STEM Learning
Communities: The
Tangible and Intangible
Moorpark College
Cast of Characters
• Students
• Faculty
• Scarlet Relle
(Engineering)
• Ronald Wallingford (Physics/Astronomy—Department Chair)
(Physics/Astronomy)
• Erik Reese*
• Counselors
• Donald Munshower (Career Transfer Center)
• Danita Redd*
(Embedded Counselor)
• Administrators
• Julius Sokenu
• Lori Bennett*
(Dean)
(Executive Vice President)
Moorpark College Mission Statement
With a “students first” philosophy, Moorpark College
empowers its diverse community of learners to
complete their goals for academic transfer, basic
skills, and career technical education. Moorpark
College integrates instruction and student
services, collaborates with industry and educational
partners, and promotes a global perspective.
Student Learning Model
• Integration of Instruction and Student Services
• Student-centered
• Brings everyone to the table
• Supports collegiality and collaboration
• Supports Student Success and Equity focus
Student Success Initiative
Goal: To increase success rates – course
level and degree/transfer
• True culture of collaboration between instruction and
student services
• Hire full-time faculty and counselors who would
champion student success initiatives in their disciplines
• Data and research driven decisions (Six Success Factors that
Support Student Achievement*)
• Provide professional development opportunities
• Promote an environment that values and celebrates
people
*the Research & Planning Group for California Community Colleges
Executive Overview
• Gathering space (Physics/Engineering Study Area…”physics
lounge”)
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Large table and chairs
Two walls lined with a dozen computers
White board, dry erase markers, and erasers
Small fridge with cheap drinks, microwave, sink
Wall opposite our offices lined with white boards
Extensive office hours, review sessions, extra classes, …
Welcoming environment
Embedded counselor
Counselors visit classes to promote transferring and degrees
Active Engineering and SPACE clubs
Most can be started with only a modest investment
Faculty
Space
In Action
In Action
Welcoming Environment
Welcoming Environment
• Students must feel safe and supported
• Starts with office hours
• Keep the students out of your office!
• Must create a welcoming environment
• Starts in the classroom…day 1—e.g., student services
• Optional review sessions outside of class
• Clubs generate interest and contribute to active student
learning
• Sense of community
• Eat meals together in the lounge
On Day 1 of Class...
"Office" Hours
Dr. Scarlet Relle
Professor Ronald Wallingford
Dr. Erik Reese
The Real Stars
Saturday Morning Review Session
They start using the boards on their own...
I smell a midterm...
They even find time to mock me...
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“Results”
Results
• ∼ 80% success rate in Physics & Engineering
• Peer teaching
• Sense of community
• Students take ownership of the space
• Often grab food and come back to eat together
• Manners
Peer Teaching
Engineering Club—Robotics
Competitions
Faculty-Faculty
Interactions
They are always watching…
2) Mostly History [20 points]
a) Match the following historical figures with the concepts/measurements that they are associated
with from the list below. It is possible that you may not use all the names in the list or that you
will use a name more than once. PLEASE ONLY PUT THE LETTER ON THE LINE!
(8 points]
J) Aristarchus
1.
11.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
Vll.
viii.
B) Hubble
E) Aristotle
H) Jansky
K) Wallingford
C) Kepler
F) Galileo
I) Brahe
L) Ptolemy
( VFirst observed the phases of Venus.
L-V Constructed a very complex geocentric theory with no fewer than 80 circles that
accurately predicted the positions of the planets.
Re-introduced the heliocentric theory based largely on its simplicity in explaining
obsephenomena.
·
4t Law of universal gravitation.
IV Made the best ever naked-eye observations of the planets.
o/ 17 Every force has an equal and opposite reaction force.
f iscovered dark blemishes, now called Sunspots, on the Sun.
II
Originator of the heliocentric theory. .
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Counselors
Counseling
•Designated STEM Counseling
•Embedded STEM Counseling
•Two Final Points & Website
Designated STEM Counseling
• At MC Counselors Specialize in Majors
• Class Visits
• Statewide Practice Statistics
• Community College STEM Counseling –
What they say about us at a National level
– A Quick Anecdote
• Using an Academic Counseling STEM
Website to Collaborate With STEM Faculty
A Quick Statewide Investigation
Most CA Community College Counseling Departments
DO NOT have Counselors who Specialize in Majors:
Out of a total of 112 community colleges…
Yes = 11
STEM = 2
Engineering = 1
Unknown = 25
NO = 73
ADA Accessibility will soon be added.
Under Construction
STEM= Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics
X Create a WiX site!
Astronomy/Astrophysics
Astronomers & Astrophysicists study the solar system, stars, galaxies,and space using principles of physics and mathematics.
Their work adds to the basic scientific knowledge about the nature of the universe and also provides a basis for improvement in such
areas as aircraft navigation and satellite communication. They study planets, stars,novas, and colliding gasses between stars in an
attempt to find out how they were formed, what they are made of and how they change. They measure light; radio and x-ray emissions
from space sources and plot paths for man made satellites and space probes. Currently, the United States has a shortage of Ph.D. Ievel
astronomers.
Sample Courses:
MATH M25A, MATH M25B,MATH M25C, MATH M31,MATH M35;PHYS M20A +Lab, PHYS M20B + Lab,PHYS M20C +Lab
Recommended: AST M01 + Lab
National Average Yearly Salary $95, 740.00
Carl Sagan Portal
Dr. Farisa Morales @ JPf
Embedded: STEM Counseling
•History
•What I Observe & Experience
Two Final Points & Website
Most Important:
Designated STEM Counseling
Next Step:
Embedded Counseling
• dredd1.wix.com/profredd-stemmedsci
Wrap-up
Building STEM Learning Communities
• Can create a safe space for STEM students to flourish
• With a large investment of faculty time
• But minimum financial investment
• Students feel safe, supported, and help each other
• Sense of community
• Better performance and warm faculty hearts
• Intangible benefits are the most rewarding
• But are not reported in our statistics