WNC News & Notes

Grant to help teach students with disabilities

Western Nevada College Disability Support Services and partners from three other colleges are recipients of a $114,994 grant from the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education program. The funds will help develop a course that educates college faculty and staff about resources and materials that help students with learning disabilities succeed in the classroom, and ultimately on the job.

"The goal of the project is to increase the number of students with learning disabilities pursuing and graduating from technological programs," said Disability Support Services Coordinator Susan Trist. "By educating our faculty and staff about the resources available to support students who struggle, we can improve the success rate when these students enter the work force."

The grant is a collaborative effort between WNC, Landmark College of Vermont, Lone Star College of Texas and the Community College of Allegheny, Pa. WNC's involvement includes helping with research and collection information about student needs, writing course content, and providing instructors to participate in the course.

Research opportunity for students

WNC chemistry professor Mike Sady and Dr. Jay Arnone of the Desert Research Institute are looking for students to work with this summer. The project goal is to provide K-12 Spanish language educational materials and curriculum utilizing the Waterfall Fire Interpretive Trail on the WNC Carson City campus. The project is part of the National Science Foundation's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) for Climate Change Research.

Full-time undergraduate students studying science, technology, engineering or mathematics or a journalism, political science or education major with major interests in science or technology are eligible to apply. Students who are chosen will receive a scholarship from the National Science Foundation and mentorship by Professor Sady and Dr. Arnone.

For more information, call Sady at 782-2413. For information and scholarship qualifications: www.nevada.edu/epscor/

nsf-overview.html. All application materials must be submitted by March 1.

Class enhances skills for teaching gifted students

K-12 teachers can enhance their classroom skills with a one-credit course that provides techniques and methods to keep gifted and talented students challenged. Challenging Gifted and Talented Students K-12 meets 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 20 and 27, at Jacks Valley Elementary School Library. Cost is $68.50. Register online: www.wnc.edu/studentservices/admissions/.

Financial aid apps for fall being accepted

Students are encouraged to plan ahead for the fall 2010 and spring 2011 semesters. Financial assistance applications are being accepted through Thursday, April 1. Students can apply for grants, scholarships, student loans, or student employment to help pay for tuition and books. For additional information, contact WNC Financial Assistance at 445-3264.