Apr 14, 2026 | Community, News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College’s STEAM Pathways program invites science-curious girls, grades 4-12, to “STEAM Pathways Presents: Science de Mayo” a Cinco de Mayo-themed event as part of our STEAM Club for Girls series.
This fun, interactive event will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 from 5:30-8:00pm. The event is free and will be held in Umpqua Hall on Southwestern’s Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
This STEAM for Girls event is sure to bring out the fun of Cinco de Mayo! Enjoy making guacamole-themed slime, learning about forces and momentum by launching piñatas, and exploring the science behind the large impact responsible for the end of the dinosaurs.
Science topics explored will include:
- Physics and engineering
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Earth science
Students of all abilities and interests are encouraged to attend. For information or to register a student for “Science de Mayo” please contact Cassie Coyner, STEAM Pathways Coordinator at 541-888-7416, or cassie.coyner@socc.edu.
Registration is required as space is limited. Come join us for a great time!
To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/.
Apr 9, 2026 | Community, Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6:00 pm, for “The Dynamic Solar Atmosphere” with Dr. Stephen Bradshaw, Professor and Associate Department Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University. This lecture is a free event; all ages are welcome.
Coos County residents can join us in-person in the Umpqua Hall lecture room (room 184) on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
Curry County residents can join us for a watch party in the Community Room on the Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings.
For those not able to attend in person the lecture will be streamed live on the College’s YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/@southwesternOR/streams.
About the Lecture:
Solar eclipses afforded the first opportunities to observe the sun’s outer atmosphere, called the corona (“crown”), set clearly against the background sky, in the absence of the orders-of-magnitude brighter solar disk washing out its radiation. The astronomer George Claridge, writing in 1937, asserted that “Hardly a total eclipse of the sun occurs without some important observations being made which add to our knowledge of the atoms.”
Early discoveries included helium, some 25 years before it was found on Earth, and, in 1869, an observation that has yet to be fully understood to this day: Why, in apparent defiance of the laws of thermodynamics, is the corona a thousand times hotter than the sun’s surface?
Dr. Bradshaw will present some of the historical context to solar coronal physics; the mysteries astrophysicists have wrestled with through the decades; and an overview of our modern understanding of the sun’s atmosphere, reached via a fleet of space-based observatories that have revealed its multiscale properties and spectacular dynamics.
About the Presenter:
Professor Stephen Bradshaw is a faculty member at Rice University in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and serves as Chair of the Undergraduate Program. He completed his M.S. in Physics, with a specialization in Planetary and Space Physics, from Aberystwyth University in 2000 and received his Ph.D. in Solar Astrophysics from University of Cambridge in 2004. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Imperial College London and a research astrophysicist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center prior to joining Rice in 2010.
Professor Bradshaw’s research interests are primarily focused on theoretical and computational plasma physics applied to solar and stellar atmospheres, and to fundamental processes in laboratory plasmas relevant to astrophysical contexts. In particular, he investigates the heating of solar/stellar atmospheres where temperatures can reach several million degrees and yet surface temperatures are only a few thousand degrees. The mechanism by which such tremendous temperatures are achieved and maintained remains poorly understood. It is one of the great, unsolved mysteries of astrophysics to this day. His other research interests concern the mechanisms responsible for triggering and driving flares, and the heating and acceleration of solar/stellar winds, which are among the major contributors to space weather.
Professor Bradshaw has published numerous articles, book chapters, conference papers and has spoken all over the world from Beaumont, Texas to Bern, Switzerland. His projects (as PI and Co-I) have received over $10M in funding from NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF), and he received the prestigious NSF CAREER award. He is the lead project scientist for a mission designed to open a new window on the Sun’s atmosphere in soft X-rays to be proposed to NASA’s mid-sized explorer (MIDEX) opportunity.
For more information about the lecture series contact Dr. Aaron Coyner, Associate Professor, Physics and Engineering at aaron.coyner@socc.edu or 541-888-7244.
For more information on upcoming lectures contact Cassie Coyner, STEAM Pathways Coordinator, at 541-888-7416, or cassie.coyner@socc.edu .
To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/.
