WNCC 2010 Self-Study Report - Western Nebraska Community ...

Discovery Lab
The John N. Harms Advanced Technology Center houses the Discovery Lab, a high-tech career
exploration laboratory which uses a project-based, self-directed approach to learning. The Lab
includes career exploration in robotics, computer graphics, science, circuitry, hydroponics, and
publishing, along with methodologies that include computer simulation, physical simulation, and
multimedia design. Since 2007, the Discovery Lab has been utilized by more than 250 Panhandle
students, including elementary, middle, high school, college, and home-schooled students, as well
as students with special needs. The majority of students attend one of the local high schools, but it
is also used by civic organizations such as 4-H. Efforts are underway to enhance and increase
Discovery lab offerings by making stronger contacts with Panhandle schools, aligning testing
requirements with lab activities (RR 99).
Distance Learning Consortium
To support students across the large service areas, WNCC participates in the Western Nebraska
Distance Learning Consortium. This partnership consists of WNCC, members from 21 school
districts of the Nebraska Panhandle, ESU 13 and Chadron State College. Students must meet
specific criteria to be eligible for the transfer-level courses available through the system and have
the permission of their parents and that of designated officials at the high school that they attend.
Since 2008, high-school students in the service area have received a 50% discount on tuition and
fees. The effect can be seen when comparing enrollments in the spring term of 2008 to the same
semester in 2009, where the number of students under 18 years of age increased 46% from 149
students to 218. The increase can be largely attributed to the half-tuition benefit and purposeful
actions by College employees to promote dual-credit opportunities.
Three4Free Program
For the summer term of 2007, WNCC’s Three4Free program was approved by the Board of
Governors. This opportunity enables rising seniors and May high school graduates–as well as
GED graduates–to take one credit class on campus during the summer free of charge. The
Three4Free Program has proven successful in attracting students and in building academic
achievement. Of the 79 students who enrolled in 2007, 73 completed their coursework. In 2008,
86 students enrolled, with 65 completing their coursework. Moreover, in 2008, 63% of the seniors
who participated in the program enrolled at WNCC for the following fall semester, and 38% of the
juniors who had taken advantage of the program enrolled in dual-credit courses when their highschool
classes resumed.
In the summer session of 2009, a total of 72 students enrolled, and 60 of them completed their
courses (83%). The average GPA earned by those students was 3.34. Seniors who completed
the courses and graduated in 2009 returned to take WNCC courses this fall at a rate of 78% (35
out of 45). Current seniors (the 2010 graduating class) who completed their WNCC courses
enrolled as dual-credit students at a rate of 82% (9 out of 11). Interestingly, 6 of the 12 students
who did not complete their courses are enrolled in WNCC courses this fall.
High School Career Academies
Besides the academic transfer dual-credit offerings organized through the Educational Services
unit, WNCC launched the High School Career Academies in 2008. Career Academies are
designed to provide high-school students an opportunity to explore various career fields by
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