Student Life – Page 2 – The Gatton Academy News

Gatton Academy Adventure Week: Research Fair

August 20, 2014 | News, Research, Student Life | No Comments

Julia Gensheimer and Kelly McKenna

One of the many benefits of coming to the Gatton Academy is the abundance of research opportunities. Academy students are offered the chance to participate in undergraduate research with WKU professors starting as early as their first semester. To introduce the juniors to these opportunities, a research fair was held Monday afternoon. Over 25 faculty and student representatives from a variety of departments came to the Academy to speak with students about their projects. These departments included Chemistry, Architecture and Manufacturing Sciences, Computer Science, Mathematics, Psychology, Physics and Astronomy, Geography and Geology, and Engineering. Both juniors and seniors were excited to learn about current and past studies at WKU. An app for Google Glass, knot theory, graphene synthesis, pollution analysis, mathematical modeling for cancer research, and viewing emotional trends in student growth were just a few of the topics discussed. This was a wonderful chance for the juniors to meet potential research mentors and learn the basics of how to start a project.

Because this was just a sample of the many research opportunities on campus, some students may not have found exactly what they were looking for. Junior Nolan Calhoun was hoping to speak with a biology staff member, but still enjoyed the fair overall: “It was an amazing experience and I think it will really jump start my Gatton career.” Other students previously decided that they were going to wait to participate in research, but still felt the fair was very interesting and informative. By speaking with faculty members and fellow classmates, the juniors are now better prepared to find research mentors if interested with the help of Derick.

Before moving into the Academy, some juniors already committed to a research program known as the Genome Discovery and Exploration Program. This program allows incoming juniors to gain hands-on biology research experience with bacteriophages and become biotechnology certified. Over the summer, students were asked to apply for the program which doubles as a class and a research experience. It is a convenient way to dive into research for those interested. Other students chose to participate in the STEM + Critical Languages program which combines Science, Technology, Engineering and Math subjects with critical language courses such as Arabic and Chinese. STEM + fulfills a research requirement needed to graduate with Honors or Honors with Distinction. It is a great alternative to typical lab work.

Overall, students felt the research fair was a great way to see the variety of opportunities available at WKU. We are very thankful for all of the faculty and student representatives that took the time to share their research with us.

By Gatton Academy

Move-in Day 2014: The Saga Continues

August 19, 2014 | Student Life | 1 Comment

Tyler Meeks and Josh Stewart, Academy Avatars

The day is August 17th, 2014. A group of twenty seniors stand anxiously outside Schnieder Hall. The rain pours relentlessly; umbrellas do little to shelter us from the torrent. All eyes are focused on the intersection in front of the parking lot. We hold our breath as we wait for a left turn signal from one of the passing cars. At 8:25, we see the blinker of a car flash. The first junior has arrived! We try our best not to swarm the car as it pulls in, and eagerly explain to the new arrival that we are here to help, not steal. Barely a minute later the car had been completely unloaded. As we struggle to carry in a small fridge, clothes, and even a musical instrument, more and more cars start to pile in. Soon, the parking lot fills with hopeful juniors eager to begin the next exciting chapter of their lives at the Gatton Academy.

The juniors pack their belongings into their new rooms, meet their roommates, and slowly begin to mingle with the people who they will be sharing their next two years. As the day progresses, initial apprehension begins to fade. The time finally comes for heartfelt, and some teary, goodbyes between parents and their students. It seems like only yesterday that we were in their shoes. As the cycle continues and a new class arrives, the responsibility of guiding the juniors has now fallen upon us.

It has been a long day for seniors and juniors alike, but it is only the beginning of what will be a truly remarkable and memorable year for us all.

By Gatton Academy

Gatton Student Attends HackMIT

October 16, 2013 | News, Student Life | No Comments

Ethan Gill

This past weekend I attended HackMIT, a large undergraduate programming contest held on the campus of MIT. During the 24-hour competition, I programmed around the clock creating a set of apps. The app I developed went on to the win the Mopub-sponsored mobile data award. I was one of 30 teams to win a prize out of over 275 submissions; I am honored and ecstatic that I won. I would not have been knowledgeable enough to attend if not for the experience I have obtained while at the Gatton Academy, and I am grateful for everything the Gatton staff has done to assist me this past year.