Apr 9, 2026 | Community, News
Applications are now open for Southwestern Oregon Community College’s (SWOCC) Guest Artist in Residence Program for the 2026–2027 academic year. The program is designed to connect professional artists with local students and community members through hands-on teaching, public workshops, and community engagement.
The nine-month residency takes place at Southwestern’s Coos Campus and the Coos Art Museum in Coos Bay, Oregon. It provides artists with time, space, and support to develop their work while helping expand access to the arts throughout the South Coast. Artists are encouraged to apply or share this opportunity with others in their networks.
Residency Benefits
- $1,600 monthly stipend – Intended to cover materials, travel, shipping, and living expenses for the duration of the residency
- Studio space on Southwestern’s Coos Campus and at the Coos Art Museum
- On-campus housing and a 10-meal-per-week dining plan
- A solo exhibition at Southwestern’s Eden Gallery
The selected artist will teach two or more classes or workshops per term for Southwestern students, in addition to developing and teaching at least one workshop per term for the Coos Art Museum Studio. They will collaborate with students, faculty, and local partners to make the arts more inclusive and accessible.
“The Guest Artist in Residence program creates an avenue for artists to focus on their work while engaging directly with students and the community,” said Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services. “The program’s first year was a huge success with full workshops and positive feedback from both students and community members who took part in the classes.”
Eligibility & How to Apply
Applications are open to artists working in painting (any medium), photography, mixed media, installation art, or bronze casting:
- Applicants should have a developed artistic practice, teaching experience with undergraduate students, and the technical skills to work independently in a studio environment.
- Ideal for emerging or mid-career artists looking to balance studio work with teaching and community collaboration.
- Artists from both the U.S. and abroad are welcome to apply. International artists must independently secure legal residency status.
Applications are submitted through the CaFÉ (Call for Entry) platform.
Apply to SWOCC Guest Artist in Residence Program
(Artists will need to create or log in to a CaFÉ account to submit an application.)
IMPORTANT DATES
- Deadline to apply: May 1, 2026
- Zoom Interviews: Week of May 11, 2026
- Residency period: September 2026 – June 2027 (9 months)
If this sounds like a great fit for you — or if you know an artist whose work would thrive in this setting — we encourage you to apply or share this opportunity with someone who could bring their talent and perspective to the South Coast.
Mar 23, 2026 | Community, Foundation, News, OCCI News
The Southwestern Foundation and Oregon Coast Culinary institute invite the community to an engaging evening of food and wine at the 2026 Winemaker’s Dinner, held in partnership with Abacela Winery on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted at the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI), this annual event brings together the community for a thoughtfully curated dining experience. OCCI Executive Chef Randy Torres and his culinary competition team will present a multi-course menu, with each dish paired alongside award-winning wines from Abacela Winery.
Adding to the experience, Abacela Winery CEO Greg Jones will share the story behind the vintages, offering guests a deeper look into the distinct character of their unique wines. The evening is a blending of culinary artistry with firsthand insight from one of the region’s premier wineries.
100% of proceeds from the Winemaker’s Dinner directly support innovation and equipment needs within OCCI’s program, helping ensure students continue to train in a modern kitchen and graduate prepared for careers in the food and hospitality industry.
- Date/Time: Saturday, May 16 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Location: 1988 Newmark Ave. in Coos Bay
- Tickets: $190 per person. Limited seating.
- Visit www.socc.edu/give to reserve your seat or call 541-888-7209.
Reserve Your Winemaker’s Dinner Seat
About the SWOCC Foundation
Since 1962, the Southwestern Foundation has supported the College to improve people’s lives – socially, culturally, economically and educationally – through friend-raising and fundraising. The College serves Curry, Coos and western Douglas county residents’ needs for transfer degrees, high-skill job training and community classes. For more information about the foundation, visit www.socc.edu/foundation or contact the Foundation office at 541-888-7209 or foundation@socc.edu.
Mar 19, 2026 | Community, Curry Campus
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, April 9, 2026, 1:00 to 2:00 pm for “ORKA in Action: Restoring Oregon’s Kelp Forests.” This is a free program sponsored by the Friends of Curry Campus and will be held in the Community Room on Southwestern’s Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway (off Highway 101), Brookings. Bring a friend and a brown bag lunch.
