March 5, 2006
MeasureNet is well-represented in the Peachtree State this month. At the 231st National American Chemical Society Conference and Exhibition, there will be two MeasureNet-related presentations, as well as a sizable exhibit hall display:
MeasureNet Implementation at Western Kentucky University. D.B. Dahl, L.L. Pesterfield, E. Houchins
CHED 270, Undergraduate Research Poster Session, Monday, March 27, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM; Exhibit Hall B4
Western Kentucky University has embarked upon a sweeping improvement of the entry-level undergraduate laboratory program. Specifically, we intend to enhance the undergraduates' learning experiences by: 1.) Providing for a more in-depth consideration of experimental design 2.) Improving our students' abilities to critically evaluate data 3.) Establishing a mechanism to improve our students' scientific writing 4.) Exposing our students to more modern laboratory methods
To accomplish these goals MeasureNet, a laboratory network system, is being implemented. This state-of-the-art system allows for a unique network of independent data-measuring stations operated by a single controller. An important phase of this re-structuring will be the implementation of self-directed experiments into our curriculum. Several outcomes are expected. First, a larger number of experiments will be available for the students to perform. The ease with which the students grasp the procedure will be an indication of how well the concepts were taught or communicated. Students will then be able to interact with peers in a “project-related” lab. The formal writing of reports will be improved due to an enhanced writing component. Data manipulation will also be improved along with a substantial time saving in data collection. An additional benefit will be that smaller quantities of reagents are required thereby reducing waste and associated costs. Results of a 1st semester pilot will be presented.
Assessment of Laboratory Skills Via Practical Examinations Featuring MeasureNet. B.J. Stanton, L. Zhu
CHED 1231, Assessment of Student Learning Pt. II, Tuesday March 28, 9:25 AM; Grand Ballroom B
We have recently implemented Laboratory Practical Final Examinations into the General Chemistry laboratory curriculum. Each student must individually perform a laboratory experiment to answer a central question. This will aid us in assessing whether our students have mastered basic laboratory techniques, and whether we are effectively teaching students how to solve problems and answer questions. Second, as a consequence of Self-Directed experiments, we have observed what we have termed “dominant and recessive” students. “Dominant students” take charge and are responsible for leading their team through the self-directed experiments. “Recessive students” are hesitant to speak up and voice an opinion. In many cases, they are resistant to take a hands on approach in their experiment. Some are intimidated by computers and automation in general. It is our intent to strongly encourage “recessive students” to be more assertive and to become more involved when performing concept/technique and self-directed experiments.
Exhibition Hall Display, Booth 1327, March 27-28th. Stop by and get a T-shirt from the MeasureNet Notable Chemists series.
The 173rd 2YC3 Conference will be held at Georgia Perimeter College, Dunwoody Campus. Visit with MeasureNet's Shawn Brooks Friday and Saturday, March 24-25th. Georgia Perimeter College's Clarkston Campus is a member of the MeasureNet Community (contact the Department of Physical Educaction and Science's Dr. Michael Denniston or Dr. Howard Silverstein for more information). Visit the 2YC3 meetings page for directions and registration information.
> 173rd 2YC3 Meeting Page
MeasureNet Technology Ltd. manufactures patented, network-based data acquisition interfaces for science teaching laboratories. It is a spin-off of the University of Cincinnati's Department of Chemistry and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Measurenet's award-winning, PC-reducing design helps reduce laboratory maintenance and operational costs while giving students access to high quality shared UV-vis spectroscopy and an array of innovative probeware. It's acclaimed intuitive design provides improved transparency to enable better science-focused, not technology-focused, learning. Winner of the Ohio Governor's Award For Excellence in Energy Efficiency, MeasureNet networks are found in universities, community colleges, high schools, and vocational training centers across the United States and around the world.
For more information contact:
Len Weibel
Director of Business Development
tel. toll-free: 866-396-6765
lenweibel@measurenet-tech.com
kurutz@measurenet-tech.com
December 28 , 2005
Customers needing to elevate MeasureNet stations out of harm's way but lack room for benchtop stands have a new option. MeasureNet's new Mounting Brackets secure student data stations to available shelving or above-bench conduits that exist in many of today's older teaching labs.
The brackets are custom made to fit the specific dimensions of your bench area. Installation is straightforward and should take no more than a few hours (and a drill!) to outfit an entire 12-station laboratory. The black wooden brackets are designed to house a single station and can mount in a variety of ways depending upon the design of your benchtop. MeasureNet provides all needed mounting hardware.
The stands are priced affordably at $19.99 each plus shipping and handling. They are available for both new orders and previous MeasureNet installations.
[pictured below: (left) MeasureNet's Bjorn Carle, Ph.D. displays typical German-efficiency as he mounts new brackets and (right) the finished product complete with MeasureNet station]
August 20, 2005
Most MeasureNet customers prefer their student interface stations mounted vertically to avoid the knocks and spills typical of an entry-level teaching laboratory. Many newer lab bench designs, however, lack the vertical shelving and piping typically used to mount MeasureNet stations in older labs.
An Ohio-based company has come to the rescue of vertically-challenged MeasureNet users. Near West Woodworks of Cleveland supplies MeasureNet with customized wooden station stands that elevate stations away from the dangers of acids, bases, drops, and knocks. The stands come in both single and double-sided versions and can be built to match the spatial characteristics of a wide range of benchtops.
