The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has not slowed the efforts of Brock\u2019s Faculty of Mathematics and Science (FMS) council.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuilding online connections has become especially important now that we can\u2019t meet face to face like in previous years,\u201d said council President Joshua Bulfango, a fourth-year Biological Sciences student.<\/p>\n
The council\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe find the meet and greets provide an easy way to showcase the range of support we offer,\u201d said Vice-President Shamae Quinquito, a second-year Biomedical Sciences student.<\/p>\n
Secretary Anna Truong said helping first-year students transition smoothy to online courses is a key goal this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are offering a series of planned study sessions, with a wide range of courses being covered,\u201d said the fourth-year Biochemistry with co-op student.<\/p>\n
The council collaborates with the Brock Learners Association and Molecular Research Technology Club.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d said Brock University Students\u2019 Union representative Adithya Sethumadhavan, a second-year Biochemistry student.<\/p>\n
The 2020-21 council executive also includes Graphic Design Co-ordinator Marcus Villena, a third-year Biomedical Sciences student.<\/p>\n
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<\/a> and Facebook<\/a> pages.<\/p>\n Faculty of Mathematics and Science Dean Ejaz Ahmed believes the council plays a critical role to ensure students have the resources they need.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen students connect with the FMS council, they instantly expand their social bubble and gain access to new resources and talented academic peers,\u201d he said. \u201cI would recommend reaching out their team for more info or signing up to become a member.\u201d<\/p>\n