Scholarly or Creative WTE
For STUDENTS seeking funding to complete or travel to present their Scholarly or Creative WTE, click HERE for the grant application.
For FACULTY seeking funding to travel with a student who has declared a Scholarly or Creative WTE, click HERE for the grant application.
Now is the time for you to do something special, to do something extraordinary, to do something no one has ever done before. That is the essence of the Scholarly or Creative WTE. It is an opportunity to explore or do something you have always wanted to do. It is YOUR project. Create an original piece of music or art. Research the subject you have always wondered and been amazed about. This is your chance to be creative, to be unique.
The scholarly or creative activity transformational experience is a significant scholarly or creative project to be completed under the tutelage of at least one faculty member, and to be presented in public. The format of the project may vary but it must be an independent project that is not part of a structured (faculty-planned) course. Thus, the project can be part of a capstone course in which the students create or develop their own projects, but not a course in which the students simply follow the directions of an instructor. While the nature of these projects varies by discipline, the project should result in a significant commitment of scholarly/creative effort on the part of the student, as judged by the student's faculty mentor.
FOR STUDENTS:
Do I have to do something more or extra to do a Scholarly or Creative WTE? VERY often, students do NOT have to do something extra to complete the Scholarly Creative WTE. In a number of majors, the Scholarly or Creative WTE is already a part of your major. To find out whether your major has Scholarly or Creative WTE course already built in to your major, click HERE. If you don't see a course, talk to your academic advisor. It could be the WTE related course is simply not listed on the sheet.
What do I have to do to fulfill a Scholarly or Creative WTE? The steps are easy. In fact, the number of steps is the same as the number of fingers on one hand.
- STEP 1: Find a mentor.
- Even though most students select a faculty mentor in their major, the mentor can be anyone in any department.
- Contact the mentor (in person is always preferable) and ask them if they would be willing to serve as your WTE mentor.
- STEP 2: Declare a WTE.
- Once you have a mentor, login in to MyWashburn and click on the "Students" tab. On the right hand side, underneath the "student Self Service" box, you will see the "WTE: Washburn Transformational Experience" box. That box is where the little bit of "paperwork" needs to be done.
- Click on "WTE Declaration and Activity Plan Submission."
- Select "Scholarly or Creative TE" from the drop down menu, add the faculty mentors email address, and include any questions you have (if you don't have any just write "No").
- STEP 3: WTE Activity Plan.
- Discuss with your faculty mentor what your project will involve.
- What you will do for your WTE varies from major to major and mentor to mentor so what you do may be different than what a friend of yours is doing.
- Use the discussions with your mentor to determine the specifics of the project. The specifics of the project can be used to complete the WTE Activity Plan) will be worked out with your faculty mentor.
- VERY IMPORTANT : The title you enter into the Activity Plan is the EXACT title that will appear on your transcript.
- STEP 4: Do your project.
- STEP 5: Once you have completed and presented your project, there is a "Completion Request Form" we need you to complete. The form is located in the same place as the WTE Declaration and Activity Plan. Be sure to complete the " WTE Final Assessment Form," located inside the Completion Request Form. It will only take you a couple of minutes to fill out the forms.
Will I need money to fulfill a Scholarly or Creative WTE? It depends on you and your project. Sometimes, money is needed so that the Scholarly or Creative project can be done (e.g., art supplies, software, equipment) or so that a student can travel to present their completed project (e.g., travel to a conference). No worries. There are funds available for you. If you are interested in applying for the Scholarly or Creative WTE grant, click HERE.
The Scholarly or Creative WTE grant application can be found HERE.
If you have any questions, please call or email Dr. Mike Russell (mike.russell@washburn.edu, 670-1566), Scholarly Creative WTE Area Director.
FOR FACULTY:
What are my responsibilities with regard to Scholarly or Creative WTEs?
- Make sure your student completes ALL of the following: WTE Declaration, Activity Plan, and Completion Request Form.
- To help you with the process, a pdf file has been created and is available HERE. Download it so it will always be easily accessible to you.
- It is VERY important that students complete the Completion Request Form. As soon as the project is done and presented, students and faculty think everything is done. Be sure to remind yourself and your students that the Completion Request Form is the FINAL STEP.
