Sainte-Marie to visit SRU

Sainte-Marie to visit SRU

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Buffy Sainte-Marie, a Cree singer and former “Sesame Street” regular who, along with her son Dakota, reminded children that “Indians still exist,” will visit Slippery Rock University on Monday to sing and lecture about “American Indians and Cyberspace.” The 11 a.m. lecture is in the University Union followed by a 12:30 p.m. luncheon. Sainte-Marie will lead a workshop about her Cradleboard Teaching Project at 2 p.m., followed by an open reception at 3:45 p.m. Both events are in the Pennsylvania Room of North Hall. 

She earned her doctorate in fine arts and has degrees in Eastern philosophy and education. An educator and visual artist before she was known as a singer, she lectures on a variety of topics, including film scoring, electronic music, songwriting, American Indian studies, the Cradleboard Teaching Project, women’s issues and American Indian government. She is an adjunct professor at York University in Toronto and Saskatchewan Indian Federated College in Regina, both in Canada., She operates the Nihewan Foundation for Native American Education, whose Cradleboard Teaching Project serves Indian and non-Indian children and teachers in 18 states.

Brochure in Spanish 

NEW YORK CITY — The Computer Science Teachers Association is reaching out to Hispanic teachers and students with a free Spanish language edition of its popular Careers in Computing brochure. Available in print and online, this colorful brochure encourages students to consider computing careers in a wide range of fields, including software development, mobile communications, medicine and the environment.  CSTA is a membership organization that works to support and promote the teaching of computer science at the K-12 level by providing opportunities for teachers and students to better understand computing disciplines. Both the Spanish and English language versions of the Careers in Computing brochure can be downloaded at http://csta.acm.org . Print versions are available by contacting CSTA at (800) 342-6626 or by e-mailing cstahelp@csta.acm.org.

Westminster holiday show 

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. — Westminster College Planetarium will present “’Tis the Season,” the winter holiday show, Nov. 29 and 30, Dec. 1, 6, 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. in the Hoyt Science Resources Center Room 116. The program explores the coldest and darkest of seasons which holds some of the warmest and brightest celebrations of the year. The show traces the development of many holiday customs from the Yule log and sparkling Christmas lights to the lighting of the menorah and luminaries.

Historical, religious, and cultural rituals practiced at the time of the winter solstice will be examined. Christian and Jewish traditions are recounted along with Celtic, Pagan, Nordic, Roman, Egyptian and Hopi practices. The audience will see the northern winter constellations, learn why we have seasons and explore possible astronomical explanations of the star over Bethlehem. Weather permitting, the rooftop observatory will be open after the show for a closer look at the constellations discussed in the show and the observation of the Comet Holmes. The show is free and open to the public, although reservations are requested because of limited seating. Contact Westminster’s Physics Department at (724) 946-7200 or e-mail physics@westminster.edu to reserve seating.

Director at Butler

BUTLER, Pa. — Steven Nickell of Sharpsville has been named Director of Safety Training Programs for Business and Industry at Butler County Community College. Nickell holds an associate degree in Fire and Science Technology from Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado and will graduate from Franklin University this spring with a bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Management. He was previously employed as a District Sales Manager at Troyer Farms in Erie County and he is a volunteer firefighter and EMT for the Sharpsville Fire Department. The Business and Industry Safety Training Institute provides a variety of industrial and commercial training programs designed to satisfy the requirements of governmental regulatory agencies.

SRU tree project finished

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Slippery Rock University’s Student Government Association recently completed a tree project that will benefit the university and students for years to come. SGA began the project by buying 60 saplings to create a tree farm on campus. They recently added an additional $1,000 to the project in order to buy an additional 40 trees that are large enough for immediate planting. “We are very excited about creating a tree farm right here on campus. We feel that the project is important and needs to be seen as long term,’’ said Larry Brink, SGA president. SGA hopes to see this project continue, Brink said, and plans to host an event this year on Arbor Day.