The American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio, assisted by The University of Toledo Student Government and Blue Key, will be collecting donations at the UT football game on Thursday, Aug. 31 in support of the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in Texas.

“Our thoughts and concerns are with the people affected by Hurricane Harvey,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Mike O’Brien. “With the support of the American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio, along with the UT Student Government and Blue Key, we will help the relief efforts in any way possible. We know our fans will make a difference in this endeavor.”

As the gates open at 5:30 p.m. inside the Glass Bowl, volunteers will be collecting cash or checks to assist those who have been affected by the storm. All checks are made payable to: American Red Cross.

There also are additional ways to support the relief efforts. Rocket fans can text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. In addition, fans also are encouraged to visit redcross.org to donate online.

“On behalf of the American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio, I would like to thank the Toledo Athletic Department, the UT Student Government and Blue Key,” said Rachel Hepner-Zowdony, executive director of the American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio. “We appreciate their support along with all of the communities throughout Northwest Ohio during this relief effort.”

A team from The University of Toledo Lake Erie Center will participate in a multi-agency project next week to assess the ability to target and capture grass carp, a type of invasive Asian carp reproducing in the Sandusky River, a Great Lakes tributary that flows into Lake Erie.

Crews will use electrofishing boats and a variety of nets during the two-day sampling expedition, which is led by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.

Media are invited Tuesday, Aug. 29 and Wednesday, Aug. 30 to view the sampling exercise along the Sandusky River near Fremont.

The UT crew includes Nicole King, aquatic ecology research technician working with faculty at the Lake Erie Center and UT Department of Environmental Sciences.

In addition to ODNR and UT, participating agencies include the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Geological Survey and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

This action will occur in conjunction with aquatic invasive species sampling in Lake Erie’s Sandusky Bay by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The goal of the project is to work with cooperating agencies to develop best practices to capture grass carp. It is in preparation for a large-scale, planned response in 2018.

A UT graduate student was the first researcher to find direct proof of grass carp spawning in a Great Lakes tributary. Holly Embke collected grass carp eggs in the summer of 2015 in the Sandusky River between Fremont, Ohio, and Lake Erie’s Sandusky Bay after a period of heavy rains.

Contact John Windau with ODNR at 614.265.6325 to coordinate a time and location since the locations will vary throughout the course of the project. Christine Billau with UT communications also can be reached at 312.805.3001.

The University of Toledo President Sharon L. Gaber will roll up her sleeves to help students unpack their belongings and move into their on-campus residence hall 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25 at Carter Hall.

She will be joined by Dr. Andrew Hsu, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Phillip “Flapp” Cockrell, interim vice president for student affairs.

It is the third year of the tradition started by Gaber when she joined the University.

Fall classes at UT begin Monday, Aug. 28.

The National Science Foundation awarded The University of Toledo a nearly $1 million federal grant to continue, expand and further evaluate its successful, innovative program that engages teachers and parents in supporting a young child’s natural curiosity through interactive, inquiry-based science lessons.

The University’s NURTURES Early Childhood Science program, which aims to improve the science readiness scores of preschool through third grade students in the Toledo area, was originally supported with a $10 million, five-year NSF grant. The new $991,081 grant is part of a total of $2.25 million in federal funding for the second phase of the program that extends it through 2021.

NURTURES, which stands for Networking Urban Resources with Teachers and University to enRich Early Childhood Science, is a professional development program and collaboration between UT, local daycare centers and nursery schools, Toledo Public Schools, informal science centers and other community resources to create a complementary, integrated system of science education.

Project participants in the second phase of the project will include 120 teachers, 2,400 preschool through third grade children, and more than 7,200 family members in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

“We are pleased to receive additional funding from the National Science Foundation for the NURTURES program,” said Dr. Charlene Czerniak, professor emeritus of science education and research professor in the UT College of Engineering. “Building on our previous success, we will simultaneously target early childhood teachers, families and children to create a broad support system for powerful and effective science teaching and learning. This program will help close the gaps in science, mathematics, reading and literacy for young children.”

During the first phase of the NURTURES program, 330 teachers of preschool through third grade and administrators participated in a total of 544 hours of professional development in the teaching of science inquiry and engineering design for early childhood classrooms.

According to research published recently in the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, every year that a student has a NURTURES program teacher adds on average 8.6 points to a student’s early literacy standardized test score compared to control students, 17 points to a student’s mathematics score and 41.4 points to a student’s reading score.

The program includes five primary components:

• A two-week summer institute for preschool through third grade teachers in which they have access to both scientists and instructional coaches;
• Academic year professional development, including monthly professional learning community meetings and one-on-one coaching;
• Family science activity packets sent home from school four times a year that each include a newsletter with directions for the investigation, necessary materials for the activity and a journal sheet for children to record data or visually represent understanding;
• Family community science events, such as engineering challenge simulations, and observations and demonstrations at a park, zoo, science center, library or farm; and
• Public service broadcasts on television that promote family science activities.

