4.27A.1    Programs In This Cluster

·     Astronomy

·     Geology

·     Physical Science

4.27B.1    Overall Goals For This Cluster

Short Term:  

·     Offer a series of viable courses in the earth sciences to provide a foundation for the transfer student majoring in the geological sciences.

·     Offer a variety of both lab and non-lab courses in astronomical and earth sciences for non-major students to satisfy general education and graduation requirements.

·     Develop computerized tutorial programs for geology labs.

·     Develop formal educational outreach programs between the college planetarium and community schools.

·     Expand the planetarium program library so as to make available a diverse range of astronomical subject offerings.

·     Create a scale model of the Solar System within the Science Building corridor.

Long Term:  

·     Hire faculty for geology and physical science to accommodate program growth and faculty retirement.

·     Hire faculty for astronomy and planetarium director to accommodate program growth.

·     Re-establish the teaching of higher level catalog courses in geology, such as Geology 10/12 (Mineralogy).

·     Consider the creation of additional geology courses in order to provide a true major degree program in geology.

·     Develop general education “Topics in Astronomy” and/or “Topics in Geology” courses designed primarily to enhance community involvement and self-improvement.

·     Investigate the construction of an astronomical observatory containing a permanently-mounted, computerized telescope.

·     Enhancement of planetarium automation system.

4.27C.1    Specific Goals, Objectives And Resource Needs For This Cluster

Short Term Objectives:  

·     Offer Geology 10/12 (Mineralogy) on a regular basis.

·     Assure that the full sequence of major courses are available within a two-year cycle for geology majors.

·     Develop community-interest courses in both geology and astronomy.

·     Develop the curriculum for an astronomy lab course to be offered in conjunction with the existing Astronomy 1.

·     Develop 2+2 articulated astronomy programs in conjunction with other High Desert astronomical centers.

·     Explore appropriate methods of sharing resources such as the Astronomical Observatory.

·     Work in cooperation with the Lewis Center for Educational Research to develop hands-on astronomy education, including a potential new Internet Course involving the GAVRT.

Long Term Objectives:  

·     Offer community-interest courses (dependent on faculty availability and noncredit funding support).

·     Offer astronomy lab course (dependent on faculty availability and the creation of a telescopic observatory).

·     Offer the proposed GAVRT course.

Resources Required - Short Term:  

Personnel  

·     Additional full-time faculty to assure consistent offerings in geology and physical science.

·     Additional planetarium employee to serve as the facility maintenance technician and program presenter.

Facilities/Equipment  

·     Construction of astronomical observatory.

·     Replenishment of and addition to existing collection of minerals for student study.

·     Redevelopment of chemical set for qualitative mineralogical study in the lab environment.

·     Creation of a comprehensive suite of rock specimens for student study.

·     Purchase of additional polarizing microscopes for mineralogical and petrological student study.

·     Funding for additional planetarium program purchases.

Other Requirements  

·     Laboratory aides and/or student assistants and tutors.

·     Increased supply demands.

·     Ongoing planetarium maintenance supplies, bulbs, etc.

Professional Development  

·     Increase conference and travel funds for attendance at professional development activities.

Resources Required - Long Term:  

Personnel  

·     Replacement faculty as demanded by retirement(s).

Facilities/Equipment  

·     Maintenance of geology lab microscopes and electronic equipment.

·     Addition of new special effects projectors to planetarium SPICE Automation System.

Other Requirements  

·     Continuation of all short term goals and resource requirements.

Professional Development  

·     None identified.

Short Term Objectives:  

·     Obtain and develop computer software to serve as self-paced tutorial instruction in the geology laboratory and/or in the Academic Commons.

·     Establish video tie to allow whole-class presentations via either the Internet or videoconference links.

·     Link a network computer for Internet presentations in the planetarium.

Long Term Objectives:  

·     Continue short term developments as additional programs, equipment, and personnel become available.

Resources Required - Short Term:  

Personnel  

·     Additional geology full-time faculty, as noted under Goal #1.

Facilities/Equipment  

·     High-speed, high-memory computer for Internet use in the planetarium.

·     Permanent availability of portable video projector in the geology lab room, connected to a network computer.

Other Requirements  

·     Budget for computer software with site licenses.

Professional Development  

·     None indicated.

Resources Required - Long Term:  

Personnel  

·     Additional faculty and support personnel as needed due to program growth and faculty retirements.

Facilities/Equipment  

·     New special effects equipment to enhance planetarium capabilities.

·     Upgrades of instructor, lab room, and planetarium computers.

Other Requirements  

·     As above.

Professional Development  

·     None indicated.

Short Term Objectives:  

·     Increase the use of computer programs and Internet links for both in-class presentations and self-paced tutorial instruction.

·     Develop computer programs and Internet links for new distance education astronomy courses.

Long Term Objectives:  

·     Expand computer-based, Internet education as demanded by technology and continued program growth.

Resources Required - Short Term:  

Personnel  

·     Faculty and staff.

Facilities/Equipment  

·     Access to computers with appropriate Internet capability.

Other Requirements  

·     Budget.

Professional Development  

·     None indicated.