Current Research & Projects
at
Augusta State University

Mountains to Sea Aquatic Ecosystem Program

Dr. Bruce Saul, Biology

This project, funded by the University of Georgia Teacher Quality Program , includes a summer workshop for middle and high school science teachers called the Mountains to Sea Aquatic Ecosystem Program. Completed this past summer (2006), this program exposed teachers to the diversity of life in Georgia 's aquatic ecosystems from the mountains to the waters around St. Catherines Island . They learned how landscape and land management affect the flow pathways and chemistry of water and the dependant aquatic organisms. Twelve teachers were selected to travel and sample in several river basins within Georgia 's major ecoregions. They learned how inland waters can impact coastal organisms and examined many of these species on a Georgia (GA) Coastal Resources Division (CRD) trawler. Teachers also participated in an ongoing study (since 1996) examining the fishes of St. Catherines Island . Participants were certified to teach materials from Project Wet and Project Learning Tree and use these tools to support teaching strategies mandated by the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) and in adherence to the National Science Education Standards (NSES). Participants earned four hours of graduate or undergraduate credit through Augusta State University .

Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program

Ron Lunk, Assistant Director of Student Services

Funded by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety for the third year in a row, this project will heighten awareness of issues associated with alcohol and drug abuse and highway safety issues, and will develop environments that encourage safe driving habits and reduce alcohol and drug use and abuse on and near campus.

Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Grant

Dr. Kim Davies, Chair, Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice

The IV-E project will (a) provide pre-professional preparation in child welfare for up to 10 BSW students at the ASU Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Social Work BSW program, (b) continue current curricular offerings in the area of child welfare, (c) offer financial support to selected students and (d) monitor and evaluate the ASU child welfare education programs. The project's goal is the preparation of future graduates for competent practice in Child Protective Services investigation and ongoing services, foster care, and adoption programs of child welfare as well as the enhancement of skills and expertise of participating DFCS staff. The BSW IV-E program prepares graduates for generalist practice with an emphasis in child welfare for students selected for the Title IV-E Professional Education program. This program is being funded by a grant from the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) of the Georgia Department of Human Resources.

Chemistry Synthesis Grants

Dr. Chad Stephens, Chemistry

Dr. Stephens has received a second grant from Georgia State University to support research in the synthesis of tellurophene analogue of furamidine. This research also led to a private industry grant he received for other supportive research on chemical synthesis.

Congratulations to all of our faculty who have obtained grant funding for their projects! The Grants Office has enjoyed working with you.