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‘Clickers’ in science class topic of grant
Clyde “Kipp” Herreid, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and co-director of UB’s National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science, has received a $500,000 grant to explore innovative and improved methods of teaching science using “clickers,” electronic response devices that allow professors to gain immediate student feedback in large classes.
The project, “Case Study Teaching: How Do Questions and Emotional Engagement Impact Student Learning?” will study how to optimize the use of these audience response systems while using case studies in teaching science. A professor can pose a question to the class and students answer using their “clickers” like a game-show buzzer, giving the professor instant feedback as to whether or not the students comprehend the material.
The project will explore the importance of questions and the emotional impact of a case study’s storyline. Ten faculty members from institutions throughout the U.S. will teach two different biology classes using the same case study. The case studies will vary in the types of questions embedded in the case and the emotional impact the case has on the characters. The goal is to discover what kinds of cases generate the greatest learning, while engendering in students a deep appreciation of science.
The grant was awarded by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Undergraduate Education Course, Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement. It brings NSF funding for UB’s National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science to more than $2 million to date.
UB to sponsor JOBSapalooza
For the 12th consecutive year, UB will sponsor JOBSapalooza, the job and internship fair that brings Western New York career opportunities to college students and area residents. JOBSapalooza will take place from 4-7 p.m. Jan. 5 in the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.
The size and accessibility of this year’s fair has allowed for one of the most diverse employer pools to date. More than 50 local employers are expected to attend, seeking candidates for full-time and part-time jobs and internship opportunities. Employers from health, government, technology, engineering, finance, insurance and other fields will be at the fair.
“JOBSapalooza has successfully connected college students who live or attend school in the Western New York area with employers offering job and internship opportunities in the region,” says Judith Applebaum, UB interim director of career services and one of JOBSapalooza’s organizers. “Every opportunity to meet with employers is worth the effort, especially in challenging economic times. We look forward to another successful year of helping to keep talent in Western New York.”
JOBSapalooza and pre-fair workshops are free and open to college students as well as the community. The “Art of Interviewing” and “How to Make the Most of a Job Fair” workshops will take place from 2-4 p.m.
For more information and a list of participating employeers, click here.
Thompson recognized
Myron A. "Mick" Thompson III, associate provost and executive director of the Graduate School, received the 2009 Award for Outstanding Contributions to International Education at UB during the Council on International Studies and Programs’ annual award luncheon held last week.
Thompson was honored for his contributions to the development of institutional standards and policies for international graduate admissions and for international teaching assistants assigned instructional responsibilities at UB; the development and administration of UB's international graduate recruitment and enrollment management effort; and the development of standards and policies governing graduate degree programs delivered overseas.
David M. Engel, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor in the UB Law School and chair of the Council, and Stephen C. Dunnett, professor and vice provost for international education, presented the award, which was established by the Council in 2004 to honor faculty and staff who have contributed in exceptional ways to international research, education and outreach at UB.
Life sciences program launched
The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) in the School of Management and UB’s New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences have launched a new workforce development program, the High-Tech Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership.
The program offers the leaders of early-stage life sciences companies the opportunity to learn from established life sciences entrepreneurs, as well as from others who are important to long-term success, such as venture capitalists.
The 10-week program already is under way and will meet weekly through December. Classes include interactive lectures, guest speakers who will share their industry experience, panel discussions and case studies on a wide range of topics, including entrepreneurship challenges, intellectual property, licensing and regulatory issues, sales and marketing and financing.
The High-Tech CEL program is funded in part with a grant from the New York State Department of Labor through the Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Investment Board, Inc.
Representatives from 12 life sciences companies are enrolled in the inaugural class.
“Our goal is to help these organizations build strong management teams and to provide them with the information they need to develop their pathways to commercialization,” says Thomas Ulbrich, CEL executive director.
Adds Marnie LaVigne, director of business development for the Center of Excellence and the UB Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology: “This program is a natural collaboration for building the new economy in our region, where high-tech businesses in sectors like the life sciences really benefit from the expertise of both the Center of Excellence and the UB School of Management.”
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