According to the National Science Foundation, an important facet of this follow-up project is the research effort to understand how each component impacts student learning. Project leaders plan to use control groups and standardized tests to measure the effect of teacher professional development compared to family engagement activities.

“What a tremendous opportunity for the young children, their families and teachers in our region to participate in a project that will enhance their understanding of science and the natural world around them,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. “It is so important for the project team at The University of Toledo to continue to study the impact that family engagement has on a young child’s education. We know that spending time reading to child exposes them to 1.8 million words a year. What other things could families be exposing to their children to set them on a pathway for success in life? The NURTURES project at The University of Toledo aims to find that out.”

The additional grant award comes one week after the American Association of State Colleges and Universities honored UT with its Christa McAuliffe Award for Excellence in Teacher Education in recognition of the NURTURES program.

Czerniak oversaw the development of the NURTURES program along with Dr. Joan Kaderavek, professor of early childhood, physical and special education in the UT Judith Herb College of Education; Dr. Susanna Hapgood, associate professor in the UT Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the Judith Herb College of Education; and Dr. Scott Molitor, associate professor in the UT Department of Bioengineering in the College of Engineering.

The University of Toledo graduates have the lowest student loan debt among the state’s public colleges, according to a recent analysis of student debt by LendEDU.

The average student debt per borrower for UT’s class of 2016 was $24,437, which ranks the University the best among Ohio’s public colleges and universities. In the nation, UT was named 121 in the list of best public colleges for lowest student loan debt.

UT also has the lowest per credit hour undergraduate tuition and fees of any Ohio research university and the third lowest of any major public university in the state.

“Keeping a University of Toledo education affordable is a commitment we have made to our students and their families, and this study confirms we are keeping that promise,” UT President Sharon L. Gaber said. “When you consider the positive impact a UT degree has on a graduate’s social and income mobility, we are delivering an exceptional value to our students.”

LendEDU, which helps students with loans, loan refinancing and personal finance, used data collected from the annual Peterson’s financial aid survey in which there were responses from 1,161 institutions to evaluate student loan debt.

Ohio ranked 16th overall for its college students’ debt load, which averages $29,579.

The University of Toledo is ready to welcome new and returning residents to campus for the 2017-18 academic year.

Students begin moving into residence halls on Thursday, Aug. 24. UT President Sharon L. Gaber will roll up her sleeves to help students unpack their belongings and move into their on-campus rooms 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25 at Carter Hall. She will be joined by Dr. Andrew Hsu, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Phillip “Flapp” Cockrell, interim vice president for student affairs.

Fall classes at UT begin Monday, Aug. 28.

New Rockets will be welcomed to UT at the New Student Convocation at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27 in the Glass Bowl (Rain location: Savage Arena) when Gaber and faculty and staff members will greet new students and talk about what it means to be a Rocket. The event will be followed by a barbecue in the Flatlands.

During the first few weeks of classes, the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership in the Division of Student Affairs has planned a number of events to encourage students to meet new friends, have fun and learn about the University.

“The first few weeks of school are so important for all students,” Dr. Sammy Spann, interim associate vice president and dean of students, said. “Weeks of Welcome events are designed to help students succeed by bringing them together with their peers and giving them the chance to meet faculty and staff while learning more about the University and having a good time.”

The events to welcome students to the new school year include:

Friday, Aug. 25

• Foam Party, 8 to 11 p.m., the Flatlands. Dance and be lathered in foam! This event is sponsored by Campus Activities and Programming.

Saturday, Aug. 26

• Slip-n-Slide, Kickball and Field Day, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Carter Field. Meet classmates and have some fun and free food.
• Paint UT, 8 to 11 p.m., the Flatlands. Sponsored by Campus Activities and Programming, this paint party will feature black lights and electronic music.
• Bonfire, 9 p.m., the Flatlands. The Resident Student Association and the National Residence Hall Honorary will welcome students to experience one of the biggest campus traditions: painting the spirit rock. Come hungry for pizza. WXUT and the Blue Crew will bring the entertainment.

Wednesday, Aug. 30

• Student Involvement Fair and Part-Time Job Fair, noon to 3 p.m., Centennial Mall. Rain locations: Thompson Student Union Auditorium and Rooms 2582/2584. Looking for a job? How about an organization dedicated to something you’re passionate about? There’s something for everyone.
• Pep Rally, 12:30 p.m., Thompson Student Union Steps. Rain location: Thompson Student Union Auditorium. Join the UT football team and psych up for the game against Elon. There’ll be food and prizes.

