Brent W. Studer

Education

M.S., Astronomy, The University of Iowa, 1989
Thesis: The Diffuse Ultraviolet Background and its Relation to Neutral Hydrogen Column Density

B.S., Physics and Astronomy, The University of Iowa, 1986

Experience

The University of Iowa Upward Bound Project
Coordinator of Technology Services, 2001 –
Responsibilities include creation and delivery of curriculum components that incorporate science and technology literacy activities to high school students who will be the first in their families to attend a four-year postsecondary institution or are from limited economic background. Develop curriculum, tutorials and teach technology seminars during the Project's summer residential program; provide graphic design of newsletters, flyers, and handbooks; developed and maintain departmental website; set-up Apple Airport wireless network and supervise lab monitor; provide IT support for the department and recommened hardware and software purchases. Have provided research, formatting and organizational support in the submission of two successful grant applications. Coordinate completion of annual performance report and interpretation of Department of Education evaluation criteria.

Kirkwood Community College
Adjunct Professor, 1991 –
Introduction to Astronomy, PHS-151. Teach survey course meeting general education requirements that includes laboratory component and outside observation activities. Assist with development of course objectives, expected outcomes, and selection of course texts and ancillary materials.

Web Developer, 1999 –
Created and maintain websites for
The University of Iowa Upward Bound Project
International Woodfire Ceramics (under construction)
Prairie Dog Pottery, Inc.
Cedar Amateur Astronomers, Inc.

Pearson Education
Scoring Director, 1992 – 2001
Successfully provided project leadership for NAEP (The Nation's Report Card) Science and Geography Assessments, TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study), and numerous statewide and school district-level science and mathematics assessments. Created project schedules, calculated staffing requirements, estimated work rates and monitored progress throughout projects to ensure milestone dates and deadlines were met. Conducted daily meetings to ensure contract deliverables were being met. Trained project leaders and supervised up to 280 professional evaluators. Resolved content matter ambiguities and documented all decisions to ensure consistency of scoring criteria across all raters. Facilitated range-finding and committee meetings to develop training sets and evaluation criteria. Collaborated with test developers to refine test items and evaluation criteria. Acted as technical liaison between software development/applied technology staff and scoring department. Wrote and edited proposal text, procedure manuals, and end-of-project documentation.

Presentations

Here Be Dragons: What We Don't Know
Cedar Amateur Astronomers Public Observing Night
Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center, November 2008

The Secret Lives of Stars
Cedar Amateur Astronomers Public Observing Night
Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center, October 2008

Seeing the Universe: Creating the Hubble Images
Cedar Amateur Astronomers Public Observing Night
Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center, June 2008

The Harvard Computers
Cedar Amateur Astronomers Public Observing Night
Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center, May 2008

Celestial Relics: Meteor, Meteorites, and Meteor Showers
2008 Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show
Cedar Valley Rocks & Minerals Society, March 2008

When Worlds Collide: The Impending Collision of M31 and the Milky Way
Cedar Amateur Astronomers Public Observing Night
Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center, January 2008

Ceres, Vesta and Dawn: Mission to the Asteroid Belt
Cedar Amateur Astronomers Public Observing Night
Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center, November 2007

The Astronomy of Star Trek
Cedar Amateur Astronomers Public Observing Night
Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center, September 2007 (encore, September 2008)

The Sun, Our Star
Cedar Amateur Astronomers Public Observing Night
Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center, May 2007

A Brief Exposition on Time
Dedication of Rotary clock in Ron-De-Voo Park
West Liberty, IA, June 2007

Interplanetary Vagabonds: Asteroids, Meteoroids, and Comets
Learning Cafe Lunchtime Lecture Series
Witwer Senior Center, Cedar Rapids IA, March 2007

Meteors, Comets, and Meteor Showers
Cedar Amateur Astronomers Public Observing Night
Palisades-Dows Observatory, October 2006

Quasars, Blazers, and Active Galactic Nuclei: What They Are and What They Can Tell Us About the Formation of Galaxies
Cedar Amateur Astronomers Public Observing Night
Wickiup Hill Learning Center, August 2006

Standard Candles: Measuring the Cosmos and the Legacy of Henrietta Leavitt
Cedar Amateur Astronomers Public Observing Night
Palisades-Dows Observatory, May 2006

Professional Affliations

Astronomical Society of the Pacific
National Science Teachers Association

Volunteer Work/Mentoring