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1. Assessment Plan - Four Column

PIE - Natural Sciences: Earth Sciences & Astronomy Unit

Narrative Reporting Year2018-19Contact Person: Julie Bray-Ali & Mike HoodEmail/Extension: [email protected] / 4148 & [email protected] / 4767External Conditions, Trends, or Impacts: Change in enrollment: Possibly due to the change in economy, our department along with the entire campus is experiencing lowerenrollment. This drop in enrollment has hit our night classes especially hard. It seems as the students who traditionally would have enrolled in the night classes are opting totake online classes instead

Our academic calendar is not in line with other surrounding schools. Starting this academic year, Cal Poly Pomona has switched to semester system from quarter system. Ourlower enrollment in Winter intersession and Spring semester may be related to their calendar change. Perhaps the college should consider changing our calendar to betteralign with the other local schools.Internal Conditions, Trends, or Impacts : College equipment budget was non-existent in 2018-19. We received replacement computers for some of our aging classroomlaptop carts, but no other equipment items were purchased.Notable Achievements for Theme A: To Advance Academic Excellence and Student Achievement: One of our astronomy students, Chelsea Adelman, was selected for theCalBridge program. This program assists physics and astronomy students with mentoring, advising, research opportunities, and provides funding for their final two years at aCSU campus as well as their first year in graduate school at a UC school. She has now transferred to Cal Poly to continue this program.

Four students successfully completed the Astr99 course that focused on telescope observations.

One of our students, Travis Navarrete, was accepted to the NASA SIRI internship program. He also completed an Astr99 course related to this internship.

This year, environmental science major Alex Almaguer received the Redinger Family Research Grant. With professor Hilary Lackey, Alex will be taking soil and water samplesfrom the burn areas of the Woolsey and Halo fires (2018) to look for heavy metal contamination associated with burned structures. She plans to present her findings at theGeological Society of America’s annual meeting on Phoenix, AZ in fall of 2019.

Research with Drs. Robert Nelson and Mark Boryta: In the past year, three students: Robert Zhou, Morgan Palmer and Joel Gutierrez participated in laboratory observationexperiments on reflectance properties of various substances of interest in planetary sciences. All three students have been listed as co authors on numerous abstracts andposter presentations in the US and abroad (China, Ukraine). Mr. Zhou has since transferred to UC-Berkeley, where he is pursuing a degree in computer sciences; recently hehas told us that he will be a summer intern at Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque, NM, and is very excited about the opportunity. Ms. Palmer presented her work at theSCCUR, garnering unsolicited praise from many faculty who visited her poster.

Dave: Brittany Brelle, a geoscience transfer, was awarded the Redinger Research Grant and conducted fieldwork on Santa Cruz Island. Brittany mapped a new sedimentary

11/14/2019 Generated by Nuventive Improve of 56

unit below the Monterey Formation in order to understand better the tectonic evolution of the western edge of North America. In October, Brittany presented the findingsof her project at the national meeting of the Geological Society of America.

Tania Anders attended three conferences and workshops that will ultimately support our students:-NISOD (National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development) conference. Austin, TX, May 24-28, 2019 International Conference on Teaching and LeadershipExcellence

- OOI (Ocean Observatories Initiative) Ocean Data Labs Workshop. March 8-13, 2019, Princeton, NJ. Building an Ocean Data Lab

- Frontiers in Ocean Sustainability-Co-designing Research and Solutions. September 18-22, 2018, Halifax, Canada. Valuable information about ocean tech programs,diversity in science careers, current researchNotable Achievements for Theme B: To Support Student Access and Success: This year the planetarium celebrated its 50th anniversary, a huge milestone for Mt. SAC. Mt.SAC instructors used the planetarium to supplement their teaching, as many concepts are best explained on a dome instead of on a flat screen. Such concepts includedplanetary movement, daily star motion, sun angle, and moon phases. To date (5/6/2019) 3099 Mt. SAC students visited the planetarium with their classes. Local Elementary,Middle and High Schools also visit the planetarium on field trips, and over 7000 of these students have visited the planetarium so far this year. The planetarium offered 114planetarium shows for students and the public on the weekends. In addition to the planetarium, astronomy instructors also use the telescope observatory, over 500 Mt. SACstudents have visited with for their classes so far this year.

We once again held an extremely successful Kepler scholarship event. Dr. Suzanne Smrekar, deputy Principal Investigator of the Insight mission, gave a wonderful talk abouttheir progress on researching the interior of Mars. Two worthy students were awarded with Kepler scholarship awards, and one student was presented with a researchfellowship through ESSRRG.

Becca Walker spent Spring semester in Sevilla, Spain, through the Study Abroad program.

Von Karman lecture video stream at the planetarium with pre lecture is offered on regular basis.

Anders: Took a group of 10 students to the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies on Catalina Island free of charge for the students. Students received lectures,outdoor lab experiences and snorkeled in kelp forest.

Anders: Organized and hosted 4 speakers for the Ocean Lecture series, including a speaker from the 2018/19 Ocean Discovery Lecture Series, a national traveling lectureseries that brings the remarkable scientific results and discoveries of the International Ocean Discovery Program and its predecessor programs to academic researchinstitutions, museums, and aquaria. 200 people, including from the broader community, attended the presentation by Dr. Brian Romans from Virginia Tech.

Anders: Mt.SAC was selected through the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Adopt-a-Float program to name a SOCCOM (Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations andModeling Project) float. “Doc Baldy” started collecting data on temperature, salinity, pressure, oxygen, chlorophyll, nitrate, particles and acidity (pH) in the Southern Atlanticin October 2018. Faculty of all related disciplines can and are encouraged to use real-world/-time data from this float for their classes.Notable Achievements for Theme C: Secure Human, Technological, & Financial Resources: This year the planetarium paid for major upgrades and repairs on the digital starprojector and sound system. The projector upgrade will allow the planetarium to stream shows as needed, saving an estimated $8,000.00 a year in show license fees. Theaudio system upgrade was necessary to repair the planetarium when critical components failed after ten years of use. The new hardware should last another 10 years. Alltogether the upgrades cost $27,000 and were 100% covered by revenue generated by the planetarium.

We hired 3 new Geoscience adjunct faculty members, and have 2 more interviews scheduled in early June. We interviewed candidates for astronomy teaching positions, butwere not able to find anyone to hire. We have another astronomy interview planned for June as well.


Notable Achievements for Theme D: To Foster an Atmosphere of Cooperation and Collaboration: ESA Geology faculty were in communication with geology faculty from CalPoly Pomona and Cal State Fullerton to investigate 2YC-4YC collaborations and the planetarium cooperated in the art department's Culturama event.

Mt. SAC faculty, staff, and students were involved with Cal Poly Women in Physics events. Julie Bray-Ali and Maria Vaughn along with 4 students participated in spring lectureand lunch event.

Worked with aeronautics program and gaming and virtual reality program faculty members on creating Mt SAC virtual helicopter tour of campus as well as an astronomyactivity to explore the scale of the universe.

Von Karman Lecture - STEM center and division office sponsored transportation to attend the event at JPL on May 9th. This gave students the opportunity to visit JPL andattend the lecture in person, with transportation and dinner provided to them for free. The topic of the lecture was on CubeSats. Sarah Nichols and Eugene Mahmoud areassisting with information packet and Q&A session at STEM center prior to the departure.

Physics and Engineering program- Characterization of telescope pier vibration. Lexa Loperena Beattie and Jose Camacho are working with Eugene Mahmoud, Heather Jones,Jessica Draper.

In Winter, 2019, Tania Anders and Mark Boryta invited faculty from many area 2- and 4YCs to a workshop that they organized around the topic of increasing awareness andmajors interested in Ocean Sciences. The workshop was a resounding success, and more are planned to further the work accomplished in this one-day event.

SAGE 2YC: Faculty as Change Agents: Supporting and Advancing Geoscience Education in Two-Year Colleges; two teams in our department (Anders/Boryta andWalker/Mrofka). Goal of this NSF funded project is to transform geoscience education in two-year colleges (2YCs) through the implementation of high-impact, evidence-based instructional and co-curricular practices by 2YC geoscience faculty as “change agents”.

Beyond department: Faculty involved in campus-wide efforts to foster atmosphere of collaboration: Boryta: Guided Pathways Faculty Coordinator (not sure of his title),Anders: Faculty Professional Development Coordinator. In these roles, faculty from our department are receiving valuable insights and contribute to large-scale efforts onour campus. Anders and Boryta led team that organized the first MtSAC Faculty retreat.Contributors to the Report: Heather JonesMark BorytaJulie Bray-AliMicol ChristopherMike HoodHilary LackeyDavid MrofkaTania AndersBecca WalkerJessica Draper

Unit Goals Resources Needed Where We Make an Impact: Closing theLoop on Goals and PlansReporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0

In Progress - Create an AstronomyAA degree

ASTR AA degree - Develop AstronomyAssociates Degree


Unit Goals Resources Needed Where We Make an Impact: Closing theLoop on Goals and Plans

Status: Active Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Need to wait until Astr11 is fullapproved to start working on this.

Once Astr11 is approved, we can start working on AAAstronomy again. Pending approval of astr11. see analysisfor Astr11 course. (05/18/2018)

Lead: Micol Christopher

Goal Year(s): 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20Date Goal Entered (Optional):09/01/2016

Status: Active

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 50An advisory committee was put together, the committeemet and approved submitting the certificate, a third coursefor methods was created, and the department is waiting tohear from EDC. The certificate is at stage 5. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 25A number of individuals have been identified as being goodadvisory members. Geology 9L, the first new coursenecessary for the CTE has been approved and will beoffered in the Fall of 2018. Currently going through theapproval process with the Chancellor's office after receivingpermission from the LAOCRC Consortium. (05/18/2018)

: We are progressing inestablishing CTE Geotechprogram. We have a better scopeof the project. We would needvarious support from the collegeto complete this project. Asstated above, here are thesupport needed:- Release time for faculty co-directors. Development of a CTEprogram is above and beyondfaculty curriculum developmentobligations as it involves newcourse development, interactionwith stakeholders, organizationand supervision of workexperience courses, training andprofessional development toteach new courses and learn to

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 25Strong Workforce Initiative funds were procured during the2016-2017 school year to establish a GeotechnicanCertificate program.

Notice of Intent submitted, approved, and forwarded to theChancellor's Office.

Numerous stakeholders have been contacted to serve onthe advisory board for the certificate program and to offerwork experiences for students.