But there is more than meets the eye to the story of Near West Woodworks. The shop is an enterprise of Spectrum Of Supportive Services—an organization helping individuals with mental illnesses achieve the necessary skills to lead healthy, productive lives. The organization offers a range of employment services, housing, help lines, and consumer-operated enterprises.
Near West Woodworks has resided in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland for over 35 years and employs some 50-60 individuals in programs that range from woodworking and custom picture framing to construction site clean-up. The company manufactures products for the aerospace industry, national window firms, and local universities.
"These guys are consummate role models in the community," according to MeasureNet's Director of Marketing Michael Kurutz. "They manufacture quality stands that are a great value to our customers. But more importantly, they empower, educate, and encourage their clients toward independence. The day-to-day work they've done over the past three decades has made a quantifiable impact in the lives of many."
MeasureNet's relationship with Near West Woodworks is part of an overall effort by the Cincinnati-based educational technology company to source materials and assembly in Ohio to help generate employment and retain tax revenue in the state. "While we could probably save a few dollars by outsourcing production abroad," adds Kurutz, "the communities we live and work in would benefit little. In the case of Near West Woodworks, there's no question we're doing the right thing."
(pictured above: Peter Malquest, Near West Woodwork's Vocational Supervisor inspecting the finished product)
MeasureNet's President Robert Voorhees (right) and Director of Marketing Michael Kurutz (left) will welcome exhibitors to CERMACS 2007 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Kentucky. The conference is hosted by the Chemistry Department of the University of Cincinnati in conjunction with the local chapter of the American Chemical Society. As exhibit co-chairs of the 38th annual meeting, Voorhees and Kurutz will oversee the registration and logistics of private sector, non-profit, and academic vendors exhibiting at the conference.
"We're great believers in the ACS Regional Conference Program" says Kurutz. "We regularly exhibit in virtually all ACS regions, thus we have a firm understanding of what's needed to make a meeting successful from an exhibitor's perspective. Bob and I will make the greatest effort to maximize exhibitor exposure."
The pair are planning exhibit areas contiguous to conference sessions, while an an evening reception for attendees is being considered for the vendor's area. Additional features proposed include exhibitor-centric poster sessions and opportunities for vendor workshops.
Find out more about exhibiting at CERMACS 2007 here
Information on the Northern Kentucky area is available at www.nkycvb.com/meeting/
Contact Michael Kurutz at kurutz@measurenet-tech.com
April 26 , 2006
The U.S. Department of Commerce recently presented MeasureNet Technology with an Export Achievement Award for its work in overseas markets in support of the company's patented science learning technologies. The certificate honors new exports by small- and medium-sized businesses and their valuable contribution to the national economy. Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Israel Hernandez (first from left) and local congresswoman Jean Schmidt (far right) presented the award at a luncheon ceremony hosted by the Department's Commercial Services Division in Cincinnati and its Director Marcia Brandstadt. The accolade was in recognition of MeasureNet's recent export activities in the Middle East. MeasureNet President Robert Voorhees, Vice President Estel Sprague, and Director of Marketing Michael Kurutz accepted the honor on behalf of the company. Voorhees and Sprague also will be honored for their outstanding entrepreneurial achievements by the University of Cincinnati at an awards ceremony on May 8th, 2006.
“We're very pleased and honored to receive this recognition from Secretary Hernandez," said MeasureNet's Director of Marketing Michael Kurutz. "It's the first step on a long road. I'm confident that our investments will be fruitful in establishing MeasureNet as the premium brand of data acquisition instrumentation in advanced teaching laboratories around the world.” Leading MeasureNet's export push, Kurutz has an extensive international background. He is a graduate of the American University School of International Service in Washington, D.C. and has studied at the American University in Cairo. He was a volunteer in the U.S. Peace Corps in Kenya and worked at the U.S. Department of State for the Agency for International Development. Kurutz is fluent in ki-Swahili and has a working knowledge of Arabic.
MeasureNet Technology Ltd. manufactures patented, network-based data acquisition interfaces for science teaching laboratories. It is a spin-off of the University of Cincinnati's Department of Chemistry and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Measurenet's award-winning, PC-reducing design helps reduce laboratory maintenance and operational costs while giving students access to high quality shared UV-vis spectroscopy and an array of innovative probeware. MeasureNet Networks provide improved transparency to students for better science-focused, not technology-focused, learning. Winner of the Ohio Governor's Award For Excellence in Energy Efficiency, MeasureNet systems are found in universities, community colleges, high schools, and vocational training centers across the United States and around the world.
For more information contact:
Len Weibel
Director of Business Development
tel. toll-free: 866-396-6765
lenweibel@measurenet-tech.com
Pictured are faculty members Myriam Quintana (right) and Carmen Collazo of Pontifical Catholic University's Department of Chemistry in Puerto Rico. The duo presented a poster on research entitled Incorporation of the Use of Technology and Instrumentation in the General Chemistry Class at the 227th National American Chemical Society Conference in Anaheim, California. 105 students took part in the study which, in part, assessed ease of use and confidence levels with MeasureNet instrumentation. We're happy to say that the department’s students in Ponce gave MeasureNet an overwhelming "thumbs up."
MeasureNet was awarded the Ohio Governor's Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency in November, 2002 at the State House Rotunda in Columbus. The award recognized MeasureNet's contribution to electricity savings in academic chemistry laboratories employing MeasureNet Networks for electronic data acquisition. The award also noted additional source reduction, waste contaminate, and greenhouse gas benefits through for the Network's users. The annual competition to select the state's best and brightest energy innovators is adminstered by the Ohio Department of Development.
