As a fan of horror films, I was very excited when I recently had the opportunity to go to the opening of Paranormal Activity 2. Have you ever wondered what horror films say about us? Why do we enjoy them so much?

Robert Silberman, associate professor of art history in the College of Liberal Arts, attempts to explain both the entertainment and social value of horror films. He describes them as avenues to experience controlled fear and likens them to roller coaster rides. "[They] allow us to engage dark issues without the real life situation," and "[to] work through our fears and anxieties." In this manner we can address our own fears in a controlled environment.

Check out the video below to learn more about Dr. Silberman's research on why we like to be scared!

On October 22, the College of Education and Human Development's Recreation, Park, and Leisure Studies program hosted the first "Gopher Adventure Race." It was modeled after the popular television show "The Amazing Race." Students traveled all over campus to complete various challenges.

Nearly 100 students participated in the 13 challenges that were a part of the race. These challenges included canoeing down the Mississippi River, shooting rifles at the University Armory, and milking a cow on the St. Paul campus.

The teams were given six hours to complete the course. The first place team, Phillip Kelly and William Nielson, completed the race in two hours and 40 minutes. They were given $800 merchandise from The North Face for winning.

This event was the first collegiate event to be classified as a Green Event by FitPlanet, a sustainability consulting organization. Recycled materials were used for the race and participants were allowed to use the city bus system for free. Also, $5 of each $30 registration fee was given to Three Rivers Park District.

The Recreation, Park, and Leisure Studies program in the College of Education and Human Development explores subjects that are central to people's lives, such as how they spend their free time, how they experience nature, and how recreation activities can bring a community together. The program instructors hope to have their students host the event again next year and hopefully with even more participants.

Check out this footage from the race:
 

This Saturday, November 13, the Math & Science Family Fun Fair will be held in Coffman Memorial Union. This is a free event for anyone interested in math and science. It begins at 10 a.m. and the first 750 people to arrive will receive free U of M backpacks!

The fair will feature hands-on exhibits and science-based presentations for students of all ages. I am excited to see the "Mystery Science Room," a new exhibit this year. It will be presented as a haunted laboratory and with spooky demonstrations. 

Student groups from the College of Science and Engineering will have exhibits, too.  Engineers without Borders, the U of M Steel Bridge Competition Team, and the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers will be there showcasing some of their groups' projects.

Physics Force will be performing at 10:30 a.m. and at noon in the Coffman Theater. This group is made up of local high school teachers and faculty from the School of Physics and Astronomy. They perform fascinating physics demonstrations; I learned some new tricks when I saw them last month.

There will also be a session by the Department of Chemistry called "Energy and U," which will explore different types of energy, how you can get it, where you can get it, and how you can store it. They will talk about the challenges that energy presents and their session (like every good chemistry demonstration) will include explosions, bright flashes, and flames! "Energy and U" will be performed twice--at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m in Coffman Theater.

Here are some of the exhibits I'm most excited to check out:

Uniting Water and People, presented by the students of Engineers Without Borders 

EWB is working with a community in Guatemala to get clean drinking water to their homes.

Sound Sandwiches, presented by The Works

This exhibit explores sound and vibration. Visitors can make their own wind instruments to make silly sounds.

Dam Busters, presented by the National Center for Eath-surface Dynamics (NCED)/Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL)

Learn about dam removal and river restoration projects performed by NCED and SAFL.  See a scale model of a current project at the Elwha River in Washington state where U of M scientists are researching the best ways to remove the dam without damaging the ecosystem.

Bridge Making, presented by the U of M Steel Bridge team

Build a model bridge from only newspaper and toothpicks! You will have 30 minutes to construct a bridge which will be tested for strength by members of the U of M's own Steel Bridge Competition Team.

Papermaking, presented by the U of M Bioproducts/Biosystems Engineering Student Chapter

Learn how to make paper from three types of fibers: white, recycled newspaper, and recycled cardboard boxes. You can make your own paper, and take it home with you!

Research serves a vital role in the education of College of Liberal Arts (CLA) students. CLA Discovers highlights examples of teaching and research, creative work, learning and innovations from CLA faculty, staff and students.

For example, students studying Chinese had the opportunity to use their skills in translating the 1602 Ricci Map. Professor Ann Waltner, who has taught Chineses history since 1987, gathered a group of students and faculty to work on translating Classical Chinese from different departmental materials--one of which was the famous 1602 Ricci Map.

The map itself is one of only seven to have survived from the early 17th century and students here at the U of M had the privilege to work with this rare item! To read more about the map, check out "Veni, Vidi, Ricci" by CLA staffer Kelly O'Brien.

At the U of M, there are many students and faculty studying renewable energy. Some examples include building solar cars, designing solar houses, and researching wind power.  

We also have some professors and students studying another type of renewable energy: movement.

Professor Bill Robbins, associate head of the electrical and computer engineering, is an "energy scavenger." He is studying how to store and use electricity generated by people.  For example, pressing on a piece of plastic that can fit in the sole of your shoe can generate enough power to run a cell phone.

Rusen Yang, professor of mechanical engineering, is studying how to use nano-generators to produce electricity from anything that moves. By attaching pieces of plastic covered in nano-wires to a bridge vibrating from traffic, electricity can be produced. Even a hamster running in a wheel can produce electricity.

Just think...one day, this research might make it possible to charge your iPod by simply walking to class!