University School Week Annual Report – 2016
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University School Week Annual Report – 2016 Asra Khan and Vani Khurana, Assistant Program Coordinators 37 Table of Contents Introduction Campus Calgary/Open Minds…………….2 Faculties of Science & Engineering University School Week…………………..3 Let’s Talk Science………………...17 Journaling………………………………….4 Rothney Observatory…………….18 A Snapshot of USW 2016…………………5 Zoology…………………………...19 Solar Car………………………….20 Sessions Solar House………………………21 Living on Campus…………………………6 Inter-faculty Exploration Faculty of Arts Taylor Family Digital Library…...22 At the Theatre……………………...7 Art & Stories on Campus………...26 Chinese Characters………………..8 Discovering Spaces on Campus….28 Italian Language & Culture……….9 Linguistics & Phonetics……...…...10 Graduating from USW Faculty of Business Convocation………………………………30 Teamwork & Leadership…………11 I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes………………...31 Faculty of Environmental Design Architecture & Design…………...12 Final Thoughts Faculty of Kinesiology What Teachers Say About USW………...32 Indoor & Outdoor Gym……….....13 Hats Off to Everyone Involved………….34 Touring Kinesiology……………...14 Outcomes & Benefits……………………..36 “We Are All Dinos!”...……………16 1 Campus Calgary/Open Minds Campus Calgary/Open Minds is a program aimed at the facilitation of authentic and meaningful learning experiences situated beyond the four walls of a classroom. This unique program, which involves a variety of community partners, directly complements Alberta Education's current aim of creating twenty-first century learning opportunities for students. At the core of the Campus Calgary/Open Minds program is the belief that learning situated within the community is paramount to the creation of powerful education. Teachers who are successful in their application to this program relocate their students and learning experiences to a participating site for an entire school week. Within these community locations, expert individuals share their knowledge and passions with students while transforming curricular learning outcomes into enjoyable, experiential opportunities beyond the realm of the classroom. Abundant authentic resources and artifacts within community locations also serve as excellent means of learning for students and teachers alike. The utility and possibilities of this program span well beyond students’ weeklong site visits; the learning experiences gained at a site are significant in shaping classroom learning indefinitely. The enthusiasm and renewed sense of purpose felt by students in this program illuminate their potential to pursue personal ambitions, achieved foremost through education. Campus Calgary/Open Minds honours the curiosities of children and recognizes the importance of qualities such as problem solving, critical thinking, innovation, and collaboration. As relationships with community partners flourish and continue to expand, Campus Calgary/Open Minds stands as a symbol of success and progressive thinking, shaping the future of education. 2 University School Week Within the Campus Calgary/Open Minds program, the University of Calgary is a proud community partner that annually welcomes students and educators to participate in University School Week (USW). This site offers students an incredible breadth and depth of learning experiences that encourage them to consider their own potential and discover the possibilities that lie in their futures. With collaboration from University faculty members and staff, USW provides students with experiential and meaningful opportunities to develop into deep thinkers and critical learners within their communities. University School Week 2016 would not have been possible without the individuals and groups who shared their passion and knowledge with students. Over forty experts participated in USW this year, including: - Professors - Librarians - Undergraduate and graduate students - Technicians - Student clubs and organizations - Dinos athletes, and more These experts were from all over campus, and from various faculties including: - Faculty of Arts - Faculty of Science - Faculty of Environmental Design - Haskayne School of Business - Faculty of Kinesiology - Schulich School of Engineering The involvement of these individuals, in addition to the dedication and commitment demonstrated by participating teachers and volunteers, contributed to the creation of many lasting memories and powerful, educational experiences for over 180 young Calgarians. 3 Journaling Journaling is critical to the learning experiences that occur throughout the University School Week program. In order to maximize the value of their week, students carefully observe, reflect, sketch, write, and express their experiences prior to, during, and beyond their week at University School. While the way in which journaling is executed can vary by educator and student, this personal, expressive medium intermixing text and other visuals is salient to student learning. Journaling is one way in which time is slowed while at the University to more holistically make sense of the space and potential within such a stimulating environment. It enables students to use their imaginations, connect new information with prior knowledge and experiences, become richly engaged in the subject matter, and record memories. Concurrently, the use of journals provides educators and program coordinators with an enhanced sense of students' perspectives and personal growth. 4 A Snapshot of USW 2016 Date Big Idea/Inquiry Question School Grade Students May 2-6, 2016 Where does knowledge come from? H.D. Cartwright School 7 63 May 9-13, 2016 Change Highwood School 3 41 May 16-19 & 24, 2016 Change Highwood School 3 42 June 6-10, 2016 Community Altadore School 1 35 “The University School Week program is one of the finest of its kind I have encountered. Minds and hearts are stimulated and, at the end of the day, these bright young people leave the campus with ideas flowing and an eagerness to do more.” - Dr. Ed Nowicki, Associate Director, Centre for Environmental Engineering, Research and Education 5 Living on Campus Several groups of students were fortunate to receive a tour of the University of Calgary residences from TJ Fedyk, Supervisor of Student Housing Services, and Kirsten MacInnis, Housing Services Coordinator. Students had the opportunity to view a typical first-year common room, kitchen, and dorm room. Visiting Residence was valuable for students in illuminating the true University experience and how it differs from their school experiences. Additionally, students were able to develop a new perspective on the University, coming to see its vastness and the opportunities that it offers beyond academics. While in the common room, students imagined the possibility of one day living where they went to school. They reflected on this possibility by sketching and describing their “dream dorm rooms.” “I learned that living in residence is REALLY expensive… But totally worth it!!! I hope I can live here one day.” – Grade 7 Student 6 At the Theatre Some classes had the unique opportunity of touring fine arts spaces with Michelle McKey, Bookings and Subscription Administrator with University Theatre Services. Students visited the Eckhardt-Grammatté Hall and the University Theatre, experiencing these spaces both as both audience members and performers. A highlight for many, students were able to share their talents with their classmates by singing, acting, and dancing. The tour also included a behind-the-scenes peek at several other areas of the buildings; for instance, students visited the set-design construction area and spoke with Scott Freeman, Scenic Carpenter, regarding the sets used in each show. They also spent time in the dressing rooms, green room, and various rehearsal spaces. Through this tour, students gained an understanding of the performing arts, both onstage and backstage, and learned of both the potential and the value in pursuing a career in the fine arts, which sparked much interest and coincided with many students’ passions. 7 Chinese Characters Coming from a Mandarin Bilingual Program, one group of grade three students from Highwood School had the unique opportunity of attending a session with Dr. Lloyd Sciban, a Sessional Instructor with the Department of Linguistics, Language and Culture. The students explored the history and evolution of Chinese characters. From the lens of the school’s theme, “Change,” the class actively participated in recognizing how Chinese characters had changed over the years. Students examined, inquired, and shared in both English and Mandarin. At the end of the session, students’ Chinese names were drawn out of a hat for a Chinese book, which filled the room with excitement. Through this lecture, these grade three students were able to experience the atmosphere of a university course, and were truly fortunate to work with a University of Calgary professor. This experience left the students, teachers, and volunteers with an enhanced sense of admiration for the Chinese language. 8 Italian Language and Culture Grade seven students had the amazing opportunity to study Italian culture and language with Maria Oss-Cech, an instructor with the Department of Continuing Education. Students learned from Maria, who had lived in Italy for much of her life, about famous Italians such as Leonardo da Vinci, and about Italian festivals such as the Carnival of Venice. Students also engaged in an exploration of the Italian language, among other languages from around the world, considering the question, “Where does language come from?” Following this