The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has not slowed the efforts of Brock’s Faculty of Mathematics and Science (FMS) council.

The group has reconvened and is conducting a wide range of student-focused events and activities online, playing an important role in supporting and connecting students across all seven departments and two centres within the Faculty.

“Building online connections has become especially important now that we can’t meet face to face like in previous years,” said council President Joshua Bulfango, a fourth-year Biological Sciences student.

The council’s executive and general members build connections with students through virtual events, such as meet and greets, on Microsoft Teams. The meetups include class and study information, as well as icebreaker games.

“We find the meet and greets provide an easy way to showcase the range of support we offer,” said Vice-President Shamae Quinquito, a second-year Biomedical Sciences student.

Secretary Anna Truong said helping first-year students transition smoothy to online courses is a key goal this year.

“We are offering a series of planned study sessions, with a wide range of courses being covered,” said the fourth-year Biochemistry with co-op student.

The council collaborates with the Brock Learners Association and Molecular Research Technology Club.

“We hope to discuss what success in science looks like as a student, how that advances into success as a graduate and in a chosen science field,” said Brock University Students’ Union representative Adithya Sethumadhavan, a second-year Biochemistry student.

The 2020-21 council executive also includes Graphic Design Co-ordinator Marcus Villena, a third-year Biomedical Sciences student.

To create engagement, the council is currently producing a video series of science experiments students can replicate at home. Videos will be available through social media and encourage students to film their own version and share it across the FMS council Instagram and Facebook pages.

Faculty of Mathematics and Science Dean Ejaz Ahmed believes the council plays a critical role to ensure students have the resources they need.

“When students connect with the FMS council, they instantly expand their social bubble and gain access to new resources and talented academic peers,” he said. “I would recommend reaching out their team for more info or signing up to become a member.”

Students can sign up for study sessions or learn more about becoming a member of the council through ExperienceBU.