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February 2008

The "Mason Connection" is Mason's electronic newsletter, designed to keep you informed of the latest developments at the university. The newsletter is sent monthly when the General Assembly is in session and every other month when it is not in session.

New Mason Program Strives to Improve Science Education

George Mason University is putting to good use a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation and the Schools, University, and Resources in Science and Engineering (SUNRISE) Project. The project pairs Mason science and engineering graduate students with area elementary and middle school teachers to fundamentally enhance the teachers' lesson plans and techniques in an effort to increase student interest in math and science-an issue of national concern.

Late last year, the Program for International Student Assessment released test scores of more than 400,000 15-year-old children from around the world. The program determined that the United States trails dozens of other industrialized countries especially in math and science proficiency.

The only university in Virginia currently participating in the project, Mason is implementing it to help bring U.S. students back to a competitive level.

"The SUNRISE Project addresses the critical need to develop permanent university-school division partnerships to focus on the challenging issues in K through 12 education," says Rajesh Ganesan, assistant professor of engineering at Mason and SUNRISE's principal investigator. "This project contributes to the national effort for improving our educational enterprise."

A University Engaged

President Merten Commits to Climate Neutral Campus

George Mason University President Alan Merten, Photo by Bachrach

University President Alan Merten recently made a commitment to sharply reduce and eventually eliminate all of Mason's global warming emissions, as well as accelerate research and educational efforts to restabilize the Earth's climate.

The pledge came with Merten's signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, joining leaders from 332 other institutions across the country.

"By making this commitment, colleges and universities across America are taking the lead in addressing an urgent issue that affects all of us," says Merten. "As a university, Mason is in the unique position of being able to make positive changes on campus while at the same time educating our students, faculty, and staff on the importance of being stewards of the environment."

Did You Know?

Mason's School of Law is the youngest to enter the select group of top 35 law schools in the nation, according to U.S.News & World Report. It achieved this status by focusing on recruiting better students and superior faculty.
U.S.News & World Report ranked Mason's Writing Across the Curriculum Program in the top 20 in the country in 2006, for the fourth year in a row. This distinction places Mason in the company of such prestigious institutions as Harvard, Duke, Princeton, and the University of Chicago.
Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, in its February 2008 issue, named Mason to its national top 100 Best Values in Public Education list.

Research Spotlight

World's Smallest Microwave Oven to Dramatically Increase Speed of DNA Testing

Photo by Evan Cantwell, Creative Services

George Mason University and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have created an instrument that will change the speed and format in which DNA samples are analyzed and results are returned.

The instrument, the world's smallest known microwave oven, is intended for use as part of lab-on-a-chip devices, which integrate multiple laboratory functions on a single piece of equipment that is only millimeters to a few square centimeters in size.

Currently, DNA samples must be sent to a lab for analysis, and can take months; however, with the use of this new technology, results could be available in less than one hour. Researchers at Mason and NIST predict these devices will be available and widely used in the next 5 to 10 years.

"When investigating a crime, time is of the essence, and by enabling law enforcement personnel to receive DNA results while still at the crime scene, we are providing them an opportunity to identify and apprehend suspects much more quickly," says Rao Mulpuri, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Mason.

In The News

Wednesday, January 30, NBC4

Thousands of Applicants Turn out for Gaylord Job Fair

"While unemployment is low in the region, economists said that doesn't reflect what's really going on. 'We created 44,000 new jobs last year of these kinds of workers, but below the radar are all the part-time workers,' said Stephen Fuller, a professor of public policy at George Mason University. 'About 30 percent of all workers in the Washington area are part-time, self-employed or contract workers, and a lot of them are tied to the slowdown in the real estate industry.'"

Saturday, January 19, The Washington Post

Band of Scouting Misfits Attains Eagle Ranking

"Scouting has rarely been cool.. But studies have shown that Eagle Scouts excel in school and participate in their communities, and admissions officers say the achievement can boost their odds of getting into college. 'One of the huge advantages is it's an award that has set nationally recognized standards,' said Andrew Flagel, dean of admissions for George Mason University."

Monday, January 14, National Geographic

Hidden Black Holes Discovered in Distant Galaxies

"Some skinny galaxies seem to have huge black holes hidden in their 'stomachs,' astronomers announced yesterday. 'We discovered eight hidden feeding-or what we call active-black holes in completely unexpected places: in the centers of skinny galaxies,' lead study author Shobita Satyapal told reporters at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society.. 'This constitutes the best evidence yet that a bulge is not necessary for a black hole to form and grow.,' noted Satyapal, an astronomer at George Mason University in Virginia."

Mason Connection is a free service and official publication of George Mason University. It is designed to give you quick, monthly updates on the happenings at Mason. You received Mason Connection because of your affiliation with George Mason University. Subscribe and unsubscribe requests for Mason Connection, including address changes, are handled by sending an e-mail to the Office of Community Relations at tclaar@gmu.edu. Please be sure to include your name and e-mail address. For more information, contact Traci Claar, Director of Community Relations. For additional campus event information, please visit Today@Mason. Editorial content produced by Devon Madison, Creative Services.