A rotation of some of our third year nursing students got immersed in a hospital patient care check simulation for "patient" Michael Smith, under care for a post-operative abdominal surgery. Michael is not happy about his the ostomy he awoke with after surgery, is having nausea, pain, a seeping surgical would and needs his medications. Our Nursing Simulation Laboratory assists nursing students in learning critical thinking and clinical judgment skills in preparation for their healthcare careers. The “manikins” act as lifelike patient simulators, wherein instructors provide real-time feedback via a control center, giving students as close to real-life simulation as possible. Fellow students watch as their classmates work through the simulation. All students and faculty debrief after the scenario.

Students in Theater Professor Mary Vreeland's  Acting 1 course got to try out their first attempt at improvisation. The scene involved a bus stop and a disputed seat. This course is an introduction to professional stage performance techniques. Students will learn how to build a character using techniques such as playing actions, status, physical transformation, improvisation, relaxation and script analysis.

Assistant Professor Xiaoying Meng works with students in her Virtual Reality Development course in our Gaming Design Program. This course introduces students to virtual reality (VR) development, the principles and history of VR and VR systems, as well as how this rapidly advancing medium can be used in interactive and narrative entertainment, education and training, art and film creation, and other content areas. Topics include 3D interaction and VR user interface types, haptics, human perception, social VR, telepresence, augmented reality (AR) and the philosophical and scientific implications of how virtual reality may inform and alter human perception of reality. Students will playtest and critique a variety of VR games and apps, and work individually and in groups to create VR projects.

This afternoon, Dr. Amy McGlothlin, Program Director for our Creative Arts Therapies program, and Dr. Jonathan Harvey, Program Director for our Creative Arts Enterprise program hosted a Meet & Greet and Information Session in the Conlon Fine Arts building. This gathering gave an opportunity for current majors to speak with faculty and other students in the programs, as well as an information session for current students interested in the programs.

Theater Technical  Director Jo Nazro, Fitchburg State University Industrial Technology/Technical Theater alum, demonstrates various lighting styles and color effects with students in her Advanced Stage Light Design class. Learn more about our Theater Concentration here. 

Humanities Professor Petri Flint works with students in his Introductory Painting  class. This is a studio course studies the basic problems of form, color, and texture as understood in oil. Consideration is also given to the nature and use of the oil painting materials themselves.

 English Studies Professor Katharine Covino's The Banned Books Club: Exploring Book Challenges & Censorship Adult Learning in the Fitchburg Area (ALFA) course gathered in the The Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library for a a Banned Book Storytime as part of Banned Books Week. Children's books that have been challenged and/or banned were read and discussed. 

Today, as in years past, members of the Fitchburg State University community joined other volunteers from local companies and organizations at the United Way of Central Massachusetts 29th Annual United Way Day of Caring. The Day of Caring brings together hundreds of volunteers in service projects to benefit local community groups and the clients the United Way serves, and make a difference through meaningful volunteer projects in greater Worcester area. #dayofcaring

Students in Biology and Chemistry Professor Billy Samulak's General Chemistry Lab worked on various weights and measures in the Antonucci Science Complex. The course explores the fundamental laws and theories of chemistry such as atomic structure, the periodic table, electrochemistry, descriptive inorganic chemistry, the gas laws, solutions, equilibrium calculations and chemical bonding. Chemical calculations are emphasized. 

Students enjoyed checking out the poster sale on the Hammond Plaza earlier this week.