By: Ripley Ahlborn
The first week of classes included numerous fun activities and presentations for the UBMS students. Tuesday, one group participated in an outdoor activity called “The Big Wind Blows,” in which students stood in a large circle and had their places marked by their backpacks. One person started in the middle of the circle and said a fact about themselves. If that fact applied to anyone else in the circle, those people would have to run across the circle and find an open spot with a backpack. The last person standing without a spot in the circle would be the next person to go in the middle. This was a great way for the students to get to know one another while enjoying the gorgeous day.
The first week of classes included numerous fun activities and presentations for the UBMS students. Tuesday, one group participated in an outdoor activity called “The Big Wind Blows,” in which students stood in a large circle and had their places marked by their backpacks. One person started in the middle of the circle and said a fact about themselves. If that fact applied to anyone else in the circle, those people would have to run across the circle and find an open spot with a backpack. The last person standing without a spot in the circle would be the next person to go in the middle. This was a great way for the students to get to know one another while enjoying the gorgeous day.
Another activity was called “The Human Knot.” This one
engaged students by having them stand in a small circle and join hands with
others in the circle, so as to tangle up their arms in a big “knot.” While
difficult, this activity emphasized the importance of teamwork and effective
communication in problem solving.
Wednesday, the students convened in the Stayer Center to
view a presentation on cyber safety.
While no one enjoys discussing such a grave topic, it is relevant information
that internet users have to be aware of. Students watched numerous examples of
teenagers who were not careful online and made mistakes which had terrifying
consequences. Cyber-bullying, phishing, predators, and protective measures were
addressed in detail, leaving students with everything they need to know about online
safety.
On Friday the UBMS team took a field trip to the Midwest Renewable Energy Association's Energy Fair in Custer, WI. The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is a non-profit organization that "promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration." At the Energy Fair students learned about everything from eco-friendly building techniques to growing your own food. Solar energy was the topic of choice by keynote speaker Danny Kennedy. Kennedy discussed the recent rise in popularity of solar power and new programs which offer benefits to those who make the switch to using solar energy. Students left that day with invaluable new knowledge about preserving earth's natural environments, making use of renewable energy, and the conservation of resources.
On Friday the UBMS team took a field trip to the Midwest Renewable Energy Association's Energy Fair in Custer, WI. The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is a non-profit organization that "promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration." At the Energy Fair students learned about everything from eco-friendly building techniques to growing your own food. Solar energy was the topic of choice by keynote speaker Danny Kennedy. Kennedy discussed the recent rise in popularity of solar power and new programs which offer benefits to those who make the switch to using solar energy. Students left that day with invaluable new knowledge about preserving earth's natural environments, making use of renewable energy, and the conservation of resources.
The second week was off to a sweet and salty start as the
students contested for cotton candy and popcorn after a presentation about
Marian University’s TRiO/SSS program. They were taught about the Student
Support Services (SSS) at Marian and the history of TRiO programs in the U.S.
The presenters made it a fun experience and at the end students were easily
able to recite facts that they had heard, such as how there are 2800 TRiO
programs in the U.S.
The students also received a valuable lesson on
transitioning to leadership roles after a session led by recent Marian graduate
Reggie Parsons. Parsons began his discussion with his roots in a less desirable
part of Chicago, to his initial failures in college when he got a poor GPA his
freshman year. He engaged the class in an activity in which they were asked to
think of times they had failed in life, and then to share them with the class.
The point was that that people cannot be afraid of failure or judgment, or they
will be holding themselves back.
Parsons went on to talk about how he matured after his first
year of college by taking on leadership roles in clubs, getting several jobs,
enrolling in the McNair Scholars program, and more. He then asked the class to
write down how they’ve grown in the last two to three years, and afterwards to
share some with the class. One student said that he’s began to volunteer a lot,
and another said that he’s been able to figure out what their career and life
goals are. Others stated that they’ve been striving to become more independent
in order to prepare for college, and that they figured out the value of
eliminating the negatives in life. Parsons’s discussion was thought provoking
and left the students in a bright mood as they went home on Monday.
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