This afternoon, Chief of University Police Michael Cloutier conducted a Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) for Teacher Candidates in our Education Programs. The course, designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend (ADD) strategy developed by Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) in 2004, provides strategies, guidance, and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event. 

This afternoon, Professors Elisabet Takehana & J.J. Sylvia of our Communications Media's Digital Media Innovation program discussed burgeoning topics in the realm of communications with the Fitchburg State University Upward Bound  Math and Science Summer Program students. Among the many subjects, AI and its implications were discussed.

Fitchburg State University Center for Professional Studies' Advanced Placement Summer Institutes (APSI)  AP Studio Art Summer Institute for new and experienced teachers of AP explore the 3D Art and Design, 2D Art and Design and Drawing portfolios. Studio sessions facilitate the creation of valuable curricula through corresponding art making.

The Fitchburg State University Center for Professional Studies' Advanced Placement Summer Institutes (APSI) first week is in full swing. In the AP Biology track, High School Teachers are conducting a week long transpiration experiment. The APSI are designed to support all aspects of AP courses, including AP methodology, curriculum, class assignments and examinations as well as providing strategies for teaching AP courses.

Today, Fitchburg State University's Upward Bound  Math and Science Summer Program students took a trip to Grove Pond in Ayer, MA to lend a hand to PACE (People of Ayer Concerned about the Environment) with their Water Chestnut Pull at Grove Pond. This annual program enlists the public's help to pull out invasive water chestnuts from the pond as well as the Nashua River Watershed.

Today, Fitchburg State University's Upward Bound  Math and Science Summer Program students learned about the Earth Citizens Science Nest Box Project  from representatives from New England Flying Squirrel Network. Afterward, with the assistance of Director Nate Obin and Education Coordinator Maya McCabe, built flying squirrel boxes to be used in a region-wide study.

Fitchburg State University's  Upward Bound Summer Program Staff enjoyed getting to know each other this morning with some icebreaker activities conducted by  Vice President for Student Affairs Laura Bayless and Dean for Student Development Hank Parkinson.

LAST WEEK, Lourdes Ramirez, Coordinator of Field placements, Partnerships and Recruitment for Fitchburg State’s School of Education welcomed a cohort of local high school students enrolled in The Future Educator Academy program to campus for a day of programming. Sessions included Career planning, College 101, Financial Literacy, and Mental Wellness in the Classroom.

Spring fever has taken hold of the campus, Biology and Chemistry Professor Erin Rehrig took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather to have her Life Science for Educators class work on their Timeline of Life on Earth on the quad. This course covers a broad array of life science topics including cellular, organismal, and human biology. It is designed to provide a foundation in the life sciences for education majors (K-8).

Today, Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega visited the Fitchburg State campus as part of his tour of the state's 29 public colleges and universities. During his visit, Commissioner Ortega had lunch with and listened to students, experienced an immersive classroom simulation with education students, spoke with game design students at the downtown game studio about their projects, experienced a virtual nursing simulation designed by students, and checked out facilities including the strength and conditioning laboratory at Landry Arena.