Press Release
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Students Lobby Delta College Foundation for
Field Trip Funding
Microsoft/Google Field Trip
Inspires Students and Staff!
Delta College
Students at the Google Campus in Mountain View
Seeing is believing…
Such was the case for 40 Delta College MESA (Math, Engineering, Science
Achievement) and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) students. Through
the combined efforts of Delta’s computer science faculty, STEM Academy, and
Delta College MESA, a magical mystery tour to
Microsoft and Google’s Mountain View campuses took place during the fall
semester.
No doubt about it, a field trip to these sometimes mysterious, stealthy
industry goliaths was intriguing. “The field trip created a ‘Buzz’ across
campus,” said tour coordinator and Delta College MESA director, Cassandra
Hernandez-Vives. “Everybody wanted to go, but we only had a limited number of
slots.” That number was eventually “whittled down” to 40 computer science,
engineering, math students, coders, and some gamers.
Exciting, yes - but the value of “real world” exposure and “behind the
scenes” access to industry leaders via field trips was the theme for staff and
students at a recent Delta College Foundation meeting. The Foundation is the
fundraising arm of the college, and serves as the umbrella for a variety of
academic projects. More funding for such trips was clearly the goal for the
day.
“We live so close to Silicon Valley, why not visit?” emphasized Delta College
physics instructor, Lincoln Lee. “Students can see the innovation and reality of
places where they can actually work.” Lee says field trips can be incorporated
into the classwork of students, combining theoretical instruction with exposure
to real world application. “Field trips can help build bridges between students
and possible employers - invaluable!”
The Microsoft/Google field trip allowed Delta’s students to experienced two
distinctly different work cultures - up close and
personal. “It blew my mind,” computer science major Michael Runyon told
the Foundation. “Microsoft is more of a business environment, more structured,
while Google is the most liberal workplace I’ve ever
seen.”
All students agreed that one environment isn’t necessarily better than the
other. They witnessed a broad range of employees and personalities at both
companies. Microsoft is geared toward efficiency, while the casual, more relaxed
environment of Google is geared toward creativity.
“At Google, employees seem to come and go as they please,” added computer
science student Michael Layman. “However, some people work better in a more
structured environment like Microsoft. We received advice on what skills we need
to achieve jobs at these companies. I found this information extremely
helpful…as it would be for future Delta students.”
MESA student Norlan
Prudente found the field trip inspiring, as did others on the tour. “I was only
aiming for an A.S. degree. This trip encouraged me to pursue my B.S. or
Masters.” Prudente finished, “I’d love to work for either company.”
Computer Science instructor Lisa Perez sees field trips as an “outreach” which can be used to recruit women into science and technology fields. “Women are underrepresented in STEM occupations. Field trips don’t always need to go to Microsoft or Google. There are numerous stimulating and motivational STEM filed trip opportunities in our state, with many close to home.”
Delta College Superintendent/President Kathy Hart is also a Delta Foundation Board member. She joined Delta students on the “amazing journey” to Microsoft and Google. "I'd like to see the Delta Foundation facilitate funding for field trips to large and small businesses and industry in all content areas.” Hart feels students need to experience real workplaces and workplace environments. “Students need to hear from managers and workers about what is expected at the job site. They need to understand first-hand what expectations employers have for their employees. Field trips are a great way to realize this goal.” Hart explains that field trips don’t fit into any set category. “They can involve small or large groups; they can be long or short; they can be practically no cost, or rather elaborate with transportation and food costs.” Hart finishes, “It’s going to be fun to talk to businesses and industries about what we can do to expose our students to the real world of full time work!”
Foundation Board members all agreed with the student/staff assessments
regarding the insightful value of field trips. Foundation Board member and Delta
College trustee, Claudia Moreno, related that many companies might “help fund
such trips as a recruiting and outreach effort.”
Delta Foundation
president, Susan Grupe DePolo, would like to move forward with funding efforts.
“I’d like to see the Foundation fund field trips across the discipline spectrum,
not just STEM. There are many doors we can open to help our
students.”
Delta Students &
Staff at the Microsoft Campus
Student Juan Medina sits in the Microsoft
Multi-Screen, Multi-Sensory System
Gabriela Acevedo is the Model for this 3D Imaging Demo at Microsoft
Students Examine a Google
Street View Car
Google’s
Tyrannosaurus Rex!
Gigantic
"Selfie" Cam at Google!
Delta College Superintendent/President Kathy Hart took part in the Microsoft/Google
tour.
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