Wichita State University offers first-year students the opportunity to take a variety of seminar courses that teach successful student and life skills, from library research to speech preparation.

Along with skills for success, students gain introductory knowledge of a unique subject. Last semester, course topics included such classes as “Music as My Key to Success,” “Solving Global Problems,” “Energy Science and the Environment.”

Nick Solomey, professor of physics in the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics, taught “Energy Science and the Environment” and said the classes provided a great introductory course for students who wouldn’t normally study those subjects. In his class, he only had one student who was majoring in a science-related degree.

“They’re seeing something that they probably won’t see too often,” said Solomey.

His class delved heavily into hands-on projects, as he wanted them to have a well-rounded and applicable experience with the material they were learning.

“They made a paper windmill built out of old disc drive motors from a CD player and connected to a pipe and plastic tubing, so they could actually see power produced,” said Solomey. “There was genuine excitement from them about that.”

Freshman Stella Yang said she enjoyed the close-knit atmosphere of the class, which allowed for better discussion.

Carolyn Shaw, professor of political science, co-taught the class “Solving Global Problems” and said that her students rose to the challenge of a new subject area as none of them were political science majors.

For more information about First-Year Seminar courses, go to http://www.wichita.edu/j/?5281.