Thursday, Aug. 31

• President’s Tailgate, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., lot 25 near Rocket Hall. Students are invited to meet President Gaber. Stop by for food, games and prizes.
• Toledo vs. Elon, 7 p.m., Glass Bowl. Students are admitted free with their Rocket ID; faculty and staff can buy tickets half off with ID; $28 to $63.

Thursday, Sept. 7

• President’s Backyard Barbecue, noon to 2 p.m., Centennial Mall. Students and employees are invited to lunch. Activities will include inflatables, competitions and more.

Monday, Sept. 11

• Sundae on a Monday with President Gaber, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Thompson Student Union Steps. Rain location: Thompson Student Union Trimble Lounge. Share a sweet treat with President Gaber. The first 100 in line will receive a gift. Hint: #selfiewithutprez.

For a full list of events, go to utoledo.edu/studentaffairs/welcomeweek.

Physicists at The University of Toledo plan to monitor the power output of its solar panels on Main Campus during the solar eclipse Monday, Aug. 21.

The team plans to display the data in real time during UT Ritter Planetarium’s free, public viewing event from 12:30 to 4 p.m. on the campus lawn between Ritter and McMaster Hall.

“It will be an unusual day for photovoltaic systems, and there is a lot of interest nationally in how the electrical grid responds to the change in solar electricity during the eclipse,” Dr. Randy Ellingson, UT professor of physics, said. “We are forecasting the solar electricity generated by UT’s solar array systems at the R-1 Building along Dorr Street, and also on the Scott Park Campus of Energy and Innovation. Accurately modeling and predicting solar electricity generation, which depends on weather conditions, will help power companies maintain grid reliability without major disturbance to electricity customers.”

Toledo is expecting a partial eclipse where the moon will block nearly the entire sun. According to Alex Mak, UT associate planetarium director, Toledoans should see an approximately 80 percent eclipse, weather permitting.

“As the moon moves into place, it will of course block sunlight that powers the solar panels,” Ellingson said. “In regions of the country with high penetration of solar photovoltaic arrays, grid operators will need to shift electricity locally and regionally to meet the temporary shortfall from solar arrays.”

According to the Energy Information Administration, no electricity reliability issues are expected in the United States.

During the eclipse viewing celebration, UT astronomers will have several safely filtered telescopes set up outside looking at the eclipse.

In the event of clouds, a web stream of the eclipse from other locations across the country will be playing in McMaster Hall Room 1005.

To preserve the beauty, health and safety of a northwest Ohio shoreline frequently visited by families, The University of Toledo Lake Erie Center is inviting the public to help pick up litter on Maumee Bay State Park’s public beach at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18 in Oregon.

The Lake Erie beach cleanup is in partnership with the Alliance for the Great Lakes, which holds Adopt-a-Beach events throughout the region each year sponsored by Barefoot Wine and Bubbly.

Last year, 15,181 Adopt-a-Beach volunteers removed 40,211 pounds of trash as part of 1,388 cleanups throughout the Great Lakes region, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin.

In 2016, the majority of trash picked up by Adopt-a-Beach volunteers (87 percent) was plastic.

For additional information, contact the UT Lake Erie Center at 419.530.8360.

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities honored The University of Toledo with its Christa McAuliffe Award for Excellence in Teacher Education in recognition of a successful program that engages teachers and parents in supporting a young child’s natural curiosity through interactive, inquiry-based science lessons.

The national association of nearly 420 public colleges, universities and systems selected UT for the competitive award that recognizes one institution each year for excellence and innovation because of the University’s NURTURES Early Childhood Science program, which aims to improve the science readiness scores of preschool through third grade students in the Toledo area.

In a letter to UT President Sharon L. Gaber, AASCU President Muriel A. Howard calls the program “an exemplary one that can serve as a model for other institutions and help to advance practices in the field.”

NURTURES, which stands for Networking Urban Resources with Teachers and University to enRich Early Childhood Science, is a professional development program and collaboration between UT, local daycare centers and nursery schools, Toledo Public Schools, informal science centers and other community resources to create a complementary, integrated system of science education. The program was supported with a $10 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

“We are honored to receive this award and hope that the NURTURES program will serve as an exciting model for teaching science to young children,” said Dr. Charlene Czerniak, professor emeritus of science education and research professor in the UT College of Engineering. “By engaging young children in high-quality science experiences, teachers can also impact reading, literacy and mathematics in statistically significant ways.”

According to research published recently in the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, every year that a student has a NURTURES program teacher adds on average 8.6 points to a student’s early literacy standardized test score compared to control students, 17 points to a student’s mathematics score and 41.4 points to a student’s reading score.