Labor market analysis has been performed with extremelyfavorable results for geotechnician, environmentaltechnician, and petroleum technician.

New course for certificate program (GEOL9L--environmentalgeology lab) approved by department and submitted to C&I

In Progress - CTE GeotechnicalCareers - Develop a CTE for studentswishing to pursue careers ingeotechnical, engineering geology,environmental geology fields aftertwo years of college work.

Goal Year(s): 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21

Geology Degrees - DevelopGeoscience Degrees to Meet StudentNeeds

Date Goal Entered (Optional):09/01/2016



use new equipment, etc. To bestserve our students and expeditethe offering of the geotechcertificate program, faculty needdedicated time as part of theirteaching load to develop andexecute the program and assessthe results.- Funding for equipment. TheGeotechnical Methods (indevelopment) and EnvironmentalGeology Lab (submitted to C&I,May 2017) will require additionalanalytical field and lab equipmentbeyond the department's currentinventory. Anecdotally, geospatialproficiency is a necessary skill foremployment as ageotech/petroleumtech/environmental tech,suggesting that we will need topurchase ArcGIS software andcomputers.- Additional funding fordevelopment of property inLanders, CA. The Landers propertyrepresents an excellent venue forfield studies related to theGeotechnician Certificate Programas well as other STEM-disciplinecourses/programs at Mt. SAC andother institutions. Additionalfunds are needed to develop theproperty such that it is suitable foruse. (06/29/2017)

and Ed Design.

Revised AA degree reflecting new & modified courses hasbeen submitted to C&I and Ed Design. (06/27/2017)

Type of Request: OTHER OPERATING

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0AS-T in Geology is held up because, as a department, wehave not participated in the CID numbering system At least,this is what I've been told; we will continue to follow up

Lead: Hilary

Request - No Funding Requested -Develop Geoscience AssociateDegree (AS-T).



EXPENSES AND SERVICES: Requestsfor contracted, legal/ audit, personal/consultant, rent/ leases, repairs/maintenance, and other misc.services. May also include request fortravel and conference that does notrequire the assistance of POD.Planning Unit Priority: Medium

with Jamaika Fowler on this work. (05/18/2018)

Planning Unit Priority: Low

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0No progress, but Hilary is working on AA-T (05/17/2019)Lead: Dave Mrofka

Develop AA Natural Sciences with anemphasis in geology

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Propose Transfer degree in Geologyand establish C-ID for all involvedcourses.

Type of Request: OTHER OPERATINGEXPENSES AND SERVICES: Requestsfor contracted, legal/ audit, personal/consultant, rent/ leases, repairs/maintenance, and other misc.services. May also include request fortravel and conference that does notrequire the assistance of POD.Planning Unit Priority: High

Lead: Hilary

Develop Transfer Degree in Geology

Status: ActivePlanning Unit Priority: High

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 100This degree has been modified and approved by EDC andthe Chancellor (05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 75All the documents have been submitted to EDC, but AAEmphasis in Natural Sciences is currently at stage 5, underreview by the curriculum office. The curriculum liaison hascommented that the degree needs to be "restructured" to

In Progress - Get this degree revisedand approved. Degree to include anew course for basic mapping skills,required or expected of studentstransferring to 4YCs as geologymajors.

Goal Year(s): 2017-18, 2018-19

Revise AA in Liberal Arts with andEmphasis in Natural Science - Revisethe AA in Liberal Arts with andEmphasis in Earth Science to bettermeet the needs of our students.



Unit Goals Resources Needed Where We Make an Impact: Closing theLoop on Goals and Plansoffer clearer pathways for students, but is unsure how thatwould look. The task force, given the responsibility forrevising the degree, is happy with the degree as is, aftersubmitting a number of new courses and withdrawingseveral others.Information is fromhttps://webcms.mtsac.edu/admin/all_proposals.asp, on

Status: Active

Planning Unit Priority: High

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0Progress on this goal is delayed because courses of thisnature are not transferable and so are deemed "Stand-Alone" courses and as such will not be approved by EDC orthe Chancellor's Office at the present time. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0Department did not choose to use Flex Day to pursue thesetrainings yet; postponed to 2018-19 (05/18/2018)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 0Mark will attend a 2-day Field Safety training course offeredbefore the GSA Fall 2017 Meeting in Seattle (06/27/2017)

Lead: Mark Boryta

In Progress - Wilderness safety andfirst aid training for staff involved inoutdoor field trips.

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Course proposed to be added to AANatural Sciences degree - hopefullythis will allow for Astr 11 to beapproved. Next step will be securingCSU/UC transferability and thenhopefully offer the course in Fall2018 for first time.


Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 75Astr11 has been approved by EDC. We are currentlyworking on scheduling a section of this course for Fall 2019.(05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 75Astr 11 is at level 5, under review by EDC. This course cannot be approved as a stand alone course, this coursemoving forward is pending approval on AA Emphasis inNatural Sciences , which is currently sitting at stage 5, underreview by the curriculum office.Information is fromhttps://webcms.mtsac.edu/admin/all_proposals.asp, on

Lead: Micol Christopher.

In Progress - Get Astr11 courseapproved and offered in theschedule.

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0Planning the curriculum or content of this course has not

In Progress - Create Geol 20-Geological Field Skills- Create basicfield mapping skills course.

Goal Year(s): 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21

New Courses - Create and teach newcourses



Unit Goals Resources Needed Where We Make an Impact: Closing theLoop on Goals and Plansbegun; still important to the staff involved. (05/18/2018)Lead: Dave Mrofka and Becca

Walker

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):This course is currently in stage 5 ofcurriculum development; need tofinish the process and get it on thecourse schedule.

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 100Course was approved and offered in the Fall of 2018 for thefirst time. The course is being taught again this semester.The next step is to make it a GE course and receive UCtransfer status. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 100Geol30, Global Climate Change has been approved andeffective as of Summer 2018. We are offering one section ofgeol 30 in Fall 2018. We are planning to offer this courseevery full semester. (04/05/2018)

Lead: Dave Mrofka

In Progress - Offer Geology 30course to students.

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 50The course is at stage 5 waiting for EDC questions.(05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 25Curriculum and content ideas have begun to be identifiedfor this course. Dependent on additional advisorycommittee interviews. (05/18/2018)

Lead: Dave Mrofka

In Progress - Create Geol 31-Getochnical Skills Class. This is aclass necessary for theGeotechnician CTE

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 50The course is at stage 5 waiting for EDC questions.(05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0Entered into WebCMS in name only; planning for thiscourse is on hold until advisory committee members comeforward who are interested in supporting futureinterns/work experience. (05/18/2018)

Lead: Dave Mrofka

In Progress - Create Geol 32-Getochnical Skills Class. This is aclass necessary for theGeotechnician CTE

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 100The goal of successfully teaching additional sections hasbeen reached. (05/17/2019)

Lead: David MrofkaIn Progress - GEOL 1

Reporting Year: 2017-18In Progress - Create a 1-credit "Basic


Unit Goals Resources Needed Where We Make an Impact: Closing theLoop on Goals and Plans% Completed: 0Have not made progress on this class idea. (05/18/2018)

Science Skills" Class.This course would be designed togive students the tools they willneed to be (more) successful whenthey later take a geoscience course.

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 25Course has been submitted and is at stage 5 where it is"stuck". The course needs to be attached to a degree orcertificate. Exploring options so that course can moveforward. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 25Locating a similar course course offered at a 4YC in CA atthe introductory undergraduate level is in progress, so farwithout success. Articulation officer at Mt SAC andAssociate Dean have joined in this discussion and work.General course outline has been developed. A similarcourse is offered at Orange Coast College. (05/18/2018)

Lead: Tania Anders

In Progress - Create and offer a newoceanography course: CostalOceanography

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: Createand teach an online version of GEOL8Planning Unit Priority: High

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0No progress. Awaiting department comments.(05/17/2019)

Lead: Dave Mrofka

Create an online version (hybrid orfully online) of Geology 8.


Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 100GEOL9L was approved by EDC and we have attempted tooffer it the last two semesters, but it does not fill. It will bea required course for the GEOTECH CTE and we have it onhold until that certificate begins. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 100Geol9L has been approved and is scheduled to be offeredfor the first time during the fall 2018 semester. We areplanning to offer this course every full semesters.(05/20/2018)

Lead: Dave Mrofka

Geol9L - Environmental geology labto be approved and offered



Status: ActiveDescribe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need): 3TV monitors. Our efforts to advertiseour offerings will be enhanced bythe installation of 3 TV monitors inthe halls on the first floor of building60. We intend to present courseofferings, open classes, upcomingevents including field trips andlectures, and topics of generalinterest in our department such asincluding streaming of NASAprograms. We expect more efficientenrollment and increased interest inour offerings.

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: We willhave 3 interactive monitorsthroughout the first floor of building60 to introduce students to EarthSpace science / opportunities, alongwith sharing student success stories.Planning Unit Priority: HighDocumentation Attached?: NoOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 12000

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0This project was not funded and still on hold. We willcontinue to leave this item in our PIE to request fundingagain for 2019-2020 budget year. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0Equipment budget request for this item was not approved.This item will continue to be on our goal list. (05/18/2018)

: Evaluation of the project havetaught us that having displaypanel is more expensive than wehave originally expected. Ourquick fix solution of using iMac inglass display cabinets will beimplemented. . In near future, wewould like to have the actualmonitors installed in thehallways.s. (06/29/2017)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 50i have contacted Mikaela Klein and came up with the roughskedtch of the project (see below) however hte cost of theproject was fairly high (approximately $10,000). as a backup plan, we have discussed the project with IT departmentand planning to have 2 iMAC in a glass case to loopdepartment information as well as general interest inscience program. Dave Mrofka, Hilary Lackey and Julie Bray-Ali will be working on the plan and content developmentduring summer 2017. Karen Long will assist us with theinstallation of the iMACs.100% with the back up plan as of the end of Summer 2017.This item will stay on our PIE to hopefully have the actualmonitors installed in the hallways in next few years.

