Fri., Jan. 9, 2004
Academic paper on Chaos Theory co-written by MWCC Professor to be Published in International Journal of Science and Education.
By Lea Ann Erickson
Rocco Perla, MWCC adjunct professor in natural sciences, and Dr. James Carifio’s collaborative and interdisciplinary co-authored paper entitled “The Nature of Scientific Revolutions From the Vantage Point of Chaos Theory: Toward a Model of Scientific Change” has won the 2003 Distinguished Paper Award for the annual conference of the Eastern Educational Research Association (EERA). The paper will be published in the International Journal of Science & Education. It is the first of three papers Perla and Carifio have co-authored on this topic in the past year.
Perla and Carifio will be presented this award at the February 2004 EERA conference in Clearwater, Florida and their paper will be presented again as an invited paper at the American Educational Research Association’s annual national conference in April in San Diego, California, where they will also receive an award from this research organization for this paper and work.
The paper, which has sparked much interest in the science education community, was most recently an invited presentation at the bi-annual International History, Philosophy and Science Teaching Conference held in Winnipeg, Canada last July, and it is being published in the conference proceedings.
The nature of scientific change involves resolving a number of very difficult issues and problems about the nature of science, scientific theory, and knowledge as well as the factors and dynamics that bring about scientific change. Understanding and having a formal model of the nature of scientific change is important in a globally competitive society that is driven by scientific discovery, change and the applications of discoveries and changes rapidly in the market place. Further, teaching the nature of scientific knowledge and change is now a core objective in the science education reforms that have been mandated at the state and federal level and having formal models of these phenomena will facilitate both teaching and achieving these new and critical mandated goals.
Perla is an epidemiologist at HealthAlliance Hospitals and is an advanced doctoral student in the Mathematics and Science Education Program in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Carifio is a professor of cognitive psychology and education in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
MWCC to Receive Campus Compact Grant to Host a Parenting Resource Fair as part of Annual Raise Your Voice Campaign
By Lea Ann Erickson
Massachusetts Campus Compact Executive Director notified MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino that the college has received a grant to fund a Parenting Resource fair as part of the Raise Your Voice campaign. The annual campaign is designed to encourage student participation in discussion of current and relevant events. The event will not only expose students to a variety of resources available to parents, but also feature student discussion on parenting issues. To learn more, or to participate, contact Lea Ann Erickson at (978) 630-9322 or Emily Ball at (978) 630-9564.
Upcoming Campus Events:
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Working full-time? Find out how you can earn your Early Childhood Education Associate Degree in three years by attending weekend courses once or twice a month and through convenient online courses. An information session will be held Wed., Jan. 14, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Murphy Conference room at the college’s Gardner campus. Learn about the program, schedule, and financial aid opportunities and see an online learning demonstration. To pre-register, call Missi Howlett at (978) 630-9273.
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A free information session on computer certification programs will be offered at the college’s Leominster Campus and Corporate Training Center, Thurs., Jan 15, at 5:30 p.m. Learn how to become certified, build your career and increase your earning potential. Information on Cisco Certified Network Associate, Cisco Certified Network Professional, Internet and Computer Core Certification and IT Essentials will all be available. For more information, call (978) 840-3221.
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The college will join Fitchburg, Gardner and Leominster public schools in celebrating Martin Luther King Day at two events, Sun., Jan 18. The First Church Unitarian Universalist will host a Southern-style luncheon from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and a free program of art, poetry, gospel music, dance and a keynote speaker from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is organized by the Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition. A diversity concert sponsored by North Central Massachusetts Youth Alliance (NCMYA), LUK, the Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition and Mount Wachusett Community College will be held at Leominster High School Auditorium from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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The college’s Devens Campus will host an open house, Tues., Jan 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Participants can tour the new campus and learn about the Devens Applied Manufacturing Center and the Devens Learning Center featuring GED and Adult Basic Education course. Credit classes begin Thurs., Jan. 22. To learn more, call (978) 630-9569.
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The East Wing Gallery will be hosting several exhibits. Drawings, ceramics, sculpture and paintings representing the work of MWCC art students are on display in the gallery through Tues., Jan. 20. In addition, the paintings of Keith Hollingworth will be featured in the gallery from, Thurs., Jan. 22 through Fri., Feb. 13. The East Wing Gallery is open Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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The MWCC Fitness and Wellness Center will be offering American Red Cross Lifeguard training and youth swim lessons this winter. Registration is now underway. Session I lifeguard training begins in February; swim lessons begin this month (January.) For more information call (978) 630-9212.
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The Fitness and Wellness Center in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation is offering an aquatic program with introductory classes beginning, Mon., Jan. 19. No swimming is required for this warm-water exercise program developed by the Arthritis Foundation. The group meets one or more times per week for up to one hour. The program is designed for anyone with impaired or reduced joint motion. Courses are taught by leaders or instructors who have completed an Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program (AFAP) Training Workshop. Before beginning an exercise program, consult your doctor. To learn more, call (978) 630-9212.
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Theatre at the Mount will hold auditions for the youth musical Charlotte’s Web, Mon., Jan. 19 at 10:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. To schedule an appointment call the Theatre at the Mount Box-office at (978) 632-2403, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., or e-mail your appointment request to box-office@mwcc.mass.edu. Auditions will be held in room 182. Director Sharon Asher, music director Bill Asher and choreographer Darlene Dickson are looking for a large cast of children, teenagers and adults with singing, dancing and acting ability. Featuring mad-cap and endearing farm animals, Charlotte’s Web explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship. Auditions will consist of singing, dance/movement and cold readings from the script. Please be prepared with a vocal selection that shows vocal range/ability and dress comfortably for the dance/movement audition. Performances of Charlotte’s Web are April 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 at 9:30 a.m.; April 2, 8, 9 at 12 noon; and April 3 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Tentative rehearsal schedule is Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. For more information contact Professor Gail Steele at (978) 630-9162 or visit the Theatre at the Mount web site at http://theatre.mwcc.edu