FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Cindy Deppe, media relations, 641-269-4834

December 17, 2007

GRINNELL COLLEGE DEAN APPOINTED TO NSF FUNDED PROJECT POST

Jim Swartz, vice president for academic affairs, dean of the college, and professor of chemistry at Grinnell College, has accepted an appointment with Project Kaleidoscope, funded by the National Science Foundation.

Swartz will join the leadership team of the Washington, D.C.-based Project Kaleidoscope, which encourages collaborations among faculty nationwide for curricular development to improve undergraduate science education. The vision of Project Kaleidoscope is for all American undergraduates to have access to learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that motivate them to consider careers in these fields. The project will collaborate with formal networks to implement and assess contemporary research-based approaches to strengthen student learning in science.

Swartz’ responsibilities will include developing and presenting research-based science curriculum workshops and arranging consultancies for campuses and organizations that are participants with Project Kaleidoscope. During the 2008-10 academic years, Swartz will work half-time on the Project Kaleidoscope assignment. Swartz announced earlier this year that he would return to the Grinnell chemistry faculty after 10 years as dean.

Grinnell College will have two representatives involved in the national program. Professor of Psychology David Lopatto also serves on the Project Kaleidoscope advisory board. Lopatto’s research interest is the cognitive science of student learners, particularly undergraduate science students and their involvement in workshop-style laboratory settings.

Swartz and Lopatto represent a number of Grinnell faculty members who have been involved for more than 20 years in developing the Grinnell science curriculum into a model for discovery-based learning that begins in the first year with original research experiences and exposure to industry-quality research instrumentation. Approximately one-third of Grinnell students graduate with a major in science and many continue into some of the top graduate programs in the country; in fact, Grinnell ranks high nationally in the matriculation of graduates who later complete Ph.D.s in chemistry (6th nationally), biological sciences (9th), psychologists (9th), and physicists (20th).

Grinnell College is a nationally recognized, private, four year, liberal arts college located in Grinnell, Iowa. Founded in 1846, Grinnell enrolls 1,600 students from all 50 states and from as many international countries in more than 25 major fields, interdisciplinary concentrations, and pre-professional programs.





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