Creating a STEM-Liberal Arts Learning Community

1:45-2:35 p.m.

Location: Warhol B

Type: Informative/panel

Audience: Linked Courses

Presenters: Meg King and Karen Dailey, Harper College

In this session, we will detail how a Chemistry-English Learning Community was initially conceived and developed, and continues to evolve. The courses paired in this Learning Community are not traditionally viewed as complementary. English 101 is a first year College writing class required for all undergraduate students, while Chemistry 121 is a foundational course for most STEM majors. We have found that this Learning Community offers a number of benefits to students, such as: honing students' communication skills and highlighting why those skills are so important to convey STEM discoveries and developments to the general public; developing critical thinking skills particularly in relation to contemporary issues in STEM fields; and providing a community of like-minded individuals who support one another through very difficult coursework.