1 Librarians’ Contributions to a University of Maryland Engineering Honors Program by Bob Kackley, Neal Kaske, and Julie Arnold with assistance from Anni Hartung Engineering and Physical Sciences Library University of Maryland ELD/ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition Salt Lake City, Utah June 23, 2004

2 Today’s Objectives Define and Describe Gemstone Program Report Uniqueness of Gemstone Program Roles Played by Gemstone Librarians –Individually –Team-Based –Campus-wide Gemstone’s Future

3 Defining and Describing Gemstone Initiated in 1996 by Dr. William Destler, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and former Dean of the James A. Clark School of Engineering Selected students from all majors chosen from the UM Honors program Gemstone Program received NSF Grant for $400,000 and funding as well from AT&T and GE

4 Uniqueness of Gemstone Program Developed under the auspices of James A. Clark School of Engineering Faculty Mentors allow Gemstone students great latitude Most students from sciences & engineering --- but other majors included enhancing multi-disciplinary teamwork interaction Long–term nature of program (four years) involving research ending with a thesis and presentation A living-learning community --- most of one UM dorm is inhabited by Gemstone students and Staff

5 Other “Similar” University Programs University of Michigan -- interdisciplinary, but science-based and introductory courses only Tennessee Tech in beautiful Cookeville, TN involving Undergraduates, Graduates, and PHD students for engineering only University of Delaware with NSF award for assessing an Undergraduate Research Program Ohio University’s RoboCup multidisciplinary, senior design project GMUs (George Mason University) “Self as a Citizen” team-taught learning communities for first year students only Mention of a university in Great Britain

6 Four Year Gemstone Curriculum Freshman –Freshman Honors Colloquium GEMS 100 (1 credit), Research Topic Exploration GEMS 102 (1), and Science and Technology … GEMS 104(3) Sophomore –Team Dynamics/Research Methodology GEMS 202 (2), Team Project Seminar I GEMS 296 (1), and Team Project Seminar II GEMS 297 (2) Junior –GEMS 396 (2), and GEMS 397(2) Senior –GEMS 496 (2), and GEMS 497 (2) *total for the 18 credit citation

7 Roles Played by Librarians (Individually) Librarians are considered “an important part of the Gemstone Community” - librarian volunteers select a team to work with for three years Sophomore year - all GEMS classes must come to Gemstone Librarian for hour+ session on library and information sources for their individual team project (plus, help team narrow their project) Attend Gemstone meetings occasionally to monitor info needs and answer requests for general info or how to get resources Stress importance of giving proper credit for prior work and use of the APA Style Manual Gemstone Advisory Board –1)marketing to HS students: companies for funding –2)integration of all GEMS courses –3)strategies for helping teams stay together despite highly varied curricula

8 Roles Played by Librarians (Team-based) GEMS 100 Team “Mock” Project Library session at McKeldin (Main) Library GEMS 102 Developing Team Topics Librarian in-class demo and project sheets GEMS 104/HIST 175 Using primary sources/archives Librarian and Archivist in-class demo GEMS 202 Research Methods/Literature Review Introduction to Working with Team Librarian

9 Roles Played by Librarians (Campus-wide) Connect students and their activities to other officials either on or off campus (“Doc in the Box”) Attend Gemstone Poster Sessions that are held in sophomore and junior years as well as Undergraduate Research Day in late April Critique Gemstone practice thesis rehearsals, attend the actual formal thesis presentation, being a panel expert, and judging theses Participate in Gemstone Citation Ceremony (a cap and gown ceremony)

10 Gemstone: Now and in the Future Gemstone Program has become a prestigious honors program as it matures (Fall ’04 expect 600+ students on 30+teams) Younger siblings or just friends are even joining due to positive Gemstone student alumni referrals Nearly 175 incoming students per year with current GPA for them and average SATs Many Gemstone students using Gemstone research experience as a stepping stone to Grad school and Med school Plans to hold focus groups with librarians to gather feedback on how to enhance our roles (some are reluctant to take on a three year obligation)

11 Acknowledgements Dr. William Destler --- UM Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Michael Hwang --- former Gemstone student Amy Duhaime Hill --- Gemstone Coordinator of Team Research Pinar Beygo --- Administrative Assistant, EPSL Dr. Glenn Rahmoeller --- Gemstone Coordinator of Corporate and Industrial Affairs You for being an excellent audience and now it is your time more questions please! Contact information –Bob Kackley –Neal Kaske –Julie Arnold