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Contact information and office hours for all staff
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Project Director: Dr. Carol Brewer, Associate
Professor of Biology At the University of Montana (UM), my lab group is actively involved in basic research in plant biology, as well as science education. Currently, I mentor graduate students and post doctoral fellows in both areas. I serve as the Vice President of the Ecological Society of America for Education and Human Resources, Associate Editor for the journal Conservation Biology (Education), and on the Standing Committee for K-12 Education for the National Research Council. |
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My
research program in science education stems from the belief that
acquisition of knowledge alone will not be sufficient for improving
scientific literacy unless such knowledge is disseminated and applied
effectively. To improve science literacy, we need improved methods for
training future scientists, teachers and the lay public.
Moreover, understanding the nature of the
connections between teaching and learning requires further
exploration and consideration.
Recent and on-going projects in my laboratory include
facilitating collaborations between scientists and
teachers, training teachers to use their schoolyards for
leading ecological investigations with their students,
exploring new methods for teaching science to
undergraduates, and using new assessment strategies to
clearly connect teaching and learning. With funding from
the Howard
Hughes Medical Institute,
we are changing our biology curriculum to make research experiences
central to the training of all undergraduates in the Division of
Biological Sciences at UM. As
part of this initiative, we are exploring issues of faculty development,
change in practice, and assessment, especially as they relate to
sustainability of new science education initiatives. Recent
Publications in Science Education
Caton,
E.C., C.A. Brewer, and F. Brown.
2000. Building
teacher-scientist collaborations: teaching about energy through inquiry.
School Science and Mathematic 100:7-15.
Brewer,
C.A.
and C. Zabinski. 1999.
Simulating gene flow in a large lecture hall:
the ultimate bean counting experience. American
Biology Teacher 61:298-302.
Brewer,
C.A.
and
D. Ebert-May. 1998. Hearing the case for genetic engineering.
Journal of College Science
Teaching 28:97-101.
Caton,
E., C. Brewer, J. Berkey, and F. Brown.
1998. Pipeline to
environmental awareness. The Science
Teacher 65:46-50.
Berkowitz,
A., C. Brewer and D. Ebert-May.
1998. The biology
department of the future. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 79:161-163.
Brewer,
C.A.
1998. Preliminary
results of the ESA survey on ecology in the undergraduate curriculum.
Bulletin of the Ecological
Society of America 79:106-107.
Ebert-May,
D., C.A. Brewer and S. Allred.
1997. Innovation in
Large Lectures - Teaching for Active Learning. BioScience
47:601-607.
My
research program in physiological ecology has two main foci: 1)
functional plant morphology – particularly at the leaf level, and 2)
conservation biology of temperate forests in southern South America.
Our
work on the functional morphology of leaves (more than 150 species of
montane/ subalpine plants from North, Central, and South America) has
identified of variety of leaf-level adaptations related to the extent and
duration of leaf surface wetness (e.g., location of stomatal pores,
trichome density and arrangement). This
work has provides a foundation for interpreting the role of surface water
on the function of stomata, the uptake of CO2, air pollution
deposition, pathogen infection, and seasonal biomass production.
In Patagonian Argentina and Chile, we have on-going studies on the
structure and function of Nothofagus pumilio and Austrocedrus
chilensus forests. Current
research focuses on physiological ecology, regeneration after disturbance,
and the influence of nonnative species (particularly conifers).
Recent
Publications in Plant Physiological Ecology:
Schreuder,
M., C.A. Brewer, and C. Heine.
2001. Modeled
influences of non-exchanging trichomes on leaf boundary layers and gas
exchange. In press, Journal of
Theoretical Biology.
Schreuder,
M.D.J. and C.A. Brewer. 2001.
Acute Effects of
Chlorine Gas Exposure on Conifer Morphology and Physiology.
In
press, Annals of Botany.
Schreuder,
M.D.J. and C.A. Brewer. 2001.
Persistent
Effects Of Acute Chlorine Gas Exposure On Conifer Physiology And Growth. In
press, Annals of Botany.
Brewer,
C.A.
200_. Patterns of leaf
wettability for 35 species along an extreme moisture gradient in
Patagonia, western Argentina. Accepted,
Annals of Botany.
Brewer,
C.A.
and W.K. Smith. 1997. Patterns of leaf surface wetness for montane and subalpine
plants. Plant, Cell and Environment.
20:1-11. Contact: cabrewer@selway.umt.edu http://biology.dbs.umt.edu/dbs/brewer.htm |
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Undergraduate
Research Coordinator: Aimee
Wyrick
Aimee Wyrick is the mentoring
coordinator for the IBS-CORE Contact: awyrick@selway.umt.edu |
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Network
Administrator: Ryan Alter MCP, MCSE,
MCSA, MCT, CCNA When not behind a computer you will find me in a Kayak. I came to Montana from Ohio to enjoy the outdoors. I graduated from Youngstown State University with a B.S. Contact: AlterR@mso.umt.edu
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Curriculum
and Web Development Specialist:
Carol Snetsinger I graduated from the Master of Science for Teachers of Biology program at the University of Montana in 1997. This program allowed me to combine two of my passions: ecology and teaching. Before attending graduate school, I participated in a variety bird field research projects including: the translocation of Hawaiian Honeycreepers in Volcano National Park and the long term effects on seabirds surviving the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. It was in E. Africa where I developed a passion for birds. I worked in Kenya for two years leading wilderness and natural history safaris. I’ve lead sea-kayaking and mountaineering expeditions on three continents for the National Outdoor Leadership School and I’ve taught ecology and natural history to people of all ages at a variety of environmental education centers including the Teton Science School in Jackson, WY. When I’m not working for Project IBS-Core, I work as a professional children’s magician and a puppet maker. Contact: snets@selway.umt.edu
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Computer
Support: Josh Burnham
As a web developer for IBS-CORE I work on the various web pages associated with the project. I enjoy working closely with both students and faculty on a range of interesting topics. I am a UM graduate with a BA in Political Science. Away from work, I take pleasure in hiking and biking around scenic Missoula. Contact: |
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Staff Support: Chelsea Vollmer
I am a senior currently studying Biology with an option in Botany, and have been involved in the Project IBS-CORE for three years. I also am a peer advisor for the Division of Biological Sciences. I enjoy camping and spending time in warm places! Contact: chelsea.vollmer@mso.umt.edu |
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Computer
Support: Colby
Chapman I serve as the network administrator assistant for IBS-CORE. I’m in the Information Systems program, a part of the Business school. I plan to get my MCSE certification by the end of the school year. I love hardcore backpacking and playing basketball. I spend the rest of my time with my beautiful wife and daughter Ellie (1.5 yrs.) Contact: colby.chapman@mso.umt.edu |
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