STEM Tutoring

Need a little help with math or science? Drop in or make an appointment with one of our qualified STEM tutors! In addition to math, we offer tutoring in chemistry, physics, and programming (IT-CS). Services are free and available to all currently enrolled Cascadia students.

Tutoring is available both in-person and online. Check out our Canvas site for tutoring schedules, graphing calculator check-out forms, a link to our Zoom tutoring room, and more! If you are having trouble accessing the Canvas course, contact Kathrine Raines at kraines@cascadia.edu.

STEM Tutor Schedule

On Campus/Online Tutoring Hours

Monday - Thursday 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Online Only Hours

Friday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Additional Closures

Holidays

Closed

Non-Instructional Days

Closed

First Day of Classes

Closed

Last Day of Classes

Closed

 

STEM Tutoring: Policies and Procedures

Make the Most of your Tutorial Services

The tutors will help guide you through the process of understanding the subject matter. They will not do your homework for you or answer questions without challenging you to think. Follow these guidelines to make the most of your tutorial time:

  • Study your textbook and lecture notes thoroughly and attempt your assignment before you go for tutoring help.
  • Try to identify specific questions or concepts you need to address during the tutoring session.
  • Expect the tutor to ask you questions about the material. They do this to find out what you understand and to provide you with information and strategies tailored to your individual needs.
  • Be patient. When tutors are busy, we use a waitlist. Use this opportunity to review your notes and textbook and try working on your assignments.
  • Expect the tutor to suggest general study strategies to help you improve your overall academic performance. These strategies will help in all of your courses.
  • Never wait until the day before a big test or deadline to seek assistance. Study a few hours each day, and keep up with your assignments. It is easier to keep up than to catch up!
  • Remember that there are many support services available to you as a student at Cascadia. Visit faculty office hours, attend Guided Study Sessions, form study groups with your friends, and visit the Bock Learning Center. Take advantage of all of your resources!

Waitlist Procedures

Tutoring for math, science, and BIT operates on a drop-in system. This means that you can stop by at any time during our hours of operation to work with a tutor. We work with students on a first-come-first-served basis and use a waitlist when necessary. During busy times, the wait time can be significant. We encourage students to work on their assignments individually or with peers while they wait.

Guidelines of Use

  • Sign In All students must sign in at the kiosks located at the entrance of the Bock Learning Center. If you are having difficulty signing in, our office assistants are happy to help.
  • Use of Space The Bock Learning Center may be used for most academic purposes. Students can work on assignments individually or in small groups, request tutor help, or use our computers for coursework. Please use breakout areas for all recreational activities.
  • Computer Use Bock Learning Center computers are for academic purposes only. Video games in the Bock Learning Center, on our computers or your personal devices, is strictly prohibited.
  • Noise The Bock Learning Center is an academic space and we ask that you observe the following guidelines to ensure a productive work environment for all.
    • Please use headphones for all audio material (video clips, music, etc.). If you do not have your own, you may borrow a pair from the front desk at no charge.
    • Please take social conversations out of the Bock Learning Center.
    • Please respect others’ work space by remaining aware of the volume of your voice and that of your group.
  • Food Covered beverages may be consumed while in the Bock Learning Center.
  • Requesting Tutor Help Drop-in tutoring takes place on a first-come-first-served basis. To add your name to the waitlist, please see the office assistant at the entrance.
  • Clean Up After Yourself Before you go, please check your work area and clear any debris.
  • Cell Phone Use Please put phones on mute.

We appreciate your cooperation!

Requesting a Disability Accommodation

If a student would like to request that any branch of tutoring services provide an accommodation due to a disability, they should work directly with Student Accessibility Services to complete the accommodation application paperwork. Information about this process is available on the Student Accessibility Services webpage. Once this step has been completed, tutoring services will work with Student Accessibility Services to determine a reasonable accommodation for the student. Accommodations are generally made on a quarter-by-quarter and class-by-class basis. This means that most arrangements pertain only to a specific class and quarter.

Please note that tutoring services cannot work directly with students to make accommodations as we are not qualified to evaluate individual disabilities. To ensure that student requests are handled in a manner that is informed, consistent, and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), accommodation requests must come to us directly from the Student Accessibility Services office.

Cascadia's online eTutoring services is free to all currently enrolled students. Tutoring is offered in most subjects. Khan Academy offers video tutorials in a wide range of disciplines and subjects. (Paul's Online Math Notes) offers downloadable "cheat sheets" for algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.

Tutor-Assisted Study Groups

Students can now request tutor support for their existing study groups. For more information about this program and information about requesting a tutor, please review this handout: Tutor-Assisted Study Groups.

FAQS

General Questions

Who can use tutoring services at the Bock Learning Center?

All students currently taking classes at Cascadia College may use tutoring services.

Who are the tutors?

Our tutors have successfully completed coursework in their designated tutoring subject(s), have been recommended by a faculty member in their tutoring area(s), and have completed a tutor training program. While most of our tutors are current students at Cascadia or a four-year institution, some of our tutors have completed a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

How much does it cost?

Tutoring services are free to all currently enrolled Cascadia College students.

Can I get tutoring help online, by phone, or by email?

Cascadia College participates in the Western E-Tutoring Consortium (WeTC), which offers online tutoring in most subjects and is free to all currently enrolled students. You can access this service at eTutoring. The Bock Learning Center does not offer tutoring by phone or email.

Where are you located?

CC2-060 (north corner of the CC2 building)

Why do I have to sign in?

Sign-ins allow us to track usage of the Bock Learning Center the days, weeks and hours students are using our services, the courses that bring you to us, and the total number of students using the Center during a given quarter. These numbers help us secure funding to keep the center running, determine when and how to schedule our tutors, and develop other learning assistance programs like workshops and Guided Study Sessions (GSS).

Math, Science, and IT-CS Tutoring

What kind of help do tutors provide?

Each tutoring session is tailored to the specific needs and questions of the individual student. While our tutors are knowledgeable, they are not experts, so helping students may mean that they work alongside them to review notes and the textbook.

Our goal is to provide students with the skills to think and work independently. To achieve this, our tutors use questions and dialogue to actively engage students in the learning process. Please note that tutors cannot provide students with help on take-home exams and will not do homework for the student.

How do I know if there will be a tutor working who can help me with my subject?

A schedule on the Bock Learning Center's Canvas site and webpage. This schedule lists tutoring hours and the courses that our tutors can assist with. Please refer to this schedule to determine the best time to visit us.

What should I bring to the Bock Learning Center?

You should bring your textbook, calculator, class notes, and any questions that you have.

How much time should I allow?

STEM tutors generally work with students in 15-20-minute blocks of time. Students can receive additional help as needed using the waitlist system, and they may continue to work independently on homework in the Center after receiving help from a tutor.

I am interested in hiring a private tutor. Can the Bock Learning Center recommend one of its tutors?

We are unable to share our tutor information with the public or provide any kind of reference. Private tutors often post signs with their services and contact information on the communal bulletin boards around campus, so we recommend that you reference these.

Become a Tutor

Visit Become a Tutor page for details and application.

Tutoring is a great way to strengthen your content knowledge while helping fellow students better understand their course material.