TLC at the Tbilisi State TLC at the Tbilisi State UniversityUniversity

Butsiko Chkhartishvili Butsiko Chkhartishvili

Ivane Javakhishvili State University of Tbilisi has Ivane Javakhishvili State University of Tbilisi has been involved in SENCER Program since 2004.been involved in SENCER Program since 2004.

TLC Center has been set up in one of TSU buildings. TLC Center has been set up in one of TSU buildings. The center has a computer and library. Every The center has a computer and library. Every Wednesday and Friday after 2 p.m. students have Wednesday and Friday after 2 p.m. students have the opportunity to use computer for the purpose of the opportunity to use computer for the purpose of obtaining the information they are interested in.obtaining the information they are interested in.

Active Learning Techniques for Large Civic Active Learning Techniques for Large Civic EngagementEngagement

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

Designing Service Learning OpportunitiesDesigning Service Learning Opportunities

Developing Civic EngagementDeveloping Civic Engagement

How Do You Know What Your Students are How Do You Know What Your Students are LearningLearning

Science and Student ExperienceScience and Student Experience

SENCERSENCER

Service Learning and the SciencesService Learning and the Sciences

Georgia-Armenia-US-Alliance for Education and Economic Development

With support from the 2006 New Ideas Partnership Program, we propose to establish the “Georgia,

Armenia, United States Alliance for Education and Economic Development” (GAUSAEED). The Alliance will foster innovative and durable

collaborations among Georgian, Armenian and American institutions of higher education that will improve teaching and learning (especially in the sciences and mathematics), connect improved

learning to economic and civil society development, and foster state-of-the-art

pedagogical practice and collaborative research, as well as scholarly and cultural exchange, among

higher education institutions in the US and the newly independent states of Georgia and Armenia.

The figure below provides a visual representation of the Alliance partners, linkages

and key activities:

Republic of Georgia Republic of Armenia - Georgia Technical University - Physics Institute - Tbilisi State University - Yerevan State University - Georgia Med/ ILIA Chavchavadze State University - State Engineering U of Armenia

-Teaching and Learning Centers -Shared Course Material -Co-developed Study Abroad Program for Georgia -Entrepreneurship Symposium -Symposium on Teaching and Learning

-Teaching and Learning Centers -Shared Course Material -Co-developed Study Abroad Program for Armenia -Entrepreneurship Symposium -Symposium on Teaching and Learning

Georgia-Armenia-US Alliance

Georgia-Armenia-US Alliance

United States -Harrisburg University S& T -SENCER Network -NCSCE

Sustainability in support of Higher Education, Entrepreneurship and

Economic Development

Seminars at TLCSeminars at TLC

The seminar at Tbilisi State University was The seminar at Tbilisi State University was organized on May 24 by TLC director Butsiko organized on May 24 by TLC director Butsiko Chkhartishvili and facilitator Nana Japaridze. Dave Chkhartishvili and facilitator Nana Japaridze. Dave Tauck, professor from Santa Clara University made Tauck, professor from Santa Clara University made two presentations: one on teaching and learning two presentations: one on teaching and learning issues “Focusing on Learning Instead Teaching” issues “Focusing on Learning Instead Teaching” second – professional “Brain Computer Interface: second – professional “Brain Computer Interface: Magnetic Stimulation of Neurons for Implantable Magnetic Stimulation of Neurons for Implantable Neuroprosthetic Devices”.Neuroprosthetic Devices”.

Ardith ManeyArdith Maney, Professor, Iowa State University., Professor, Iowa State University.