“Our innovation comes in through the multi-faceted way the program engages teachers, parents and the community in science for young children,” Czerniak said. “Science focused on preschool through third grade is not the norm. And, by engaging children in school-based, at-home-based and informal-community-based science, we build a model for helping young children learn science and improve in reading, literacy and mathematics as well.”

The NURTURES program enhances teacher understanding of science content to improve classroom practices and offers classroom extension activities and family learning opportunities in the Toledo area.

It includes five primary components, including:

• A two-week summer institute for preschool through third grade teachers in which they have access to both scientists and instructional coaches;
• Academic year professional development, including monthly professional learning community meetings and one-on-one coaching;
• Family science activity take-home packs that each include a newsletter with directions for the investigation, necessary materials for the activity and a journal sheet for children to record data or visually represent understanding;
• Family community science events, such as engineering challenge simulations, and observations and demonstrations at a park, zoo, science center, library or farm; and
• Public service broadcasts on television that promote family science activities.

Czerniak oversaw the development of the NURTURES program along with Dr. Joan Kaderavek, professor of early childhood, physical and special education in the UT Judith Herb College of Education; Dr. Susanna Hapgood, associate professor in the UT Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the Judith Herb College of Education; and Dr. Scott Molitor, associate professor in the UT Department of Bioengineering in the College of Engineering.

The award for teacher education will be presented to UT Sunday, Oct. 22 during the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ annual meeting in California. Awards also will be presented to institutions in six other categories, including civic learning and community engagement; international education; leadership development and diversity; regional and economic development; student success and college completion; and sustainability and sustainable development.

“Innovation at America’s state colleges and universities is focused on advancing the quality of the educational experience for their students and the distinction of their institutions in service to their communities,” said Howard. “The programs for which these universities are being honored will inspire not only their AASCU colleagues but all of higher education.”

A task force created by President Sharon L. Gaber to review The University of Toledo’s practices and policies related to sexual assault awareness, prevention and adjudication and compare them to best practices at other universities has completed its assessment.

UT is among the safest campuses in Ohio with consistently low reports of sexual misconduct and has strong prevention programming and support services that meet or exceed those offered at peer institutions, according to the Sexual Assault Misconduct Assessment and Recommendations report produced by the task force.

The task force put together a list of 27 recommendations to enhance the programs and services available at the University to position the institution as a leader in the prevention and adjudication of sexual misconduct.

“The task force did a thorough review of the University’s practices and those of our peers to ensure we are providing the most effective prevention and support services for our students, faculty and staff when it comes to the issue of sexual misconduct, which unfortunately continues to be a concern on college campuses across the country,” Gaber said. “I look forward to working with the campus to implement the recommendations to ensure UT continues to be a safe and welcoming environment.”

UT’s resources in this area include a Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Program; a Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention Program; a University Counseling Center; a Center for Student Advocacy and Wellness; a partnership with YWCA H.O.P.E. Center; and a Director of Title IX and Compliance, who will now report to the Vice President for Student Affairs to facilitate better communication and collaboration.

The Sexual Assault Awareness, Prevention and Adjudication Task Force identified strengths, gaps in services and ways to improve the delivery of services. The recommendations are focused on four themes: comprehensive university-wide efforts, prevention and programming efforts, resource availability, and investigation and adjudication.

Among the recommendations are:

• Create a Title IX committee to coordinate comprehensive implementation of programs and services across campus. The committee should be chaired by the Director of Title IX and Compliance.
• Ensure full implementation of university procedures that require incoming students to disclose criminal or student conduct complaints filed against them.
• Enhance alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention resources available to students, staff and faculty.
• Expand existing sexual misconduct prevention education required for first-year students to all students prior to the start of the academic year.
• Strengthen communication with targeted messaging that promotes a no tolerance climate for sexual misconduct and encourages students to report such acts.
• Diversify programs and resources and continuously evaluate them to ensure they are evidence-based and effectively reach all members of the campus community.

“The goal of our task force was to determine what we were doing well, what we can do better, and how to replicate evidence based-practices that other model programs have. We want to be a leader in the prevention of sexual misconduct,” said Dr. Amy Thompson, professor of public health and director of the UT Center for Health and Successful Living, who co-chaired the task force. “The recommendations put forth by the task force are a framework to plan future programs and services that help our campus continue to be a safe place for students, faculty and staff to attend classes and work.”

“Student safety is our top priority and UT takes the issue of sexual misconduct very seriously,” said Valerie Simmons Walston, associate vice president for student affairs and director of residence life, who co-chaired the task force. “It is imperative that we offer our University community the educational programming needed for prevention and the best support services and resources needed to respond to this issue to keep our students, faculty and staff safe.”

To review the Sexual Misconduct Assessment and Recommendations, click here.