2005-2006 Annual Report

17 have been completing controlled burns on the prairie site as well as seeding and transplanting plant species from nearby prairie remnants. Their goal: to establish and promote prairie plant populations in their natural habitat. As they complete these projects and record the results, the students are able to come to conclusions regarding land use, conservation, and groundwater. Last year Dr. Silvius and his students researched and modeled natural disturbances that would occur in prairies (for example, a buffalo stampede). They then had the privilege of presenting their findings at the American Understanding the importance of the original landscape in and around Cedarville, senior professor of biology Dr. John Silvius and his students have been “turning back the clock” by creating a prairie on the northeast side of campus. The Cedarville University Prairie Restoration Project began in 2000 and continues today as an interactive “classroom” for faculty/student research. Under Silvius’ direction, the prairie restoration project “combines elements of experiential learning and environmental awareness with undergraduate research experiences.” Silvius’ students Interactive Scientific Affiliation annual meeting in July. Amanda Joswig, one of the student researchers who presented at the conference, commented that one of the greatest benefits was the opportunity to network with some of the world’s leading scientists, such as Dr. Francis Collins, director of the Human Genome Project. A devout Christian, Collins led a group of scientists in mapping the genes in all the human chromosomes. Although Collins is highly sought after, Amanda was impressed that “after a long day of symposia and giving the keynote address, he stayed to meet with a group of students and early-career scientists, of which I was a part. He answered individual questions until nearly midnight.” Research and conference experiences like these are priceless opportunities for student growth and career development. Whether it is nursing majors researching “Healthcare Disparities in the U.S.,” psychology students studying “Perspectives on Children Who Have Been Adopted,” or Silvius and his aspiring biologists working on the prairie restoration project, Cedarville students have significant opportunities to develop their thinking skills through faculty/student research. “classrooms” for student research Cedarville University sits on land with a rich history. Before dorms and classrooms filled the landscape, original forests and prairie communities covered this part of southwest Ohio.