Tentative plan:Building: 60Rooms: hallway between 60-1515,1511&1512 and outsideof 60-1306Scope:- Purchase and installation of three (3) Flat Panel Displays(FPD is the generic technical term I use, not sure what Chrisuses).- Computers needed?- Software needed?- Run new power, data, and AV infrastructure to supportFPDs (this is the construction part that needs to be includedin the scope).- Repaint as needed. (06/16/2017)

Lead: Julie Bray-Ali

In Progress - TV Monitors in hallwayof Bldg 60, 1st floor

Goal Year(s): 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21

Opportunities - Provide students withopportunities that broaden theirinterests in Earth and Space Sciences



Unit Goals Resources Needed Where We Make an Impact: Closing theLoop on Goals and PlansReporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 25We've had discussed the issue with professors from thePhysics and Engineering Department. They haverecommended some two students who would like to takethis on as a special research project. We are communicatingwith these students to start the data gathering of thisresearch project soon. (05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 25Telescope video camera purchased in 2015 to help measuethe vibrations turned out to be incompatable with anypowered USB extender and is therefore incompatable withour systems. A replacement camera was purchased in 2016and is currently being tested. During 2017 we also tooksome exoplanet data to test our equipment's ability to dothis kind of research. During a consultation with Dennis M.Conti, a exoplanet research expert it was determined thatthe vibration effects will prevent exoplanet research.Vibrations need to be measured and a dampinging plandeveloped. This will likely resort in the deforking andreinstallation of the 16 inch telescope. (06/27/2017)

Lead: Heather Jones

In Progress - Measure telescopevibrations and propose vibrationdampening plan

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 75During summer 2018, the planetarium's system wasupgraded to Digistar 6. This upgrade allows us the capabilityto stream planetarium shows, increasing the number ofshows we can offer by 26%. Not all planetarium show titlesare available for streaming. We will still will be purchasingshows and renew our existing show licenses as needed, butwe estimate savings a of $5,000/year with this newcapability. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 100Five new shows were added to the planetarium showlibrary during 2016-2018: Dark Matter Mystery, From Earthto the Universe, Seeing, Totality and Phantoms of theUniverse. We are working on upgrading our system toDigistar 6 which will allow us to take advantage of dome

Lead: Heather Jones

Completed - Create 3-4 newplanetarium shows.


Unit Goals Resources Needed Where We Make an Impact: Closing theLoop on Goals and Plansstreaming services and offer a larger vareity of shows.(05/23/2018)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 100Four new shows were created during 2016-2017: DarkMatter Mystery, From Earth to the Universe, Seeing,Totality. (06/27/2017)Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 75The needed Off-Axis camera and guide scope hardwarehave been purchased. Our Fall 2018 Astro 99: TelescopeOperating and Research class started using the guidedtelescope system to take their research data, but thesystem was buggy. Sometimes working and other times not.We are trying to isolate the problem and make the setupmore reliable. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 25Camera purchase for telescope guiding was discovered tohave software issues over long distance USB extenders. Thequick download of the camera overloads the system andcaused the telescope firmware and computer to crashrepeately. Manufactures of the camera have beenexteremely slow to resolve the issue. The camera will onlywork when attached directly to a computer with a cable 5mor shorter. A new camera has be purchased and is currentlybeing tested. (06/27/2017)

Lead: Heather Jones

In Progress - Off Axis GuidingCamera for 16" Telescope

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0A 80% scale model of the Apollo 11 Lunar Lander is beingdonated to the college with plans on having it displayednear the planetarium. We are working with the building andfacilities management department to improve the plannedsite of this display. (05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0The plants that died in the flowerbeds at the planetariummain entrances have been replaced by bushes. HeatherJones met with Patty Leon-Encalade from facilities in May

In Progress - Planetarium lobby andgrounds renovation


Unit Goals Resources Needed Where We Make an Impact: Closing theLoop on Goals and Plans2018 to discuss possible renovations for the planetariumlobby, grounds, and restrooms. We are waiting to hear backfrom her. (05/23/2018)Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 0Grounds was contacted and flowers were planted in theflower bed at the planetarium's main entrance. The flowershave since died. (06/27/2017)

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Additional stalls are desperatelyneeded to service the large groupsthat visit the planetarium. Wefrequently have groups up to 150 ata time.

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0No Progress as of Spring 2019 (05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0The restrooms were evaluated by facilities and it wasdetermined that due to building and ADA requirements,additional stalls could not be added to the existingrestrooms. Any changes would require a physical expansionof the space. The planetarium’s needs for additional spacewas mentioned in the 2018 Educational and FacilitiesMaster Plan (chapter 10 page 71) but a solution was notspecifically addressed. This is still an ongoing issue.(05/23/2018)Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 0This is an ongoing need at the planetarium, requests forexpansion of the planetarium and restrooms have beenincluded in the masterplan proposal. (06/27/2017)

Lead: Heather Jones

In Progress - Additional bathroomstalls added to planetariumrestrooms

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Tables and chairs and used duringweekend planetarium events arecurrently stored in the foyer andlobby.

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0Tables and chairs used during weekend planetarium eventsare currently stored in the foyer and lobby. The need foradditional space was brought to facilities attention and wasmentioned in the 2018 Master Plan but not specificallyaddressed. A solution is still needed. (05/23/2018)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 0This is an ongoing need at the planetarium, requests forexpansion of the planetarium and restrooms have beenincluded in the masterplan proposal. (06/27/2017)

Lead: Heather Jones

In Progress - Storage room neededadjacent to planetarium forfrequently used tables and chairs.



Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):The number one complaint receivedat the planetarium/observatory isthat we are very difficult to findbecause of a lack of signs.Frequently visitors walk acrosscampus to the telescope observatoryon the top of building 60 thinkingthat is the planetarium because of itshighly visible dome structure.Visitors are frequently frustrated andmiss shows because they cannot findthe planetarium. We want allvisitors to have a good experienceon Mt. SAC campus, and placingsigns around and inside of campuswould be a great help.

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 100Several signs have been installed on the main route to theplanetarium. (05/17/2019)

: Visitors are now much betterable to find their way to thecorrect part of campus to find theobservatory and planetarium.(06/27/2017)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 100Signs installed in late June 2017. Thank you! (06/27/2017)

Completed - Campus signs for theplanetarium and telescopeobservatory

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Our planetarium uses twoplanetarium projection systems.Both need to be maintaned on aregular basis. We maintance ourDigistar projector with an annualmaintance agreement with Evansand Sutherland (Digistar'smanufacturer) to support thesoftware and hardware of thesystem. The Zeiss Skymaster ZKP 4requires biannual maintenance froma certified technition which cost~$15,000 per visit (subject toexchange rates).

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 50During our Digistar 6 upgrade (summer 2018) we replacethe color wheels and did general maintenance on our digitalprojectors. This should extend the life of these agingprojectors another 5 years. Projector replacement isrecommended for the future. The Zeiss star projector is stillin need of maintenance and it's main computer system isfailing. On campus IT personnel recommend that thiscomputer be replaced by the Carl Zeiss company. We havereceived a quote for this maintenance repair and computerreplacement for approximately $21,000.00 (05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 25We have maintained our annual maintance agreement withEvans and Sutherland and use it frequently to solvehardware and software issues with the planetarium systemwhen it arises. The Zeiss projector is due for another

In Progress - Maintenance on bothplanetarium projection systems



Zeiss is in need of maintenance anda new computer, with a cost of$21,000

Type of Request: INSTRUCTIONALSUPPORT PROGRAM FUNDING(INSTRUCTIONAL EQUIPMENT):Equipment, library material, ortechnology for classroom instruction,student instruction or demonstration,or in preparation of learning materialsin an instructional program, equal orover $500.Planning Unit Priority: HighOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 21000

maintance visit. The main polar rotation gears needs to belooked at, as it is squeeking quite badly. (05/23/2018)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 25Cost of maintance has been increased to $5,000.00annually. Zeiss maintance is being scheduled for earlyAugust to coinside with Digistar 6 upgrade. (06/27/2017)

Lead: Heather Jones

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Support from the college to continuethis important work.

The ability for faculty to be paid towork on research experience courses(99 classes).

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 100RESSG - Brittany Brelle completed her project with Dave.Astr 99 - telescope research class had 4 students in Fall2018.Math 99 - Travis Navarrette was selected for a SIRIprojection Fall 2018.Morgan Palmer and Joel Gutierrez are working with Boband Mark. This project will continue. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 100Dave Mrofka worked with Adam Fuentes on ESSRRG. Havecompleted his research, successfully completed a posterpresentation and Adam has since transferred to 4 yearinstitution (UC-Davis). Heather Jones, Jessica Draper andJulie Bray-Ali are continuing to work with Chelsea Adelmanon ESSRRG - Education research: Learning gain throughdemonstrations and activities. Chelsea collected asubstantial amount of data and presented at both SCCUR inNovember 2017 and at the Kepler Scholarship event in2018. We are still withking with her to add more activities inthe exploration center. Christina VIdes participated inCAMPARE 2017. Her research was presented at numerousconferences including SCCUR 2017 and AAS 2018. Chelsea

In Progress - Continue to offerstudents opportunities to becomeinvolved in research in thegeosciences.We currently have two studentsdoing research through the Redingergrant, others working with BobNelson on a project, and access tothe CAMPARE and CalBridge projectsthrough Mike Hood's involvement inboth of those grants.


Unit Goals Resources Needed Where We Make an Impact: Closing theLoop on Goals and PlansAdelman will participate in CAMPARE during Summer 2018.Nikki Cielo is working on SIRI JPL student intern program onGraphics design and technical visualization project duringspring 2018. During fall 2017 semester, we offeredAstrophotography course as Astr99 for the first time. Wehad 3 students enrolled in the course and was a greatsuccess! Winter 2018 saw the initiation of Morgan Palmerand Robert Zou as ASTR 99 students working with BobNelson. Spring 2018, students Morgan Palmer and DannyVencek-Martinez started an independent research projectcorrelating sedimentology and stratigraphy of the coastwith core samples that Hilary Lackey is procuring from CRCoil consulting firm.

Note that we are marking this as 100% complete, thoughthis work will continue on in the future. (05/18/2018)

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Create a space for rock cutting andpolishing in building 11, andpurchase a new tile saw for trimmingsmall rock samples. This will givestudents in classes the opportunityto prepare specimens.

Facilities or custodial services to helpwith hauling scrap wood and largewaste items away from the room.Move junk out of the way and haveit removed.

