AFTERMATH OF TERRORISM IS TOPIC OF RADIO/TV CALL-IN
The aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon will be the topic of the next edition of “To the Best of My Knowledge,” Penn State President Graham Spanier’s monthly call-in show airing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 25, on WPSU-FM (91.5, 106.7, 95.1, 90.1, 100.9 and 104.7) and simultaneously on WPSX-TV. Joining Spanier to discuss appropriate responses to these attacks, as well as the ways in which life in this country will change as a result of them, will be faculty members from Penn State’s Departments of History and Political Science. Listeners and viewers with questions or comments are encouraged to join the discussion by calling (800) 543-8242 during the one-hour simulcast. Internet users worldwide will be able to link to sound and pictures from the program at http://wpsu.psu.edu/ttbomk/ and will be able to contact Spanier during the program via e-mail to mailto:response@psu.edu.
NEW APPROACH STEADIES FLOORS FOR COMFORT
A Penn State architectural engineer has developed a less disruptive, more cost-effective, active control approach to steadying floors that move excessively and annoy or frighten people who walk, work, exercise or dance on them. Linda M. Hanagan, assistant professor of architectural engineering, says, “People don’t think floors should move, and when they do, this motion can be perceived as annoying or even dangerous. This perception of danger can persist, even though no danger is present.” Stiffening or thickening the floors in an existing building to decrease excessive motion is costly and can take months to complete, disrupting the building’s occupants, she adds. However, Hanagan’s new approach can be more effective than other structural retrofits and often takes less than a week to fix the problem. Hanagan’s approach, for which Penn State recently filed a provisional patent application, uses active control systems installed on the floor or in the ceiling cavity below it to damp the vibrations. For the full story by Barbara Hale, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/floorcontrol.html.
BOOK EXPLORES FACT AND FANTASY OF RAINBOWS
Today the rainbow is admired for its spectacular natural beauty, but throughout the ages people have viewed it as a symbol rather than as a part of nature. Far removed from its optical origins in sunlit raindrops, the rainbow has been transformed into signs of peace, covenant, or divine sanction. In “The Rainbow Bridge: Rainbows in Art, Myth, and Science,” published by Penn State Press, Professor of Meteorology Alistair B. Fraser and Raymond L. Lee, Jr. traverse the bridges between the rainbow’s various roles as they explore its scientific, artistic, and folkloric visions. For more information on Penn State Press and “The Rainbow Bridge,” visit http://www.psupress.org/.
PROGRAM LAUNCHING NEW WEB-LEARNING PRODUCTS
A Penn State College of Education program that uses NASA materials to show K-12 teachers how Web-based resources can enhance instruction and learning is now launching new Web-learning products. The Web Enhanced Learning Environment Strategies (WELES) program, led by Barbara Grabowski, associate professor of instructional systems, and Tiffany Koszalka, assistant professor, helps teachers think about how they teach, what Web resources are available, and how to integrate them into their classrooms. Because of the original program’s success, Grabowski has received additional funding to continue the work in projects called LUAU (Learning Using Aircraft for Understanding) and KaAMS (Kids as Airborne Mission Scientists). For more information, see the Spring 2001 issue of Penn State Education at
http://www.ed.psu.edu/news/publications/spring_magazine2001.pdf.
SMITH FAMILY ADDS PIPE ORGAN TO NEW CHAPEL AT ERIE
Worship services at the Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel now under construction at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will include the sound of a pipe organ, thanks to the generosity of Larry and Kathryn Smith, donors of the multi-faith chapel. The couple recently agreed to purchase the organ in honor of their children, Kevin and Colleen. The organ will be built by the Martin Ott Pipe Organ Company of St. Louis, Mo. With a design specific to the construction of the chapel, it will have 23 rows of pipes and 21 stops, or types of sound, available. It is expected be completed in June 2003. In 1998, Larry Smith, owner of Automation Devices, Inc., and his wife, Kathryn, provided funds to build the bell tower and multi-faith chapel at Penn State Erie. The pledge included use of funds from an unrestricted gift made by Larry’s late parents, Floyd and Juanita Smith, more than a decade ago. The chapel, except for the carillon and organ, is nearing completion. For the full story by Loretta Brandon, visit http://www.pserie.psu.edu/newspubl/Smithorgan.htm.