Earth, Wind and Fire Learning Community

Majors eligible to join: Meteorology, Geology, Earth Science, LAS Open

Program description
The Earth, Wind and Fire learning community (EW&F LC) is open to incoming freshmen and transfer students, declaring meteorology, geology, or Earth science as their major. Students enrolled in the LAS Open Option who are interested in learning more about our planet are also welcome to join. Students participating in the EW&F LC will have the opportunity to develop stronger connections with fellow students and the faculty and staff in the Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences. The main goal of the EW&F LC is to build a community of students and faculty and to increase students’ retention to and recruitment into the programs by providing strong interaction with faculty, upperclassmen (peer mentors), study sessions and supplemental instruction. The creation of a new, required orientation course GEOL/MTEOR 112X provides the setting for the community-building activities.

Upperclassman peer mentors provide advice and direction as well as planning activities for the group. Peer mentors will also organize math, chemistry and physics tutoring sessions for members of the LC.

The learning community participants will have opportunities for interaction with students, faculty and staff through departmental activities and events, including the annual fall departmental picnic, pizza lunches with faculty, and AMS and Geology Club activities. Departmental seminars are scheduled weekly and preceded by a social gathering.

We look forward to welcoming you to Iowa State University.

Living options
None

Signing up
Freshmen/first semester students in the LAS Open Option may sign up for the learning community during their summer orientation. Students who have declared their major as meteorology, geology, or Earth science will automatically be signed up in the LC.

Contact
Jane Dawson, 515-294-6302 jpdawson@iastate.edu
Dave Flory 515-294-0264 flory@iastate.edu

October 13, 2009 jrl