Summer Workshops 2010
GEAR UP students participated in academic enrichment and career exploration summer workshops in June and July 2010. El Paso Community College faculty and staff facilitated the workshops which took place on EPCC campuses and partner school campuses.
In Explore the World of Nursing, students visited Mission del Paso and Rio Grande campuses to see the facilities that the nursing program at EPCC offers. Kim Golucke, Laura Jimenez, and Ernesto Soto, all RNs and EPCC faculty, spoke to students about the nursing profession and what it entails. Students then worked in the simulation lab where they learned how to take a pulse, listen to heart and lung sounds, and other basic skills. Students worked with an adult, adolescent, and baby simulation mannequins. On day two of the camp students toured Del Sol Medical Center where they learned about the different areas nurses work in as well as the many other professions in the medical field from respiratory therapy to dietician.
Students took part in a 4-day book club led by EPCC reading faculty member Sandra Burciaga. As a group, students read King of the Screwups by K.L. Going and participated in group discussion regarding the issues focused on in the book such as judging others based on stereotypes and accepting the differences in other people. Students also took part in writing exercises.
Alex Hernandez, EPCC Director of Human Resources Development, took students through a half-day workshop in Colors that Rock! Using the "Discovering Your Personality Spectrum" youth workbook, students learned about their own personality and whether they are gold, blue, green, or orange. They learned more about the 4 colors and how to work with others who are a different color. Knowing how to work with others who have different personalities helps to build upon personal relationships along with those at work and school.
In Government at Work, EPCC faculty member Beatriz Cuartas taught students about local government and how it works. Students participated in class discussion and on day two visited City Hall to observe a city council meeting. The students also took a tour of the El Paso Museum of History. On day three students created and presented a PowerPoint presentation on what they learned and on their impressions of the El Paso City Council.
Students participated in a 4-day Culinary Arts workshop in the new culinary arts facilities located at the El Paso Community College Administrative Services Center Building B. Facilitated by Chef Roman Wilcox, EPCC faculty member, students learned about the policies and procedures in the kitchen including health and safety. Students participated in preparing events for small groups and learned how to break down a chicken. Students cooked their own lunch on certain days and gained knowledge in a variety of other culinary skills. Students received their own chef coat and hat.