Dean's Corner
Hello Faculty!
I trust that you enjoyed your semester break. We are looking forward to the start of summer with our bridge programs, Level UP and Race to the Top, which serve high school and college students seeking to improve their ACT Compass scores to avoid remedial courses. Our Supplemental Instruction program (SI) will be piloted in a chemistry and economics class during this summer. We are anxiously preparing for Fall 2015, as we will begin full implementation of our Faculty and Professional Learning Communities (FLCs). FLCs are usually theme-based or cohort-based. Handouts regarding FLCs were distributed at the STEM CTL Advisory Group meeting held in November, 2014 and again at the March, 2015 Department Chairs meeting. For Fall 2015 we are offering the following FLCs:
Fall 2015 Faculty Learning Community Application
We welcome your suggestions for FLC topics in Spring 2016.
A follow-up email with a description of our five proposed FLCs, along with an accompanying application was sent to all full-time and adjunct faculty. Please sign up as a faculty lead or participant. We welcome your participation in this new initiative. We are in the process of planning a kick-off FLC retreat in early August.
Inside this issue you will get an update on other activities sponsored by the STEM CTL. Technology trainings, workshops and webinars will continue to be provided, and we welcome you to share your expertise with your colleagues. Please stop in to see one of our technology staff if you have questions or wish to update your skills on various techniques. We appreciate your continued support!
I trust that you enjoyed your semester break. We are looking forward to the start of summer with our bridge programs, Level UP and Race to the Top, which serve high school and college students seeking to improve their ACT Compass scores to avoid remedial courses. Our Supplemental Instruction program (SI) will be piloted in a chemistry and economics class during this summer. We are anxiously preparing for Fall 2015, as we will begin full implementation of our Faculty and Professional Learning Communities (FLCs). FLCs are usually theme-based or cohort-based. Handouts regarding FLCs were distributed at the STEM CTL Advisory Group meeting held in November, 2014 and again at the March, 2015 Department Chairs meeting. For Fall 2015 we are offering the following FLCs:
- Integrated Learning Across Disciplines
- Service Learning
- Effective Teaching in the STEM Disciplines
- Promoting Student Engagement and Active Learning
- Course, program and institute-wide assessment
Fall 2015 Faculty Learning Community Application
We welcome your suggestions for FLC topics in Spring 2016.
A follow-up email with a description of our five proposed FLCs, along with an accompanying application was sent to all full-time and adjunct faculty. Please sign up as a faculty lead or participant. We welcome your participation in this new initiative. We are in the process of planning a kick-off FLC retreat in early August.
Inside this issue you will get an update on other activities sponsored by the STEM CTL. Technology trainings, workshops and webinars will continue to be provided, and we welcome you to share your expertise with your colleagues. Please stop in to see one of our technology staff if you have questions or wish to update your skills on various techniques. We appreciate your continued support!
The STEM CTL Welcomes Deborah Campbell
Please join the STEM CTL staff in welcoming our newest staff member, Deborah Campbell. Deborah began as Project Secretary on March 23, 2015. She comes to us from the University of Chicago (UC), where she worked for 16 years as Project Assistant/Secretary in the IT and Psychiatry departments. She also worked as a Computer Operations Assistant at the Chicago-based Harvard University Maternal/Child Health Center. Her previous experiences in academic settings are very appropriate for her new role in assisting faculty, staff and students at Olive-Harvey College. If you have not previously interacted with her, please stop by room 3319 to welcome her. |
STEM CTL Journal Club
The STEM CTL hosted their monthly Journal Cub on March 25, 2015. Dr. Fullard, Prof. D. Johnson, Prof. J. Johnson, Prof. Krueger, Dr. Mohanty participated in the Journal Club facilitated by Dr. Pergams. The article examined was "Exploring Gamification Techniques for Classroom Management" by S. Nicholson, presented at Games+Learning+Society 9.0 in Madison WI. This article explores the use of gamification in two college courses to increase student engagement. Gamification is the implementation of gaming strategies with non-game activities. Students felt that they were engaged in the course when they were able to create their own learning path.
STEM CTL Journal Club will resume in Fall 2015.
STEM CTL Journal Club will resume in Fall 2015.
Faculty Highlights
Professor Shadi Assaf - Chemistry Deparment hosts a STEM Speaker Series
The Physical Science department invited individuals/speakers who work in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields to speak to Olive-Harvey students about the application of STEM subjects in real-life professions. The STEM speakers encourage students to pursue careers in the STEM fields. The second presentation was hosted on Monday, March 16, 2015 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm in Room 3225. Gina Giglio, a Forensic Scientist with a background in biology and chemistry shared her expertise on forensic science and firearms identification. Students engaged in a vibrant Q&A session after the presentation to learn more about Ms. Giglio's work at the Illinois State Police Department.
