28 March Public invited to ICC's School of STEM new weather balloon launch, Apr. 5 March 28, 2024 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Itawamba Community College’s School of STEM will launch its new High-Altitude Weather Balloon, Apr. 5, at 9 a.m. at the band practice field on the Fulton Campus, which is in front of the Natural Science Building. The public is invited to attend. The research opportunity is connected with Natural Science division chair Dr. Jada Mills’ Special Topics in Biology course, and the students are learning how to conduct research. The project includes general information about weather balloons, determining the purpose of a designed experiment, deploying the weather balloon and collection and analysis of data. Mills said that equipment was purchased from EdgeFlyte, a weather balloon company, and included were a ground station transceiver, GPS, weather balloon and parachute. The high-altitude balloon is expected to reach stratosphere level, approximately 30,000 meters. “Students in the class wanted to send a payload with the weather balloon to see if a high-altitude environment affects nonpathogenic E. coli growth,” Mills said. “We also plan to attach a GoPro to hopefully capture the edge of space.” “We received FAA approval by providing details of our equipment, payload and experimental design,” Mills said. “We will use the GPS unit to follow the path of the balloon. As of current information, the balloon is expected to burst in approximately two hours, and it will land close to Pell City, Ala. Of course, this could change due to atmospheric conditions.” Once the group retrieves the payload, they will analyze atmospheric data obtained and the agar plates of E. coli. Students will present their project and findings at the end of April. The experiment is made possible by a $15,000 Tennessee Valley Authority grant through its partnership with Tombigbee Electric Power Association. “Because of TVA’s generosity, ICC’s students who are majoring in STEM-related areas, can experience not only a weather balloon experiment but also a mobile planetarium, both significant additions to our curriculum and opportunities that will enhance learning,” Mills said. For more information on the launch, contact Mills at jjmills@iccms.edu. Related Articles ICC's Public Health Technology program joins in Apr. 7-13 national celebration Itawamba Community College’s Public Health Technology program will join those in the profession in celebrating April 7-13 as National Public Health Week. According to program director Cassie Alexander, the theme is “It Starts Here.” She said the commemoration recognizes the contributions of public health in improving the physical condition of the people of the United States and for ICC’s nationally-recognized Public Health Technology program, the residents of Mississippi, specifically those in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc counties; and achieving health equity. “Public health starts with each of us making a difference in our homes and communities,” Alexander said in summarizing the information provided by the American Public Health Association. “It’s how the places we live, work and play affect our well-being. It’s the way we are all stronger – and healthier – together through the efforts of organizations like the APHA and others that advocate for healthy communities.” Alexander, who serves on the Mississippi State Department of Health Community Health Worker Taskforce, is excited about recent legislation that will help advance the educational and career opportunities for ... ICC School of STEM receives $15,000 contribution from TVA Itawamba Community College’s School of STEM will benefit from a $15,000 contribution from the Tennessee Valley Authority. “Because of TVA’s generosity, ICC’s students, who are majoring in STEM-related areas, can experience a weather balloon experiment and a mobile planetarium, both significant additions to our curriculum and opportunities that will enhance learning,” said Dr. Jada Mills, Natural Science division chair and one of three lead contacts for the School of STEM. “Our mission at TVA is to improve the lives of those in our region,” said Carolyn Ward, Community Relations specialist. “One of the ways we are able to make an impact is funding contributions through our partnership with Tombigbee Electric Power Association, and we are incredibly thankful for their support. We know that STEM learning prepares students to be the workforce of tomorrow – preparing them for steady, good-paying careers that will see them through a lifetime of prosperity right here in Mississippi. I am proud that TVA played a role in bringing STEM exposure to Itawamba Community College, which will help to ... ICC's Public Health Technology program to join in national celebration with local events Itawamba Community College’s Public Health Technology program will join those in the profession in celebrating the week of April 1 as National Public Health Week. According to program director Cassie Alexander, the theme is “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.” She said the commemoration recognizes the contributions of public health in improving the physical condition of the people of the United States and for ICC’s Public Health Technology program, the residents of Mississippi, specifically those in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc counties; and achieving health equity. “Community health workers are the backbone of public health, bridging the gap between healthcare systems and the communities they serve, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of well-being and equity,” said Caroline Newkirk, ICC adjunct instructor and Evaluation Specialist with the Mississippi Public Health Institute. “ICC’s Public Health Technology program fills a critical gap in Mississippi by offering a curriculum that prepares its students exceptionally well with the knowledge and skills to be invaluable community health workers. In a state that is medically underserved, ... ICC School of STEM, Trading Post to benefit from $20,000 TVA contribution Itawamba Community College’s School of STEM and its Trading Post will benefit from a recent $20,000 contribution from the Tennessee Valley Authority. “The School of STEM is very excited about the TVA donation,” said Heather McCormick, Mathematics Division chair and STEM lead. “Through field trips, student research and special speakers, this donation will support our study of clean water and energy as we explore conservation in our area and encourage our community to be good stewards of our natural resources.” “TVA is proud to support both the Itawamba Community College School of STEM and the Trading Post,” said Amy Tate, regional executive for the Southwest Region of TVA. “This investment in the future workforce is invaluable, and we are incredibly grateful to partner with ICC in preparing our students for future job opportunities and success right here in Mississippi.” The School of STEM will use its gift to support students through a variety of activities such as field trips, speakers, research and campus/location projects and STEM student support. ICC’s School of STEM includes programs for Science, Technology, Engineering and ... ICC's Public Health Technology ranked fifth in the nation Itawamba Community College has been named one of 2021’s best schools for online programs and courses in healthcare education by EduMed.org. ICC’s Public Health Technology program is ranked fifth in the nation. “Itawamba Community College appreciates this ranking and recognition by EduMed.org,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “It is validation that ICC provides flexible, affordable and student-centered programs. Our students are our top priority, and their success is our success.” Only eight percent of U.S. postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position, according to EduMed.org, which researched and analyzed more than 7,700 accredited schools using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and from the schools themselves. The website’s data science team then applied a proprietary algorithm to rank all qualifying schools for each healthcare discipline. Primary data points include number of online programs in subject area, online program tuition and fees, access to academic counseling and career placement services, number of online students and percentage of students with institutional aid. Wes Ricketts, founder of EduMed.org said that schools with ... ICC's Haley Dean receives TVA STEM Scholarship Haley Dean of Saltillo, recent graduate of Itawamba Community College, is the recipient of one of two STEM scholarships from the Tennessee Valley Authority and Phi Theta Kappa, a $2,250 award. This scholarship is awarded to Phi Theta Kappa members in Mississippi who plan to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). The students were selected based on academic achievement, leadership, campus and community service and faculty assessments. “We are very grateful to TVA for recognizing the academic achievements of our STEM members and providing them with mentoring that will further enrich their lives,” said Dr. Monica Marlowe, executive director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “We are excited to see the impact this program will have on enabling students to pursue their careers in STEM fields.” Dean majored in mechanical engineering at ICC, where she was the vice president of scholarship for the Phi Theta Kappa Upsilon Sigma Chapter; member of the Honors College, Baptist Student Union, Science Club and Indian Delegation; president of the Student Government Association and a previous Orientation Leader. Dean was ... Comments are closed.