18 gallons of antifreeze for the largesaw that is in there already (and bi-annual replacement of thisantifreeze).Fill large saw withantifreeze, and set up a bench with a

Request - Full Funding Requested -Create useable rock cutting andpolishing room in the basement ofbuilding 11.



new tile saw. Have trainings forstudents and staff. This will alsobenefit the Geotech program byproviding equipment to teachlapidary skills, and will be useful forGeo 99 projects. $2000 total for fortile saw, accessories (Model #BEAST7PKIT Internet #303674598Store SO SKU #1002842165$895.00+ tax and ship) andantifreeze. Will need ongoing costsfor maintance and resuplying

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: Rocksample preparation will be includedin class curriculum and students willdemonstrate skills.Type of Request: INSTRUCTIONALSUPPORT PROGRAM FUNDING(INSTRUCTIONAL EQUIPMENT):Equipment, library material, ortechnology for classroom instruction,student instruction or demonstration,or in preparation of learning materialsin an instructional program, equal orover $500.Planning Unit Priority: HighOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 2000On-Going Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 200

Lead: Hilary Lackey

Status: Active

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Purchase a modern weather station.

One-Time Funding Requested (if

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 75Weather station has been purchased and delivered, but hasnot yet been installed or utilized. (05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 75Weather station equipment was purchased during spring

Lead: Craig Webb

In Progress - Purchase and Install aModern Weather Station

Goal Year(s): 2016-17, 2017-18,

Student success - Apply outcomesresearch to teaching methods andcurricular planning in an effort to helpour students achieve academicsuccess.



applicable): 5500 2018 semester, though it has not been delivered yet. Weare planning to install the weather station and start usingthe unit in meteorology lecture and lab courses starting fall2018. We need add new goal to develop activities using thenew weather station for 2018-2019 PIE (05/18/2018)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 25Not yet purchased. We have a plan for a new weatherstation, however, funding is needed to complete thisproject. (06/25/2017)

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Funding to pay student tutors.

Support from the tutoring center orSTEM center.

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0Have attempted to get an SI for Physical Geology the lasttwo semesters, but denied funding. (05/17/2019)

: We need to establish a schedulefrom the beginning of thesemester. Tutoring sessions aremore likely to become part of thestudent's regular weekly scheduleif started early in the semester.We will establish both astronomyand oceanography tutoringsession schedules by the end ofweek 1 during fall 2017.(06/25/2017)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 50Currently we have regular weekly tutoring sessions froAstronomy 8. we have looked into adding Oceanographytutoring sessions, but we were not able to establish aschedule. We need to start Oceanography tutoring sessionfrom first week of the semester in Fall 2017. (06/25/2017)

Lead: Faculty, STEM-center

In Progress - Actively recruit and hirestudent tutors for our GeneralEducation courses. We serve almost2000 students per year in ASTR 5,GEOL 8, METO 3, and OCEA 10.There is tutoring on campus forMath and English, but tutoringresources have not been madeavailable in our area.For 2017-2018 academic year, weare submitting SI request for Astr5,Astr8, Ocea10 and Geol 1.

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Design a workspace for students ofEarth Sciences that would:- be accessible to all at times whencampus is open (7:00am-10:00pm)- be able to safely house researchequipment

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0There have been zero meetings of the Building Committeesince its formation about 2 years ago. (05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 0There have been no opportunities for us to increase labspace or offerings. (06/25/2017)

In Progress - Lab space that can beused by all Earth Science disciplines

2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21Date Goal Entered (Optional):09/01/2016



- provide spaces for various researchprojects (equipment forsediment/rock analyses, large tablesfor map projects, microscopes,computers including GIS,projector/screen or 4K monitor,whiteboard space, etc.)

Type of Request: FACILITIES: Thissection includes minor buildingimprovement projects and alterationsto specific rooms or operationalareas.Planning Unit Priority: Medium

Lead: Mark Boryta

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):The ability for faculty to be paid towork on research experience courses(99 classes).


Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 75We are continuing to implement the 2 activities developed.We are no longer collecting pre-test and post data as wealready have ample amount of data to analyze beforemoving forward to the next step. (05/18/2018)

: We were able to show how theactivities we created helpedimprove student learning, andcontinue to use this assessmentdata to pinpoint areas where wecan improve student learning. Wealso used the data we collected toas a part of our SLO assessmentfor the year, which helped informthe changes we made to Astr5 inthe process of our 4-year coursereview. (05/24/2017)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 100We received funding though the FIG projects to assessstudent learning in our astronomy courses. Pre- and post-tests were given to astronomy students in every section.The FIG funding allowed us to hire a student to help scoretests and analyze the score results. We used this data tofind concepts that students were struggling to understand,and designed activities to help students learn this material.We presented one full year worth of our data to otherfaculty members inside and outside of our department.(05/24/2017)

Lead: Mike Hood and Julie Bray-Ali

In Progress - Equity in learning in allintro astronomy courses

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):New software. We recently acquiredvernier equipment. We would like allof our instructor systems and

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 75Student computer carts were mostly updated. Astronomycart in 1306 has 20 brand new computers. Other 2 cartsshould have 20 computers as well. We will requestreplacement for those 2 carts in 2019-2020 budget year.(05/17/2019)

In Progress - Student computer cartsupdates



student computer charts havevernier software (LoggerPro3) . Weill survey what other additionalsoftwares are needed and willupdate all our computer system. 2 ofthe laptop carts were updated withnew computers in fall 2016 and oneis from spring 2015. We ill berequesting new system for the olderset in 2018-2019 PIE.

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?:Softwares purchased and installed.Planning Unit Priority: HighDocumentation Attached?: YesOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 500

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 75Some updates on our 3 computer carts were done. All 3computer carts are now equipped with less than 4 years oldcomputers. 3 of our carts have 18, 18 and 14 machines. Weneed each cart to have 20 computers as more of our in-classactivities require individual computer use. (05/18/2018)

: With the updated studentlaptops and instructor computers,we are able take advantage of thelatest technology in our classroomfor more effective learning.(06/14/2017)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 100Here's a list of classroom computers that were updated for2016/2017 academic year.11-2119, 11-2209, 11-2310, 11-2324, 11-2123 Astronomy Laptop Cart, 60-1511, 60-1512,60 Planetarium - iMAC students desktops. During summer2017, following IT project will be completed: 60-1402 -Adjunct printer replacement, 60-1104 - ES departmentprinter replacement, 60 Planetarium - student observatorylaptops, 60 Wifi Access Points upgrade We will be 100%complete with this task as of the end of Summer 2017. Butwe will start assessing the conditions of the other systemsto see if we need updates and replacement during 2017-2018 academic year. As of now, we know we need 60-1515and 60-1306 . As we start to use more vernier software aspart of our lab activities, we need software installed onfaculty computers and student laptops. (06/14/2017)

Lead: Julie Bray-Ali will

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):New classroom systems

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 100Completed (05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 75Some updates on our 3 computer carts were done. All 3computer carts are now equipped with less than 4 years oldcomputers. 3 of our carts have 18, 18 and 14 machines. Weneed each cart to have 20 computers as more of our in-classactivities require individual computer use. (05/18/2018)

In Progress - 2017-2018 academicyear, we need replacementcomputer system for 60-1515, 60-1306 and building 61 -Explorationcenter . During the summer 2017,we will assess all the systems fortechnology update needs. As for thestudent laptop carts, 2 of the laptopcarts were updated with newcomputers in fall 2016 and one isfrom spring 2015. We will berequesting new system for the olderset in 2018-2019 PIE.



What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: Newsystems to be installedPlanning Unit Priority: HighDocumentation Attached?: NoOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 3600


Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):site licence of Logger pro and othersoftware

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?:Software to be installed in all of ourcomputers.Planning Unit Priority: HighDocumentation Attached?: NoOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 1000

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0Not completed. We need to revisit the need of this item.(05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0This has not been done. We are waiting for geosciencefaculty members to let us know when we should purchasethe software. Geoscience faculty members are using LoggerPro to establish set activities to be used by all of our breadand butter courses. Software purchase is part of that effortand we will continue to work on this task during the 2018-2019 academic year. (05/18/2018)


In Progress - Purchase and installnew softwares in our classroom andstaff computers. We k now we needvernier software (Logger pro3).Logger pro site licence ($250) and 10student CD - to be used as facultyresource in each classroom. We willsurvey the department for additionalsoftware to be included in theupdate

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 100Regular, once a week, clean-up of work spaces andequipment used during the lab week (such as beakers) wasadded to lab technicians duties. Lab tech needs to developroutine. As of right now the workspaces near the sink andmaterial are not cleaned regularly.

Improve usability of OceanographyClassrooms (11-2209 and 60-1511).This includes general clean up anddecluttering of the rooms, as well aspurchasing materials to enhancestudent learning.



This includes a marine fossilcollection, sedimentary structures,sediment samples, glass beakers andother general equipment requiredfor lab activities. Estimated cost:$3,000.

Type of Request: INSTRUCTIONALSUPPORT PROGRAM FUNDING(INSTRUCTIONAL EQUIPMENT):Equipment, library material, ortechnology for classroom instruction,student instruction or demonstration,or in preparation of learning materialsin an instructional program, equal orover $500.Planning Unit Priority: LowOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 3000

Locks have been installed on cabinets in ocean lab; 100%complete (05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 50Clean-up of 60-1511 has begun and oceanography facultyhave met to discuss general use and organization of cabinetspace. A request to add locks to cabinets was submitted onMarch 14th 2018. Once locks are installed material ofvarying values can be added for safe storage. Basic materialsuch as glass beakers and plastic cylinders have beenpurchased and added to cabinets, although it seems that anumber of glass beakers have disappeared from the room.More need to be ordered if material does not show upagain. (05/18/2018)

Lead: Tania Anders

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Have locks installed on all cabinets in

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 75Most of the material needed for the newly developedactivities has been purchased and is already being used.Faculty need to come together to put more boxes together.For this purpose more boxes need to be purchased. It isimportant to complete this soon to keep material in order.Goal is for faculty to be able to rely on material beingavailable when they need it and in designated locations.More material needs to be purchased to maintain andexpand the collection. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 25The Oceanography faculty have met and discussed whichmaterials would be beneficial to have to compliment thelecture courses. Order requests were submitted to labtechnician in early April, 2018, and some materials arrived.Once material arrives, boxes will be put together to becompleted by the start of Fall 2018. (05/18/2018)

In Progress - Create "InstructionalToolkit Boxes" for adjunct facultymembers.To ensure quality instruction by allfaculty for Oceanography, full-timeOceanography faculty plan onputting together “instructional tool-kit boxes” for all adjunct faculty.These boxes will include material forhands-on activities for lecturecourses. Adjunct faculty membersoften only come to our campus toteach one or two classes. It isinstrumental for these facultymembers to know that they have aspace where they can store theirown material that they can count onbeing there and ready for use.



