CS Faculty Member Recieves Award
Computer Science Professor Dr. Ramon Mata-Toledo recently received the 1st annual Make Your Next Move Award from Career and Academic Planning. Read More »
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Congratulations to the CyberDefense Club for qualifying to compete in 2012 CyberWatch Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) Regional Finals.
Dr. Sara Finney Presented Mentor Award More »
JMU Professor Receives Outstanding Faculty Award More »
2012 Teaching and Research Grants Announced More »
JMU Nursing Group Wins Multiple Honors at 2012 State Convention More»
JMU hosts Graduate Stem Fellows in K-12 Education
Posted November 9, 2010
On November 8th, fellows Chris Ruck, Dan Veltri and Alex Koufos from George Mason University visited JMU to demonstrate teaching a GSCI 166 Environment in Action class using hands-on techniques. These fellows are sponsored by the Sunrise National Science Foundation GK-12 Education Program. In exchange for financial support in their graduate studies, they prepare and present hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) lessons in K-12 schools. Currently all 3 fellows are working with public elementary schools in northern Virginia with the goal to engage students in science and improve critical thinking skills. Dr. Phillip Henning serves as an external evaluator for the project which is in its 4th year at GMU.
The class opened with a demonstration of how polymers work using a JMU volunteer. Chris Ruck had a student verify that water was poured into a cup and after shuffling the cups, the rest of the class selected which cup to pour over the volunteer's head. By having a small amount of polymer hidden in the cup to absorb the water, the volunteer was able to remain dry.
During the course of the class, the JMU students (comprised mostly of future educators) discussed such topics as 'What is hands-on learning?' and ' What is problem-based learning?'. They also participated in activities such as creating a magnet with a battery, wire and paperclips and measuring the effect of the number of coils has on magnetic ability.
