Research Interests
I have been teaching chemistry at SSCC since 1991 and have experimented extensively with the implementation of final projects in general chemistry. These began as a type of simulated research and more recently have become true research projects by collaborating with other institutions. Specifically, this has involved the students in the analysis of anthrosols, soils which have been altered by human activity, which are of interest to archaeologists. Certain human activities such as food preparation or ceremonial feasts can leave specific chemical signatures in the soil and archaeologists can use soil analysis to determine cultural practices by prehistoric civilizations.

A second area of interest is the use of interactive, online lessons to increase conceptual knowlege.

PUBLICATIONS

The Chemistry of Soil Analysis,

Pact Chemical Technology Resource Series, Terrific Science Press,

Middletown, OH, 2005

“Measuring Soil Phosphates Using Ion-Exchange Resins: A Final Project for Freshman Chemistry,” Journal of Chemical Education, 2000, 77, 748-749.

Sample Preparation for Chemical Analysis,

Pact Chemical Technology Resource Series, Terrific Science Press,

Middletown, OH, 1998.

Discovery-Based General Chemistry Activities (in CD-ROM format),

Terrific Science Press,

Middletown, OH, 1998.

"A Simple High Sample Volume Ashing Procedure

for the Determination of Soil Organic Matter"

Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 15(7), 759-772, 1984

"Soil Nitrate and Ammonium Variation with Area and Date Sampled"

R.B. Lockman and D.A. Storer

Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 21(19&20), 2219-2226 (1990)

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS

Contributed Paper: "Partnerships Lead to Dual Credit for Students," 56th Annual Ohio School Board Association Capital Conference, with Glenna Rowe, Keith Brown, and Kevin Boys, Columbus, OH, November, 2011.

Contributed Paper: “Characterization in Shades of Blue: Archaeological Applications of Extractable Soil Phosphate using Molybdate Colorimetry and ICP-Emission Spectroscopy”,

36^th Annual Meeting of the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies, with Ruth F. Beeston and E. Christian Wells, Louisville, KY, October, 2009.

Poster: “Emission or Absorption? A Comparison of Spectroscopic and Colorimetric Methods for Characterizing Extractable Phosphate in Archaeological Soils”, Archaeological Sciences of the Americas Symposium, with Danielle Bohrer, Paij Griffith, Katie Surharski,Kara A. Rothenberg, and E. Christian Wells, Tampa, FL, October, 2009

Invited paper: “From Shark’s Teeth to Your Teeth”, Science Café, Cincinnati Section of the American Chemical Society, Miami University Middletown, Middletown, OH, October, 2007.

Workshop: “Chemistry’s Dirty Little Secret: Soil Analysis for Inquiry-Based Chemical Education”, 19^th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Purdue University, July 2006

Contributed paper: “The Chemistry of Soil Analysis: An Instructional Resource on Soil Analysis for Agronomic Purposes,” 19^th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Purdue University, July, 2006.

Contributed paper: “Archaeology through Soil Chemistry, Soil Chemistry through Archaeology: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Teaching” 19^th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Purdue University, Joint paper with E. Christian Wells, University of South Florida., July 2006