60-1511 to allow adjunct faculty tohave somewhere to store theirmaterials. Personal spaces as well aswell maintained joint equipment,will encourage adjunct faculty to domore hands on activities and to feelwelcomed at Mt. SAC.

Purchase and outfit toolkit boxeswith the necessary materials foreach adjunct faculty member. -$3000

Funding for adjunct faculty to bepaid to attend a flex-day activity forintroduction of the use of the boxes.- $500


Lead: Tania Anders

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Intro astronomy student learningresearch is still continuing. Resultshave alreadly lead to iprovements inour teaching in introductory

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0This budget increase has not been funded. (05/17/2019)

Request - Full Funding Requested -Student worker budget to paystudent to work on data entry andanalysis.



astronomy courses. We will use thedata we have already collected toinform our work on developingadditional in-class activities toresolve difficult topics.

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?:Continue to work on analysis of thedata we collected. This data consistsof pre- and post test in all introastronomy courses to assess mostdifficult topics in intro astronomycourses and develop additionalactivities / demos.Planning Unit Priority: MediumOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 300



Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 7511-2115 now has many more demos and posters to helpwith student learning. (05/17/2019)

Upgrade equipment, demos, andposters in room 11-2115 to givestudents in that classroom the samelearning opportunities as students inother classrooms.

Status: Active

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Our department has 8 ipads forstudent use in the classroom and onthe field. They are now almost 5years old and no longer updatablewith new software and no longersupported by the vendor. We wouldlike to request replacements. 10ipads. ($650 per unit with apple care= $6500 plus docking station /charging station)

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 100Ipads were purchased and set up. We are working oncreating evening observation lab activity using the iPads.(05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0These iPads have not been purchased. We will continue torequest these items. (05/18/2018)


In Progress - Ten replacement iPadsand charging station. $7500

Goal Year(s): 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21

Cutting Edge Technology to SupportStudent Learning - We will continueto strive to give our students accessto cutting edge technology to allowus to help increase student success.




What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: iPadswill be used by our students in theclassroom and in the field to learn thesubject, record their learning anddiscoveries and share.Implementation of this tool willincrease the student learning. Successwill be measured by acquiring theipads..Planning Unit Priority: MediumOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 7500

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need): Itis important that the space, budgetand employee hours (those of MarkKoestel, our technician, or studenthourly assistants) be available forupkeep.

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 25Maintenance of Vernier equipment designated as aresponsibility of lab technician. (05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 25Lab technician has been instructed to regularly (at leastonce a month) check probes that require storage insolution, as well as to maintain other probes. Faculty arenot monitoring if lab technician is completing this taskregularly but are trusting that task is being done. Some LabQuest 2 units are not functioning properly. Lab technicianshould follow up with Vernier. We currently have nostorage space for sediment cores (requires refrigeration).(05/18/2018)

Lead: Tania Anders, geology faculty

In Progress - Maintain chemical andphysical sampling equipment for usein classes and for student research.The Department has purchased a setof Vernier geochemical samplingdevices for use in oceanography andgeology labs. We have alsopurchased sedimentary coringdevices. This equipment requiresproper care and storage - forinstance, some probes need to sit ina wet chemical solution duringstorage. Sediment cores need to bestored at proper temperature andhumidity levels.

Describe Plans & Activities

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0During our Digistar 6 upgrade (summer 2018) we replace

In Progress - Replace Aging DigitalProjectors in the Planetarium



Supported (Justification of Need):Replace Aging Digital PlanetariumProjectors - The planetarium's digitalprojectors are heavily used and havenot kept up well with currenttechnology. The current 2Kresolution limitation causes somepixelation, especially when lookingat planet orbits, and the stars do notlook like stars but instead fuzzy dots.Upgrading to a 4K projection systemwill significantly increase theresolution with crisper point likestars and smoother image renders.Installation would close theplanetarium for one week and wouldneed to be done by a professional.This is a significant and expensiveupgrade.


the color wheels and did general maintenance on our digitalprojectors. This should extend the life of these agingprojectors another 5 years. Projector replacement is stillrecommended for the future. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 25The planetarium saves some of it's revenue each year inanticipation of this cost. As of May 23, 2018 we have savedup $100,000.00 to put towards this cost. (05/23/2018)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0This will be the most expensive upgrade to the planetariumsince it reopened. We are saving planetarium revenue tohelp with the cost. (05/18/2018)

Lead: Heather Jones

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Currently, our three laptop cartshave 18, 18 & 15 computers. Weneed to increase each of theselaptop sets to have 20 computerseach, so that we have enoughcomputers for each of our studentsto have their own computer to use inlab. Completion of this goal willequip each computer carts to have20 laptops to accommodate theclassroom and lab rooms better. Wehave 9 classrooms and share 3computer carts. We will in the near

Request - Full Funding Requested - 9additional laptops to equip all of ourcarts to the intended capacity of 20.



future increase in the number ofcarts, but for now we will be mostlysupported by 3 sets of carts ofcomputers.

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: Successwill be measured by acquiring andusing the new laptops.Planning Unit Priority: HighOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 10800


Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):One of the carts full of laptopcomputers from Spring 2015 needsto be replaced. The computers arenow old enough that they cannothandle the software needed forsome of our astronomy labs.

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: Successwill be measured by acquiring thenew laptops to replace our oldest setof computers.Planning Unit Priority: HighOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 21600


Request - Full Funding Requested -20 laptop computers to replace theunits in our oldest laptop cart.

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Maintenance to classroommicroscopes and petrographic

Request - Full Funding Requested -Maintenance to classroommicroscopes and petrographicscopes



scopesType of Request: INSTRUCTIONALSUPPORT PROGRAM FUNDING(INSTRUCTIONAL EQUIPMENT):Equipment, library material, ortechnology for classroom instruction,student instruction or demonstration,or in preparation of learning materialsin an instructional program, equal orover $500.Planning Unit Priority: HighOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 1000

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Purchase and install new softwareon our classroom and staffcomputers. We know we needvernier software (Logger pro3).Logger pro site licence ($250) and 10student CD's intended to be used asfaculty resource in each classroom.We will survey the department foradditional software to be included inthe update

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: Loggerpro is a software to be used with thehandheld data collecting units thatwe have. Software will allow studentsto further analyze the data collected.Success will be measured by acquiringand utilizing the software.Planning Unit Priority: MediumOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 250


Request - Full Funding Requested -Logger Pro and other software

Reporting Year: 2018-19Request - Full Funding Requested -



Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Campus is starting in implementBright ink system (similar toSmartBoard) in newer classrooms /building. We would like to start byequipping one of our classrooms towith BrightLink system to be used inconjunction with iPads to have moreeffective in-class small groupactivities and discussions. Ourimmediate goal in summer 2018 is toresearch infrastructure changeneeds and asses which classroomwould be appropriate for this systemto be installed. We imagine this tobe the first installation of this collegestandard system in our division tostudy the effectiveness of thisdevice. Julie Bray Ali will work with ITstaff and interview other instructors,programs, the IT department andpresentation services to analyze thebenefits and challenges of thissystem. Once the system is installed,we envision this system to be usedby ESA as well as other departmentfaculty members to utilize this newcutting edge resource. System isabout $3,000. Facility updates needsto be completed to installsmartboard system.

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: BrightLink will allow greater studentparticipation in the classroom andrecording of the participation. In

% Completed: 0This project was not funded and still on hold. We willcontinue to leave this item in our PIE to request fundingagain for 2019-2020 budget year. (05/17/2019)

Classroom to be equipped withBrightLink system.



conjunction with the use of classroomiPads, we can transform ourclassroom to be even moretechnologically advanced in order totake advantage of online resourcesand other online tools.Implementation of the system willimprove student participation andlearning. Success will be measured byacquiring the Brightlink system in oneof our classrooms, after which we willcontinue to measure improvementsin student learning due to the use ofthis system.Planning Unit Priority: MediumOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 3000

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need): 1.In alignment with External Condition1 (see relevant section in this PIEdocument), our department mayface a higher need for offering someof our lectures online. Anaugmented reality (AR) sandboxoffers the opportunity to producehigh quality visual instructionalmaterial for our students. 2. Many ofour students struggle with thetransfer of 3 dimensionalinformation into a 2 dimensionalview.

"Using an AR sandbox allows usersto create topography models byshaping real sand, which is thenaugmented in real time by anelevation color map, topographic

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0Department needs to vote if it would like to pursue thispurchase. (05/17/2019)

Request - Full Funding Requested -Augmented reality sandbox



contour lines, and simulated water.The system teaches geographic,geologic, and hydrologic conceptssuch as how to read a topographymap, the meaning of contour lines,watersheds, catchment areas,levees, etc." (UC Davis).

A majority of our Earth Sciencecourses include these concepts inour Student LearningOutcomes/Course MeasurableObjectives, so an AR sandbox willhelp us teach these concepts that somany of our students strugglewith.3. The AR sandbox can be usedfor community outreach events.

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?:Purchase and install the augmentedreality sandbox. Develop activities tobe used with the equipment for useboth in the classroom and foroutreach events.Planning Unit Priority: LowOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 10000

Lead: Tania Anders

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):We would like to hire DustinDickens, a noted and well-qualifiedmeteorite specialist to design andobtain samples for a meteorite

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 25Waiting for updated quote from the vendor. (05/17/2019)

Request - Full Funding Requested -Meteorite display for theplanetarium. Request includesdesign of the display as well aspurchase of the samples for thedisplay.



display. This display will highlight theconcepts behind planetdifferentiation and accretion theoryand show how this theory explainsthe different types of meteoritesfound. This display will also honorthe late Ron Hartman, a meteoriteexpert, who served as Mt. SAC’sPlanetarium Director for over 40years by featuring some of hisoriginal collection.

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: Use ofthe display for astronomy andgeology classes to promote studentlearning, as well as interest from Mt.SAC visitorsPlanning Unit Priority: LowOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 15040

Lead: Heather Jones

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Update computing facilities toinclude ARC-GIS capabilities andother systems for use with ourtechnical equipment.

Planning Unit Priority: Low

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0Department should consider reaching out to the geographyfaculty on our campus and plan a joint GIS lab space. Thiswould be a great opportunity for collaboration. GIS willbecome more important for department with the Geotechprogram. (05/17/2019)

Lead: Tania Anders, Dave Mrofka

ARC-GIS Facility

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Currently, the only projector in thisclassroom is placed on a cart in themiddle of the room. This leads tocords stretched across the floor,leading to a clearly undesirable

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 100Completed (05/17/2019)

Request - Full Funding Requested -Projector installed into the ceiling of11-2115



situation.

