U of M || University News Service || U of M Moment

October 31, 2006

A New Way of Teaching Math

In a study led by the U of M, researchers have found that high school students who took vocational education classes with enhanced mathematics instruction performed significantly better on standardized math tests than students in a control group. James Stone, director of the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education at the U, says the study’s results could have profound impact on schools and their curriculum for vocational education classes.

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Posted by jfalk at 07:08 PM

October 30, 2006

Kids and Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology, the science and engineering of very small things, carries tremendous potential for breakthrough discoveries in medicine, electronics and homeland security. Beth Stadler, an associate professor in electrical and computer engineering, is working with school-aged children to get them interested in this emerging field. She says engaging children early is key.

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Posted by jfalk at 10:24 AM

October 27, 2006

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is quickly approaching and that means children are excited about upcoming events and activities. When it comes to costume choice, Kia Harries with the U of M Extension Service reminds parents to make sure the costumes are safe for children.

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Posted by jfalk at 02:53 PM

October 26, 2006

Beware of Home Equity Loans

We've all seen the advertisements enticing one to take out a home equity loan to use for a long-awaited vacation, pay off debt or for extra cash in your pockets. Rosemary Heins with the U of M Extension Service says it's important to remember that these loans are basically the same as a second mortgage... and they have significant dangers and drawbacks.

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Posted by jfalk at 05:14 PM

October 25, 2006

Bathrooms of the Twin Cities

Rebecca Noran, a graduate student in the U’s College of Design, spent the last two years exploring the public bathrooms of the Twin Cities – photographing them, learning about their histories and putting her findings into a master of fine arts thesis and a museum exhibition. Noran says she snapped 6,000 photographs, 200 of which make up the show "Places to Go: Bathrooms of the Twin Cities," which opened last month at the Hennepin History Museum in Minneapolis.

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Posted by jfalk at 05:39 PM

October 24, 2006

Conference on Climate Change and Energy Sustainability

This afternoon, experts from around the world will gather at the U of M’s Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs for a conference on climate change and energy sustainability. Jennifer Kuzma with the Center for Science, Technology, and Public Policy says participants will work to identify opportunities for countries to create economically sound and viable energy systems according to local needs.

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Posted by jfalk at 04:34 PM

October 23, 2006

Modern Corn Production and Nitrogen Fertilizer

Corn is making more efficient use of nitrogen fertilizer in recent years, U of M research shows. George Rehm, a soil scientist with the U of M Extension Service, says a combination of factors is probably responsible for the improvement in nitrogen efficiency, such as new breeds or corn.

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Posted by jfalk at 03:51 PM

October 20, 2006

IHRC Web Site Selected as Encyclopedia Britannica iGuide

The Encyclopedia Britannica has selected the Web site of the U's Immigration History Research Center, IHRC in short, as a Britannica iGuide site, and will present the Web site as a recommended resource for its online readers. Donna Gabaccia, the center's director, says the IHRC has one of the largest and most important collections of materials on U.S. immigration and refugee life in the world.

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Posted by jfalk at 05:32 PM

October 19, 2006

The Minnesota Language Services Initiative

The U of M is partnering up with Century College and the Interpreting Stakeholders Group to launch Linking Voices: The Minnesota langage services initiative. Bruce Downing, an associate professor of linguistics, says the initiative is aimed at improving and expanding language and interpreting services in Minnesota hospitals and clinics.

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Posted by jfalk at 06:12 PM

October 18, 2006

Institutions and Economic Growth

This afternoon, economics pioneer Richard Nelson will give the inaugural Vernon W. Ruttan Lecture at the university's St. Paul campus. Robert King, head of the U's department of applied economics, says Nelson's lecture will address the relationship between institutions and economic growth.

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Posted by jfalk at 09:04 AM

October 17, 2006

Campaign Signs and the Persuasive Power of Color

As we head into the final weeks of the campaign season, political candidate lawn signs and bumper stickers are increasing in visibility across the state. Steven McCarthy, associate professor of graphic design in the U's College of Design, says choice of color plays an important role when it comes to campaign materials design and getting attention.

