The Penn State Berks AIMS (Artificial Intelligence, Modeling and Simulation) Lab will host a lecture titled “Revolutionizing immersive experiences: The synergy of AI, virtual reality and gamification in learning and user engagement,” delivered by Christian Lopez Bencosme, assistant professor of computer science at Lafayette College, at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, in Room 121 of the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building. This event is free and open to the public but advanced registration is required.
Eight incoming Penn State Berks students were awarded a four-year scholarship to study engineering through the Penn State Berks Leveraging Innovation and Optimizing Nurturing (LION) STEM Scholars Program. Funded by a U.S. National Science Foundation grant, the main goal of the LION STEM Scholars Program is to enhance the STEM workforce by graduating more diverse high-achieving STEM students who have demonstrated financial need.
As part of the college’s ongoing efforts to engage with and support the local Hispanic and Latino communities, Penn State Berks will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15–Oct. 15, with a variety of vibrant events, educational presentations and cultural showcases. These events include dynamic speakers, Latin cuisine, music, dancing and much more. All events are free and open to the public and most are held at Penn State Berks, except "Enhance Your Customer Service" with Rosa Julia Parra, which will be held at Centro Hispano Daniel Torres in downtown Reading.
The Penn State Berks global studies program will host a global forum titled “India Today” from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, in the first-floor Multipurpose Room in the Perkins Student Center. During this Zoom presentation, Sourav Kumar Nag, assistant professor of English literature and culture studies and head of the department of English at Onda Thana Mahavidyalaya in West Bengal, India, will address the influences of colonialism and history on modern Indian society and politics. He also will discuss the roles and status of women in modern India.
As part of the honors effective speech course in the spring 2024 semester, students learned how to enhance their communication skills while also learning how to make sushi. The course was taught by Cheryl Nicholas, associate professor of communication arts and sciences and global studies.
Penn State Berks celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Careers with Math Options Conference on May 7. A record total of 200 seventh grade students and chaperones from 15 schools in and around the Berks County area attended the event. The mission of the event is to generate excitement for STEM topics early in young female students’ education.
Penn State Berks hospitality management students presented their veggie research and recipe project to local community members on April 22 at Penn State Health St. Joseph’s Downtown Campus. The presentation was delivered in both English and Spanish.
This spring, Penn State Berks students have developed two new apps that won awards in Penn State's HackPSU Spring 2024 competition. They also found time to serve the local community by providing education on cybersecurity issues and best practices to seniors.
The workshops, conducted by Penn State Berks faculty and students, as well as clinicians from local hospitals, are for high school students with an interest in science and engineering and their applications to human movement. The event also included interactive laboratory activities, and school and career information.
In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, Penn State Berks hosted a lecture titled “Not Another Assault” on April 18 in the Perkins Student Center.