Planning Unit Priority: HighOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 6000

Lead: Julie Bray-Ali and Mike Hood

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Students often hesitate to visitfaculty in their offices. In an effort toreach our students in a setting inwhich they feel more comfortable,that is more inviting and informal, anoutdoor study/teaching space alongthe wall of the steps to building 11 isproposed. This could be a pilotproject for the campus. If successfulmore outdoor study/teaching spacescould follow.

Approx. $25,000 includes outdoormetal furniture and chalkboard

Type of Request: INSTRUCTIONALSUPPORT PROGRAM FUNDING(INSTRUCTIONAL EQUIPMENT):Equipment, library material, ortechnology for classroom instruction,student instruction or demonstration,or in preparation of learning materialsin an instructional program, equal orover $500.Planning Unit Priority: MediumOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 25000

Lead: Tania

Request - Full Funding Requested -Outdoor Whiteboard/Chalkboard,Tables with attached benches

Request - Full Funding Requested -Replacement computers for twolaptop carts



Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):This will replace our oldest two setsof laptops that are predominatelyused in the Earth Science classroomsand labs. This is for a total of 36computers, 18 for each laptop cart.

Type of Request: INSTRUCTIONALSUPPORT PROGRAM FUNDING(INSTRUCTIONAL EQUIPMENT):Equipment, library material, ortechnology for classroom instruction,student instruction or demonstration,or in preparation of learning materialsin an instructional program, equal orover $500.Planning Unit Priority: MediumOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 43200


Status: Active


Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 100The new, smaller, wave tank has been installed in 60-1515.It is there to be used by all of our Earth Science lab sectionsand both field geology courses. It has helped studentsunderstand the physical characteristics of ocean waves,how they change as energy increases or decreases, howthey change as water level changes and the relationshipbetween waves and sdeimentary structures. All of theseare related to measurable objectives for Geol8L, Geol24 &Geol25. (05/18/2018)

Lead: David MrofkaIn Progress - Wave Tank for 60-1515

In Progress - Instructors will haveaccess to subject-specificprofessional developmentopportunities that will assist indesigning student research and

Goal Year(s): 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21

Cutting-edge science - Update andaugment our Earth Science programto reflect cutting edge science andpedagogy. Special emphasis placedon oceanography and field studies.





Lead: Faculty, Deans,

inquiry-based activities (particularfocus on improving theoceanography laboratory materialsand curriculum)


: New classroom systems andstudent laptops allows us to takeadvantage of the technology inlearning. (06/14/2017)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 100Here's a list of classroom computers that were updated for2016/2017 academic year.11-2119, 11-2209, 11-2310, 11-2324, 11-2123 Astronomy Laptop Cart, 60-1511, 60-1512,60 Planetarium - iMAC students desktops. During summer2017, following IT project will be completed: 60-1402 -Adjunct printer replacement, 60-1104 - ES departmentprinter replacement, 60 Planetarium - student observatorylaptops, 60 Wifi Access Points upgrade We will be 100%complete with this task as of the end of Summer 2017. Butwe will start assessing the conditions of the other systemsto see if we need updates and replacement during 2017-2018 academic year. As of now, we know we need 60-1515and 60-1306 . As we start to use more vernier software aspart of our lab activities, we need software installed onfaculty computers and student laptops. (06/14/2017)

Lead: Julie Bray-Ali will

In Progress - Classroom presentationsystems

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Purchase and install a turbiditycurrent demonstrator into room 60-1515

Planning Unit Priority: LowOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 3000

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0No progress (05/17/2019)

Lead: Dave Mrofka

Request - Full Funding Requested -Turbidity current demonstrator

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 100Craig Webb helped organize the Science Night at La Fetra

In Progress - Work with faculty at LaFetra Elementary School inGlendora, CA in implementing the

Community outreach - Continue toreach out to the community toencourage their participation in



Status: ActiveDocumentation Attached?: No

elementary school in Glendora, CA. He continued to be thedefacto "geologist" to assist faculty at the school with theearth science curriculum. This is an ongoing plan for futureschool years as well. (06/27/2017)Lead: Craig Webb

school's Science Night activities andprovide assistance in developingtheir earth science curriculum.

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Build a bus drop-off area close to theplanetarium. Signage will be neededto direct busses to the drop-off area.Cement work needed to build thebus path and change the trafficpatterns.

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0Contacted Mika about this issue and inquired if the newproposed bus terminal could be used for a planetariumgroup drop off zone too. I was told that would not be alikely possibility. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0Email was sent to Mika Klein about including a planetariumbus drop off in the master plan or get permission to use thetransit center drop off for school kids. (05/18/2018)

Lead: Heather Jones + Facilities

In Progress - Planetarium Bus DropOff Area Over 13,600 students from localschools visited the planetariumduring the 2016-17 school year;that's nearly 200 busses on campusthroughout the year. Currentlyschools are requested to drop offtheir students in Lot F and then walkto the planetarium across thepedstiran bridge, but long distancetrek has been problematic forstudents using crutches or walkers.Creating a designated area forplanetarium bus drop-offs in closeproximity to the planetarium wouldhelp limit confusion and congestionin the parking areas as well as bemuch safer for the students visitingMt. SAC for the first time.

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Local schools frequently visit the

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0Met with Patty Encalade at the planetarium about thisproject on 3/19/2019. She will be soon generating a quotesoon. (05/17/2019)

In Progress - Park Benches in Frontof Planetarium

Goal Year(s): 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21

activities related to the RandallPlanetarium, the Observatory, andother events on or off campus.




planetarium for field trips. Part oftheir field trip experience is a rocketbuilding and launching activity.Rocket are launched next to theplanetarium on the 26 East grassnext to the the energy building.Frequently adults with the grouplook for places to sit while watchingtheir students launch the rocketsand end up sitting on theplanetarium back stairs instead.These stairs are not comfortable,block an exit and don't have enoughroom for everyone who wants aseat. Adding park benches nearbywould relieve this problem andprovide additional seating for Mt.SAC students. The best location forthese park benches would be on thenorth side of the large tree in frontof the planetarium's main entranceparallel to the sidewalk (not on thegrass).

Planning Unit Priority: Medium

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0Email was sent to Mika Klein about improving the outdoorspaces around the planetarium as part of the master plan.(05/18/2018)

Lead: Heather Jones + Facilities

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):The planetarium is frequently visitedby local schools for field trips. It isnot unusual to have 150 studentshere at a time. During that timespace is very limited in theplanetarium lobby, as students takeup all of the available floorspace.There is literally no room expand ourprograms or displays. Additionaldisplay space and project areaswould ease the congestion, and

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0No progress (05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0Email was sent to Matthew Judd requesting expansions tothe planetarium for the master plan. As of 4/9/2018 none ofthese requests made it into the final draft of the masterplan (05/18/2018)

In Progress - Planetarium Expansion



allow us to offer more programs tothe hungry public as well as Mt. SACstudents. Additionally theplanetarium is in desperate need ofstorage space and expandedrestrooms to accommodate ourgrowing attendance. Theplanetarium can be added to byexpanding into the hillside on thesoutheast side of the building

Planning Unit Priority: MediumLead: Heather Jones + Facilities

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Offer an opportunity for a student toexercise what they are learning andget valuable work experience byexpanding the marketing of theplanetarium to students and thecommunity.


Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 75A marketing intern was hired from the Business Departmentthrough the work experience program. They expanded oursocial media capabilities using a program called Hootsuiteand kept our posted events up to date. We arecommunicating with the Business Department about whatwe need to do to repeating this program in Fall 2019.(05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 25We are working with the Business Department workexperience program to hire students who have beenstudying business marketing to help develop and implementa marking plan to increase weekend show attendance.(05/23/2018)

Lead: Heather Jones

Planetarium Marketing Intern

Status: Active


Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 75The department does now have a central repository for SLOdata for all of our classes. Faculty is trying to enter datathere every time it's collected. We have decided as adepartment to collect SLO data the semester before anycourse is resubmitted to curriculum. (05/17/2019)

: SLO data collection weresuccessfully done. Ourdepartment conduct SLO data

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 50Our department has completed a full SLO cycle, icluding use

Lead: Faculty

In Progress - Department retreat forcurriculum and SLO planning. Weneed to put the information gainedfrom SLO and GEO data to use in theclassroom in a meaningful way. Wehave lagged behind on this.

Goal Year(s): 2016-17, 2017-18,

Student access - Make efforts toincrease student access to facultymembers and facilities. Weencourage use of the Earth ScienceResource Room, Redinger ExplorationCenter, Mt. SAC Randall Planetariumand the observatory, in addition tothe classroom and the faculty officesto ensure student access.



collecting in the same year aswhen 4 year review for thecourses are due. As of now, vastmajority of our courses are due atthe same time. this create hugeamount of work of completingSLOs and curriculum review onceevery 4 years. Our department willlook into reviewing the curriculumin 2 years for about half of ourcourses, that way not all coursescomes up for the 4 year review ina same year. (06/29/2017)

of results, for all of our courses. However, there was nodepartment retreat to work on outcomes or traningsessions were planned or funded. , (06/27/2017)

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Exploration center upkeep:Exploration center updates andstaffing. Exploration center firstopened in 2014. It is a wonderfulspace, but we have not hadadequate staff or budget to properlyupdate and introduce new exhibit.Requesting $64,400 for 1/2 timemuseum tech and $2,000 per yearfor supplies and repairs.

During the 2019-2020 academicyear, we will be working on : lookinginto reorganizing, rotating exhibits,new VR exhibit and more. Createtraining materials for studentemployees. Develop more tours andactivities.

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?:Exploration center will have regular

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0Staff - We are continuing to struggle to find good studentsto keep the exploration center open as the only option wehave for student workers is from the work-study / SEEDprogram, and those students are not necessarily sciencemajors.

Supplies and repairs - There is no designated budget for theexploration center. We will continue to ask for designatedfunding to request student worker, 50% museum techposition and supply and repair budget. . (05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 25Julie Bray-Ali has met with Matt Judd and Mark Cooper todiscuss the direction of the Exploration Center and Meek.We all agree we need substantial student worker and amuseum tech, as well as regular supply and repair budget.Matt has brought this up to the instruction office and wehope to see more progress on this topic in early summer2018. Larry Redinger and I have met the representativefrom ViewSonic at the exploration center and we are indiscussion on modernizing the Exploration Center withdigital wallpaper (instead of having student researchposters, we will have rotating digital files of student


In Progress - Staffing, supplies, andrepairs for the Exploration Center.

