- University News Archive - Vlogý Little Rock /news-archive/tag/elizabeth-haralson/ Vlogý Little Rock Wed, 11 Jul 2018 13:21:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Arkansas students explore life as a geologist /news-archive/2018/07/11/geology-camp-2/ Wed, 11 Jul 2018 13:21:17 +0000 /news/?p=71087 ... Arkansas students explore life as a geologist]]> Nine Arkansas students got a taste of life as a geologist during the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s second Geology Camp.  Held June 10-15 on the Vlogý Little Rock campus, the free one-week summer enrichment program was sponsored by the Vlogý Little Rock. It offered junior high and high school students a unique overview of life as a geologist. Students studied topics like field mapping, mineralogy, fossils, topographical mapping, and geologic time. The Geology Camp participants include:
  • Victoria Bourgeois, of Bismarck, a student at Bismarck High School
  • Luigi Cutolo, of Bentonville, a student at Bentonville High School
  • Kaitlyn Gill, of Hot Springs, a student at Cutter Morning Star Elementary
  • Michelle Jones, of North Little Rock, a student at North Little Rock Middle School
  • Blair King, of Scott, a student at LISA Academy West
  • Caroline Nalumansi, of Little Rock, attending Episcopal Collegiate
  • Faizan Parry, of Little Rock, attending Pulaski Academy
  • Insherah Qazi, of Little Rock, attending LISA Academy West
  • Sreevatsav Seenivasan, of Little Rock, attending Central High School
Vlogý Little Rock students Elizabeth Haralson, a graduate student studying environmental geology from Wynne, and Callie Pace, a senior geology major from Mountain Home, led the camp’s activities. “This camp has blown us away,” Haralson said. “All the students have bright futures ahead of them. We completely enjoyed our week. The kids exceeded all our expectations. They were asking the hard questions, thinking outside the box. It was so rewarding to see the light bulb go off in their heads when they understood a concept and to think that we have taught them something that they might remember for the rest of their lives.” Outside the classroom, students took field trips to Coleman Creek, Coleman Quartz Mine, Pinnacle Mountain State Park, and the Arkansas Geological Survey. One of the students’ favorite activities was the exploration of Coleman Creek, where the campers cleaned up the creek, observed wildlife, and collected samples of water and rocks for further study. “Playing in the creek is so fun,” Bourgeois said. “I enjoyed the exposure of going into the field and learning what geologists do.” Bourgeois also appreciated the opportunity to prepare for college. “I love science,” she said. “I do always look for different opportunities to go to college. I like meeting new people and learning new things. I really enjoyed the college prep class. I want to study science and engineering, and geology is something I could further explore now that I know a lot more about what geologists do.” In the upper right photo, the Vlogý Little Rock Geology Camp participants visit the Ron Coleman Mine for Crystal Mining. Front row (L to R): Geology camp instructors Elizabeth Haralson and Callie Pace and students Michelle Jones, Caroline Nalumansi, and Kaitlyn Gill. Back Row: Faizan Parray, Luigi Cutolo, Sreevatsav Seenivasan, Blair King, Jodi Williams, staff member, Insherah Qazi, and Maranda Geoffrion, staff member.]]> Vlogý Little Rock students display research at the Capitol /news-archive/2017/03/06/research-at-the-capitol-2017/ Mon, 06 Mar 2017 14:54:14 +0000 /news/?p=66493 ... Vlogý Little Rock students display research at the Capitol]]> The purpose of the 2017 STEM Posters at the Capitol event, held Feb. 15 at the Arkansas Capitol Rotunda in Little Rock, was to put the spotlight on undergraduate research at universities in Arkansas. “Our students did an excellent job representing the university and showcasing the outstanding research being conducted at Vlogý Little Rock,” said Dr. Jim Winter, Vlogý Little Rock director of Science Scholars and Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation programs. Winter served as the university’s event coordinator. In all, there were 70 posters presented from 15 Arkansas colleges and universities. About the Vlogý Little Rock student projects:
Dustin Brown presenting STEM research to high school students at the Capitol.

Dustin Brown

Dustin Brown, Hermitage, is a senior pursuing majors in biology and interdisciplinary studies. Brown presented research on the effects of anti-diabetic drug Metformin on biomarkers for cancer tumors. Kristen Gregory, Jacksonville, is a sophomore with a major in chemistry and minor in biology. Gregory demonstrated research on the effectiveness of three nanomaterials in killing breast cancer cells. Elizabeth Haralson, Little Rock, is a junior with a major in geology, with an emphasis on environmental geology, and a minor in biology. Haralson presented research on the variations in water quality in Fourche Creek before and after it flows through a wetlands area.
Zaire Husband presenting STEM research at the Capitol to a high school student.

Zaire Husband

Zaire Husband, Monticello, is a sophomore computer science major. Husband’s presentation focused on programming used to manage inventory with the open-source database program “Snipe It.” Dave Soni, Blytheville, is a senior with a double major in chemistry and biology. Soni’s research presentation covered synthesized cellulose-based carbon nanocompounds and their effectiveness under light to remove organic dye pollutants from water. Neden Yacine, Fort Smith, is a senior chemistry major with a minor in biology. Yacine’s research presentation analyzed the antioxidant properties of the nanocompound tungsten disulfide.]]>