News

HSI-STEM & COVID-19

COVID-19 is at the forefront of everyone's mind, and often the main topic of conversation and email. Many schools, including all CUNY schools have transitioned to distance learning, which means that there are some big changes to be made. The HSI-STEM team has been working tirelessly to help faculty make this huge leap, providing guidance, support and training.

We will continue to do all we can do support faculty in making changes enabling students to succeed in their classes during this time with many uncertainties. We have collected resources and tips for staying healthy, both in mind and body, during these unprecedented times. Please also check our Redesign Resources page for ideas and materials to help with teaching and visit QC's Center for Teaching and Learning's website. It contains many great tutorials, links, webinars and resources that will help any instructor during the transition.

The HSI-STEM Team is following precautions against virus spread and are all working remotely. We will be holding virtual office hours, so you can feel free to drop in. Check the Calendar page for times and links to Google Meet. The whole team is also available by email and you can find them by clicking on the photo of the person you wish to email in the Team page.

From the HSI-STEM family to yours: stay well, keep up the distance (physically), and don't forget to wash your hands!

“We all know that there’s plenty of evidence that if you teach STEM a little bit differently, where your mind-set is not that of a gatekeeper … but your mind-set is to teach, students actually succeed. Everybody in the community is going to benefit, because we’re not just going to teach better to Latino students, we’re going to teach better to every student at Queens College.”

- Felix Matos-Rodríguez, Chancellor of CUNY

"STEM plays an important role in our city, state, and nation and will continue to do so in the future. […] It is crucial that we attract students to the STEM fields, especially traditionally underrepresented students.”

—Congresswoman Grace Meng


Congratulations to our peer mentor, Biling Chen on her success in STEM!

Dr. Soule and students from the SEES department at Queens College conducted experiments in Antarctica this winter. HSI STEM is proud to have Dr. Soule as a faculty redesign instructor and even more proud that some students with him in Antarctica, Lauren & Emilio, are members of our Peer Mentor group.

"Right now we are fighting a 50 knot wind and dodging an eleven mile long iceberg that has parked itself in the middle of our experiment. Our experiment is wrapping up and we are preparing for the transit across the Drake Passage around Cape Horn. Despite some adverse conditions, experiment has been a success and we have seen some amazing sights."

Dax Soule, QC SEES Dept., Feb, 2019

Upcoming Presentations!

67th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS), Queens College, Queens, NY

May 4, 2019

Chemistry peer mentors from QC and QCC will present posters related to chemistry redesign.

Reimagining Science Education, Queens College, Queens, NY

May 10, 2019

The peer mentors from all redesigned courses at QC and QCC will present posters exploring their experiences working in redesigned courses.