Natural Science & Mathematics

Mission Statement
The Natural Science Department at Cowley County Community College seeks to provide a diverse student population with broad-based, pro- active problem solving and critical thinking skills to prepare students for performance in a global society.

Bridge
MU ALPHA SIGMA CHI
Bridge Design Contest
February 1st through April 15, 2012

Students are asked to design a "load bearing bridge at minimal cost".

This local contest is for current Cowley College students only. All participants will be required to submit designs of one (1) particular type the configuration of this design will be announced prior to February 1st.. Prospective participants are encouraged to download the free software in order to familiarize themselves with the features (i.e. practice designing bridges).

Click on the Bridge for information and download instructions.

M & S Day
Math and Science Day Scholastic Competition
February 15, 2012

Hosted by Cowley College Arkansas City, Kansas

Mu Alpha Sigma Chi organization and the Natural Science department at Cowley College in Arkansas City are hosting an exciting event. Members of the Natural Science department and the sponsors are holding a scholastic competition in the math and science areas for all high school students.

Area schools are invited to bring interested students and teachers for the competition to be held on February 15, 2012.

For more information and to register click here

Ferret Survey
Ferret Survey

Sept 21-23 Vicky Hilgers, Instructor of Biology on the Mulvane Campus, and two Biology I students, Mel Bingham and Evan Bradley, volunteered with U.S. Fish and Wildlife to survey a population of endangered Black Footed Ferrets in Logan Co., KS.

Ferrets became extinct in Kansas in the 1950’s, but were bred in captivity and released into the wild in Logan Co., KS about 5 years ago. Since then, the population is surveyed by spotting and live trapping the animals during the night. Each ferret caught is examined by a vet to assess health & age, be micro-chipped and be vaccinated against distemper and the plague. Each ferret is then returned to the location where it was trapped, and the site is marked with GPS.

The populations in Kansas have been highly successful, although controversial, as ferrets rely solely on prairie dogs for food, and landowners often want prairie dogs exterminated, thinking it will reduce losses to rangeland and livestock. Volunteer groups participate from such schools and agencies such as Kansas State University, KS Wildlife & Parks, KS Biological Survey, the Sedgwick Co. Zoo, as well as others. Many other wildlife species were observed also, such as badgers, swift fox, ferruginous hawks, burrowing owls, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, jackrabbits and cottontails.

Surveying ran from Sept 19 – 29. During the time the CCCC group volunteered, four ferrets were trapped and assessed each night. Total numbers for the survey will be released in early October.

Math and Science Club Fall 2011 Information

At Arkansas City:

Sponsors: Martin Shaffer and Steve Cooper

Meetings will be held in GJ306 on the first Tuesday of the month in Room GJ306 at 4:00 pm

September 6th, October 4th, November 1st, and December 6th.