NPC 2016 News Releases

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Kolp Selected As December Student of the Month

December 14, 2016

Hot Springs, Arkansas – Fredrick Kolp was selected as the National Park College (NPC) December Student of the Month. He is completing his Associate of Science degree in Engineering and will transfer to Arkansas Tech University in January to work toward a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. “Fred’s personal strengths are as impressive as his aptitude in Math and Science. He is an active, outgoing presence in class with a great sense of humor,” said instructor, Paula Welch. “He is the perfect student to get a group project rolling, but also knows how to sit back and let others take the lead. His openness to feedback exemplifies his ability to be a lifelong learner, an asset that will continue to serve him well in college and beyond. Fred is one of the most driven and career focused students in the engineering program.”

NPC Faculty Publishes Guide to Fossil Collecting

December 13, 2016

Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) instructor, Dr. George Maxey published Guide to Fossil Collecting by the Dallas Paleontological Society last month. The Guide took two years to complete and the first printing is already sold out. It contains 14 chapters which create a how to manual for locating, identifying and preserving fossils. Topics include equipment and procedures, excavation techniques, fossil preparation and preservation, displaying and photography, documenting a location, and even how to deal with museums and institutions. It includes detailed photography at each stage of the process. Maxey explained that the book was written so the amateur could follow along and use it, but contains professional level content and instructions.

Geology Class Unearths Fossil at Lake Ouachita

November 8, 2016

Hot Springs, Arkansas – Students in Dr. George Maxey’s Geology class participated in a field trip in October. The class discovered graptolite fossils in the Womble formation west of Checkerboard Point on Lake Ouachita. Maxey explained that the graptolites were preserved as a carbon imprint at the bottom of the Tethys Sea, which no longer exists. “Plate tectonics closed the ancient sea and scraped the sediments off the bottom of the sea floor and folded the sediments up and onto what is present day Arkansas - forming the Ouachita Mountains. The upper folds eroded away leaving the roots of the mountains that are exposed at present,” said Maxey.

Engineering Students Learn Arduino Coding

October 12, 2016

Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) students in Paula Welch’s Introduction to Engineering class used SparkFun ® Arduino circuit kits to learn interactive programming. Students were able to wire circuits to drive a small motor, project slogans on an LCD monitor and make a fan touch sensitive. Pictured are Alex Abernathy and William Earner showing their program for sequential lighting of LED bulbs, James Creech with a touch sensitive motor and Hayden Breving who programmed an LCD monitor.

Zookeeper Visits Biology Class

October 5, 2016

Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) students in Darlene Gentles’ Biology class welcomed NPC alumnus, Summer Holt to class Wednesday. Holt is a zookeeper at the Little Rock Zoo. She spoke about the differences between reptiles and amphibians and introduced the class to animal guests, Dakota, an umbrella cockatoo, Daddy, a sunglow boa, Salem, a small boa, and salamanders. Pictured left, students Elena Southerland and Andrew Diehl with Zookeeper Summer Holt.

Kelly Pickett Attends Teaching with Technology Symposium

August 18, 2016

Kelly Pickett, Life Science Instructor for the Math/Science Division attended the 10th Annual Teaching with Technology Symposium July 21-22, 2016 at UAMS. This state-wide symposium is offered to educators, administrators, librarians, instructional and curriculum designers, and others using technology in higher education. “This symposium was a great opportunity to see how other colleges are implementing innovative technology in order to engage students,” stated Kelly Pickett. “I look forward to incorporating what I learned about team based learning, collaboration, and instructional technology to my online and traditional classes at National Park College.” Kelly teaches online Anatomy and Physiology courses at National Park College and is currently working on Quality Matters certification for her courses.

Rebekah Robinette has received Quality Matters (QM) recognition

August 16, 2016

Rebekah Robinette has received Quality Matters (QM) recognition for her online BIOL 2244, Microbiology, course. Rebekah has the distinction of being one of only two faculty member to ever receive QM recognition at NPC. This accomplishment shows Rebekah has spent a lot of time and thought in developing a strong course. Quality Matters focuses on course design—making sure learning objectives, assessments and measures, and instructional materials are all in alignment while designing an interactive/engaging course for students using the appropriate technology. Achieving recognition means she has accomplished this and students can take her course with confidence that the stated learning objectives will be taught. Congratulations, Rebekah

Cub Scouts Visit NPC

March 30, 2016

Cub Scouts from Pack 318 visited the campus of National Park College to learn more about science. They visited with Dr. Griffin, adjunct chemistry teacher, to learn what scientists do. The scouts, ages 8-10, came prepared with three questions each and were led in a guided experiment. They made observations about vinegar and baking soda experiments with hot vinegar, cold vinegar, and room temperature vinegar. Based on what evidence shows a chemical reaction and the kinetic theory of chemical reactions, they discussed why their observations might have occurred.

Go Ahead -- Write on the Walls!

March 30, 2016

Floor to ceiling equations! That was the dream of Math and Science division instructors. Brad Hopper and his team made the idea a reality by painting a wall in LS116 with epoxy paint and turning the wall into a giant white board.

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NPC Hosts ACTM Regional Math Contest

March 9, 2016

Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) Math and Science Division hosted the Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ACTM) regional math contest last Saturday. Students competed in five categories including Algebra I, Algebra II, Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and Statistics. The top three performing students from each category will be invited to compete in the state ACTM contest April 23 at the University of Central Arkansas.