Associate Director for Education and Outreach

B.S., Illinois Wesleyan University

M.S., Hampton University

Location: Room 102, Olin Engineering Building
Phone: 757.728.6908
Fax: 757.728.6910

Email: jan.mangana@hamptonu.edu

Member:
Council on Undergraduate Research
American Association of Physics Teachers

Education and Outreach Interests:

Undergraduate Seminar Courses

The objective of the course is primarily to facilitate a weekly meeting of all undergraduate physics majors in order to infuse cohesiveness among them, whereby they may gain personal encouragement and academic support from peers and faculty as well.  This one-hour course, which is designed to develop and/or enhance communications skills accomplishes its goals to: 1) host faculty and guest speakers to present talks on scientific research, careers in physics, and opportunities; 2) provide a forum for the discussion of physics topics and to connect them with larger issues in society; 3) undertake to develop/enhance students’ scientific writing skills, and oral presentation skills; 4) to expose students to diverse issues in science; 5) inform students of opportunities in the field; and to 6) ensure curriculum advise to students reach their matriculation goals.  The major assignments for the course are to write a scientific paper and  give an oral  PowerPoint (or equivalent) presentation every semester on a current physics topic or on research the student has had the opportunity to perform.

K-12 Outreach Activities

Educational components of national scientific organizations recognize the value of K-12 STEM exposure.  Through our research grants, outreach efforts are made to provide students the opportunity to experience the excitement, challenge and discovery of science in our everyday lives.  Rocket clubs at partnering schools offer students this fun and educational experience.  Under supervision, students are engaged in building, personalizing and launching their individual rockets.  In the high school classes, teachers provide instruction for students to calculate the distance and angle of their rocket’s flight.  In the younger classes, students of are captivated by the sight of their rocket being launched and stimulated by the challenged of recovery.  These activities have engendered the highest accolades from teachers at all levels.

Recruiting Activities

When students and parents understand that our undergraduate program prepares students for opportunities in advanced study and research at graduate and medical schools, as well as for immediate employment in industry, education, government and business, they get excited about becoming a part of such a student-centered, well-supported and strong program. Diverse methods and activities for recruiting bright young students to become physics majors are used year-round in the Department of Physics.  Collaborations with Hampton University Admissions Office on its recruiting trips and events; attaining minimum SAT score lists for mass mailings; posting recruiters and materials at conferences; sending recruiting posters to high schools; and developing strong outreach partnerships with local schools generate much interest in being a physics major from parents and students. 

Selected Publications :

• C. Rankins and J. Mangana, "Undergraduate Research and Outreach Activities at Hampton University," Poster Session, American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Winter Meeting, Baltimore, MD January 20, 2008
• L. Williams, W. Gong, D. A. Temple, A. H. Omar and J. Mangana, “An Aerosol Lidar Model Program used for the Center for Lidar and Atmospheric Sciences Students Lidar system,” 2002 IEEE Technical Digest, IGARSS (2002)
• K. Lewis, W. Gong, A. H. Omar, J. Mangana, and D. A. Temple, “Development of A 3-D Scanning 1.5 micron Portable Aerosol Lidar”, 2002 IEEE Technical Digest, IGARSS (2002)
• D. A. Temple, J. Mangana and T. H. Chyba “The Center for Lidar and Atmospheric Sciences Student Undergraduate Research Program,” Council on Undergraduate Research Annual Meeting, Missoula, Mt., April 28, (2000)