College Physics 2 Labs - Click here! It's an old link but it works.
Teaching Activities: I've taught courses at all levels, including Introduction to our algebra-based and calculus-based introductory physics courses (College Physics I & II, Physics I & II), Engineering Statics and Dynamics, Mechanics, Theoretical Physics, Quantum Mechanics, and Computational Physics. I've also been advisor to several Master of Science degree students. I enjoy working closely with students at all levels, whether in a classroom setting or on independent study projects. I occasionally give Physics Toys presentations to pre-college students of all ages.
Research Activities: My current research is in theoretical astrophysics. I am specifically interested in the properties of small interstellar dust particles and large molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). I have been affiliated with NASA through several programs at ESU, NASA JOVE (1991-94), Kansas Space Grant Consortium (since 1994), NASA-ASEE-Stanford Summer Faculty Fellowship Program at NASA Ames Research Center (Summer 1996 & 1997) and Kansas NASA EPSCoR (since 1997). I was on a research sabbatical during the Spring 2000 semester. I visited the Astrochemistry Laboratory at NASA Ames Research Center and Xander Tielens at the Kapteyn Institute in the Netherlands.
Service Activities: I am currently the head of our physics department and coordinator of our pre-engineering program. I am often involved in the activities of our physics student club (Society of Physics Students and Sigma Pi Sigma chapter) and pre-engineering club (ASME Student Section). I also supervise our division's NASA JOVE computer laboratory. My past service includes the ESU Faculty Senate and the Dean's Technology Task Force. During the 2000-01 academic year I will be on the Dean's Advisory Council.
Personal Interests: I am maintaining a separate page of personal interests, which includes a link to my conga drumming page.
e-mail: jballest@emporia.edu
voice: (620) 341-5971
fax: (620) 341-6055
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