UNM
participates in ‘Celebra La Ciencia’
By Michael
Padilla
UNM is
among community groups, local museums and other educational
organizations teaming up to expose families to science in a
fun, hands-on way during a special event at the New Mexico State
Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Celebra
La Ciencia (Celebrate the Science): Changing the Face of Science,
funded primarily by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is
a national effort to increase Hispanic participation in science
and health education programs. The goal of Celebra La Ciencia
is to increase awareness and participation among Hispanic parents
and youth in informal science and health education.
UNM co-organizer
Eleanor Sanchez, UNM Marketing and Communications Department,
said UNM is playing a major role in the event.It has been
exciting to be part of a program that is embracing youth and
exposing them and their families to the fun, wonder and opportunities
that the sciences have to offer, Sanchez said.
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SRF
helps Hispanics
By
Todd Burns
Celebra
La Ciencia is one more way the Self Reliance Foundation
(SRF) at UNM helps Hispanics succeed.
Though
community service is a big part of SRF, its main goal
is to assist Hispanics across the country. SRF student
fellows input data into a national database that can be
easily accessed by Hispanics. The data includes information
on legal, health, educational and consumer issues. Fellows
contact organizations that are willing to provide low
cost or free assistance in those areas. Individuals can
call the national hotline at 1-800-473-3003 and speak
to a bilingual operator to receive a referral to helpful
parties in their local area. The SRF concentrates on Hispanics,
but offers services to anyone need.
Student
fellows are part of a work-study and volunteer program.
SRF is a joint project between UNM, Pepperdine University
and University of California San Diego.
SRF
staff advisor and Associate Director for Recruitment Services
Lawrence Roybal directs the fellows using his national
and even international contacts. When fellows are not
inputting data, Roybal helps them plan community service
projects, which consume a third of their time. Recently,
the fellows translated the tours at the Zoo Day and Biological
Day. During the Summer Bridge Program, they mentored 10
students in math and English.
The
SRF is not a just a job, it is enjoyable and its
very rewarding, said student fellow Julia Tapia.
I feel Im making a difference.
With
a current membership of seven fellows, the SRF is looking
to recruit three more bilingual students. To become a
member, an individual must fill out an application and
go through an interview process. For more information
about the SRF or its upcoming events, contact Daisy Ortega
at 277-0593 or Lawrence Roybal at 277-1804.
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Entertainment
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ford Pavilion includes performances
by the Mariachi Infantil East San Jose, Miguel Caro - Mexican
Fiesta Dance, Duke City Stars Dance Team and Mariachi Lobo.
The official
welcome will be given by Thomas Tinnin, State Fair chairman;
UNM President F.
Chris Garcia; and Maddie Zeigler, from the New Mexico Museum
of Natural History and Science. Master of ceremonies will be
Fred Baca from KABQ radio. Dignitaries from the Self Reliance
Foundation will also participate in the official welcome.
Participating
UNM departments include UNM Cancer Research and Treatment Center,
Biology, Biomedical Communications, Chemical and Nuclear Engineering,
Chemistry, Continuing Education, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services,
Emergency Medical Services Academy, UNM Family Development Program/Wemagination
Center, Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, Mechanical Engineering,
Recreational Services/Natural High Program, UNM School of Medicine
with Diagnostic and Theraputic Programs, North West New Mexico
Regional Science Fair, UNM Valencia and UNMH Maternity and Infant
Care Program.Event co-organizer Daisy Ortega, UNM student and
Self Reliance Foundation fellow, said the event also focused
on community involvement. It is great to see how Celebra
La Ciencia has brought so many science-related community organizations
together, she said.
Local sponsors
and partners for Celebra La Ciencia include the New Mexico Museum
of Natural History and Science, Explora Science Center &
Childrens Museum, the Albuquerque Public Schools, UNM,
LodeStar Astronomy Center, The National Atomic Museum, The Albuquerque
Aquarium and Botanic Gardens, the Albuquerque Zoological Park,
Self-Reliance Foundation, Hispanic Radio Network, Las Mujeres
de LULAC, New Mexico Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement,
Inc. (NM MESA), KUNM, Clear Channel Communications, El Hispano
News and others.
Shuttle
bus service will be provided for the UNM community. Buses will
depart from the Fine Arts/Popejoy Hall bus stop (corner of Cornell
and Redondo) to Domingo Road at the Fairgrounds on the hour
and return from the State Fair on the half hour. Admission to
the Fair is $1 before 2 p.m. and $4 thereafter.