Karen Kashmanian OatesKaren Kashmanian Oates, Provost, Harrisburg University , Provost, Harrisburg University of Science and Technologyof Science and Technology

Mr. John HalderMr. John Halder, CCID President/ Executive Director, CCID President/ Executive Director

Violet KalesnikoffViolet Kalesnikoff, Dean of Community, Corporate, and , Dean of Community, Corporate, and International Development, CCIDInternational Development, CCID

Rameshwar S. KanwarRameshwar S. Kanwar, Professor and Department Chair, , Professor and Department Chair, Iowa State UniversityIowa State University

Steven A. FreemanSteven A. Freeman, Assistant Director and Associate , Assistant Director and Associate Professor, Iowa State UniversityProfessor, Iowa State University

Amy Leigh KaleitaAmy Leigh Kaleita, Assistant Professor, Iowa State , Assistant Professor, Iowa State UniversityUniversity

Embleton KarlaEmbleton Karla, Director of Educational Technology, Iowa , Director of Educational Technology, Iowa State UniversityState University

Mary Lou LauerMary Lou Lauer, Ph.D. Vice President, Kirkwood Community , Ph.D. Vice President, Kirkwood Community CollegeCollege

Amy ShachterAmy Shachter, Senior Associate Dean, College of Arts and , Senior Associate Dean, College of Arts and SciencesSciences

Dr. David L TauckDr. David L Tauck, Faculty Director - da Vinci, Faculty Director - da Vinci

American Student American Student Internships at Tbilisi State Internships at Tbilisi State

UniversityUniversity

The students internship program was jointly The students internship program was jointly organized by IWISE, SENCER, the National Science organized by IWISE, SENCER, the National Science Foundation and Georgian Technical University, Foundation and Georgian Technical University, Tbilisi State University and Medical State Tbilisi State University and Medical State University.University.

Students started working on research projects at Students started working on research projects at SENCER’s three Georgian partner universities. SENCER’s three Georgian partner universities. Alison Lima and Shane McCarty have been “doing Alison Lima and Shane McCarty have been “doing rounds” in departments and faculties at the Medical rounds” in departments and faculties at the Medical State University. Engineering students Kyle Riley State University. Engineering students Kyle Riley and Mark Holzer are working on water supply and and Mark Holzer are working on water supply and safety projects at Georgian Technical University and safety projects at Georgian Technical University and some Tbilisi companies where their Georgian some Tbilisi companies where their Georgian student colleagues have internships. Meanwhile student colleagues have internships. Meanwhile Jessica Russell and Annie Peppler, who have majors Jessica Russell and Annie Peppler, who have majors at their home university in exercise science and at their home university in exercise science and animal science, have gotten first-hand experience animal science, have gotten first-hand experience in labs at Tbilisi State University.in labs at Tbilisi State University.

At Tbilisi State University Annie Peppler and At Tbilisi State University Annie Peppler and Jessica Russell, majors at Iowa State Jessica Russell, majors at Iowa State University in exercise science and animal University in exercise science and animal science were introduced to several of the science were introduced to several of the current research projects being conducted in current research projects being conducted in labs at various departments.labs at various departments.

•• Department of Human and Animal Physiology (Dr. E. Department of Human and Animal Physiology (Dr. E. Mitaishvili) - Influence of nootropic drugs on memory disorders Mitaishvili) - Influence of nootropic drugs on memory disorders caused by epilepsy - caused by epilepsy - •• Department of Cytology, Histology, and Developmental Department of Cytology, Histology, and Developmental Biology (Prof. D.Dzidziguri - laboratory of Developmental Biology (Prof. D.Dzidziguri - laboratory of Developmental Biology) – Biology) – -- (i) The initial stages of liver regeneration; (i) The initial stages of liver regeneration; -- (ii) The lecture and computer demonstration on 3- and (ii) The lecture and computer demonstration on 3- and 4-D modeling of living cells as a valuable tool in medical 4-D modeling of living cells as a valuable tool in medical research and clinical practice, especially in cancer research. research and clinical practice, especially in cancer research. To study the liver regeneration students were introduced to To study the liver regeneration students were introduced to the surgical technique employed to obtain liver samples from the surgical technique employed to obtain liver samples from living snail specimens, also histological procedures of liver living snail specimens, also histological procedures of liver tissue preparation for study under a microscope.tissue preparation for study under a microscope.•• Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Prof. Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Prof. N.Alexidze) –N.Alexidze) – The role of lectins in potato disease. The role of lectins in potato disease. Students participated in an experiment concerning potato Students participated in an experiment concerning potato lectins’ discovering and blocking their action that will protect lectins’ discovering and blocking their action that will protect potatoes from bacterial infection. potatoes from bacterial infection.