In the waters along Oregon’s southern coast, a quiet ecological emergency is unfolding beneath the waves. According to the 2024 Oregon Kelp Forest Status Report, Oregon lost approximately 70% of its kelp forests between 2010 and 2022 — a collapse driven by exploding purple sea urchin populations, ocean warming, and the loss of natural predators. Bull kelp forests that once stretched for miles, sheltering rockfish, feeding gray whales, and anchoring coastal food webs, have largely vanished from reefs where they thrived just a decade ago. The effects reach from the ocean floor to your dinner plate: the wild fish, Dungeness crab, and sea urchins that define Oregon’s coastal economy all depend on healthy kelp ecosystems. If you care about Oregon’s coast, this crisis demands attention.
The Oregon Kelp Alliance (ORKA) is responding with urgency and purpose. Funded through NOAA Fisheries’ Restoration Center, ORKA’s Oregon Kelp Forest Stewardship Initiative has already removed more than 330,000 purple sea urchins from targeted restoration sites and successfully outplanted bull kelp at two of six coastal reefs, including Macklyn Cove here in Brookings — returning life to underwater habitats that had gone dark. Commercial divers, marine scientists, and tribal community partners are working side by side to make this happen. ORKA is also developing restorative kelp mariculture — cultivation of kelp for both habitat recovery and economic opportunity — with support from the Builders Initiative. This dual approach reflects a core belief: that thriving oceans and thriving coastal communities are mutually beneficial goals.
Carolyn McKinnon, the Urchin Control and Dive Safety Coordinator for ORKA will be the presenter for this lecture. ORKA unites diverse stakeholders passionate about kelp forest ecosystems, including commercial urchin divers, marine scientists, resource managers, tribal communities, tour operators, recreational divers, students, culinary professionals, and coastal residents. Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Dalhousie University, with her current work focusing on coordinating volunteer and commercial divers to achieve ORKA’s restoration goals while promoting diver safety. In her free time she enjoys exploring the beautiful coastal hikes, beaches, and communities around Port Orford.
Come join us for this exciting presentation about the ocean in our own backyard.
Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Mar 18, 2026 | Community, Curry Campus, News
Presented by Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) and SWOCC STEAM Pathways
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 2:00 pm, to attend “Blast Off into STEM!”, a free science fair featuring judges from the community and the College. All ages are welcome to view the projects. Student participation is limited to students from grades 4 – 12 within Oregon’s 4th Congressional District.
The fair will be held in the Lakeview Meeting Rooms located in the Hales Center for the Performing Arts/Empire Hall on Southwestern’s Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave, Coos Bay, Oregon.
Student participants can register for the science fair HERE.
[https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftt4J9s1aln0Wi4Q-QGqtbvrmoo5rljLOg4PfZg2I05g_n2Q/viewform]
About the Science Fair:
This is the first year of an exciting community event that celebrates curiosity, hands-on learning, and student innovation. This year’s science fair will feature projects from students across Oregon’s 4th Congressional District, including Benton, Coos, Curry, northern Douglas, Lane, and Lincoln counties. Students in grades 4 – 12 will present projects exploring scientific concepts in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, engineering, and technology.
Student Participants are encouraged to investigate real-world questions, conduct experiments, explore their curiosity and creativity over several weeks leading up to the showcase.
Attendees will have the opportunity to:
- View interactive exhibits and student demonstrations
- Speak with young scientists about their work
- Celebrate award winners in each grade category
- Engage in hands-on STEM activities provided by teachers and community partners
Attendance at the science fair is open to families, community members, and organizations interested in supporting STEM education and student achievement.
All student participants may receive certificates recognizing their creativity and effort. Additional awards may be provided through in-kind donations such as educational materials, gift cards, or event supplies. Monetary donations cannot be accepted. Those interested in contributing may contact sabrina.pingree@email.socc.edu by May 2, 2026.
For more information contact the event organizers: Cassie Coyner, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or cassie.coyner@socc.edu, and Sabrina Pingree, OSGC Student Ambassador at sabrina.pingree@email.socc.edu.
To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/.
