Hands-on learning and real-world applications will be the focus of "Stories of Successful Learning" on Thursday, Feb. 10. Students, faculty and staff will share the wide array of methods, venues and assignments that encourage learning at Cal Poly Pomona.

The event, now in its fourth year, includes posters describing class projects, scholarly research and student activities.

In one case, a geological sciences professor led a group of 24 geology majors on a field trip to Anza Borrego State Park, where they practiced their mapping techniques. Another poster highlights a business class in which students conducted market research and developed a plan to promote Horsehill Vinyeards Wine. In another example, staff from MediaVision and Public Affairs collaborated to produce a video to help launch the $150 million comprehensive campaign.

What the stories have in common is chronicling the process of learning - identifying a question or a challenge, finding a solution, taking action and evaluating the results.

"We want to show that the culture of learning moves beyond the classroom," says Dennis Quinn, assistant professor of interdisciplinary education.

"Presentations could be research-related, or they could be about a group or club and things that students learned," says Victoria Bhavsar, program coordinator in the Faculty Center. "Learning is fantastically fun. To communicate what you've done with others is really rewarding, and we want faculty, staff and students to experience that."

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ursa Major Suite, Bronco Student Center. For more information, visit www.cpp.edu/~learningstories/.