Shonda Kuiper

Associate Professor of Mathematics
Grinnell College

Spring 2012 Courses

MAT115, Introduction to Statistics: All material is posted using Blackboard

MAT310, Statistical Methods, using the text Practicing Statistics. All material is posted using Blackboard

National Science Foundation Grants

Playing Games with a Purpose: A project to develop, implement, and evaluate interactive Web-based games and corresponding investigative laboratory modules (labs) to effectively teach statistical thinking and the process of scientific inquiry to undergraduate students. Each game-based lab presents a research question in the context of a case study and encourages students to follow a complete process of statistical analysis. These materials consist of one- or two-day activities designed for introductory college courses as well as more complex projects geared toward upper level undergraduate courses.

Stat2Labs: Interdisciplinary labs that are designed to be used in a second statitistical methods course.

Selected Papers

• Kuiper, S., “Incorporating a research experience into an early undergraduate statistics course.” International Conference on Teaching Statistics, Proceedings of the International Conference on Teaching Statistics, http://icots.net/8/cd/pdfs/invited/ICOTS8_4G1_KUIPER.pdf, July 2010.
• Kuiper, S. and Collins, L. (2009) “Guided Labs That Introduce Statistical Techniques Used in Research From Multiple Disciplines.” The American Statistician. 63(4):343-347.
• Kuiper, S. (2008) “Introduction to Multiple Regression: How Much is Your Car Worth?” Journal of Statistics Education.  16(2). www.amstat.org/publications/jse/v16n3/datasets.kuiper.html.
• Levandoski, M.; Robertson, A.; Kuiper, S.; Qian, H.; and Martin, R.  (2005). “Single-channel properties of N- and L-subtypes of acetylcholine receptor in Ascaris suum.” International Journal for Parasitology 35:925-934.
• McGranahan, D.; Kuiper, S.; and Brown, J.  (2005). “Temporal Patterns in Use of an Iowa Woodlot During the Autumn Bird Migration.” American Midland Naturalist 153:61-70.
• Kuiper, S. (2007). “Interdisciplinary Labs Created for a First or Second Course in Statistics.” 2007 Proceedings of the Joints Statistical Meetings. Alexandria, VA: American Statistical Association.
• Palm, Y.*; To, T.*; Kuiper, S.; Moore, T.; and Brody, T. (2005). “Estimating Asthma Prevalence Rates in the United States.” ESRI Health GIS Conference Proceedings. http://gis.esri.com/library/userconf/health05/index.html
• Kuiper, S.; Legler, J.; and Morgan, C. (2005). “Choosing a Career as a Statistician in a Liberal Arts College.” AmStat News, V339, 22-24.

Selected Presentations

• Kuiper, S., Hartlaub, B., Legler, J., Lock, R., Tintle, N., “Beyond the Introductory Course: Strategies for a Second Course in Statistics”, Invited Panel Discussion, Joint Statistics Meetings, Vancouver, British Columbia, August 4, 2010
• Kuiper, S., “Learning statistics through projects: Incorporating a research experience into an early undergraduate statistics course”, Invited Paper Presentation, ICOTS8, Ljubljana, Slovenia. July 2010.
• Kuiper, S.  "Using Games to Teach Design of Experiments." CAUSEweb Activity Webinar, April 27, 2010.  Recorded and available at http://www.causeweb.org/webinar/activity/2010-04/
• Kuiper, S. “Playing Games with a Purpose.” American Statistical Association Joint Statistical Meetings, Washington D.C., August 2009. This presentation was given the Best Contributed Paper Award.
• Kuiper, S., Tintle, N., and Andrews, D., “What’s Next? Post-Intro Statistics Courses.” Poster Presentation, USCOTS, Columbus, Ohio, June 2009.
• Kuiper, S., Pearl, D., Lesser, L., Posner, M., “Letting Go of the Idea that Stats Class Can’t be Fun and Functional.” USCOTS, Columbus, Ohio, June 2009.
• Kuiper, S. “Integrating research from multiple disciplines into a second statistics course.” Conference Celebrating 75 Years of Statistics at Iowa State, Invited Presentation, Ames, Iowa, May 2009.
• Kuiper, S.  “Stirring the Pot: Radical Ideas in Statistics Education.”  American Statistical Association Joint Statistical Meetings Invited Paper Presentation, Denver, Colorado, August, 2008.
• Kuiper, S.  "Integrating Research Projects in a First Statistics Course." USCOTS: CAUSE Webinar, July, 2008.  Recorded and available at http://www.causeweb.org/webinar/teaching/2008-07/
• Kuiper, S.  “Investigative Lab Modules with Interdisciplinary Applications.” American Statistical Association Joint Statistical Meetings Invited Paper Presentation, Salt Lake City, Utah, August, 2007.
• Kuiper, S.  “Bringing Interdisciplinary Research into the Classroom.” Poster Presentation, USCOTS, Columbus, Ohio, May 19, 2007.
• Kuiper, S.  “Teaching Statistics with Interdisciplinary Data Collection Applets.” Kansas City Regional Mathematics Technology EXPO, Kansas City, Missouri, September 29, 2006.
• Rojas, D.*; Ji, L.*; Kuiper, S.; and Baumler, S.  “A Geographical Approach to Analyzing Student Admission Patterns.” Association for Institutional Research in the Upper Midwest (AIRUM) Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, November, 2005.
• Palm, Y.*; To, T.*; Kuiper, S.; Moore, T.; and Brody, T. “Estimating Asthma Prevalence Rates in the United States.” ESRI Health Geographic Information Systems Conference, Chicago, Illinois, October, 2005.
• Kuiper, S.; Legler, J.; and Morgan, C.  “Choosing a Career as a Statistician in a Liberal Arts College.” Joint Statistical Meetings Poster Presentation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, August, 2005.
• Jordan, J.; Kuiper, S.; Legler, J.; and Holcomb, J.  “Innovative Ideas in the Statistics Classroom.” Joint Statistical Meetings Contributed Panel Session, Toronto, Canada, August, 2004.
• McGranahan, D. and Kuiper, S.  “Avian Migration Patterns and the Role of Rosa Multiflora.” Poster for the Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference, University of Notre Dame, March, 2004.  Awarded Best Poster.

Family Pictures - needs some updates!

Older Courses

Introduction to Statistics MAT115

Applied Statistics MAT209

Probability and Statistics II MAT336

Ph.D. in statistics, Iowa State University
M.S. in statistics, Iowa State University
B.A. in mathematics, Wartburg College

Positions held:
Associate Professor, Grinnell College, 2010 - present

Assistant Professor, Grinnell College, 2003 - 2010
Courses: Introductory Statistics, Statistical Methods, Design of Experiments, and calculus based Probability and Statistics.

Assistant Professor, Wartburg College, 9/01 – 9/03
Courses: Calculus I, Statistical Methods, and calculus based Probability and Statistics.

Senior Engineer, Hallmark Cards 1998-2001
Provide leadership and overall strategy to ensure all operational divisions consistently deliver cost-effective, high quality products to Hallmark consumers. This includes
• Developing and implementing an innovative process control system throughout all manufacturing facilities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada
• Revising acceptance sampling procedures for distribution facilities in the United States and Asia. This resulted in an $80,000 per year savings to Hallmark while maintaining current quality standards
• Supervising statistical testing procedures for new machinery, materials, and processes
• Quality Systems Consulting activities for numerous Hallmark subsidiaries
• Creating a software interface package to predict seasonal Hallmark sales
• Coaching many engineers in statistical techniques, quality systems and data analysis.

Engineer II/Consulting Statistician, Hallmark Cards, 1997-1998