During the competition, I developed two iOS apps and set up a server in one day. My final product consisted of BeaconBroadcaster and BeaconViewer, apps that use Bluetooth 4.0 on iPhones and iPads to dynamically ‘beam’ content in one direction with the help of a server. The broadcasting device does not need to be an iPhone. In fact, inexpensive Bluetooth beacons can be purchased online. The applications for this idea are endless. For example, a college campus could put a beacon into their campus maps, allowing real-time “you are here” maps to be pushed to visitors’ devices. Or, a museum could use beacons for their exhibits, pushing extra information to visitors.

To demonstrate my apps to judging, I used three iPhones. Two broadcasted and one received beacons. My viewer app finds the nearest beacon by signal strength and displays it, so I moved the viewer back and forth between the other two phones, demonstrating how the information instantly switched onscreen. In addition, I changed the value of a beacon on my server, and the value on the viewing device updated instantly.

I can honestly say that HackMIT was one of the most invigorating and informative weekends of my life so far. I was able to meet countless tech startups and major tech firms like Dropbox, Bloomberg, Twitter, and Pebble. I highly encourage interested programmers to apply to hackathons and conferences; they might have their lives changed.

My submission information can be found at this link: http://hackmit.challengepost.com/submissions/17857-beaconviewer

By Gatton Academy

China Summer Bridge Program

September 3, 2013 | International, News, Student Life | No Comments

[fblike] Sarah Angelle

My 17th birthday found me pacing the long hallway of Nashville’s airport, waiting for a plane which would take me to Chicago and from there to Beijing. The excitement was bubbling through me with such a rush that I’m surprised the seatbelt on the plane was enough to keep me from floating away. Going to China was the best birthday present I could ask for.

I was given this opportunity through the Confucius Institute at WKU called the Hanban Summer Bridge Program. The idea of the program is to gain elementary knowledge of the Chinese language while being immersed in Chinese culture. The motto of the trip was, you can sleep when you are in America. The itinerary was jammed full with field trips, activities, and language and culture classes.

The field trips included common tourist destinations in Beijing, as well as more unconventional places from the 山东 (Shandong) province (where we spent the majority of our two week stay). Shandong field trips consisted of Weifang, the kite capital of the world, where I learned how to make kites and the meaning of noctilucent kites, the Shouguang vegetable fair (with life-sized statues made of corn and beans), and The Three Kongs: 孔林，孔庙， and 孔府 (meaning Confucius’ cemetery, Confucius’ temple, and Confucius’ family mansion).

The tourist spots in Beijing included the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Silk Market, and traditional Beijing restaurants. Bargaining became a favorite game of many, and it became normal to pay a sixth of the original price. While at a restaurant in Beijing, I learned that eating roasted duck was part of their tradition, and every time the duck was prepared it was cut into 108 slices. The end of our stay in Beijing consisted of the closing ceremony, where our group was costumed in traditional Chinese clothing and performed Chinese sign language along with a song in Chinese about honoring your elders.

In addition to the multiple field trips, we also dipped our toes into Chinese culture through activities at the host school. The activities included Chinese calligraphy and painting, embroidery, pottery, Chinese paper-cutting, dumpling making, Tai Chi, and songs and games taught by Chinese students and the host families we stayed with for a day. My favorite part about staying at Shouguang Century School was the friends I acquired and the hospitality shown. Although we came across a few language barriers, we made connections that I know will last a lifetime.

I plan to take the things that I learned and teach them to my family and friends, such as a family dumpling night and Tai Chi with a friend in the mornings. In the future, I plan to study abroad in China with a focus on language courses and biology research. By experiencing the culture of a language I began only a year ago, I take comfort in how much I have already learned and look forward to a whole lifetime of study ahead.

By Gatton Academy

Adventure Week: Dance, Dance

August 25, 2013 | News, Student Life, Students | No Comments

[fblike] Naomi Kellogg

At most schools, the first week can be awkward for new incoming students. But, here at the Gatton Academy it only took a few days for students to get acclimated to their new social setting. All week students have enjoyed playing card games, gathering in common areas, playing outdoor sports, watching movies, and listening to music. Senior CD, Lindsey Porter said, “It’s been amazing seeing the juniors start this experience the way I did last year. I am excited to learn more about all of them and see them grow”.