The subjects have been created in accordance with The subjects have been created in accordance with the multidisciplinary principle. Representatives of the multidisciplinary principle. Representatives of various fileds of natural sciences, highlyqualified various fileds of natural sciences, highlyqualified Georgian scientists have made their contribution to Georgian scientists have made their contribution to creation of these subjects.creation of these subjects.

The academic staff of TSU decided to give lectures The academic staff of TSU decided to give lectures on “Environment and Health” and “Social Ecology”.on “Environment and Health” and “Social Ecology”.

Apart from the university work the SENCER Group Apart from the university work the SENCER Group has settled on expansion and introduction of the has settled on expansion and introduction of the program into school curicula (mainly, in 10program into school curicula (mainly, in 10thth, 11, 11thth grades). For that reason the lectures were delivered grades). For that reason the lectures were delivered for the students and teachers of schools.for the students and teachers of schools.

The staff of Tbilisi secondary school #53 have made The staff of Tbilisi secondary school #53 have made up their mind to draw up a similar slightly simplified up their mind to draw up a similar slightly simplified textbook for school children “We and Environment”. textbook for school children “We and Environment”. The supplmentary textbook prepared by the school The supplmentary textbook prepared by the school teachers will be sent to other schools in Tbilisi and teachers will be sent to other schools in Tbilisi and throughout Georgia in order to use it in the process throughout Georgia in order to use it in the process of teaching.of teaching.

.Why we decided to introduce .Why we decided to introduce SENCER into School CurriculaSENCER into School Curricula

1. It is very important to expand the program and 1. It is very important to expand the program and involve high school students from various regions involve high school students from various regions and towns of Georgia in it. A lot of social, and towns of Georgia in it. A lot of social, ecological and political problems have been ecological and political problems have been accumulated in the regions that need to be dealt accumulated in the regions that need to be dealt with by the local youth. with by the local youth. 2. In order for the young people to take an active 2. In order for the young people to take an active part in problem solution process it is of utmost part in problem solution process it is of utmost importance to raise awareness and heighten a importance to raise awareness and heighten a sense of civic responsibility among them. The sense of civic responsibility among them. The younger they are when realizing that the more younger they are when realizing that the more good they can do to the benefit of their country. good they can do to the benefit of their country.

..

3. In order to identify and assess a challenge and 3. In order to identify and assess a challenge and then seek the ways of handling it the young people then seek the ways of handling it the young people should be equipped with the basic knowledge of should be equipped with the basic knowledge of natural sciences. SENCER can really be helpful in that. natural sciences. SENCER can really be helpful in that.

4. A number of reforms have been undertaken that 4. A number of reforms have been undertaken that aim to alter the outdated methods of teaching and aim to alter the outdated methods of teaching and update textbooks in Georgia. Retraining the staff in update textbooks in Georgia. Retraining the staff in line with the new methodology of teaching is also on line with the new methodology of teaching is also on the agenda. The SENCER Program has a number of the agenda. The SENCER Program has a number of professors who can assist the school teachers and professors who can assist the school teachers and students by holding trainings in methodology and students by holding trainings in methodology and providing them with the information about the latest providing them with the information about the latest scientific developments.scientific developments.

Seminar in Rustavi schoolSeminar in Rustavi school

Seminar in Rustavi schoolSeminar in Rustavi school

Seminar in Tbilisi school Seminar in Tbilisi school #53#53

As for our future plans we will certainly run the As for our future plans we will certainly run the center: center:

1) Seminars will be held and young teachers will be 1) Seminars will be held and young teachers will be invited so that they might familiarize themselves invited so that they might familiarize themselves with SENCER principles and new learning methods with SENCER principles and new learning methods and improve their teaching skills.and improve their teaching skills.

2) The TLC Center also plan to continue work at 2) The TLC Center also plan to continue work at schools in line with the program and dissiminate the schools in line with the program and dissiminate the SENCER principles within the various regions of SENCER principles within the various regions of Georgia.Georgia.

Best Wishes From TbilisiBest Wishes From Tbilisi

T h a n k y o u !T h a n k y o u !