22 April 2013

KOKOMO, Ind. — Andrew Boehner combined his Android programming skills with his concern for his grandmother's safety to create a fall detection application for smart phones.

Andrew BoehnerBoehner, 24, an informatics student at Indiana University Kokomo, developed his project to improve on current technology. Most fall detection devices require the user to wear a device wrapped around the chest or torso, and do not take advantage of smart phones.

Users of his app wear a watch programmed to send data to the smart phone if he or she falls. The phone then calls emergency responders for help.

"My grandmother's phone has an SOS button on it, but if the phone is on the charger, it's no help to her if she falls," he said. "With my app, it doesn't matter where the phone is, or if she has it in her hands. Her generation of senior citizens is pretty tech savvy, and have smart phones. Most of them are also used to wearing a watch, so this technology will be easy for them to use."

The fall detection app is Boehner's latest creation. He has published a few Android games on Google Play, but said the fall detection app is still in development, not ready for market.

He developed the idea while researching with Gongjun Yan, assistant professor of informatics. Yan encouraged him to apply to present at the 27th National Conference on Undergraduate Research, at University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. He recently participated in the conference, and his research also was published in the conference journal.

"I was really excited for the opportunity to share my work with other students, and to meet people who are researching in this area," he said. "I am grateful for the chance to research with my professors, and to show what I've learned."

Yan teaches up to date Android programming in his class, and is proud of Boehner's success in this area.

"Overall, Andrew is one of my best students," Yan said. "He is self-motivated and capable. His intensive research has paid off in this prestigious opportunity to present and publish his work."

Boehner, from Tipton, enjoys the programming process, and said working with his professors on these hands-on opportunities has helped him learn more about his potential career field. He plans to study bioinformatics in graduate school after earning his degree from IU Kokomo.

"I hear something in class discussion, and I think about how I can apply it to one of my projects," he said. "I remember more of it when I've actually used what I learned to make something."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

17 April 2013

KOKOMO, Ind. — It's never too early to think about college.

A 3rd grade KEY student peers into a microscope.

Indiana University Kokomo recently gave third and fifth graders from Kokomo's Sycamore Elementary School a glimpse of college life, hosting them for a campus visit.

The students looked for microbes in pond water in a science lab, saw how nursing students learn skills in the nursing simulation lab, practiced their Spanish language skills with IU Kokomo students, and ate lunch from the campus' Cougar Country Café.

Gerry Stroman, executive director of the Office of the Chancellor, said the visit encourages the students to excel in school.

"Education is important, and we want them to know what college is about, so they are prepared to succeed," she said. "We want them to continue to be interested in education, and to get a good start in life."

Third-grader Macee Reckard, who plans to be a nurse, enjoyed the science labs, especially using microscopes. Caigen Malone and Jaylen Stroman, also third-graders, want to be NBA basketball stars, but both said they would go to college first.

Malone thought it was important for his class to visit campus "so we can learn what it's like to be in college, and we'll be ready when we're old enough."

Ella Biggs, a third-grader who wants to be a teacher, thought it was important to visit campus "so you know more about what you want to do when you grow up," and especially liked the science labs.

Third-grade teacher Jenny Shaw said the students, who are part of the KEY gifted and talented program, enjoy chances to learn through experience, rather than books. The hands-on lab work was just the kind of thing that appeals to them.

"This offers a great chance to get outside our school, and to do the kinds of things we can't do in our classrooms," she said. "This goes with what we've been learning in class, which is great."

Tashona Jones, diversity coordinator, said the visits also are a chance to show students the educational opportunities available to them at IU Kokomo.

"We're exposing them at a young age to what we can offer them here, and getting them excited about going to college when they are older," she said. "They need to think about what they want to do someday as early as possible, and start planning ahead to make that happen. We are happy to share our resources to help."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

17 April 2013

KOKOMO, Ind. – Lindsay Brewer has volunteered for Take Back the Night for the past three years.

Take Back The Night 2012

Passionate for fundraising, Brewer continues to work hard to raise money to donate to the Family Service Association of Howard County and the domestic violence shelter. Two years ago, she was the top individual fundraiser for Indiana University Kokomo. Last year, Brewer helped the campus sorority Phi Sigma Sigma raise a record-breaking amount of donations.

"Raising money for such a wonderful cause comes naturally to me," said Brewer, who serves as philanthropy chair for Phi Sigma Sigma. "I love knowing how many individuals benefit from the donations that our campus and community raise each year."

The annual Take Back the Night and Angel Walk will kick off with a rally at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, in Alumni Hall. The one-mile Angel Walk will begin at 6 p.m., rain or shine.

The rally will kick off with a story from a domestic violence survivor.

"Many people don't realize how prevalent domestic violence is in our community," said Candy Thompson, director of academic projects. "It can be difficult to deal with it personally or to be a support system for others. Hearing a survivor's story is extremely empowering and helpful."

This event hits close to Brewer's heart, as she has listened to one of her sorority sisters speak at a previous event.