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Posted by jfalk at 07:07 PM

October 16, 2006

Student Design Competition - Fashion With a Holiday Twist

Bachman's, a large floral, gift and garden business based in Minneapolis, is teaming up with the U's College of Design in a competition playing off the TV hit "Project Runway." Kate Daly, the instructor directing the project, says Bachman's asked retail merchandising students to present fashion with a holiday twist, showing and using products that Bachman's sells as part of holiday fashion.

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Posted by jfalk at 04:47 PM

October 13, 2006

Teddy Roosevelt and the Treasure of Ursa Major

U of M Duluth professor Tom Isbell’s new musical “Teddy Roosevelt and the Treasure of Ursa Major” opens at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., this weekend. Isbell says the musical is part The Da Vinci Code, part Scooby-Doo.

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Posted by jfalk at 03:11 PM

October 12, 2006

Making River Connections

This weekend, teams of university students and community members will explore ideas for redesigning a site around the East Bank’s Science Classroom building as part of “Making River Connections,” a design workshop sponsored by the Mississippi River Initiative. Pat Nunnally with the U’s College of Design says the project is just one of many efforts to connect the campus to the “Great River.”

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Posted by jfalk at 12:38 PM

October 11, 2006

Norman Borlaug on Africa's Green Revolution

Norman Borlaug, Nobel Peace Prize winner and father of the “Green Revolution,” recently paid a visit to his alma mater, the University of Minnesota, to discuss his new biography, “The Man Who Fed the World.” His visit coincided with announcement by the Gates and Rockefeller foundations that they will spend $150 million over five years to develop and spread high-yield crops in Africa and to assist family farmers. Borlaug says the road ahead for Africa’s Green Revolution is paved with obstacles, such as lack of health care, education and a transportation infrastructure.

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Posted by jfalk at 11:12 AM

October 10, 2006

Graduate and Professional School Fair

On Wednesday, more than 100 graduate and professional programs from throughout the country will be represented at the U of M’s Graduate and Professional School Day at Coffman Union in Minneapolis. Paul Timmins with the U’s Career and Community Learning Center says the fair is for anyone thinking about graduate school.

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Posted by jfalk at 02:51 PM

October 09, 2006

Beware of Added Sugars

If you are watching your weight and reading the Nutrition Facts label to try to reduce sugar in your diet, you might be confused with the types of sugars found in food, whether natural or added. Jill May, a health and nutrition educator with the U of M Extension Service, says people should be especially mindful of added sugars.

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Posted by jfalk at 04:50 PM

October 06, 2006

One of Glamour's Top 10 College Women in the Nation

Glamour magazine recently named Rebecca Mitchell, a senior in the U’s College of Liberal Arts, as one of its top 10 college women in the nation for 2006. Mitchell, along with nine other students from across the United States, received the distinction in the magazine’s October issue and is featured in “Brilliant, brave and under 25!” An honors student, she says the award recognizes her academic achievements and volunteer work with orphans in Kenya.

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Posted by jfalk at 04:02 PM

October 05, 2006

Tailgating and Food Safety

It's football season, and that means tailgating time. Kathy Brandt, food science educator with the U of M Extension Service, says when it comes to grilling meats and other foods, have a game plan for making sure they're properly cooked and safe to eat... and this means bringing along a food thermometer.

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Posted by jfalk at 05:03 PM

October 04, 2006

Institute on the Environment

This month, Deb Swackhamer, a professor in the U's School of Public Health and co-director of the Water Resources Center, was appointed interim director of the U's new Institute on the Environment. Swackhamer says the institute will coordinate the university's broad environmental resources to make it easier for researchers to share knowledge with each other and the public.

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Posted by jfalk at 05:11 PM

October 03, 2006

Headliners

This Thursday, the U's College of Continuing Education will host its inaugural Headliners event, a new program that connects the public with university experts. Margy Ligon, who helped launch Headliners, says the program gives the public the opportunity to go beyond sound bites and spin and get their news firsthand from the experts.

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Posted by jfalk at 01:27 PM

October 02, 2006

Touch the Sky - a Tribute to the Midwest Prairie

"Touch the Sky," an exhibit by acclaimed Minnesota nature photographer Jim Brandenburg, opens at the U of M Bell Museum this week. Brandenburg says the exhibit is a tribute to the breathtaking vistas and iconic creatures of the Midwest's tallgrass prairie.

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Posted by jfalk at 02:21 PM