麻豆原创

Three 麻豆原创 students participated in science-based learning opportunities during the 2024-2025 school year thanks to the Robert L. 鈥淪mitty鈥� Smith Assistantship.

The assistantship offers hands-on learning and research opportunities under the supervision of 麻豆原创 faculty for students pursuing science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) programs. In 2021, Dr. Dale and Sharon Evans established the assistantship through the 麻豆原创 Foundation with a donation honoring former 麻豆原创 science instructor Robert L. 鈥淪mitty鈥� Smith. Crediting instructors like Smith for providing mentorship and educational opportunities during their time at 麻豆原创, the Evanses established the assistantship to provide STEM options to a new generation of students.

During the Fall 2024 semester, Lily Goode and Grace Wzientek participated in the assistantship under the guidance of John Boesche, Assistant Professor of Diesel Power Technology. In 2024, the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) awarded 麻豆原创 a Rev Up EV Community College Initiative grant to expand the College鈥檚 Diesel Power Technology program to include heavy-duty electronic vehicles. Through research and planning, Goode and Wzientek helped identify and purchase necessary safety equipment, specialized tools and electronic vehicles to support the budding program.

鈥淚 was very excited to have the opportunity for this apprenticeship. I am currently a fleet mechanic but want to become a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher in the future,鈥� Goode said. 鈥淚t took some late nights at the school and a lot of outside research, but I am proud of what we accomplished and can鈥檛 wait to see our hard work put into effect.鈥�

鈥淚 always loved extending my knowledge for this program, and this was a great opportunity for me to help this curriculum grow. I knew our hard work would pay off, and I am very excited to use the knowledge I gained for my future career,鈥� Wzientek said.

In the Spring 2025 semester, Daniella Zamora participated in the assistantship under the direction of Dr. Nicole Potts, Professor of Chemistry, and Dr. Laura Murdaugh, Associate Professor of Chemistry.

Zamora helped create a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) library, which future 麻豆原创 organic chemistry students can use to compare synthesized compounds. Zamora鈥檚 research work included the synthesis of compounds, filtration, purification and analysis.

鈥淒aniella experienced a true research setting during her apprenticeship. She started with researching a chemical, designing and executing the experiment with correct equipment and techniques, and then ran the analysis on the synthesized product,鈥� Dr. Murdaugh said. 鈥淪he created a useful tool that students will later be able to utilize. She was a great student, dependable and eager to learn.鈥�

Learn more about the 麻豆原创 Foundation at .