April 21, 2016
Last week, a group of advanced placement environmental sciences students from
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy (NSA) set sail aboard the Ocean Explorer,
Virginia Wesleyan's 45-foot research vessel owned in partnership with the Virginia
Aquarium & Marine Science Center.
The 18 students were guided by Associate Professor of Biology Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson—as well as VWC biology students Marlan Hare '16, Rosalind Ludovici '16, and Elizabeth Quamme '17—in sampling marine organisms and conducting water quality testing in the creek behind Rudee Inlet. Also along for the excursion was NSA Science Department Head Laura George.
This initiative is part of an ongoing effort by the College, under the leadership of Batten Associate Professor of Education Hilve Firek, to expand mutually beneficial academic partnerships in the community. Partnerships to date have included:
The 18 students were guided by Associate Professor of Biology Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson—as well as VWC biology students Marlan Hare '16, Rosalind Ludovici '16, and Elizabeth Quamme '17—in sampling marine organisms and conducting water quality testing in the creek behind Rudee Inlet. Also along for the excursion was NSA Science Department Head Laura George.
This initiative is part of an ongoing effort by the College, under the leadership of Batten Associate Professor of Education Hilve Firek, to expand mutually beneficial academic partnerships in the community. Partnerships to date have included:
- The NABT/BSCS Biology Teacher Academy (returning to VWC this summer)
- A series of biology student visits from King’s Fork High School, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, Green Run High School, and Bayside High School Health Sciences Academy
- A STEM day involving 3D printing technologies and Virginia Beach Public Schools STEM Academy students
- An on-campus Shark Tank-style practice session for Bayside Middle School students competing for a spot in the Maker Challenge leg of the Virginia Beach STEM Trifecta Challenge
- A 3D printing demonstration as part of a science lesson on adaptation for students at Cedar Road Elementary School in Chesapeake
- The College’s first Symposium on International Education
Programs like these are immensely
valuable for participants, both young learners and seasoned professionals. And
likewise, they provide an excellent opportunity for us, as a college, to
showcase our outstanding programs, faculty and facilities.
