Napa Valley College, a comprehensive two-year community college in Northern California, is utilizing NSF grant funds to develop the Multi-Disciplinary Computer Laboratory Model for Community Colleges project. The laboratory serves up to 2,000 students enrolled in the college's Science and Mathematics division, who share a new state-of-the-art computer facility that is networked to the existing laboratories.Key faculty members from Biology, Chemistry, Geography/Geology/Earth Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics are developing new lab curriculum and projects to introduce new concepts into science and math programs: talking electronic spreadsheet analysis, multi-media (graphics, text, video, and sound), electronic notebooks, laboratory report templates and electronic mail. The use of computers frees students from laborious and unenlightening computations so they can explore underlying principles and concepts.Funds are being used to purchase 10 new NEXT computer workstations and upgrade the four existing systems on campus. The new multi-disciplinary laboratory contains 10 workstations to serve a class of 30 students. The remaining workstations are portable systems located in the science/math laboratories.The multi-disciplinary model is being disseminated widely. Colleges with small science and math programs that do not warrant individual labs benefit from the results of this project.NSF grant funds are being matched with funds from non-federal sources.