To top off a week of fun, we ended Friday night with a fun filled dance. In-house DJ, Kassy Harris, provided the music selection; with songs by artists like Ke$ha, Taylor Swift, and One Direction. But, as the energy at the dance grew, so did the heat. Students were sure to get a workout in such a high energy and high temperature environment. Junior, Milan Doan said, “The dance was on FIRE”, pun intended of course. With snacks, drinks, and desserts to compliment the dancing, it was a great success.

By Gatton Academy

Academy Adventure Week: The Strong CORE of Learning

August 21, 2013 | News, Student Life | No Comments

[fblike] Hannah Rodgers

Coming from a high school where you excelled, most Academy students did not need academic reinforcement (studying) to be successful. But here at the Gatton Academy, this might just have to change. Your classes will be more challenging; your projects will require attention; and with you in charge of your own free time, motivation to sit down and put your attention to coursework might be difficult. Developing a healthy study routine is key! Here are some tips to help you get started:

Collect – Material isn’t just going to fall from the sky and plop right into your hands. Go get it. Class attendance is mandatory at the Academy and you can use your class time wisely to TAKE NOTES. Notes are sacred. Take them well.

Organize – Plan ahead! Whether that means setting alarms to remind you to review your notes, or allotting time each day after dinner to make notecards with a classmate, arrange to maximize your learning potential. For example, if a teacher has PowerPoints, print them off beforehand and look them over to prepare yourself for the day’s lesson. These are good study tools for later.

Rehearse – Repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repe- Oh hey. There are many ways to get information to stick, but one of the best is, you got it, repetition. Go through vocabulary note cards after class, shuffle, and then repeat again later. Or rewrite your notes on another page. For presentations, or for auditory learners, say your piece five times to a mirror, then turn around and try to recite it.

Educate – Finding feedback to your strategies is important. If what you’re doing doesn’t work for you, don’t just give up! Talk to your peers or an Academy staff member for suggestions. Also, your teachers have Office Hours to talk with students. Utilize this resource! Your teachers may know more successful study habits than you do. Allow them to critic your methods and offer advice.

The most important thing to remember about study habits is that they should be tailored to YOUR individual needs. If it’s not working, don’t give up! There’s a method for everyone.

By Gatton Academy

Adventure Week: President’s Dinner

August 20, 2013 | News, Student Life | No Comments

[fblike] Corbin Allender

What’s a better way to kick off your first week as a college student than hanging out with the President? On Monday, Gatton Academy Class of 2015 students and community leaders (including my fellow avatars and me) were invited to join WKU President Gary Ransdell and his wife on the lawn of the President’s House for a personal dinner. That evening, the warm weather set a perfect backdrop for a burger-eating, Jimmy Buffett-listening good time as President Ransdell spoke on the importance of the Gatton Academy to Western and the numerous resources available here on campus to Gatton students. Also in attendance were other WKU staff and faculty, giving our juniors the chance to mingle and make connections with what may be some of their future professors.

But it wasn’t all fun and socializing – there was some serious competition to be had too. Professors gathered around to cheer on students as they battled in the truest test of intelligence and athleticism: cornhole! All in all, the dinner was a good opportunity for juniors to connect to the University, as well as mingle amongst themselves – forming friendships that will stick with them the rest of their lives (Yes, it sounds cheesy but I can tell you it’s most definitely true).

Check back this week for more updates as our juniors adjust to life at Gatton and experience the craziness that is Adventure Week!

By Gatton Academy

Gatton Academy Adventure Week: Move-In Day

August 19, 2013 | Alumni, News, Parents, Staff, Student Life, Students | No Comments

[fblike] Alex Kearns
After an exhausting yet exciting Sunday, I would like to announce that the Gatton Academy Class of 2015 has arrived! First, WELCOME to all new students not only from myself but also the other seniors and staff. I hope as you settle in, that we will act as an invaluable resource and help you adjust to the “college” lifestyle. And to the parents, relax; your student will be alright.

