Our third-year Nursing students got their first simulation experience today in the Nursing Simulation Laboratory. After going over the scenario and treatment, teams entered the room where Nursing Simulation Lab Director Ian Murray reprised the role of James Irons, a recovering alcoholic who may have relapsed and ended up in the hospital. James is complaining of itching from bed bugs, and seeing a squirrel in the room. Best line when asked about the squirrel only he could see; "I don't like squirrels, they're dirty and carry diseases, it makes no sense that you would keep one in here."

Earth and Geographic Sciences Professor Jane Huang and Teaching Assistant Kole Broderick were on hand to help students in her Geographic Information System (GIS) for Criminal Justice classes first lab. The course introduces students to the theory and application of crime mapping and analysis in a GIS (Geographic Information System) environment. Students will learn the criminological theories that supports crime analysis and place-based policing. Students will also learn the basic skills of using GIS to create crime maps and to analyze crime patterns.

Students work on a lab exercise in Biology and Chemistry Professor Dr. Eric Williams' Developmental Biology class in the Antonucci Science Complex. The course examines a detailed survey of developing embryos from the fertilized egg through the various stages leading to the adult organism. 

Students in Biology and Chemistry Professor Dr. Erin Rehrig's Intro to Life Science lab created a "naked" egg with a soaking in vinegar. After recording the mass, they are on their way to creating a "bouncy" egg in a sugar solution. 

Curtis P. Rodgers (C.P.R.) is in the Simulation Lab, so our nursing students were immersed in a code blue simulation. A “code blue” is defined as any patient with an unexpected cardiac or respiratory arrest requiring resuscitation and activation of a hospital-wide alert. A pause in the scenario allowed faculty to go in-depth in the scenario and allowed the students to work on their CPR skills; given immediate feedback from both the mannikin patient, and external devices. 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 acted as support staff and assisted the team through the simulation once the code blue alarm was initiated. All students and faculty debrief after the scenario.

Students in Biology and Chemistry Professor Emma Downs' General Chemistry II Lab work on an assignment in the Antonucci Science Complex. In this course, topics include chemical, acid/base, and solubility equilibria and chemical kinetics.

Nursing  students learn how to test blood sugar in their Nursing Foundations Lab. In this course,  emphasis is placed on professionalism, caring, communication, cultural considerations, spirituality, sexuality and health promoting activities. 

Nursing  students learn  in-room patient care (cleanliness, moving, bed changing, etc) in their Nursing Foundations Lab. In this course,  emphasis is placed on professionalism, caring, communication, cultural considerations, spirituality, sexuality and health promoting activities. 

On the last day of class for this semester, Nursing Simulation Lab Director Ian Murray reprised the role of James Irons, a recovering alcoholic who may have relapsed and ended up in the hospital. James is remorseful and worried what his family will think. A nursing student plays his daughter in this scenario.

Earlier this month, Director of Early College Dual Enrollment, Fernando Garcia-Rodriguez an Assistant Director of Admissions Eliezer Rivera hosted students enrolled in the Fitchburg High School Honors Academy who visited campus to learn about our Biology and Chemistry and Environmental and Earth Science programs. Professors Christopher Picone, Lisa Grimm, Daniel Welsh, and  Eric Williams talked about our STEM programs and led the students on a tour of state-of-the-art facilities. In addition, students learned about research methods in the Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library, and learned about the university from our Admissions & Aid  staff.