2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21Date Goal Entered (Optional):09/01/2016



scheduled open hours withknowledgeable staff members to helpall guests. Exhibits will be updated tomake better use of technology and tobetter explain current scientific ideas.Type of Request: STAFFING: Requestsfor permanent employee positions ortemporary/hourly employees.Planning Unit Priority: HighDocumentation Attached?: NoOn-Going Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 66400

posters), as well as an information kiosk. We will continueto work on this project during summer 2018 and during theacademic year of 2018 & 2019 (05/18/2018)

: Omni globe has been animportant part of the Explorationcenter exhibit. Guests to theexploration center enjoy exploringearth and other solar systembodies on their own. Our geologyand astronomy classes takeadvantage of this resource as well.With new update and additionalcontent, we can expand out use ofthe Onmi Globe. (06/14/2017)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 50Bard Moormon from Omni Globe,ARC Science Simulationshas send us software update and additional content (i.e.updated image of Pluto). Software update is not arequirement, but as it has been 4 years since the unit waspurchased, we will be working with IT department to installnew software and contet during summer 2017.(06/14/2017)

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Increase in student worker budget.We requested an increase in studentemployee budget in the 2017-18school year, but it was not granted.Our student worker budget has notchanged since since the minimumwage was only $8 / hour, eventhough the minimum wage has nowincreased to $11 / hour. Plus, theminimum wage is scheduled toincrease to $15 / hour in 2025. Wewould like to request increase in

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0We did not receive additional funding in 2018-2019academic year. (05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0Increase in student employee budget was discussed. Wewere not granted budget increase this year. Our studentworker budget has not changed since when the minimumwage was $8 / hour. Minimum wage has increased sinceand now is at $11 / hour. Minimum wage is scheduled toincrease to $15 / hour in 2025. We would like to requestincrease in student employee budget at least to match theincrease in COLA / minimum wage. We will continue torequest increase in student worker budget. (05/18/2018)

In Progress - An increase in studentworker budget. We have been ableto take advantage of work studystudents to keep resource room andexploration center open. It would beideal for the exploration center tohave Geology or astronomy studentto work there as a museum guide.We can not find students with thequalification from work studystudents.



student employee budget to at leastmatch the increase in COLA /minimum wage. For the $11/hour,we need our budget to be increasedby 37.5% to return to the samenumber of student worker hoursthat we used to have. In January2019, we also request an additionalincrease by 8.3%, which results in atotal increase of 50% to currentbudget.https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_mi

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: Much ofour student worker budget is used forlab assistants. Having greaternumbers of lab assistants is great forstudents enrolled in the lab classes aswell as for those lab assistants to gainexperience in learning more andteaching the subject.Planning Unit Priority: HighDocumentation Attached?: No


Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Instructors will have access tosubject-specific professionaldevelopment opportunities that willassist in designing student researchand inquiry-based activities(particular focus on improving theoceanography laboratory materialsand curriculum)

: Attending the workshop wasinformative. We also have learnedthat it would be beneficial to haveLogger pro software rather thanthe free software to run theequipment . Additional softwarewill allow our studnets to conductcomplex analysis of data.(06/29/2017)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 50Several faculty members(Mark Boryta, Tania Anders, JulieBray-Ali) and Geol99 student (Seiji Ueda) have attended 4-hour workshops hosted by Vernier at locations around thesouthland, helping make us more comfortable with theequipment. (06/27/2017)

In Progress - ProfessionalDevelopment Opportunities

In Progress - Review classroomsetup and layout to create optimallearning space.Some of our classroom does not



Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Funds to buy additional classroommodels, replacement furnitures,posters / charts / maps, globes,demos and more. Exact requestvalue will be determined soon.(project quote has been submittedfor the furniture component.)Planning Unit Priority: High

have appropriate classroom set upconducive for effective collaborativelearning - large maps, charts,posters, models, samples, demosand appropriate furniture.

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):We will install computer displays andkiosks that will allow us to do abetter job of teaching visitors aboutscience and technology.

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: Ourexploration center will be updatedand equipped with cutting edgetechnology to help increase theinterest in our science departments.Type of Request: INSTRUCTIONALSUPPORT PROGRAM FUNDING(INSTRUCTIONAL EQUIPMENT):Equipment, library material, ortechnology for classroom instruction,student instruction or demonstration,or in preparation of learning materialsin an instructional program,


Request - Full Funding Requested -Exploration center computerdisplays and electronic kioskstations.



equal or over $500.Planning Unit Priority: MediumOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 15000

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):The building 61 Cube includes theExploration Center for physicalsciences and the Meek Museum forbiological science. Currently, thephysical science side ispredominantly made up of geologyand astronomy displays. We willdesign and build rotating exhibits forthe central area of the ExplorationCenter to also feature chemistry,physics and engineering. Mike andJulie will work with the otherdepartments to design and build theexhibits, which will be changed outevery semester. We will also workwith Mark Cooper to bring inexhibits that display the connectionsbetween biological sciences andphysical sciences. For example, MarkCooper has recently added somedinosaur displays, which would be aperfect bridge between biologicalscience and geology. in the future,we can have exhibits bridging thegaps between Oceanography andMarine biology, or Engineering andanatomy..Lead: Julie Bray-Ali and Mike Hood.

Request - Full Funding Requested -Supplies, exhibit furniture and cartsto allow for rotating exhibits at theExploration Center. Secure storagefor exhibit items that are not ondisplay.




Working with Mark Cooper fromBiology and Larry Redinger.

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):The animation and planetariumprogram would like to develop arelationship where students getvaluable work experience andopportunity to create visuals campusproduced planetarium shows.


Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 50In Fall 2018 we initiated a planetarium/animation project toconvert a classic planetarium show that had used slides, toa digital animated format. This project is still ongoing andexpected to be completed in Spring 2019. We hope to domany more project in the future with animation students.(05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 25There was a meeting of Art and Natural Science Deans andprofessors on March 12, 2018. Everyone was supportive ofthe idea. More follow up work needs to be done to solidifythese relationships and implement these ideas. HeatherJones will be attending the Astroviz Conference in Pasadenain June to learn more about innovations in astronomyvisualizations and how they can be transferred to theplanetarium. (05/23/2018)

Lead: Heather Jones, AnimationDepartment

Animation/Planetarium Partnership

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Working with the new Animationand gaming program faculty, SunilThankamushy and aeronauticsprogram faculty and staff members,Robert Rogus and Philip Wright tocreate images / video to be used forthe activity. We will project labmanual for the activity.

Type of Request: INSTRUCTIONAL

Lead: Jessica Draper and Julie Bray-Ali

Develop new lab activity usingvirtual reality goggles. Need goggles,software, hard drives to store data,and securing devices.



SUPPORT PROGRAM FUNDING(INSTRUCTIONAL EQUIPMENT):Equipment, library material, ortechnology for classroom instruction,student instruction or demonstration,or in preparation of learning materialsin an instructional program, equal orover $500.Planning Unit Priority: MediumOne-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 4000

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Develop training course for ourstudent employees to be familiarwith the resource room (11-2310)and the exploration center. Trainingwill include brief introductions onsolar system, use of astronomicaltools, scale of the universe, use ofgeoscience tools, rocks and mineralsidentifications, and how to usetextbook. Platform of the instructionwill be in person, and online -canvas.

Type of Request: PROFESSIONAL &ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT(POD): Requests that provideprofessional learning opportunitiesfor Mt. SAC employees.Planning Unit Priority: High

Lead: whole department - Julie Bray-Ali will serve as a coordinator

NEW: Develop training material forthe resource room and explorationcenter student workers.

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 25The changeover to the new Web design undid much of the

In Progress - Improve DepartmentWebsite - We will work with ITspecialists to improve the

Department Promotion - Design andimplement opportunities to publicizeour department's offerings, including



Status: Active Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Website maintenance

work Hilary did on adding photos and new pages, includingan updated directory, to the website. Hillary will requireadditional training in OmiUpdate in order to proceed.(05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0Little progress has been made. Now that the collegewebsite overhaul is complete and the images and files don'tkeep getting removed with each iteration, we can makeimprovements to our website. (05/18/2018)Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 50Hilary Lackey has been working with IT to continue toimprove our website. We will continue to improve this, tohighlight course offerings and especially our diverse fieldtrip programs. (06/27/2017)

Lead: Hilary Lackey

department website to highlightopportunities for students andshowcase faculty, staff and studentaccomplishments.

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Purchase and install bulletin board

One-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 700

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 100Bulletin boards have been installed along entire stretch ofour hallway and faculty have the opportunity to postmaterial. The oceanography bulletin board is updatedregularly, usually once a week. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 25Bulletin board was requested March 7, 2018 and wall spacehas been measured. It looks like we will be receiving aboard from surplus. A bulletin board for oceanography hasbeen on the request list since 2015. Faculty hope thatwithout funds having to be used for a new purchase, thatwe will see a board from surplus added soon. (05/18/2018)

Lead: Tania Anders

In Progress - Install bulletin boardnear oceanography faculty officesfor posting of current news, studentopportunities etc.

Goal Year(s): 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21

outreach ("Debbie Day") andattending and presenting at scientificmeetings and workshops (NAGT, GSA,AGU, IAU, SAGE)


Status: Active

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 25Some progress was made from our SAGE 2YC regionalworkshop at Mt SAC 2 years ago (05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 50This partly done for all of our courses (Astr, Geol, Meto &Ocea). We have a counselor assigned to our department

Lead: Dave Mrofka and BeccaWalker

Develop a course road map to assiststudents in finding the correctcourses to take to transfer into ageoscience program or progresstoward a geoscience career.

