COSMOS is over

Yes, just like that. After one month of continuous intensity, this wonderful experience called COSMOS ended today. Over the last two days, the students presented their final projects. Yesterday, each group gave a presentation on the various techniques they used in producing their videos. Each group utilized the three major skills they developed over this month: media programming, image editing, and video/audio editing. This is a great achievement, especially for those students who had absolutely no experience with computer programming prior to coming to COSMOS.

After the presentations, we saw the videos. They were great, and a lot of fun to watch. Many of the groups incorporated images and videos taken throughout the month, so we got to relive many special moments.

This morning the students had their projects on display for their parents, who attended today. This was followed by the closing ceremony, where the students received the well-deserved certificates of completion. I was delighted to see that three of our students won scholarships (in competition with all 150 COSMOS students): Alejandra Lopez received the prestigious COSMOS Director's Scholarship, and Tiffany Cchan and Albert Liu received COSMOS College Access Scholarships. These are prized awards: only one COSMOS Director's Scholarship is given, and only ten COSMOS College Access Scholarships are given. I heartily congratulate these students. I only wish all of our students could have won a scholarship, as they are all deserving.

Well, the above gives you most of the facts. What I can't express is the deep emotion that we all have as this program ends. While I feel very happy that our students did so well, I am extremely sad that I will not be seeing them in class this coming week. I hope they will keep in touch (hey everyone - look me up on facebook!), and that our friendships will continue beyond this day. For a good memory, check out the Cluster 1 slide show.

I wish to thank my team, those special people who helped me with COSMOS. My co-faculty, Christine Alvarado and Paul Kube, were terrific, as usual. We've done this for numerous years, and their dedication is inspiring. Our Teacher Fellow, Shirley Miranda, was "the best." She really made this program her own and worked so well with us to make it successful. In fact, if I had to pick an MVP, she gets the award. We had superb teaching assistants: Elizabeth Arrowsmith, Krista Davis, Tiffany Hopkins, Ming Kawaguchi, and Wenjing Rao. They cared so much for the students. Everyone worked many hours, way beyond the call of duty. Just read everyone's blogs, and you'll see why.

I want to also thank the people who make COSMOS happen and help us produce "our show": the Resident Assistants associated with Cluster 1 Lindsey Fogleman and Nick Gills who took good care of our students outside of class, COSMOS Program Manager Becky Hames who supported our every request, Monica Rodriquez who always answered the phone with a willingness to help, Justin Williams who took care of our financial and last-minute room requests, Resident Dean Pat Danylyshyn-Adams who allowed us to do our "Computer scientists are real people too" program during off hours, COSMOS Director Charles Tu who generously supported our cluster, and Dean of Engineering Frieder Seible for starting and keeping the COSMOS program going at UCSD.

I say this every year, and after COSMOS ends, I am reminded why. After 20 years at UCSD, COSMOS may just be the most meaningful thing I do here. The magic that happens both inside and outside the classroom is beyond words. If you are part of COSMOS, you know exactly what I'm talking about. It also reminds me of what a privilege it is to be a teacher.

I will end with one final plea to everyone in Cluster One: Remember the magic, and stay in touch!