In this issue: Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader Positions Available Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Week Events Naturalist Educator Internship

Science Humor Did you hear about the famous microbiologist who traveled in thirty different countries and learned to speak six languages? He was a man of many cultures. When Mr. Leno of the Tonight Show went J-walking and asked pedestrians some science questions, he discovered some amazing new facts about the universe: Jay Leno: "Why does dew appear on plants in the morning when the Sun comes up?" A waitress: "Is it because the Sun makes them perspire?" Jay Leno: "Why does the Moon orbit the Earth?" An auto mechanic: "To get to the other side?" Jay Leno: What are magnets?" A taxi driver: "Are they the things crawling over a week-old dead cat?" Jay Leno: Which is more useful, the Sun or the Moon?" A thirteen-year old: [Pause] "I think it's the Moon because the moon shines at night when you want the light, whereas the Sun shines during the day when you don't need it."

Plan on attending the Undergraduate Research Banquet on April 23! Check your email for your invitation and RSVP Now!

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Chemistry Tutoring CHEM 105, 111, 112, &115--Sundays & Tuesday, 7 - 9 p.m. in SC 338 CHEM 214--Sundays, 7 - 9 p.m. in SC 338

Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader Positions Available

The biology department is looking for students to serve as Supplemental Instruction leaders for Bio 111 and Bio 121 for the fall semester.  Supplemental Instruction is a peer-led learning program (similar to PLTL) that is voluntary for students in these two courses.  Leaders must have taken the course (or a comparable course) and received a grade of B or better, and be able to attend the lecture and/or lab associated with the course.  The job description and application is attached.  If interested, submit the application (by e-mail or hard copy) to Shelley Amstutz-Szalay by Monday, April 20. 

Application

SI Leader Qualifications

• An overall GPA of 3.0 or above.
• A grade of B or above in the course is required; prior enrollment with the professor who is to teach the selected course preferred.
• Approval by the course professor is required.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills are a must.

Primary Activities

• Attend all class meetings of the selected course, take notes, do homework and read all assigned materials including text(s) and supplemental readings.
• Conduct at least two 50-minute study sessions per week throughout the term.
• Meet weekly with the SI supervisor and other leaders for debrief sessions.

Maintenance Activities

• Complete necessary personnel paperwork.
• Attend SI leader training workshop prior to the beginning of the term.
• Work with the SI supervisor to select appropriate times and scheduling of SI sessions.
• Make periodic announcements about the availability of the SI sessions to the students.
• Ensure that initial SI surveys are distributed and assist with data analysis.
• Collect attendance data for every SI session.
• Maintain a professional attitude about matters such as class standards, grades, and student complaints.
• Model appropriate professinal attitudes and behaviors to staff, students, and others.
• Provide your SI supervisor with an up-to-date schedule of your SI sessions.
• Notify your SI supervisor in advance if you cannot conduct an SI session as scheduled.
• Maintain regular working hours.

Benefits of Being an SI Leader

• SI leader positions are paid positions.
• You gain valuable knowledge of the subject matter.
• It looks good on resumes and graduate school applications.
• You gain valuable leadership experience.
• You build relationships with faculty.
• You improve your communication skills.

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Week Events

Plan to attend the interesting events of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Week as the Science Division and the
Psychology Department celebrate student and faculty research accomplishments.

Monday, April 20

The James Bradford Colloquium                BSC 336, BSC 343                    6:30 p.m.

A presentation of senior research by students from the Science Division and Psychology. 
Light refreshments will be served.

Thursday, April 23

The Undergraduate Research Banquet             PBC 300                     5:00 p.m.

All science majors and scholars are invited. Look for your invitation in your email and in your campus mailbox.

“The Dr. Homer A. Anderson Lecture Series”               BSC 343                    6:30 p.m.

Amy McKinney, “Pollination as a Model for Ecological and Evolutionary Study”

Undergraduate Research Poster Session                       BSC Lobby                8:00-9:00 p.m.

A poster display representing research by students and faculty from the Science Division and Psychology.  Authors will be present for questions.  Light refreshments will be served.

Friday, April 24

Undergraduate Research Poster Display              BSC Lobby                    Until noon

Naturalist Educator Internship

NATURALIST EDUCATOR INTERN: Four (4) temporary, full-time positions. Pay: $200 stipend per week plus housing in nearby offsite 4 bedroom house; extensive training and professional development, funds for classes or conference, 2 weeks paid vacation. Dates: September 1, 2009 through May 28, 2010.

Location: River Bend Nature Center, Faribault, Minnesota.

Qual: We seek enthusiastic and hard working individuals with a passion for teaching and working with people. College graduates, or students with a minimum of three years college study, are encouraged to apply. General familiarity with the natural environment is a plus, however our training will incorporate local natural history. Effective written and oral communication skills are a must. Willingness to work flexible hours as needed. Applicants should have the ability to work independently and cooperatively as part of a small staff team. International student applications will only be considered if the person is already in the U.S. and legally able to perform the internship.

Duties: Lead elementary through middle school field experiences, help develop expanding public outreach programming, and participate in all aspects of the nature center operations on 750 acres of woods, prairie, and wetlands in southeastern Minnesota. A well-defined, diverse curriculum offers a progression of hands-on learning experiences and professional growth opportunities. These experiences help interns develop a foundation in interpretation, gain confidence as an outdoor educator, grow in understanding the natural world, learn skills in program development, experience managing independent projects, receive exposure to land management operations, work with volunteers, participate in special events, contribute to newsletters, design brochures and displays, and interact with the general public.

Appl: Send resume, cover letter, and 3 references to

Heather Rickerl, Program Coordinator, River Bend Nature Center, P.O. Box 186, Faribault, MN 55021. Ph: 507-332-7151, Fax: 507-332-0656, Email: rickerl@rbnc.org Website: www.rbnc.org

Filing Date: 04/30/09.