IMPACT has designed multiple approaches for students to move beyond the classroom and engage in critical thinking in the BGSU community and in the community at large. Below are some examples of what IMPACT offers in regards to other learning opportunities.

Seminars
In addition to required classes, IMPACT students take part in at least one noncredit seminar per year taught by an IMPACT faculty member. The seminars are small and provide students (and faculty) with the opportunity to learn without the pressure of being graded. Seminars oftentimes lead to chances for meaningful discourse on topics of paramount importance.

Faculty Scholars Program
IMPACT recognizes not only the need for help in satisfying members' desire to learn, but also that certain faculty on campus are especially impressive as sources of understanding and stimulation. IMPACT thus created the Faculty Scholars Program to take advantage of the skills and attitudes of such faculty. IMPACT invites the selected Faculty Scholar to join IMPACT in a discussion of their area of expertise. Each Scholar meets with IMPACT on three evenings over a two-month period during which a thoughtful and provocative dialogue between IMPACT and Scholar ensues.

The first Faculty Scholar was Dr. Mark Gromko (Biology), who awoke an interest in many of us in evolutionary biology and its implications for psychology, economics, history and political science. The second Faculty Scholar was Dr. Madhu Rao (Applied Statistics and Operations Research), who enlarged our understanding of the richness of critical thinking by encouraging us to build our understanding of the use and misuse of statistics.

Other Learning Opportunities
IMPACT is aware of the importance of some exciting experiences that may take place away from Bowling Green's campus. Thus IMPACT provides students and faculty with the opportunity to travel off-campus to attend various events while using their critical thinking skills. IMPACT sponsors speakers to come to BGSU campus and speak to students as well. The community also maintains an active Internet mailing list which serves as an important vehicle for discussion and learning. Minimal participation on the listproc is required of all IMPACT students.

Spring 2006 Learning Opprotunities

Research
Many students choose to participate in the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), whereby students complete original research under the guidance of IMPACT faculty. The experience culminates in a national conference where the students present their findings and have the opportunity to have their work published. IMPACT students have participatedrecently in National Undergraduate Research Conferences. In 2005 NCUR will be held at the Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee College. Indeed, IMPACT faculty members have a long history of involving undergraduates in their research.

Recent publications by IMPACT students include:

• A Modest Proposal for Ameliorating Urban Sprawl, Real Estate Law Journal
• Nurturing Social Networks with Critical Thinking, INQUIRY: Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines
• Civil Union Statues: A Shortcut to Legal Equality for Same-Sex Partners in a Landscape Littered with Defense of Marriage Acts, University of Florida Journal on Public Policy

ALL IMPACT TRAVEL COSTS, EXCEPT FOR FOOD, FOR CULTURAL EVENTS OR RESEARCH CONFERENCES ARE FREE TO IMPACT STUDENTS.