Goal Year(s): 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20

Geoscience Roadmap - Develop ageoscience course roadmap withcourses necessary for transfer in thegeosciences. To be printed onbrochure for the ESA department


Unit Goals Resources Needed Where We Make an Impact: Closing theLoop on Goals and Plansand we have worked on the description of all our our cursesincluding the field trip expectations. Now that we have 2additional courses as of fall 2018, and other courses in thepipeline, we will continue to update the ESA course guide toassist our students better on what courses to complete andin what order. (05/18/2018)

Reporting Year: 2016-17% Completed: 751.) Dave Mrofka and Becca Walker are part of the SAGE 2YCFaculty agents of change project. As part of this project, aworkshop was convened in December 2016 for local 2YCgeoscience faculty and counselors. Mt. SAC faculty andcounselors worked together to discuss transfer issues andcourse planning for students intending on majoring in thegeosciences. 2.) There is transfer information for CSULA andCSUF on the bulletin board in building 60 with geoscienceand supporting science courses needed for a Bachelorsdegree and those courses that can be fulfilled at Mt. SAC.(06/27/2017)


Status: Active Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):During 2016-2017, only 57% of theclasses were taught by full timefaculty members as part of theirregular load. We would like toincrease astronomy sections,especially now that we will have Astr11 and are looking into creating anAstronomy AA degree. Also, thenumber of astronomy sections wecan offer is currently limited by thenumber of instructors we have toteach the classes. We have tried tohire more part-time instructors, butfinding quality adjunct instructorshas been very difficult. As it is nearly

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0This position was not funded during 2018-2019 academicyear. The college initially committed to hiring 40 faculty,and this position was ranked 43. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0We applied to hire a new astronomy position, but were notclose to being highly ranked enough to get to hire someonefor this position. (04/05/2018)

In Progress - Hire full timeastronomy professor

Goal Year(s): 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20

Faculty and Staff Hiring - Hire moreadjunct and full-time facultymembers in each area.




impossible to find new adjunct (weconducted 6 adjunct interviews inlast 2 years and hired one), we needto hire a full time faculty member tobe able to grow our department.

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: Hire anew full time astronomy facultymember to better serve our students.Planning Unit Priority: HighOn-Going Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 100000


Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):During 2016-2017, only 41% of theclasses were taught by full timefaculty members as part of theirload. When there are too manysections taught by adjunct, it ispossible for the quality ofinstructions to start to slip. We needto hire one or two full time facultymembers to accommodate for therecent increase in number ofsections offered in GeoScience. Thisis especially important as we are inprocess of developing geotechprogram.

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: Hire fulltime faculty member to better serveour geoscience students. This isespecially important as we are inprocess of developing geotechprogram.

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0This position was not funded during 2018-2019 academicyear. The college initially committed to hiring 40 faculty,and this position was ranked 48. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0We were not ranked high enough in our division or thecollege as a whole in order to hire this position. We willcontinue to work toward this goal, especially as we movecloser to offering a geotech degree. (04/05/2018)


In Progress - Hire one or moregeosciece faculty member



Planning Unit Priority: HighOn-Going Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 100000

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):We have been advertising ouradjunct pool though our HRdepartment, but we are notreceiving many applications. Weneed to look into differentpublications to advertise andperhaps attend job fairs to recruit.

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: Hiremore adjunct professors ingeoscience and astronomy.Planning Unit Priority: High

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 50We hired 3 new geoscience adjunct faculty members.(05/17/2019)

Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 50We continue to work to add more adjunct faculty membersto our department. We hired three new part-time facultymembers to the Earth Science side of the department; onestarted in Summer 2017, one started in Fall 2017, and onestarted in Winter 2018.

Despite our repeated attempts to add more facultymembers on the astronomy side, we have been unable tofind any new people to hire to our department. Julie Bray-Ali and Mike Hood attended a community college job fair inthe winter term, but did not find any new astronomy facultymembers through this job fair either.

Starting Fall 2018, one new adjunct faculty in astronomy willteach one section per semester. We are able to confirm oneof our adjunct faculty on extended leave to return startingFall 2018.

We will continue to work toward adding new adjunctfaculty members to both the Earth Science and Astronomysides of the department. (04/05/2018)


In Progress - Hire more adjunctfaculty members.

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):We will recruit excellent students towork as tutors in our program. Itwould be great to have tutors atearth science resource room onregular schedule.

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 50We have one regular astronomy tutor and one regulargeoscience tutor available at the resource room.(05/17/2019)

Request - Full Funding Requested -Hire tutors -



What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: Hiretutors to have wide availability oftutoring scheduled in various subjectmatter. This will give our studentsmore chances to learn the material inclass, improving student success.Planning Unit Priority: High

Lead: Julie Bray-Ali and all otherfaculty

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Hire a geology science lab tech.With implementation of moredemonstrations, activities,technology and field trips, it isextremely difficult to have allneeded tasks done by a 50% tech inthe geology area. We need either anadditional geology tech position tofill these roles.

The ESA department would benefitfrom an additional full-time tech in avariety of important areas. Thecurrent geology tech is unable tofulfill many of the duties thedepartment asks of him, in partbecause of time limitations. Wewould like to focus the current tech'sattention on the Oceanography partof our department and onoverseeing operation of the EarthScience Resource Room, as well ascontinuing to support thedepartment clerically (POs, quotes,etc.) in that location. This wouldallow the department to use student

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 0This position was not funded during 2018-2019 academicyear. (05/17/2019)

Request - Full Funding Requested -Full time lab tech in geology



workers to work in the DiscoveryCenter, which we hope to continueto use more for Mt. SAC studentsand the general public. Our newtech would have three mainpriorities:

- Support the geology lab and lecturerooms. This mostly involvesmaintaining extensive collections ofstudent and classroom samples,overseeing resupply of experimentsupplies, setting up classroomexperiments and generalorganization.

- Support the extensive investmentthe department has in proper andsafe running of field trips. The techwill make sure that items studentsuse regularly are clean and safe touse, that the field supplies areinventoried and ready for futuretrips, and that our collection of filedequipment is maintained.

- Support the operation of theDiscovery Center. Organizing andcoming up with new displays andactivities has fallen on differentpeople in the department without alead person to go to if somethingneeds to be fixed or repaired. Thetech would train student workers,come up with ideas for displays, helprun some activities and generallymaintain the samples and displays inthat area.

What would success look like andLead: Mike Hood and Julie Bray-Ali



how would you measure it?: Hire anew geoscience lab tech.Planning Unit Priority: HighOn-Going Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 80000

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Part time planetarium showpresenter- Community outreach is alarge part of the planetarium'smission. We offer field tripexperiences for local schools, scoutgroups and families during the weekand on the weekends. Theplanetarium has grown in popularityenough that we regularly sell out ouravailable time slots during the week.To keep up with demand we havedoubled the planetarium studentstaff to help with lobby activities,however our show presenting staff isstill only two people: Heather Jonesand Jessica Draper. Increasingly,Heather and Jessica's time hasbecome dominated by the day-to-day needs of running these outreachactivities instead of other projects.Unfortunately it has gotten to thepoint where they cannot take onnew projects or expand on anyprograms at the planetarium ortelescope observatory. Additionalstaff is desperately needed to avoidcutbacks in the outreach program.


Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 25We have hired a part time student worker with a lot ofexperience in astronomy and a strong interest in teaching tohelp out. After an entire semester he is now fully trained,but is transferring at the end of the Spring 2019 semester.Because of their impermanence, training student workers isnot a good long term solution for our staffing problems. Weneed a short-term hourly worker who will stay with theplanetarium for years instead. (05/17/2019)Reporting Year: 2017-18% Completed: 0We are researching a few options to find funding for thisposition. In addition to the investment the college couldmake toward fullfilling this need, the money for this postioncould come in part from donations from the Randalls, workexperience funding, grant funding, or other sources. Weare hopeful for a solution. (05/23/2018)

Lead: Heather Jones

Part time planetarium showpresenter

Develop Landers Site - Develop the



Status: Active

Reporting Year: 2017-18

Outline of items needed and estimate cost was sent toMatthew Judd. Faculty and staff visited the site on 5/12/18to assess the physical conditions of the property (weatherconditions, local light pollution etc...). We found that thissite would be ideal for astronomical observing, and lookforward to being able to use this site in the future. Contactshave been made with the Riverside Astronomical Societywho have extensive experience building observatories inLanders, CA which is where their main observing site islocated. (05/18/2018)

% Completed: 0Report directly on Goal

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Internet access, including wifi,firewall, USB extender, etc. - $20,000

Facilities construction - Cement,shelter walls, furniture, etc. -$30,000


Lead: Heather Jones and Facilities

In Progress - Develop basicinfrastructure for Landers site.

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Telescope Mount - $21,000

In Progress - Purchase, build, andinstall telescope infrastructure.

Goal Year(s): 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21

site in Landers, CA to allow EarthScience and Astronomy students tomake use this valuable resource. Thissite is in a remote, dark location,making it an ideal place for ourstudents in courses and our studentsdoing research.




Telescope Pier - $1,000Clamshell Dome - $30,000


Lead: Heather Jones, Facilities

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Plane wave 20" telescope - $50,000


Lead: Heather Jones

In Progress - Purchase Telescope forLanders remote observing site.

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Finger Lakes CCD - $14,000

In Progress - Purchase CCD camera,filter wheel, and software necessaryto make remote astronomicalobservations at the Landers site.



filter wheel - $2,000MaxIm DL - $675SkyX Pro w/ Camera add on - $675ACP with service Agreement - $2,800Starlight Xpress Lodestar X2 - $700


Lead: Heather Jones

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):All Sky Camera and weather Station -$2750 from SBIG

One-Time Funding Requested (ifapplicable): 2750

Lead: Heather Jones

In Progress - Purchase and install all-sky camera and weather station toallow for remote astronomicalobserving at the Landers site.

Status: Active

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Create a learning community, whichwould include Oceanography, a firstyear seminar and one to two othercourses (such as English or PoliticalSciences)What would success look like andhow would you measure it?: Higher

Learning Community

Goal Year(s): 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20

Increased Collaboration - Increasecollaboration with other departmentsacross campus to help with overallstudent success rates




student success rates, measured bypercentage of students passingcourses.Planning Unit Priority: High

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Department involvement in "OneCollege-One Book" initiative

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?:Increased visibility of our departmentacross campus; increased enrollmentin our courses.Planning Unit Priority: High

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 100The One Campus One Book Initiative was introduced duringSpring FLEX day and several events have been held acrosscampus. Theme of this year's book was Depression. Wehope that some of our students participated in events. Asthe book did not directly relate to our subject areas, thedepartment did not actively pursue participation.(05/17/2019)

Lead: Tania Anders

One College One Book Initiative

Describe Plans & ActivitiesSupported (Justification of Need):Involve Ocean Sciences in a StudyAbroad Program

What would success look like andhow would you measure it?:Increased visibility of our departmentacross campus; increased enrollmentin our courses.Planning Unit Priority: Medium

Reporting Year: 2018-19% Completed: 50One department member is currently participating in aStudy abroad program and offering one oceanographysection. This program is run through Citrus College.(05/17/2019)Lead: Tania Anders

Oceanography Study Abroad


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