I have to admit, coming back from Thanksgiving break, I only looked forward to one event this week: The Q-STEP information session. I wish I took some pictures of the meeting, but I was preoccupied by the free pizza. Q-STEP was born when Joseph Martin, Ph.D, chair of our Biology department received a grant from the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP) of the National science Foundation (NSF). The program seeks to increase the graduation rate of math and science majors.
That in itself sounds fantastic. Right now I'm an English-Biology double major, and I will take any help I can get. Q-STEP intends to create a learning community. Two floors, I believe, of a building on Cooper Street are currently under renovations to provide a space for the Q-STEP scholars. There will be counter space, a fridge, and lockers. If you're living off campus, I'm sure it will be a tremendous asset. If you live on campus, it will be a good place to hide your good food.
Peer Mentors will also be hired. Weekly study groups in Science and Math courses will form, which is great, because I'm REALLY scared of Calculus. At the Q-STEP meeting an eclcetic group of faculty were present, and they recognized Calculus as a stumbling block on the way to a degree in Math and/or Science.
Although I should be most excited for the tutoring, because I think it can really benefit me, I am most looking forward to having a chance to do some research. Q-STEP scholars can be chosen to partake in part-time (I can't remember if it's paid) research opportunities during the semester with faculty and full-time, paid research with faculty in the summer.
The Q-STEP faculty includes professors from both the math and science departments, who will be great to know for many reasons such as advisement,future recomendations, extra help, and because they all seem really nice.
Incoming Freshman should definitely look out for this program if they're interested in Math or Science, current Freshman can apply here.
I hope this doesn't sound too much like an advertisement, but I hope for this to become a big part of my student life, and I hope for it to become a part of your student life too. I also hope it gives you another reason to come to Rutgers Camden.
I'm off to Psychology of Marketing class now. I hope everyone's doing better than I am at getting back to the grind after break.
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