After an early start for community leaders, the juniors started rolling in around 8:30. If they were lucky, only 4 or 5 seniors would help them unload their vehicles. For those unfortunate others, they were met with 20 hoarding seniors dying to know who had arrived! Thankfully our enthusiasm didn’t scare anyone off. After the students had checked in at the front desk, they headed up to their new home where they met their RC’s, roommates, and newest friends. Instantly, you could see the life-long friendships forming.

Once the students were more or less moved in, they were taken to Mass Media for a final meeting with their parents, staff and community leaders. Topics discussed included: study abroad trips, a few research opportunities, and homesickness. As the session concluded, parents were asked to say their goodbyes to their students. And after a few tears, the parents left their students to begin their new adventure.

The day ended on a perfect note as Gatton students attended the Andy Grammer concert and enjoyed a pizza party.

We will keep you posted throughout the week on all the activities here at Gatton.

By Gatton Academy

9 Tips to Survive the Academy

August 17, 2013 | Academics, Student Life, Student Success, Students | No Comments

[fblike]
Academy Avatars

1. Running on “E”: While working on the cure for cancer or becoming the next Bill Gates, don’t forget to get some sleep. You’ll have long nights working on computer science or studying for Anatomy but without sleep your mind won’t be at its best. We suggest a consistent sleep routine.

2. Be Healthy : The Gatton Academy offers many opportunities to get outside and be active, but being healthy is more than just exercise. It’s important to eat regular meals and relax, as well.

3. Hit the Books: This is the part that you knew was coming. Part of the Gatton experience is studying for your classes. If you don’t know how to study, talk to Mallory or form a study group. Don’t procrastinate, it just delays the problem.

4. Get Involved: The Gatton Academy and Western Kentucky University provide students with tons of opportunities and things to do. And the best part about being here is you can try them all!

5. Find a Routine: Getting into a healthy rhythm is crucial. Keeping your mind organized is one of the best things to do. So acquire anything and everything you think will help you stay on track i.e. a calendar, weekly planner, alarm clock(or MULTIPLE alarm clocks….), a watch, to-do lists, post-it notes, or tons of reminders on your smart phone.

6. Use your Resources : The Academy can sometimes be stressful. Never fear! Here, we have a number of useful “academic amenities” that can help pave your way like skilled tutors, community developers, residential counselors, and friendly staff all at your disposal.

7. Take Time to “De-stress”: In the middle of a busy week, take time to get out and have some fun. You’ll come back more productive than you were before.

8. Try New Things:Open yourself up to anything new that you find whether it be food, classes, or activities. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Steve Jobs left Apple and look what he did.

9. Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help:Your professors, the Academy staff,and peers want to see you do well just as much as you do. Take advantage of this and ask for help. Office hours can be your friend.

By Gatton Academy

An Atypical English Class: Part 5

August 15, 2013 | News, Student Life | No Comments

[fblike]Alex Kearns

Alas, our study abroad trip now popularly known as An Atypical English Class has concluded, and what an “atypical” trip it was. First, how many students can say they studied English literature in England? Then take those students, and how many had the exuberant Professor Rutledge to lead their studies? Whenever he was around, Professor Rutledge always brought life to the literature studied, and the authors themselves. He proved time and time again that authors write about what they know, and English authors know England. Particularly when we hiked through the Moors, it was like we were living in Emily Bronte’s novel Wuthering Heights.

Whenever we weren’t in the classroom, we could be found enjoying all things British. During our stay at Harlaxton, it became a routine to order fried chicken from Chicken Palace and then proceed to eat it off of Frisbees due to our lack of plates. While in London, everyone found themselves pushing their way onto the tube in order to stay with the group. Whether we were playing a pickup game of futbol or reading in Harlaxton gardens; shopping in various souvenir stores or enjoying a relaxing train ride; arguing over missed euchre hands or debating what the name of the royal prince should be, never did we experience a dull moment. With endless memories coming home with us, this trip truly was everything we could have asked for. Special thanks to Derick Strode, Beth, Pokey, and Prof. Rutledge for putting it all together!

By Gatton Academy

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