Cambodia Project, 2010-2011
McMaster Fellows
JoAnn Burkhardt, Faculty, Education - This project is to continue to develop and implement transportable teacher training modules for teaches in Cambodia. The project involves training teachers in Cambodia based on identified educational needs articulated by the Ministry of Youth, Education and Sport within the Kingdom of Cambodia.
McMaster Associate Fellow
Don Buerk, Faculty, History - This project is focused on providing support to the learning community, especially in providing the scholars with support in developing the literature reviews. It is also focused on collecting information on agencies serving those with disabilities. An additional area of exploration will focus on how Cambodia's schools teach the history of the Democratic Kampuchea (1975-1979).
Fred Coulter, Faculty, Education - This project focuses on providing support to the learning community by supporting scholar projects that develop teacher training materials. The project will also investigate ways to multiply the ripple effect of training the trainers in an effort to increase the number of people reached by this training.
Jeffrey Weaner, Faculty, Social Work and Sociology - This project focuses on providing the learning community with logistical support and especially on supporting scholars in the social sciences. It will also explore further opportunities for future projects with the Cambodia Women's Crisis Center, explore assessment strategies for projects that have been conducted over recent years, and explore the need for social work skill development with the staff of the CWCC.
McMaster Scholars
Brittany Coats, Junior, Molecular Biology - This project will continue to provide Cambodian physicians the necessary materials to microscopically diagnose malaria. It will provide physicians with a comparison of methods contrasting the current method with the microscopic method. It will collect microscopes, parts and training manuals as well as providing a demonstration of the method for community partners.
Chloe Franer, Sophomore, Middle Childhood Education - This project will develop training strategies and programs to help women deal with trauma through visual art therapy. This will develop in three phases; art tool instruction, basic art forms, ways these forms can be used to express emotions or events. Future instructors and current students will be included in the sessions to ensure the sustainability of the program.
Matthew Johnson, Senior, Molecular Biology - This project will continue the arsenic testing in water sources. Testing will also be done for the cyanobacteria, Microcystis. This project will be done in cooperation with Resource Development International. Results will be distributed to community partners and remediation suggestions supplied for any contaminated sources.
Tamela Noe, Junior, Early Childhood Education - This project focuses on developing teacher training sessions in the area of active learning. These sessions will focus on incorporating active learning techniques in content areas specifically requested by Cambodian teachers.
Cindy Obermyer, Junior, Social Work and Psychology - This project will continue the work of the Cycle Bead project carried out over the previous two years. This will provide training on the Standard Days Method of natural birth control. Training will also be provided on identifying and preventing the transmission of certain sexually transmitted infections. This will be done in partnership with the Cambodia Women's Crisis Center.
Kellie Raypole, Junior, Forensic Science - This project focuses on continuing the arsenic testing project. In addition to testing samples and collecting results this project will develop education materials about the effects of arsenic in contaminated water, the results and locations of testing, and remediation options for use with the local community in connection with Resource Development International, Cambodia.
Brooke Zachrich, Junior, Psychology and Social Work - This project focuses on providing training to the Cambodia Women's Crisis Center staff on non-violent parenting techniques. It will provide training on the effects of violence on children physically, mentally and emotionally. It will provide recommendations on recognizing behaviors that stem from exposure to violence and strategies to change the behaviors.
Becca Zebrowski, Senior, International Studies/History - This project will continue the work of the herb project begun last year. The information collected last year will be refined and shared with various NGOs that have expressed an interest in the research and will explore potential future partnerships. It will also explore possibilities with ongoing micro-lending projects with the Cambodia Women's Crisis Center.
