On January 23, 2020, in coordination with Sarah Brambley, IU8 STEM specialist, and Wade McElhaney, IHS principal, 20 regional STEM educators continued their STEM Showcase Day with a tour of IUP's Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Kopchick College Dean Deanne Snavely welcomed the group in 331 Weyandt Hall. This room is the "sandbox" room where the guests experienced the furniture that may be used in the new Kopchick Hall classrooms.
The presentation began with the college vision and mission: "We change lives through science and math. Our graduates change the world as educators, scientists, and leaders. Students will experience opportunities to explore, create, and innovate; team-based problem solving in teaching and learning; interdisciplinary scientific research; and challenges that inspire individual achievement."
Snavely shared Kopchick College points of pride, successes, departments and program information, and an overview of the new science facility, Kopchick Hall, which will have a groundbreaking ceremony on May 6, 2020.
Associate Dean Daniel Burkett and Assistant Dean Karen Pizarchik spoke about IUP's STEM Academy opportunity for high school students. Founded in spring 2017, the Kopchick College STEM Academy is an excellent opportunity for dual-enrollment students to obtain a STEM Academy Certificate. In addition to the dual-enrollment savings, STEM Academy scholarship funding may also be available. Student participation in co-curricular instruction such as the Science Inspires Series, Women in Mathematics Science and Technology, and Research Experiences for Summer Scholars is encouraged. Katie Koncar, Undergraduate Admissions, provided information on the IUP Dual Enrollment program and details on how to apply for the STEM Academy.
The educators experienced tours of two science laboratories: Ellen Yerger, Biology faculty member, presented information on a current faculty/student research project where IUP students are actively involved in monitoring for biocontrol of hemlock wooly adelgid in hemlock forests.
In the ThermoScientific PrismaE Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) lab, Nick Deardorff, Geoscience chair/faculty member, provided a demonstration of the SEM instrument's applications. Scanning electron microscopy uses a focused beam of electrons to scan a sample under vacuum.
To round out the day, Anson Long, Psychology faculty member, presented information regarding the psychology programs at IUP.
Visit the Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics website for detailed information of the departments, programs, and events.