Valparaiso University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

1. Students from microbiology harvested plants from the campus herbal garden to test for antimicrobial anticancer activities.

2.Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) is an emerging nanoscale computer architecture that offer many benefits over traditional transistor-based computer architectures, such as reduced power consumption, increased speed, and reduced surface area.

Students have the opportunity to conduct research in the Markiewicz Solar Research Facility.

Facilities Management offers internships to engineering students. Their main task is to complete energy audits on campus buildings. Students understand energy use is used in buildings through HVAC, and lighting, and find ways to reduce energy consumption. They also look into water meter usage and building automation systems.

Talented Valparaiso University undergraduate engineering students are part of what the editors of Scientific American in the May 2011 issue called one of the seven radical energy solutions that could transform how society uses energy: solar thermal electro-chemistry. Students and faculty perform this work in an exclusively undergraduate environment in Valpo’s new solar energy research and educational centerpiece, the James S. Markiewicz Solar Energy Research Facility. Currently, students are participating in a $2.3 million Department of Energy ARPAe project to produce magnesium using sunlight and a National Science Foundation funded project to produce hydrogen using sunlight.

1. Science of the Dunes courses in Biology study the many trees we have on campus. One recent project was to identify invasive tree species on campus. Students identify the callery pear as one of the major invasive species on campus and made recommendations for what the campus should do with callery pears. Biology students also do tree identification from campus trees.
2. Geography club with the support of faculty are doing a Feeder Watch program. This program used remote imaging and birdfeeders to analyze bird diversity and migration patterns across the US.

The City of Valparaiso, Indiana is considering various alternatives to improve safety and efficiency at the existing signalized intersection at Silhavy Road and LaPorte Avenue. One of these alternatives is to construct a multi-lane roundabout. However, a large amount of space is required for the construction of a multi-lane roundabout. In an already heavily developed area, space is a major constraint. The city is also proposing improvements along Silhavy Road north and south of the intersection to enhance traffic flow in the area. The first goal of this research project was to determine if an appropriately sized roundabout would fit into the available space. The second objective was to study improvements in traffic conditions in the area due to the proposed roundabout at Silhavy Road and LaPorte Avenue and capacity enhancement measures along the Silhavy Road corridor. A two-lane roundabout that will fit into the available space and handle the traffic demand was designed. Using traffic simulation software, the delay was measured for both the current signalized intersection and for the proposed two-lane roundabout. The results showed a significant reduction in delay at the intersection as a result of the roundabout. This benefit is in addition to the safer conditions of a roundabout over a signalized intersection.

Professor Peller and her team’s work on microplastics is just one of the many ways the Valparaiso University chemistry department is making a real-world impact and giving students the opportunity to boost their STEM careers. Students test material made from plastics on campus and in the community, by chemistry to identify how and why microplastics are breaking down into our environment. The plastic waste problem that our world is facing keeps growing. The research done in Professor Pellers Lab is to help identify the composition of these plastics and how they break down into micro and non-plastics. https://www.valpo.edu/news/?type=post&site=239&id=12971

The purpose of this research study was to develop an advanced two-dimensional “process-oriented” numerical water quality model for Brewster Lake that incorporates the physical, chemical, and biological interactions that occur within the lake. The study included measuring and obtaining the basic physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the lake to develop the model and appropriate initial and boundary conditions. Two rounds of measurements, one in the beginning of June and one at the end of July 2013, of the physical and chemical variables were conducted and were used to develop and calibrate the model. A hydrodynamic analysis of the lake’s watershed was completed using a mass balance approach over water. A set of “process-oriented” water quality mathematical equations that incorporates the water chemical and biological interactions was developed. The finite element solution will result in predicted values for the lake’s water quality parameters as a function of time and varying environmental conditions. It is anticipated that the results of this computer modeling will aid the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute staff in decision-making related to the management and planning of Brewster Lake and its watershed.

Part of the Valpo culture is a commitment to service. Valpo Service totaling more than 247,000 hours of community outreach and service-learning per year. Students partner in several projects within the local communities; such as United Way of Porter County, Valpo serves organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding the Dunes, Porter County Girl Scouts, and Thrivent Financial food packing campaigns. These campaigns are focused on helping marginalized populations from underserved backgrounds in Northwest Indiana. During the MLK celebration, Valpo and the U.S. Hunger packed meals for those experiencing food insecurity in Northwest Indiana (food deserts areas). We were able to package 20,000 meals that day. On the same day, we call for action in additional service projects throughout the 2023 spring semester:

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: Project: Student ambassadors during Indiana Latino Institute event Día de la Familia
HUMAN RIGHTS, THE IDEAL VS. REALITY: Project: Unity Café
IDENTITY EQUITABLE HEALTHCARE: Project: Thrive Program, Opportunity Enterprises
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Project: Environmental clean-up and awareness
THE GIFT OF IMMIGRATION: Project: Tutoring

The Herbal Medicine Garden on campus is available to all students and allows them to connect with nature in a sustainable, restorative way by gathering essential medicinal herbs at their disposal.
The Fitness Center runs wellness events to help the students create or maintain various healthy aspects of their daily lives. The Fitness Center also partners with the Kinesiology classes to run various studies on the equipment in the Fitness Center.