A team of Vol State chemists consisting of Dr. Chuck Snelling (team leader), Mr. Parris Powers, and Dr. Tom Miller is bringing to conclusion a curriculum development opportunity--participation in the Improving Science and Technology Education at Community Colleges project.  The project to strengthen the teaching of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology at the nation's two-year colleges, was launched by Phi Theta Kappa (the International Honor Society for Two-Year Colleges), with support from the National Science Foundation, in cooperation with the American Association of Community Colleges.  By being selected as one of only seventeen participant community colleges in the nation, Vol State faculty members were able to participate in the first two National Science and Technology Education conferences in Washington, D.C.  In addition, the College was provided a mentor to assist in the integration and implementation of curricular changes.  Mentor involvement included two site visits between Miami University Middletown of Ohio and the Gallatin Campus.  Director of the Center for Chemical Education at Miami University Middletown, Ms. Mickey Sarquis said of her visit to the campus in Gallatin that, "the Volunteer State team has strong support of their peers and administration alike.  I am sure that the project will definitely make a difference to this service area."

The goals of the Vol State team were (1) to upgrade laboratory instrumentation and computing capability in science,  (2) to integrate "Take Home challenges" into general chemistry, (3) to incorporate inquiry-based or scenario-based experiments into the general chemistry curriculum, (4) to participate in two national conferences, (5) to participate in two site visits, and (6) to initiate an assessment of technological needs in the service area to guide in the development of academic programs in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology.