The FRezCa (First-year Residence Cafeteria) tutorial program was established in 2014 to address typical 鈥渓arge classroom鈥� issues faced by incoming STEM students. FRezCa aims to be a 鈥渓earning community鈥� by creating a supportive environment that can help address the challenges faced by incoming university students, including the often isolating experience of large, auditorium-style lecture classes. In freshman-level Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (Calculus and Algebra), and Biology, professors are tasked with conveying a broad base of subject material within a relatively short period of time to students with diverse disciplinary interests and varying levels of preparation. As of Fall 2022, FRezCa joined the SciLearn program and was renamed "SciLearn Peer Collaboration".
At FRezCa, TAs and TEAM (Tomlinson Engagement Award for Mentoring) award recipients are present to answer questions and guide new university students in their first-year science courses. FRezCa aims to facilitate discussion between students, and encourages teamwork and discussion based learning. TEAM mentors and TAs are present to direct students towards the right answers and improve understanding of scientific contents covered in class. The mix between students who have successfully completed these courses in their university careers (TEAM mentors) with experienced TAs studying more advanced materials allows for a collaborative environment with various levels of expertise.
FRezCa聽is a collaborative endeavour, which benefits significantly from the聽students, instructors, staff members and聽海角社区 community members who have and continue to dedicate their time to FRezCa's ongoing development.