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Making math fun for school kids - impossible? Not for Sue Larson (standing), who is doing just that in the Liberty School District.

Making math fun for school kids - impossible? Not for Sue Larson (standing), who is doing just that in the Liberty School District.

An ASU program that is transforming math instruction in a Southwest Valley school district earned Honorable Mention recognition at Westmarc’s Nov. 5 Best of the West awards dinner.

Sue Larson, a faculty member in the College of Teacher Education and Leadership, has been working with teachers and students in the Liberty Elementary School District to improve the teaching of math concepts. The partnership with Liberty is an initiative of CTEL’s Learning Forever with ASU professional development program.

Here’s what Liberty Elementary School teacher Kelly Gray says about Sue Larson’s impact: “My students love it when the ‘Math Lady’ comes to visit. Sue has completely changed the way we teach math at Liberty Elementary. Math is now fun, exciting and hands-on!”

Congratulations, Sue! Click here for more details about the Liberty project.

The West campus Facebook page is looking for a few good fans.  Are you one?

The West campus Facebook page is looking for a few good fans. Are you one?

The West campus has recently launched a Facebook page, and we’re looking for fans!

The West campus page features news, events, program updates and more — all specific to doings right here at 47th Avenue and Thunderbird.

Becoming a fan is simple.  Head for your own Facebook page, enter “asu west campus” in the Search box and — yep — become a fan!  To see what we’ve been up to recently, click right here.

croquetKimberly Acosta (left), Monica Aguilera and Mike Beadle were among the members of the West campus community taking part in a Nov. 4 croquet tournament on the Fletcher Library Lawn. The afternoon activity was sponsored by TRiO Student Support Services and the Diablo Performance & Recreation Center.

Make sure you’re plugged into West campus happenings - send a note to the Office of Student Engagement, student.engagement@asu.edu, to receive a weekly email of goings-on out West.

Undergrad research opportuinities in ASU's New College are helping students like Julie Furmick thrive.

Undergrad research opportunities in ASU's New College are helping students like Julie Furmick thrive.

Julie Furmick is a senior life sciences major in ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.  Under the tutelage of Assistant Professor Peter Jurutka, and through the university’s SOLUR program, she has seized the college’s undergraduate research opportunities and is successfully working on the alleviation of side effects particular to a secondary cancer medication, Bexarotene.

Jurutka, a member of the Division of Mathematical and Natural Sciences faculty roster, says the undergraduate research being done on the West campus makes New College a special place to learn and thrive.

“Research is important to undergraduate students because it provides an opportunity for them to directly employ the theories that they learn in their core classes.  Successful translation of knowledge into real-world solutions is a skill set that will make our students valuable and highly desirable employees in a 21st-century workplace after they graduate.”

For a look at Furmick’s story, click here.

Movies on the Lawn continues this Wednesday with a 9 p.m. showing of "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."

Movies on the Lawn continues this Wednesday with a 9 p.m. showing of "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."

Monday’s Dia de los Muertos celebration on the Delph Courtyard kicked off a busy week of events at ASU’s West campus.

Here’s a look at this week’s event schedule at 47th Avenue and Thunderbird:

… Wed., Nov. 4 - Trauma and Compassion: social justice and human rights discussions, workshops, film.  Presented in La Sala by the New College Master’s in Social Justice and Human Rights program, the West campus chapter of Amnesty International, and the Light of Hope Institute.  Info: 543-6089 or click here.

… Wed., Nov. 4: Dumpster Dive: Team up with fellow students and staff to sort and recycle West campus trash.  Fletcher Library Patio.  Info: 543-8200 or click here.

… Wed.-Thurs., Nov. 4-5 - Tile Wall Fundraiser and Community Art Walk: benefits Teachers of the Future charity, Shades of Sound.  Presented by Teachers of the Future and As You Wish Pottery Place.  Fletcher Lawn.  Info:  click here.

… Wed., Nov. 4 - Doubles Croquet Tourney: Fletcher Lawn, presented by TRiO Student Support Services (543-8121) and Diablo Performance Recreation Center (543-3488).  Fun starts at 10 a.m., runs ’til 2 p.m.

… Wed., Nov. 4 - “Sand Devil” 4-on-4 co-ed volleyball team captains’ meeting at 4 p.m., UCB B-119 — Thurs., Nov. 5 is the opening games of “Sand Devil” league play, 7 p.m. on the sand v-ball courts!  Info: Diablo Performance and Fitness Center at 543-3488.

… Wed., Nov. 4 - Movies on the Lawn: “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” at 9 p.m. on Fletcher Lawn.  Bring a lawn chair and blanket!  Info: 543-8200.

…Thurs., Nov. 5 - Faculty Research Colloquium Series: “Is it what we say or how we say it?”  CLCC 154, 3-4 p.m.  Join New College Associate Professor Paul Miller in a discussion of mothers’ conversations with children when coping with interparental conflict.  Info: 543- 6634 or click here.

… Thurs., Nov. 5 - Career Forum: Careers in Sustainability and the Environment, 5:30-6:30 p.m., UCB 266. Informative presentations and discussions by pros and employers in the field. Info: Career Services at 543-8124 or click here.

For more West campus events, click here.

About to meet their maker: These cajitas on the steps of the Delph Courtyard are one of the many highlights of today's Dia de los Muretos celebration at the West campus.

