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As an ongoing initiative of North Dakota State College of Science, faculty continue to pursue outreach and collaboration with K-12 partners across the state. By offering opportunities for community organizations to come to campus for educational and exploratory events, NDSCS hopes to continue to be an enriching force in K-12 education and beyond.

As part of this initiative, NDSCS Mathematics and Science department faculty recently hosted a NOVA Fearful Symmetry event at NDSCS Wahpeton for area Cub Scouts in grades 2 – 5. NOVA programs are STEM-related programs to help Cub Scout members gain interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. During this NOVA event, Wahpeton Cub Scouts were introduced to the concept of symmetry, and worked on construction projects with marshmallows and toothpicks, watched a video about symmetry in the world, did crafts where symmetry was used in the design, and toured areas of NDSCS where symmetry in construction techniques (such as arches, stained glass windows, etc) are demonstrated.

Lisa Karch, PhD, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer commented on NDSCS’s efforts, saying “Partnerships with our K-12 institutions are integral to our mission as a College. We are proud of the work and collaboration our faculty are doing in providing educational opportunities and outreach in our communities. For many young students, this is their first opportunity to visit NDSCS and imagine themselves as a college student in the future.”

NDSCS looks forward to growing the NOVA event at a larger level in future years, bringing Cub Scouts from across the region, and providing a day camp for these students to experience various STEM-related opportunities. In addition to the Cub Scout NOVA program, NDSCS continues to partner with the K-12 sector by hosting additional community events like Math Olympics, FFA regional competitions, SkillsUSA, youth summer camps, and more.

NDSCS Mathematics and Science Associate Professor Margaret Brady has been selected as a winner of Labster’s 2022 STEM Excellence Award. This annual award recognizes 10 educators from around the world for innovation in education, through developing student-centered learning programs that utilize new technologies.

Brady was nominated by Labster team members based on her outstanding performance across multiple criteria, including encouragement of scientific literacy, support for strategies that increase student engagement, keen awareness of strategies that help STEM students learn effectively, use of innovative instructional materials and new teaching approaches, promotion of the application of science and technology in careers, and innovation in propelling an institution forward in the use of technology to help more students achieve their goals.

“The STEM Excellence Awards honor inspiring edtech innovators whose passion for teaching and commitment to student success are making a measurable impact within their community,” said Michael Bodekaer Jensen, Labster co-founder and CEO. Brady’s use of Labster virtual lab simulations in her classroom has assisted her students in developing understanding and skills related to the material she presents. “Something in the brain was clicking with the experience; even though it’s virtual, learning is taking place,” says Brady of adding Labster simulations to her courses.

Find more information here.

Article written by NDSCS and submitted to external news outlets. 

North Dakota State College of Science dedicated its William F. Rothwell Center for Science today. The area used for science education at the College has been named in honor of NDSCS alumnus William F. (Bill) Rothwell, who received his Liberal Arts degree from the College in 1956.

“Today we celebrate Bill Rothwell and thank him for his support of NDSCS,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “We are honored to dedicate the William F. Rothwell Center for Science, which will impact science education for generations of NDSCS students.”

A native of Breckenridge, Minn. and a longtime supporter of the NDSCS Alumni Foundation, Rothwell recently donated $250,000 to the Foundation to create an endowment that will support NDSCS science curriculum. Inspired by his mother, who was an instructor at NDSCS from 1965-1974 and instilled in him a love for education, Rothwell established the William F. Rothwell Endowment in 2015 to support students in Business Administration and Management. His most recent gift creates a second endowment to expand his impact to the science department. The William F. Rothwell Center for Science Endowment will help the College meet the educational needs of its students in the years to come.

“Bill and his wife, Janet, have both been dedicated to education throughout their careers. It has been a pleasure to get to know Bill and to work with him as he supports the community where he grew up,” said NDSCS Alumni Foundation Executive Director Kim Nelson. “His most recent gift demonstrates how donors can make an impact that matches their interests with the educational needs at NDSCS.”

Using a portion of the most recent gift from Rothwell, NDSCS has been able to update its chemistry lab with new computers and software to operate instruments and equipment for hands-on learning. The College is also able to move forward with new curriculum to teach anatomy using new equipment that uses a constructive, hands-on approach. The remainder of the gift will be used to create an endowment that will help the department maintain state-of-the-art equipment for science instruction.

“These upgrades allow our students to work with modern instruments that they will see and work with in their future careers,” said NDSCS Mathematics and Science Department Chair Shannon King. “We are excited to know that we will be able to continue to provide modern equipment for our students’ education as new technology is available in the future.”

More than 200 students will take classes at the NDSCS William F. Rothwell Center for Science each year. Classes using the new science equipment are part of the curriculum for students taking Liberal Arts courses or studying for science or pre-professional health careers, as well as students in the College’s Allied Health and Agriculture programs.