MSTF ASU June 16

Its hot and the first day at ASU for the Math Science Teacher Fellowship. We were assigned to project groups during a continental breakfast. I'm assigned to the "Spiderman" group which includes Estaban Flemons from North High School and Scott Greenhalgh from Tempe High School. Estaban teaches physical science and chemistry, Scott teaches biology, and I teach chemistry and honors chemistry. What is the "Spiderman" group? The research group in the Interdisplinary Science and Technology building is investigating the molecular structure of spider dragline webbing/ silk, which has the real world applications from super light weight bullet proof vests to human tendon implants. Spider dragline has much higher tensil strength than steel and is highly flexible, with only a fraction of the size and weight of metal alloys! It struck me as fascinating, but it was research with a goal of application verses theortical reseach for its own sake. The research lab was impressive and secure. Dr. Jeff Yarger is keeping it real. He is not only an intellectual, but highly creative, not just in the research/application but how to raise research funding. The research is organized with separate research groups and areas of expertise in different locations in the US.Labels: MSTF ASU June 16 2008