The Hofstra
Hempstead, NY Vol.77 | Issue 11
Chronicle
Thursday
December 1, 2011
Keeping the Hofstra Community informed since 1935
Hofstra wins $2 million grant for education research By Samantha abrams Staff Writer
On November 17th, the Hofstra Center for Science, technology, engineering and Mathematics (SteM) research won a federal grant of almost $2 million from the National Science foundation (NSf). the grant was given to create high school courses that focus on technology, biochemical, information and communication, and materials and manufacturing. the grant will contribute to a 4-year project titled articulated technological education Pathways (ateP). ateP will create three courses, each a year long. the project gives high school students the opportunity to expand their minds and think like college students. they study high school technology and become prepared for community college technician education programs. the courses are developed according to contemporary pedagogical practice and are brought together with SteM, which learns to create similar standards. the program utilizes new technology, mostly digital, to teach students, and it encourages a hands on
approach by incorporating physical modeling activities and using web based learning. each course serves as a replacement for a high school curriculum in each program they offer. the courses are all developed by professional experts in each area, high school teachers and college industrialists. this makes the program relatable to high school students while being advanced at the same time. in order to get adjusted to the program, students go through an introductory session that discusses the work that has been done with SteM research so far. the rest of the course puts emphasis on concepts that can build on the previous work of the program. each teacher, parent and administrator involved in the program receives a guide about the work done during the program. “the mission of the project is to develop and research a high-quality innovative program model that will inspire high school students to pursue promising technical careers in three project focus areas: biotechnology, information/communication, and manufacturing technology,” said Michael Hacker, who is co-director
of the Hofstra Center for SteM research and the principal investigator of the simulations and modeling in the technology education NSf Project. “these are areas that hold great career promise for students and underpin sustainable economic growth,” he added. “We are delighted to have won the ateP project as it continues to support our research in interconnected SteM learning,” said M. David Burghardtt, a professor of engineering, co-Director of the Center for technological Literacy and former chair of engineering and of Computer Science. “the Center for SteM research, that Mike Hacker and i co-direct, is one of the leading research centers for SteM education in the nation. On the ateP project we are collaborating with faculty in three states, Massachusetts, Connecticut and texas, as we develop modules that use engineering design pedagogy to enhance learning,” he added. the basic goal is to develop better technology skills within the student and teacher community, in hopes of encouraging students to pursue a career in one of the area above.
on mental health services and support for LGBt students. Weber has become a leading expert on creating campuses to welcome the LGBt community. a focus of her research and presentations has been the impact of homophobia and heterosexism on the lives of LGBt individuals. Weber instructs courses on training counselors to implement group
counseling, multicultural counseling, psychopathology, and psychopharmacology and treatment planning to help improve campus life for LGBt people. Christian fuscarino, founder of the Pride Network at Hofstra, said of her efforts, “Genevieve has served as a pioneer for LGBtQ progress at Hofstra University and continuously puts the school on a national stage for LGBtfriendliness. Her commitment to LGBtQ students, faculty and administrators has made a great impact at this institution.” Weber advises colleges and universities to use the standard campus climate index for LGBt support services. according to Weber, the advantage of creating centers that serve and celebrate
“The mission of the project is to...inspire high school students to pursue promising technical careers.”
Illustration by Bryan Menegus and Marc Butcavage/The Chronicle
Dr. Weber campaigns for pro-LGBT campuses By Jesse Bade Staff Writer
Dr. Genevieve Weber, assistant professor of Counseling, research, Special education and rehabilitation and licensed Mental Health Counselor, is a leading activist in raising awareness about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community’s mental health. She was one of ten professionals asked to speak at an expert panel meeting in april about improving life for LGBt students on college campuses and arranging the first government-sponsored LGBt training institute. She was a keynote speaker at that institute and moderated a panel on skills and strategies
“Institutions should celebrate [LGBT’s] existence and demonstrate...they are committed to them on various levels.”
LGBt students is twofold. “Once these resources are in place, institutions should celebrate their existence and demonstrate to the campus community they are committed to them on various levels (i.e., funding, programming),” Weber said. “this reinforces the acceptance of the community on campus, and strengthens recruitment for prospective LGBt students who are looking for an accepting and nurturing environment in which they can enjoy their four years of college.” Her efforts are further exemplified through her actions in 2010, when Weber testified before Congress with a study released by Campus Pride, a national non-profit organization working to create safer, more LGBt-inclusive
colleges and universities. the study showed that the members of this community continue to experience isolation, harassment and safety concerns, as well as countless hurdles they must overcome simply to be who they are. Weber seeks to implement institutions to enable LGBt persons to express themselves without fear. “Colleges and universities first need to acknowledge that there is a community of LGBt students on their campuses,” said Weber, who is also working with the University to develop an LGBt ‘resources center’ on campus. “they then need to evaluate the resources they currently have in place and move forward from there.”