Page 5 - Eureka! Spring 2008

Student news between the service they provide to Bridging to university By Mandy Sinclair Student news
the community and the knowledge and
to Earth. As an intern, Diamond had
efore starting university, high
skills they acquire at university.
Engaging students in the subject
Bschool graduates don’t typically
the opportunity to research neutrino
“At the end of the week, I had a
matter is a top priority in the Faculty
work on real research projects, engage
greater understanding of public af-
signals and write computer programs
of Science, which offers bridging op-
fairs, poverty and globalization in
in the subject matter of their interest
portunities in all nine departments to
for SNO to analyze specific data for
and work directly with world-
the research project. She also attended
students based on academic achieve-
Mexico,” says Kalidindi.
Stationed in Cuernavaca, Mexico, the
students’ time was balanced between
When presented with the bridg-
interacted with other researchers at
paid for it! However, for participants
Carleton.
ing opportunity, Diamond’s deci-
experiential learning and service proj- renowned researchers—much less get physics meetings and seminars and ments in secondary school.
in the eight-week Bridging Sum-
ects, and lectures and discussions at mer Research Internship in Science “What I enjoyed most about the sion to accept was obvious thanks
the Cuernavaca Center for Intercultur- program in the Faculty of Science at program was the opportunity to get to the research projects she could
al Dialogue on Development. The group Carleton University, these opportuni- first-hand experience working on be involved in. “Carleton’s physics
spent two days digging foundations ties are realized. a real physics research project—it program is absolutely one of the best
for two Habitat for Humanity houses, ral recipient of this hands-on intern- makes studying the material much in the country and the department is
As a physics major and the inaugu-
one day painting and cleaning up an
more exciting now that I’ve seen what
involved in some of the most exciting
A break from the ordinary elementary school and another visit- ship, Miriam Diamond spent summer it can lead to,” says Diamond. projects in the world.”
For Diamond, the bridging intern-
2007 working with Peter Watson, pro-
The experience and mentoring Dia-
ing families in a squatter settlement.
By Mandy Sinclair Kalidindi is the first science student fessor in the department of physics, mond received during her internship ship program has been her greatest
to participate in the ASB program, and on a project for the world-renowned have given her the confidence to ex- Carleton experience and the greatest
pending reading week in Mexico nology student, Kalidindi embraced values the breadth it provides in her Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO). plore her research interests. “Dr. Wat- academic experience of her life. “Hav-
Simplies a relaxing vacation in the the ASB opportunity to learn about education. Researchers at SNO have provided son has been a wonderful mentor to ing a first-hand glimpse into the world
sun. But for Navya Kalidindi and 24 justice and poverty in the advent of “I consider academics to be very great insight into neutrinos coming me, offering guidance when I needed of physics research, I now know that
other Carleton students involved in globalization—subjects not taught in important,” says Kalidindi, “but I think from the sun that oscillate between it, but allowing me to pursue aspects I definitely want to pursue a career in
the second annual Alternative Spring the science classroom. The community there are other things Carleton does three different “flavours” on their way of the research project by myself.” physics.”
Break (ASB), Mexico provided continu- service learning initiative organized by to ensure we have a well-balanced
ous learning opportunities. the First Year Experience Office chal- university experience and allow us to
A third-year biology and biotech- lenges students to make connections grow as a good member of society.” A seminal seminar
More than that, Wiles believes the
“The class made me a better scien-
f giving a presentation and being
Prospecting Coalition chess Icritiqued by the professor in front seminar sets the tone for a student’s tific writer, and writer in general,” she
university experience. “In the first
of a room full of your first-year peers
says. “Dr. Wiles always said that if we
for employees NSchoenberg electrified the cham- the tremendous numbers of play- sounds daunting, you likely avoided term of their first year, students are could not explain something to our
The game’s complexity results from
early a century ago, Arnold
criticized on their presentation, and
Don Wiles’ first-year seminar on sci-
grandmothers then we didn’t really
By Mandy Sinclair ber music world with iconoclastic able combinations from four sets of ence. Pity. they criticize me on mine. That con- understand it, and that I’ll remember
atonal compositions and secured a pieces. As Paquette explains, there Wiles, a chemistry professor emeritus, fidence and trust, to tell a professor for a good while to come.”
