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    1. UNG
    2. News

    NSA grant will fund Chinese and astronomy education

    October 20, 2021
    Dr. Yunjuan He, associate professor of Chinese, teaches students during the July 2019 STARTALK academy on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. A new STARTALK grant will fund another camp, plus tutoring and cultural workshops before and after the academy.

    Article By: Clark Leonard

    The University of North Georgia (UNG) has received a two-year STARTALK grant of more than $327,000 from the National Security Agency (NSA) to provide instruction on the Chinese language and astronomy for high school students.

    Through the grant, UNG will offer tutoring in Chinese and cultural workshops for more than 150 high school students in spring 2022. It will also provide a free two-week Chinese language and astronomy academy for 20 students on UNG's Dahlonega Campus in summer 2022, as well as post-camp activities designed to reinforce that learning throughout 2022-23 for the 20 academy participants.

    Dr. Yunjuan He, associate professor of Chinese, is the principal investigator for the grant.

    "In addition to improving students' Chinese language proficiency, we hope to help them develop their interest in federal careers such as NASA and other astronomical institutes," she said.

    It's rare to have the chance to tackle both science and Chinese language learning at the same time, and yet, Professor He's dedication to this initiative will provide a truly special learning experience.

    Dr. Christopher Jespersen

    Dean of UNG's College of Arts & Letters

    Dr. Donna Governor, associate professor of science education, designed the curriculum of astronomy classes for UNG's 2019 STARTALK Academy and plans to research the effectiveness of 2022 academy on helping students learn science. Dr. Gregory Feiden, director of the North Georgia Astronomical Observatory and an associate professor of astronomy, and Dr. Lesley Simanton-Coogan, director of the George E. Coleman Sr. Planetarium, will provide support by giving on-site demonstrations and presentations.

    Ying Feng Kline, a lecturer of Chinese from Penn State University, will serve as lead instructor for the summer academy. Dr. Yanfei Zhu, UNG associate professor of visual arts, and faculty members from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, High Point University, Hamilton College and other schools will offer online talks for the pre-camp and post-camp activities.

    "It's rare to have the chance to tackle both science and Chinese language learning at the same time, and yet, Professor He's dedication to this initiative will provide a truly special learning experience," Dr. Christopher Jespersen, dean of the College of Arts & Letters, said. "We look forward to hosting the STARTALK camp at UNG."

    UNG has hired four professional tutors and two UNG Chinese Language Flagship students who are on the advanced track to work with students in spring 2022.

    The mission of STARTALK is to support "student education and teacher development programs of less commonly taught and critical-need languages that meet the national security and defense priorities."

    Dr. D. Brian Mann, department head of Modern and Classical Languages, said research shows teaching Chinese earlier helps the knowledge become more ingrained for students, and it will set them up well for advanced studies at UNG.

    "This makes it possible for them to go further in their Chinese proficiency," Mann said.

    Applications for the spring 2022 tutoring are open through Nov. 1. Accepted students will meet individually with their tutor online for half an hour weekly for 17 weeks during the spring semester.

    There will be a separate application process for the June 5-18 residential camp, but students who receive tutoring will be encouraged to apply. Students who participate in the camp will have access to post-camp learning activities.

    Contact the Author

    Nanzan partnership  grows with exchange

    Nanzan partnership grows with exchange

    UNG and Nanzan University are accelerating their partnership with a study abroad exchange that provides students language and cultural learning.
    Cadets excel at Advanced Camp

    Cadets excel at Advanced Camp

    UNG had 93 cadets complete Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, this summer. This training opportunity allowed Cadet Command to assess their proficiency as future officers.
    STARTALK academy offers students variety

    STARTALK academy offers students variety

    UNG held a Chinese and astronomy camp for 16 high school students this summer thanks to an NSA grant. These students will receive further learning opportunities throughout the 2022-23 academic year.
    Three receive study abroad grants

    Three receive study abroad grants

    UNG students Melena Appling, Edleen Henriquez, and Susana Olivo Sandoval received funding from CIEE to study abroad in 2022 or 2023.

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