Stephen F. Austin State University

The best lighting for a student with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the thought process behind the selection of music for a movie production, and what kitty litter and ibuprofen might have in common are among the potential discussion topics scheduled for the Bright Ideas Conference from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 25, at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Highlighting creativity in research, scholarship and artistry by faculty members, the conference in the Baker Pattillo Student Center will include a 1 p.m. performance by the SFA Steel Drum Band and a 4 p.m. performance by the Original Cast. Seven spotlight speakers have been selected to present information regarding their work during 30-minute lectures that are free and open to the public.

Mitzi Perritt, professor of human sciences, will present information regarding her research on the effect of light sources on the cognitive performance of college students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Perritt’s research shows that correct lighting design and placement can result in higher test scores, longer attention span and fewer off-task behaviors. Her findings may assist designers, healthcare professionals, educators, and families in providing supportive learning and work environments for students coping with the disorder. Her presentation will be from 9 to 9:30 a.m.

Leslie G. Cecil, assistant professor of sociology, is heading an international, multidisciplinary research team examining pottery used in rituals from 1000 to 1600 A.D. by the Maya in North-Central Yucatán, México, Belize, and Guatemala. The rituals re-enacted collective memories and transmitted messages of identity among the people during this period, which has been characterized as one of decline, decadence and depopulation. New techniques of technological and chemical analysis provided new insights into the complexity of social, economic and ritual life during this Postclassic Maya period. The presentation begins at 9:45 a.m.

A presentation by Warren C. Conway, associate professor of wildlife management , begins at 10:30 a.m. The SFA wildlife management program has grown, evolved and diversified over the decades, and recent efforts are focusing specifically upon providing research opportunities to students, while responding to agency and private constituency needs for wildlife research. Most recently, the Simon and Louise Henderson Wildlife Research Institute was established to promote and execute wildlife research on private timberlands in East Texas, with a focus upon the impacts of private land management practices on wildlife.

Three faculty members from the College of Fine Arts will participate in a discussion regarding the making of the film “Skipping Tomorrow.” William Arscott, art professor; Stephen J. Lias, associate professor of music; and Brad Maule, theatre lecturer, will begin speaking at 11:15 a.m. The discussion will include short excerpts from the finished film and comments regarding selection, production, filming, and editing, as well as the original musical score.

Alyx S. Frantzen, associate professor of chemistry, will discuss the latest chemistry trends in clay minerals beginning at 1:30 p.m. According to Frantzen, a seemingly random group of items – kitty litter, glossy paper, thalidomide, landfill liners, and drilling mud – have one very simple thing in common: clay. Clay minerals modified with a simple amino acid have been successfully utilized in the separation of compounds such as ibuprofen, and the process is of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry.

Electronic textbooks will be the subject of a presentation by Deborah DuFrene, professor of business communication, at 2:30 p.m. Due to technological advances and rising textbook costs, electronic textbooks, or e-books, are becoming more popular, but their effectiveness as instructional tools has not been well established. DuFrene will present her findings from a study of students’ responses to an e-book, including an analysis of usage difficulties; reliance on print text for reading; convenience; difficulty in reading; and their perception of the effect the books had on the grades they earned.

Rachel B. Galan, associate director for library services, will present a session titled “The Impact of Tides - Teaching, Images and Digital Experiences.” The Tides program is helping to revitalize the role of academic libraries in a rapidly changing digital environment where users are empowered to seek and process information on their own. The Tides program makes the rich historical, cultural and scientific resources held in museums, university research collections and libraries in Texas and Mexico available to the public as digital images, including photographs, video, and scanned documents and artifacts. The presentation will be from 3:30 to 4 p.m.

More than 120 faculty exhibits will be on display in the Grand Ballroom and Regents Suites. For more information about the conference, call (936) 468-6606.

The Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth Friday Luncheon will be held in conjunction with the Bright Ideas Conference. Drs. Matt McBroom and Ken Farrish will discuss current research being conducted by SFA’s Waters of East Texas (WET) Center. The luncheon begins at noon, and reservations are required. For tickets, which are $13 in advance or $15 at the door, call the chamber at (936) 560-5533.