Category Archives: Mathematics and Computer Science

09.07.23

LLCC to host SkySoar Fest Sept. 15

Drone flying over fieldLLCC’s Computer Science Academy is hosting SkySoar Fest, an outdoor showcase of radio-controlled flyers and drones, on Friday, Sept. 15, 1-3 p.m. on LLCC’s Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Rd., northeast of Cass Gymnasium. In case of rain, displays and presentations will be moved inside to the Student Union in the lower level of Menard Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Faculty from LLCC Computer Science, Agriculture, Geography and Unmanned Aircraft System Remote Pilot Training programs and members of the Sangamon Valley RC Flyers will have displays and provide demonstrations. They will also talk about applications for small, unmanned aircraft technology in various careers, including search and rescue, precision agriculture, mapping and photography.

05.02.23

Brandon Sharp awarded ELIAS Fellowship

Brandon SharpCongratulations to Brandon Sharp, LLCC computer science major, for being awarded the Experiential Learning in Applied Statistics (ELIAS) Fellowship! The overall objective of this fellowship program is to provide experiential training opportunities for students in applied statistics through an immersive, two-year experience that exposes students to both traditional agricultural and environmental research methods and data analysis techniques. Students emerging from this fully supported two-year experience will be competitive applicants for any STEM graduate or professional program of their choosing and will have gained the skillset necessary to be successful in a collaborative environment as a statistician.

Brandon will be attending SIUE in the fall majoring in computer science and minoring in geographic information systems. He will begin work on the fellowship this summer.

04.14.23

Info Tech Expo held yesterday

Info Tech Expo 2023The computer science program at LLCC hosted the Info Tech Expo 2023 yesterday at Kreher Agriculture Center.

The event provided students the opportunity to to learn more about the local IT industry and network with local employers and to explore different career paths in the field of computer science.

LLCC student talking to two reps from i3 BroadbandLLCC student talking to two reps from CTILLCC student talking to two reps from UCBLLCC student talking to a rep from State Farm

 

04.13.23

Computer Science Program Advisory Committee meeting today

The 2023 Computer Science Program Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for today, April 13, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Bistro Verde located in the Workforce Careers Center on the Springfield campus.

This meeting is a vital opportunity for the computer science program to come together and with local employers to discuss the program’s progress and achievements, and to collaborate on future plans for computer science.

Program Advisory Committee (PAC)

Members are invited to serve on a PAC because of their knowledge, expertise and understanding in their area of specialization. We include individuals from local workforce development boards, local business and industry, government, military, college administration, faculty, staff, alumni, current students, secondary and transfer institutions.

Our ladder of industry engagement consists of new relationships, working relationships and strategic partnerships divided into levels indicating the state of relationship and activity examples.

03.14.23

CSC 130 students earn certification

TestOut IT Foundamentals Pro CertificationCongratulations to 25 students in CSC 130 (IT Essentials) who recently completed the TestOut IT Fundamentals Pro industry standard certification, which is the equivalent to the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (FCO-U61).

This certification measures a student’s understanding of foundational concepts related to computer hardware and software, networking, databases, programming, information systems and data security.

This is one of eight certifications students are eligible to earn in the LLCC Mathematics and Computer Science Department.

02.24.23

LLCC to host Rube Goldberg Competition for fifth graders tomorrow

“Outlandish machines” designed by area fifth graders will be on display as LLCC hosts the 16th annual Springfield Area Fifth Grade Rube Goldberg Competition tomorrow, Feb. 25. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. in the student union in the lower level of Menard Hall on the LLCC-Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Road. There is no admission fee, and the public is invited to attend.

This year’s competition involves building a Rube Goldberg that must “move a rocket to a launch pad” through at least 10 different steps.

A Rube Goldberg device, such as the board game “Mousetrap,” is an elaborate apparatus designed to complete a certain task through a number of complex steps. Area fifth graders are currently developing their own unique Rube Goldberg devices for this year’s competition. They receive assistance from engineer volunteers, coordinated by the area Engineer in the Classroom Board. The engineer volunteers visit classes and provide instruction on machines and engineering in general, along with suggestions for their Rube Goldberg device.

The purpose of this event is to introduce children to the idea of pursuing a career in engineering or related field. It is the only Rube Goldberg program in the nation specifically aimed at elementary age school children.

This year, 11 teams are participating from Dubois Elementary, Graham Elementary, Our Savior Lutheran, Rochester Intermediate, Springfield Christian and Beckemeyer Elementary School in Hillsboro.

Last year’s task entailed building a Rube Goldberg that would “flip a pancake.” Kimberly Tribler’s fifth grade class from Dubois Elementary School, with engineer volunteer Terry Fountain from Cummins Engineering, took home the top prize and advanced to the Engineering Open House at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where they earned first place.

02.13.23

LLCC to host Rube Goldberg Competition for fifth graders Feb. 25

“Outlandish machines” designed by area fifth graders will be on display as LLCC hosts the 16th annual Springfield Area Fifth Grade Rube Goldberg Competition on Saturday, Feb. 25. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. in the student union in the lower level of Menard Hall on the LLCC-Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Road. There is no admission fee, and the public is invited to attend.

This year’s competition involves building a Rube Goldberg that must “move a rocket to a launch pad” through at least 10 different steps.

A Rube Goldberg device, such as the board game “Mousetrap,” is an elaborate apparatus designed to complete a certain task through a number of complex steps. Area fifth graders are currently developing their own unique Rube Goldberg devices for this year’s competition. They receive assistance from engineer volunteers, coordinated by the area Engineer in the Classroom Board. The engineer volunteers visit classes and provide instruction on machines and engineering in general, along with suggestions for their Rube Goldberg device.

The purpose of this event is to introduce children to the idea of pursuing a career in engineering or related field. It is the only Rube Goldberg program in the nation specifically aimed at elementary age school children.

This year, 11 teams are participating from Dubois Elementary, Graham Elementary, Our Savior Lutheran, Rochester Intermediate, Springfield Christian and Beckemeyer Elementary School in Hillsboro.

Last year’s task entailed building a Rube Goldberg that would “flip a pancake.” Kimberly Tribler’s fifth grade class from Dubois Elementary School, with engineer volunteer Terry Fountain from Cummins Engineering, took home the top prize and advanced to the Engineering Open House at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where they earned first place.

11.04.22

Drone demonstration today

Join LLCC student JD Gebhardt for a drone demonstration today, Nov. 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the LLCC Student Union. JD is a professional drone pilot who will explain how his drones are used for search and rescue missions, land surveying, wildlife restoration and real estate sales. Afterward, JD will pilot one or more drones outside. This event is sponsored by the LLCC Computer Science Academy (CSA).