"Raising awareness is the only way to help prevent these situations from escalating," Brewer said. "It makes you aware of others' situations and realize how you can help them."

The IU Kokomo American Democracy Project and Family Service Association of Howard County sponsor the event, and money raised goes to the FSA's domestic violence shelter. Last year, nearly $30,000 was raised.

"The FSA provides so many resources to help fix this problem," Thompson said. "You never know who is a victim of domestic violence and your small gifts can go a long way."

In addition to donating money, the FSA accepts donations of goods, supplies, and/or clothing.

Phi Sigma Sigma is continuing their fundraising efforts until the day of the event. They are selling water bottles and wristbands, as well as taking donations for cutout paper hearts that read, "These hands won't hurt." Each one sold will be attached to poster boards, and Phi Sigma Sigma will hold them up during the Angel Walk.

Visit Phi Sigma Sigma Thursday, April 18, Friday, April 19, and Monday, April 22 at their table in the Kelley Student Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Tuesday, April 23, their table will be set up from 10 a.m. until the end of the event.

Brewer encourages everyone to attend the event and help out the cause.

"Education is empowering, and we all hope you leave the event empowered to help in whatever way you can."

Participation is free, and you may either walk individually or join a team for the Angel Walk. Prizes will be awarded to the individual and to the team who raises the most money.

IU Kokomo students who wish to join a team should call the Office of Academic Affairs at (765) 455-9406. Community members should call the FSA at (765) 457-9313.

Following the walk, refreshments will be served in Alumni Hall. Student posters will be displayed, awards will be presented, and Gary and Jessica Rhum will provide music.

Take Back the Night is an international rally and march organized within local communities. The event began in Europe as a protest against the fear women felt walking the streets at night. In addition, April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and National Child Abuse Prevention month, which is why the event is held each April.

For additional information regarding Take Back the Night, contact Candy Thompson at caanorma@iuk.edu or (765) 455-9406.

Story written by Mary Olk. Mary is a student writer in the Office of Media and Marketing.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

15 April 2013

KOKOMO, Ind. — If you only know about your own country, you miss out on what the rest of the world has to offer.

Students pose by their international project on Mexico.That is why Liesl Elkin, a sixth grader at the International School at Central Middle School, said it was important for her class to participate in the International Festival, hosted by Indiana University Kokomo.

"When you travel, for fun or for business when you are older, you have to know how to act in other countries," she said.

IU Kokomo faculty, staff, and students lent their expertise to the festival, leading the middle schoolers in building piñatas, creating origami birds, and Korean folk tales. About 160 students from the Kokomo-Center magnet school displayed their projects, representing 41 countries, in Alumni Hall.

Donna McLean, assistant professor of communication arts, said the campus is pleased to partner with the school to host the International Fair.

"We recognize the importance of students being exposed to international culture, geography, global issues, and global diversity," she said. "As technology increases our access and connection with people around the world, and global business challenges our ability to connect with markets worldwide, it is crucial for us to adopt a forward looking global orientation."

School of Education students graded the sixth graders' projects, which included posters, native dress, and artifacts, choosing the best for awards.

Those honored included:

• First place, Mackenzie Smith, Emma Watson, Rachel Wyrick, and Sabrina Miller, France;
• Second, Drew Coram, Max White, Cameron Robertson, and Clayton Brown, Mexico;
• Third, Lauryn Hicks, Abbi Hibler, Emily Evans, and Destiny Moore, Peru;
• Fourth, Daniel Herrera, Blake White, Grace Lefler, and Emily Whiteman, Chile;
• Tied for fifth, Luc Cesar, Luke Hubbard, and Jake Stevens, Haiti; and Tabby Cage, Kaylea Baker, and Elizabeth Dupire, Madagascar.

The festival also gave the middle school students a college campus experience. They ate lunch in the Kelley Student Center with members of the volleyball, basketball, and cross country teams, and could have their pictures taken with mascot Kingston Cougar in a photo booth operated by education students.

Elkin and her classmate Lauren Sukle chose Jamaica, because Sukle visited the island nation and wanted to learn more. Both dressed in Jamaican outfits and braided their hair with beads, to provide extra authenticity.

Elkin was surprised to discover that "while Jamaica is very different from the United States, it has the same kind of government we have, with people electing their representatives."

Sukle thought it was interesting that Jamaicans speak a patois language that combines elements of English, French, Spanish, Dutch, and African languages.

Lupe Acosta and Jor'Don Thompson chose Belgium for culinary reasons — the European country is known for its chocolates and waffles, Acosta said.

"They produce 22,000 tons of chocolate every year," he said. "That's a lot of chocolate."

Thompson thought it was interesting to learn that Belgium is so small, you can cross it in four hours on a train. He thinks the International Festival is important so students can learn to appreciate other cultures.

McLean wants to expand the festival in 2014, so community members can view the top presentations and bring their own international experiences to share with the students.

"We are happy to serve as a resource for the international school, sharing the unique perspectives of our global faculty and staff, and campus resources," she said.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.