The Physical Science department invited individuals/speakers who work in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields to speak to Olive-Harvey students about the application of STEM subjects in real-life professions. The STEM speakers encourage students to pursue careers in the STEM fields. The second presentation was hosted on Monday, March 16, 2015 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm in Room 3225. Gina Giglio, a Forensic Scientist with a background in biology and chemistry shared her expertise on forensic science and firearms identification. Students engaged in a vibrant Q&A session after the presentation to learn more about Ms. Giglio's work at the Illinois State Police Department.
STEM Club Internal Robotics Competition
The STEM Club's Robotics team held an internal competition this spring on April 21, 2015. Each team competed in the following areas: speed, strength, and control. Congratulations to Tevin Bryant and Deon Jackson for winning the competition. The Robotics team is led by Dr. Jong Kim Computer Information Systems Professor.
STEM Club - Raspberry Pi Workshops
Michelle E. Ferguson, Manager, Instructional Technology for the STEM CTL introduced the STEM Club members and faculty advisors to Raspberry Pi's this spring in series of workshops. A Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor, or TV and uses a standard keyboard and mouse.
Participants in the workshop learned how to: wire a simple circuit that included a breadboard, LED, resistor, wires and buttons, and write a program to control the circuit for the Reaction Time Game.
Participants in the workshop learned how to: wire a simple circuit that included a breadboard, LED, resistor, wires and buttons, and write a program to control the circuit for the Reaction Time Game.
STEM Camp 2015
In conjunction with the Office of Instruction, the STEM CTL hosted their first annual STEM Camp. The STEM Camp was a fun-filled day of activities for high school students to get hands-on experience in the STEM fields. Forty students from both Corliss Early College STEM School and Chicago Vocational Career Academy were invited to participate.
The day started with a welcome from Dr. Fullard, and guest speaker Martin Cook, founder and principal consultant at Kinesthetics Inc. Throughout the day, students participated in the following break-out sessions:
Science - I scream, you scream - we all scream for ice cream! Tons of tiny air bubbles, ice crystals trapped in viscous, sugar-laden water, and a mesh of fat droplets: these are integral to ice cream's inimitable texture. Discover the changing states of matter and chemical reactions while working for your dessert.
Technology - My Pi isn’t perfect - Get a taste of programming and controlling a circuit board using a Raspberry Pi and Python 3 programming language. Learn how to code the Reaction Time Game.
Engineering - Mission to Mars! - During your mission you will explore new terrain, collect hazardous materials, and zig-zag your way through dangerous obstacles. Mission control will guide you through the fun world of VEX Robotics.
Math - How Far Can you Hula Hoop? - Ever wonder how far you can actually hula hoop? Learn how a simple calculation can measure your hula-distance. The Golden Ratio is a special number approximately equal to 1.618 which appears many times in geometry, art and architecture. Discover just how common this number is in nature using the human body and other items in nature.
The day ended with a closing ceremony where each student received a certificate of participation.
Special thank you to Miguel Millett - Coordinator, Office of Instruction.
STEM Camp Agenda Spring 2015
The day started with a welcome from Dr. Fullard, and guest speaker Martin Cook, founder and principal consultant at Kinesthetics Inc. Throughout the day, students participated in the following break-out sessions:
Science - I scream, you scream - we all scream for ice cream! Tons of tiny air bubbles, ice crystals trapped in viscous, sugar-laden water, and a mesh of fat droplets: these are integral to ice cream's inimitable texture. Discover the changing states of matter and chemical reactions while working for your dessert.
Technology - My Pi isn’t perfect - Get a taste of programming and controlling a circuit board using a Raspberry Pi and Python 3 programming language. Learn how to code the Reaction Time Game.
Engineering - Mission to Mars! - During your mission you will explore new terrain, collect hazardous materials, and zig-zag your way through dangerous obstacles. Mission control will guide you through the fun world of VEX Robotics.
Math - How Far Can you Hula Hoop? - Ever wonder how far you can actually hula hoop? Learn how a simple calculation can measure your hula-distance. The Golden Ratio is a special number approximately equal to 1.618 which appears many times in geometry, art and architecture. Discover just how common this number is in nature using the human body and other items in nature.
The day ended with a closing ceremony where each student received a certificate of participation.
Special thank you to Miguel Millett - Coordinator, Office of Instruction.
STEM Camp Agenda Spring 2015
STEM CTL - Tech Tip
Portfolios are now in Blackboard!
- There is a new link within the Assignment tool in Blackboard that allows you to select a Portfolio submission for the assignment.
- Students can build their own, or you can create a specific template for them to use, and select that template when you are creating the assignment