51吃瓜

51吃瓜 (FSC) is proud to announce its Visiting Scholars Program, an innovative new initiative that connects FSC鈥檚 esteemed faculty members with local K-12 students and brings excitement and valuable, applied learning to area classrooms.  

Through engaging presentations on their fields of expertise--including STEM, language, health sciences, and arts--participating faculty members cater to students at a variety of age levels and offer a fascinating glimpse of both the challenges and rewards of their work. Many presentations involve hands-on activities that truly embed students in the discipline and help build confidence in their abilities. Additionally, the visiting scholars can demonstrate the value of pursuing higher education, potential career paths, and the impact students can have on society.  

鈥淔armingdale has a wonderful history of community service and involvement,鈥� said Jennifer Jaiswal, director of FSC鈥檚 Faculty Center. 鈥淭he Visiting Scholars Program aims to connect our faculty with the community and students by providing exposure to their academic fields. It also aims to help uncover interests in new subjects that students may not have known about. Overall, this program will help to develop earlier critical and creative thinking skills among students and foster connections between the work of FSC faculty, many of whom are involved in exciting research, and the schools within our region.鈥� 

As part of the program, Chiara De Santi, PhD, associate professor of modern languages, recently offered her presentation, Eat First: Italian American Gastronomy and Family Values in the Films of Martin Scorsese, to students at Plainview-Old Bethpage High School.  

鈥淚 have always believed in the importance of linking higher ed to the K-12 community and to the local community,鈥� said De Santi. 鈥淚t is a way for us to share our knowledge and make it accessible, and to strengthen collaborations. 

鈥淚t was a very rewarding experience because of the interest that the presentation raised in the students and in the teachers and program coordinators attending,鈥� she added. 鈥淚 took for granted that students knew about Scorsese, but this was not the case. [One of the teachers] told me later that now the students are planning to screen and watch some films by this Italian American director, and for me having sparked such an interest for a new discovery is a precious gift.鈥� 

鈥淗aving this resource for local schools means tearing down so many barriers to exposing students to new and exciting topics,鈥� agreed Kimberly Riegel, PhD, assistant professor of physics, who recently presented to students at Pelham Middle School. 鈥淭he best part of my talk was when I was demonstrating two dimensional vibrations in a plate that had sand sprinkled on it. When it hits a resonance all the sand will jump around into different shapes, depending on the frequencies.  When we hit the first frequency with a cool pattern the room erupted into applause and, in fact, they got excited each time. 

鈥淭he more positive experiences we can provide for kids surrounding math and science early in their academic career, the more likely they will be to feel like these subjects are enjoyable and achievable as a career in their future,鈥� she added. 

鈥淢y favorite part always is seeing the genuine curiosity and enthusiasm in young learners. Their sense of real awe inspires me,鈥� said Peter Park, PhD, assistant professor of biology. 鈥淚 believe academic knowledge is intended to be always available and accessible, not hidden under a cloak of technical language or a perception that it is unapproachable in any way. Thus, I believe the importance of FSC鈥檚 Visiting Scholars Program is the opportunities it grants for our esteemed faculty to inspire those who will one day take on our roles after us. Furthermore, these opportunities will also allow us to showcase our love for the communities who raised us.鈥� 

For more information, please visit the Visiting Scholars Program webpage. 

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