The new Natural Sciences Center at Irvine Valley College is a win-win for Hinanui Swider. She benefits as both a student and a tutor.
Now in her second year at IVC, Swider has plans to transfer to a UC in the fall, earn a degree in biology and then go to medical school.
She spends morning hours studying and finishing her classwork at the center, sometimes with the help of other students.
“Not only am I able to have a place for a study group with my friends, but whenever we struggle or are kind of confused about something, we can easily get a tutor’s help to check over our work,” she says.
On Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons at the center, Swider herself tutors students in chemistry lessons.
“I help them learn concepts but also learn how to learn – how to study, what to focus on,” she says. “It’s not just about how to get 100 on this test but how to be a better student.”
A place to socialize and learn
The Natural Sciences Center launched inside building B-300 in February, with hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every weekday except Friday, when it closes at 2 p.m.
The center serves students in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth science, geology, health sciences, marine science and physics, as of early March.
Chemistry professor Keith Donavan, vice president of the IVC Academic Senate and chair of the Physical Science and Technologies Department, is a key proponent.
Donavan says he believed existing support services weren’t evenly distributed to students beyond those eligible for programs with specific requirements.
The center’s free drop-in tutoring is staffed by faculty, like Donavan, and student tutors, like Swider. Workshops are also offered.
Beyond the study aspect, Donavan finds great value in providing a place where STEM-oriented students can socialize with each other – on their own or by hosting campus science club activities.
The center can bring a sense of belonging to counter the commuter college aspect of being on campus only to attend class.
“I’m finding that people are staying longer than I expected,” Donavan says of students who have spent three to four hours a day at the center.
Guest speakers and more
In the first few weeks, a head count that didn’t include workshop attendance tallied 250 unique student visits, from among 1,534 students considered natural sciences majors, Donavan says.
“My goal is to have every student who is taking a STEM class visit the center at least once a semester,” he says.
Afternoons from 3 to 6 p.m. are busiest. If a professor wants to extend a couple of hours longer, that is accommodated.
Capacity is 45 students, so it can get crowded. Donavan intends to advocate for more space as it becomes available.
“My goal is to have every student who is taking a STEM class visit the center at least once a semester.”
Keith Donavan, chair of the Physical Science and Technologies Department
At this early stage, he says, “It’s a good problem for us to have.”
He also plans to bring in guest speakers from the community who are working in the natural sciences as well as tapping UC and CSU representatives to come talk about STEM transfer opportunities.
Swider, who is an embedded tutor in one of Donavan’s classes, says she has networked with other students at the center, learning about summer internships and club activities.
“I never would have talked to these people had I not gone to the science center.”
