We regret that due to funding cuts, this program is no longer available.

Monday/Tuesday Night Technology was a series of hands-on explorations in technology led by Ferris State University professors, Mecosta County General Hospital staff, and area professionals.  Class size was limited to groups of twenty (20) seventh and eighth graders from Mecosta and Osceola counties. Sessions were varied and designed to meet the interests of the students involved.

Who can apply? Monday/Tuesday Night Technology was open to motivated seventh and eighth grade students who were willing to commit time and arrange transportation to and from Ferris State University or other Big Rapids area locations. All labs meet on the Ferris State University campus, Mecosta County General Hospital or at a location in the Big Rapids area.  Each student was expected to attend the entire series of workshops.  The application process required a brief student essay.    

Monday Night Technology (MNT) met approximately once a month on Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. from October through May.

Tuesday Night Technology (TNT) met every Tuesday October through November (7 times) from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Student cost is $20. (Actual cost is $200, but 90% was covered by the Mecosta-Osceola Math/Science/Technology Center. Transportation was arranged by each student. Carpools were encouraged.

Chemistry with Prof. Dave Frank Students using a known solution of nickel nitrate determined an unknown solution using the spectrophotometer and excel computer program.	Programmable Logic Controllers with Prof. Ed Stuart Programmable Logic Controllers are computers that run an assembly line.  We programmed the computer and then flipped switches and had the assembly line run as many parts as we could.
Geology with Prof. Fred Heck Geology took place in the local gravel pit where we observed formations and rocks and minerals.  We discussed different types of rocks:  Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic and the process of determining their type by streak test, hardness, acid test, etc.  We studied maps to see how the land forms in our area were formed.	Dissection with Prof. Bob Palmer Students dissected squid, turtles, mink and sheep hearts and lungs. This is an optional session for students who mention dissection in their essay.
Architectural Design with Prof. Bruce Dilg We used AutoCad to build “falling waters” (a Frank Lloyd Wright home) on the computer.  We could add trees, cars and people to the final drawings.	X-ray Technology with Prof. Sandra Burns Students took and developed x-rays of items brought from home.
Optometry with the FSU Optometry students Students traveled to 6 different rooms to experience the slit lamp, binocular vision, corneal topography, eye model, field of vision tests and enlargement of the optic nerve.	Dental Technology with Prof. Sandra Burns (not pictured) They put sealants on teeth, made molds of their fingers, used ultraviolet light to discover where they had missed brushing their teeth.  The students also polished teeth and saw a slide show.
Water Analysis with Prof. Michael Ells Students tested water samples from home for hardness, chloride, total dissolved solids, nitrate, iron and fluoride to determine if it was “fit to drink”. The students examine the chemical constituents of their water sample and learn what each chemical does.	Astronomy with Prof. Jeff Christafferson (not pictured) We looked at Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s moons through the telescope in the observatory.  We used plastic, water and prisms to refract light from a laser and we used lenses to make telescopes at our desks.
Operating Room with Dr. Elizabeth Adamson We followed a patient (our “volunteer” ) through an operation from check in, to operating room, to recovery room.  We took vitals and looked at all the equipment that is used.	DNA with Prof. Olukemi Adewusi Students separated DNA fragments by electrophoresis and analyzed the results to determine the identity of a criminal.  Then the students determined the blood type of 3 different specimens to see which matched a blood type found at the crime scene.
Microbiology with Prof. Dan DeRegnier Students performed two different methods commonly used to identify the bacterium that causes strep throat.  They also learned how to stain bacteria so they can be seen easily with a microscope	Hematology with Prof. John Landis Students ran the machines that counted red and white cells and test the blood cells for irregularities. They also looked at different slides with blood diseases.
Plastics with Prof. Robert Pierce The students used the blow molder to make footballs and the injection molding machine to made chips.  They also saw a video on plastics.	Rubber Technology with Prof. Matthew Yang Students mixed the ingredients and made a bouncie ball.
Wind Tunnel with Prof. Chuck Drake In Fluid Forces and the Wind Tunnel, the students did some quick experiments with the forces created by air and water.  Then they made cars out of styrofoam to place in the wind tunnel to see which ones had the best aerodynamic design.	Computer Aided Design with Prof. Dan Wanink CAD – Computer Aided Design:  Students designed a castle with towers, windows, draw bridge, and printed it out.
TV Production with Prof. Fred Wyman The students wrote, acted and produced a TV Show.  They learned how to set up microphones, use the cameras and work in the control room.  Each student had the chance to perform, work on the stage floor and work in the control room during the evening.	PhotoShop with Prof. Jeff Ek Students used Photoshop to change images they took with the digital camera.  They also had the opportunity to use a paint program to make designs.
Manufacturing Technologies with Mr. Doug Ward Students made a metal spinning top with the metal lathe, a screwdriver in the injection molding machine and some plastic shapes on the therm-o-vac.	Environmental Science with Prof. Frank Hartley Students grew bacteria from all different locations from their bodies, bathrooms to elevator buttons and computer mice.  Then the next week they returned to look at the cultures.
Photography with Mr. Chris Jensen Students took 35 mm photos, developed the film, made prints in the dark room, took digital photos and learned how to delete photos on the digital camera.	Electronics with Mr. Tim Rigling Students put together a kit, soldering resistors and transistors, diodes and conductors, etc. to make a noise maker.  Then they had fun with the Van De Graft generator, having their hair stand on end!