Employers in the mining industry are unique place in the history of music. is no way that a human or a single is one of those teachers you wish you’d what he did wrong, to know that pro- Helen Holden, in third year bio-
digging for geology grads as the de- A painter, music theorist and teacher computer could play all the games, or had. He’s passionate about teaching and fessors can be questioned and talked chemistry, echoes those sentiments.
mand for skilled employees grows. the of composition, Schoenberg was also even experiment with all the start- passionate about Carleton. Despite retir-
Globe and Mail reported in March that the inventor of coalition chess, a ing configurations of the board in its ing in 1990, he’s entering his fiftieth year Students in the seminar learn early on how to
only 1,200 geology students will gradu- strategic board game where four play- lifetime. (To see all possible starting of teaching at Carleton in September. He
ate this year, yet the mining industry in ers form alliances to overcome their combinations within 100 years, the started teaching in the first-year semi- communicate their research to diverse audiences
canada has 9,000 positions to fill. opponents on an expanded chess pieces should be reconfigured more nar program when it was introduced and how to think on their feet
the demand for employees meant board. The complexity of Schoenberg than 221x1015 times per second.) eight years ago, and has been organizing
that many of the 64 carleton students Coalition Chess has made its play- “The artificial intelligence of this it for the past four years. to, is important. Beyond the seminar Because of the requirement for class
attending the Prospectors and Develop- ability questionable and inhibited its game will have to be built over many What sets the seminar apart from content, students learn to trust the participation, she had opportuni-
ers Association of canada conference popularity, but Michel Paquette hopes years, certainly more than 10 years other first-year courses is the small system, accept positive criticism and ties to work on presenting her ideas
in toronto in March had pre-arranged to change all that. for any good purpose,” says Paquette. class size of 18 to 22 students and its work with colleagues.” clearly and logically. “The course gave
interviews with potential employers. Paquette, a computer science For now, with the online version intention to teach science communi- For Mutiat Enikanolaiye, now a me a lot more experience and confi-
students attended lectures on aspects doctoral candidate, took on the chal- available to anyone for play, Paquette cation rather than science content. second-year biochemistry and bio- dence with public speaking, and that
of geology and met with geoscientists, lenge of creating an online version of is working on improving its popular- Learning the written and oral commu- technology student, the small class summer, I was even hired by Carleton
entrepreneurs, investors and businesses coalition chess for the international ity by creating a 3D environment. nication skills required of a working size made all the difference. “The to do presentations for the parents of
representing all aspects of the mineral Schoenberg symposium hosted at “For people like me, for whom play- scientist takes time, and Wiles winces professor actually knew my name and incoming students,” she says.
industry. Carleton in July 2007. ing chess against a computer doesn’t at the thought of students making my face! With about a dozen students “Dr. Wiles put together a practical
similarly, a two-day career event host- “The idea intrigued me since it was cut it, coalition chess offers the added their first presentation only later, sitting in a circle speaking directly to and inspiring course,” says Holden. “He
ed by the carleton University society of coming from the music department. challenge of collaboration and social when they defend their honours thesis. the professor, you couldn’t help but had a genuine regard for each of us as
Economic Geologists student chapter My critical mind was thinking, ‘What interaction mingled with strategy.” “Students in the seminar learn participate, learn and actually think individuals, and gave us room in the
attracted 11 organizations and saw could an artist have made which is Visit the Online Schoenberg early on how to communicate their re- during the class—and the course gave curriculum to tailor the course to our
nearly 100 students interviewed—with scientifically so interesting? I have to Coalition Chess Project at search to diverse audiences and how me an initial network of friends, other interests. I brought away skills and
some students receiving more than one see this!’ And I was won over.” coalitionchess.com. to think on their feet,” he says. “They intelligent, curious and often con- knowledge that I appreciate again and
job offer. gain a lot of confidence.” fused first-year students like me.” again as an upper-year student.”
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