The Natural Sciences Division works deliberately to create opportunities to include and integrate new students into the College's science community, and to increase the retention of students in the sciences.  As part of that effort, the division established the FESP committee in 1993.  Since that time, the FESP committee has worked to develop and implement programs that accomplish those goals.

Science Division Seminar

The weekly science division seminar provides students with opportunities to present results of their own research or internship experiences to an audience of their peers and division faculty.  While most presenters are upper division students, lower division students see what others are doing, realize that they those same opportunities for independent learning and research are available to them, and, on occasion, make presentations of their own.  Presenters in the divisional seminar have gone on to present their work in settings like the Butler University Undergraduate Research Conference and meetings of the Indiana Academy of Science.

During the first year of the seminar series (1993-94), about 12-15 students attended on a weekly basis.  Average attendance at the seminar now hovers around 50 students and 12 faculty per week.  About 150 individuals attend at least one science division seminar each academic year.  That is an amazing number, considering the fact that Manchester College enrolls between 1100-1200 students, and that attendance at the seminar is not-for-credit.

Study Tables

The FESP committee also instituted study tables for students in first year courses in biology, chemistry, and physics to supplement the already existing study table program for mathematics courses.  These study tables meet one night a week, and are staffed by excellent upper division science students who know the program, the professors, and the material being covered in academic programs of the division.  See the link to study tables on the division's main page for times and locations for study tables.

Fall New-Student Orientation

Each fall the FESP committee runs an orientation meeting during fall new student orientation for all students interested in the sciences.  During that meeting new students are informed about the science division seminar, study tables, and other pertinent information about the programs of the science division.  They also receive a science division t-shirt during this session.  Another great benefit of this session occurs when the faculty leave and continuing students field questions from new students about courses, professors, and other aspects of life as a Manchester College science student.  Keep an eye open, and you will typically see a number of students wearing their science division t-shirts around campus.  The slogan on the back reads, "Where Science is a Verb."
 

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This page maintained by Jim Brumbaugh-Smith - last updated 9/6/03