About to meet their maker: These cajitas on the steps of the Delph Courtyard are one of the many highlights of today's Dia de los Muretos celebration at the West campus.

Today is the day, and from 11 a.m. ’til 3 p.m. activities open to all are scheduled on the Delph Courtyard, as the West campus celebrates Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead.

Live music, an art display and demonstration of “El Altar,” free food, cajita making and more are on the bill.  You’ll also have a chance to build a cajita, or an honor box, in remembrance of a loved one or someone who was influential in your life — cajita boxes and supplies will be provided.

This event is sponsored by M.E.Ch.A. (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán- a student organization that promotes higher education, culture, and history), Hispanic Events Committee, and the Interdisciplinary Arts & Performance Club.

For more info, click here.

A showing of "Miracles in Mexico" takes place in La Sala B at noon on Nov. 4.

A showing of "Miracles in Mexico" takes place in La Sala B at noon on Nov. 4.

Mark Wed., Nov. 4, on your calendar, as the master’s program in social justice and human rights in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences presents “Trauma and Compassion,” a day-long exploration of social justice and humans rights issues in the Grand Canyon State.

A full range of discussions, workshops and a showing of the film “Miracles in Mexico” is on tap, with all events taking place in La Sala B in the West campus University Center Building (UCB).

“Trauma and Compassion” is sponsored by the New College master’s degree program, the Light of Hope Institute, and the West campus chapter of Amnesty International.

For a look at the schedule and featured speakers, click here.  For more info, contact William Simmons at 543-6089 or via email at william.simmons@asu.edu.

West students got in the Homecoming spirit during last year's parade; the 2009 version of the campus's float promises to show even more Sun Devil spirit.

West students got in the Homecoming spirit during last year's parade; the 2009 version of the campus's float promises to show even more Sun Devil spirit.

Break out those dancing shoes - time for the Devilish Haunted Ball, tonight (Oct. 30) from 9 to midnight in La Sala! The dance is the culmination of a week of West campus events celebrating Homecoming. You don’t have to shell out money to get in - just bring a can of food to donate. Attire is semi-formal.

If you have time between now and 5:00, stop by UCB 320 and help the volunteers who are building the West campus float for tomorrow’s Homecoming parade. While you’re there, pick up your limited-edition Homecoming 2009 T-shirt - only 6 bucks apiece!

Speaking of the parade, it will run along University Drive in Tempe starting Saturday at 10 a.m. That’s right in the middle of the huge Homecoming Block Party, from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the vicinity of Old Main on the Tempe campus. Kickoff for the football game against Cal is at 12:30 in Sun Devil Stadium.

A shuttle service will make it easy to get from West to Tempe and back on Saturday. The shuttle departs Las Casas every two hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and departs Tempe for the return trip every two hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Click here for more Homecoming details.

The Diablo Performance Recreation Center put West campus students to work carving pumpkins for its winning display.

The Diablo Performance Recreation Center put West campus students to work carving pumpkins for its winning display.

Leave it to the fitness people.  They’re the ones first across the finish line and the ones who look look better in spandex, the ones who don’t have to worry about seizing up moving from the couch to the kitchen and the ones who decorate a Homecoming tent better than anyone else.

The results are just in from Wednesday’s “Devils Decorate West” Homecoming event at ASU’s West campus, and a panel of three judges has announced the winning tent was pitched by the Diablo Performance Recreation Center, the fitness center located on the lower level of UCB.  The 10′ x 10′ tent spilled over with student-carved pumpkins and reflected the Halloween-themed ASU “Devilish Homecoming.”

Carrying the second-place banner in the balloting was the Disability Resource Center, followed by third-place entrant New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.  The New College folks are a force with which to be reckoned — they were the winners at last year’s decoration extravaganza.

An event-record 18 tents were displayed in and around the center courtyard at ASU’s West campus, each one devilishly decorated and stocked with information about programs, goods, services and all those special offerings available to the campus community.

Congrats to all who participated and proudly displayed their Sparky spirit!

Sparky's Star Search is a whacky gathering of ASU talent in a battle for cash prizes.  It's our version of "American Idol!"

Sparky's Star Search is a whacky gathering of ASU talent in a battle for cash prizes. It's our version of "American Idol!"

Homecoming continues at the West campus!

The fun never stops, and the ASU “Devilish Homecoming” Thursday (10/29) calendar for 47th Avenue and Thunderbird features Homecoming float building, ultimate frisbee, and the 3rd annual Sparky’s Star Search.

Head to UCB 320 for float building.  The construction begins at 8 a.m. and runs through 5 p.m., and the final product will be featured in Saturday’s Homecoming Parade in Tempe.  There’s more float building Friday, beginning at 8 a.m. in UCB 320.

Next up is ultimate frisbee on the West campus multipurpose field.  The action gets underway at 3 p.m. and features co-ed competitions and treats for all!

The Thursday Homecoming schedule comes to a close with the ASU version of “American Idol.”  If you’ve never witnessed Sparky’s Star Search, well, you haven’t really lived.  The talent show gets underway at 7 p.m. in La Sala (UCB) and contestants will be giving it their best for cash prizes of $500, $300 and $100!

For more Homecoming info, click here.

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