UNM-LA Math Department Creates Weekly Study Labs

LOS ALAMOS, NM, September 6, 2014 – During fall 2014 semester, the UNM-LA Mathematics Department is implementing a new program to increase student support, to foster faculty-student engagement, and to facilitate collaborative learning.

Five faculty members in the UNM-LA mathematics department will hold weekly math study labs in the Academic Support Center (ASC) located in Building 2. Two Algebra Study Labs, two PreCalculus/Trig Study Labs, and one Calculus Study Lab are scheduled each week.

The Math Study Labs are designed to give students the opportunity to study together under the supervision of their professors in an informal setting. Research shows that faculty involvement increases student retention and academic success.

Students are more likely to choose a major and stay enrolled in a program if faculty is part of their learning process. The goal of the program is to promote confidence, student inquiry, focus, and discipline.

Hans-Peder Hanson, Director of the ASC said, “I can easily say that this type of faculty involvement has led to a steep increase in student usage—by the second week of the semester, we had smashed the all-time records for daily visits, weekly visits, and students served.

Dr. Irina Alvestad, UNM-LA Assistant Professor of Mathematics, proposed the idea last year and obtained a grant from UNM-LA Student Government to introduce the program during the 2014-2015 academic year. If successful, this initiative will be expanded in the future to include engineering and science disciplines.

Please visit the ASC website at losalamos.unm.edu/asc/ for the Study Labs calendar.