 |
|
Eighth-grader
Violet Jarasitis, 13, adds components to her pint-sized
robot in the UWT embedded computing lab. Jarasitis is
one of 53 7th-, 8th- and 9th-graders on campus this
month as part of the Math, Science and Leadership program.
|
MSL
connects middle-school students to science, math
In
a UW Tacoma classroom this week, students are putting the
finishing touches on sophisticated mobile robots with high-tech
embedded real-time systems.
At
a special presentation later this month, the students will
demonstrate their new skills in the complicated field of robotics.
Their work on the tiny, six-inch robots is impressive –
especially considering that they’re almost 15 years
younger than the average student at the Institute of Technology.
These
students are on campus this summer as part of the Math, Science
and Leadership Program offered by the Institute. The camp,
which offers middle-school students instruction in science
and math, is designed for students who might not otherwise
have had a chance to study extensively in these fields.
“These
aren’t your traditional high-grade students,”
said Courtney Randazzo, who is running the MSL program for
the Institute. “But they are taking a lot of ownership
in the program and being successful.”
The
MSL program is targeted toward first-generation college students,
underrepresented minorities and girls. In
the four-week program, the students are studying the fundamentals
of math and the scientific process, robotics, computer programming,
environmental studies and engineering. The program stresses
positive reinforcement, and the students learn about good
leadership skills.
“We’re
encouraging them to take responsibility for one another,”
Randazzo said.
Heart
Gallery: Photographs show DSHS clients
The
nationally recognized Washington State Heart Gallery photography
exhibit is on display this month around the UWT campus.
The
exhibit features documentary and portrait photographs of children
and adults supported by the Department of Social and Health
Services, including children who need foster or adoptive families,
at-risk teens needing mentors, elderly people with disabilities
and young adults attending college.
Sponsored
by DSHS and its partners, the Heart Gallery aims to inspire
people to search their hearts to see what they can do for
those in their community who are in need of their help. Many
top Northwest photographers volunteered their expertise to
create these images.
The
arts community, higher education community, businesses and
social service agencies are partnering to bring this gallery-quality
exhibit to several venues in Spokane, Snohomish and Pierce
counties in 2005.
The
portraits will be on display from August through September
along Pacific Avenue in Tacoma in three locations on the UWT
campus:
- Outside
the UWT Art Gallery at 1742 Pacific Ave.
-
In the ground floor hallway of the Cherry Parkes Building
-
At the Harmon Brewery at 1938 Pacific Avenue
A reception will be held Aug. 18 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the UWT
Art Gallery at 1742 Pacific Avenue. The program will begin
at 5 p.m., with opening remarks by UW Tacoma Chancellor Patricia
Spakes and Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma.
 |
| This
series of photographs by Alexa Ayubi shows a former Disney
animator, Daniel, who used DSHS for transportation to
visit his wife, who lived in a separate facility. Daniel
passed away before he could see his portrait. The portrait
hangs on the ground floor of the WCG building, near the
art gallery. |
Charting
the Future: Committee plans report to chancellor
The
effort to lay out plans for UWT’s transition to a four-year
institution is now in high gear. Dozens of faculty, staff,
students and community members are working on a host of committees,
each developing parts of what will become a comprehensive
document that will guide UWT’s transition.
In
less than a month, the committee will submit its first report
to the chancellor. The Steering Committee, chaired by Bob
Jackson, has encouraged each of the three working committees
to continue their work and meet the early fall deadline. It
has specifically encouraged the Curriculum Committee to continue
work on developing an integrated, interdisciplinary core curriculum
that will prepare lower-division students for UWT majors and
for life and work in the 21st century. A draft statement of
the purposes and goals of an undergraduate education at UW
Tacoma, which includes goals for global perspective, inquiry
and critical thinking, diversity, civic engagement and communication/self-expression,
is available for review and comment on the UWT
Future Web site.
To review
the draft statement, click on "Internal Resources”
and then “Documents.” You must provide a UW NetID
to view this document. The document is listed with Curriculum
Development Committee documents and dated Aug. 9, 2005.
Jackson
encourages everyone to visit the Web site regularly and provide
feedback to the planning committees on the materials posted
there.
I-5
construction could affect UWT commuters
Construction
on Interstate 5 and State Route 16 may have an impact on UWT
staff, faculty and students who commute to campus.
The
Washington State Department of Transportation begins construction
this month on the first of several improvements to I-5 and
SR-16. A listserv has been established for people interested
in receiving updates on these projects.
MBA
fellowship fund nears deadline for matching initiative
UWT’s
MBA class of 2004 is taking a leadership role in establishing
a scholarship fund for graduate students in the Milgard School
of Business.
Alumni
from the class have already pledged $21,000, and their employers’
matching gifts and corporate pledges have brought the total
amount pledged so far to $56,650. The class is sending mailings
to MBA grads from the classes of 2003, 2004 and 2005.
For
the fund to qualify for the UW’s Matching Gift Initiative,
which is fast being depleted, they need to raise an additional
$43,350 in pledges by the end of August. That would bring
the amount pledged to $100,000 and mean the total endowment,
when fully funded, would be $150,000.
The
revenue from this endowment would provide fellowships to MBA
students. The pledge deadline is Aug. 31, but payments would
not have to be complete until June 30, 2009.
News
links
Faculty
and Staff Notes
Leslie
Anderson (Advancement) received a UW Development
and Alumni Relations Star award in recognition for outstanding
service at a recent ceremony in Seattle.
Kim Davenport (Urban Studies/International
Programs) has recorded her first solo CD, John Verrall:
Compositions for Piano. The recording features piano
works by John Verrall, a composer who spent most of his career
on the faculty of the UW School of Music.
Deb
Sklar (CTLT) has retired. Her last day at work was
Aug. 5.
Administrative
Snapshot: A look at issues and projects at UWT
If
you are working on something you think should be included
here, please contact Inside Track at uwtnews@u.washington.edu.
Choose
a topic:
|
