affect the clarity of an image such as aperture size. The purpose of this study was


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to determine at what aperture size an image begins to lose its sharpness due to the noticeability of diffraction. Within this project, students took pictures of spirals by using a pinhole camera with various aperture sizes. To collect data, a random population was surveyed, and asked to identify the clearest image. After analyzing the raw data, a Z-test was performed. Once the Z-test was completed, the null hypothesis (if a pinhole camera has a focal length of 67.5 mm, then the optimal pinhole size, based on image clarity, will be 300 microns) was rejected. Results showed that the optimal aperture size for a focal length of 67.5 mm may have been 250 microns. This study was conducted in order to expand existing research about the effect of diffraction in pinhole photography.

Shanzeh Haque, The Bryn Mawr SchoolIt is well known that T Cells function in the human body to carry out adaptive immune responses against various antigens. This cell-mediated immunity allows the human body to defend itself against dangerous, foreign substances, however, the immune system still fails to trigger a response against many important diseases, including cancer. The immune system’s inability to eliminate cancer cells occurs when immune cells, such as T Cells, break down or are overwhelmed by the cancerous cells. Therefore, it is important that there is a continuous supply of immune cells ready to combat the cancer. In order to guarantee a consistent number of functioning cells in the immune system, proliferation must be enhanced amongst the immune cells. Once the cells are able to divide more often, the fighting cells will be able to override the cancer cells and the disease will be eradicated from the body. The specific fighting cells used in this experiment are the CD8+ cell, which are also known as cytotoxic T cells. These lymphocytic cells specifically kill infected cells, and thus are crucial in fighting cancer. By increasing the proliferation of these CD8+ cells, cancer will be easier to eliminate from the human body. It is hypothesized that a cell’s mTOR pathway contributes to its ability to proliferate, and thus this experiment tests mTOR activity to investigate the association between the pathway and proliferation. By injecting stained CD8+ cells into knockout mice with no immune system, it was observed that the mice with the most mTOR activity, also known as tsc mice, show increased proliferation for the CD8+ cells. The mice with the least mTOR activity, known as rheb mice, did not proliferate at all, while the wild type mice showed a normal amount of proliferation. The results of this experiment thus prove that mTOR activity is important for proliferation and if scientists begin to rely on the proliferation of immune cells to fight cancer, the mTOR pathway may become a key determinant in battling the disease.

Charlotte Fulwiler, Baltimore Polytechnic InstituteArts integration is an instructional approach in which arts are the main vehicle for instruction and learning. The proposal for this research is that arts integration will improve long-term retention of subject content.


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Rehearsal of information and elaboration on content received by students will occur when arts-integrated courses are implemented. Enactment will naturally occur during performing arts-integration activities and this leads to increased recognition and better memory of information. Information that can create an emotional response is retained at higher rates than information that has neutral effects on a student’s emotions. Concepts are more likely to be remembered when associated with images and generated information as well is more memorable for students. These ideas were the basis for the proposal for this research which was tested through a study in which curriculum was written for arts-integrated and control courses in science units for elementary age students. Eight classrooms participated in the preliminary study in which two science subjects, astronomy and environmental science, were implemented. Preliminary data provided evidence for higher retention rates from students in the courses for which they received arts-integrated instruction and an expanded study in six schools is currently taking place. Further research that will be conducted with the data collected from this study will evaluate the effectiveness of individual art forms (such as visual and dramatic) on the retention of the knowledge. These findings could have an impact on instructional strategies and teacher practices in the future.

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