Professor’s documentary explores environmental effects on Inuit community
| psu.edu
Kirk French, assistant professor of anthropology and film production/media studies at Penn State, recently completed work on his new documentary, “A Century After Nanook.” On Saturday, March 1, State College’s State Theatre will host a public screening of the film at 6:30 p.m.
John Mauro named head of Department of Materials Science and Engineering
| psu.edu
John Mauro, Dorothy Pate Enright Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, has been named head of Penn State’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, effective July 1. Mauro will succeed Susan Sinnott, who has served as the head of the department since 2015.
Ross Student Farm to host screening of ‘Farming While Black’ documentary
| psu.edu
A feature-length documentary that explores the history and resilience of Black farmers in the United States, "Farming While Black," will be screened on Feb. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Foster Auditorium at Paterno Library.
Does charging your phone to 100% ruin your battery? Here's the truth.
| huffpost.com
Many of us are in the habit of plugging our phones in to charge overnight so we start each day at 100%. However, you might not be doing yourself ― or your battery ― any favors in the long run. This article quotes Chao-Yang Wang, professor of Mechanical Engineering.
Feb. 17 EarthTalks: Translating STEM research to improve K-12 education
| psu.edu
Kathleen Hill, director of the Center for Science and the Schools, and professor of science education, will give the talk, “Center for Science and the Schools: Translating STEM Research to Improve K-12 Education,” at 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 17, in 112 Walker Building on the University Park campus.
Stuckeman School exhibition to showcase urban floodplain communities in Peru
| psu.edu
The Stuckeman School is hosting “Tres Comunidades, Un Rio: Life within Peru’s urban Amazonian floodplains," a traveling exhibition that demonstrates the unique challenges of three floodplain communities in Iquitos, Peru, that are under threat of forced relocation and cultural eradication while also celebrating their traditional ways of living connected to nature. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will run from Feb. 17 through March 4 in the Borland Project Space, 125 Borland Building at Penn State University Park.
Earth and Mineral Sciences has strong participation in Sustainable Labs Program
| psu.edu
Eleven research labs in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences have earned "My Green Lab" certifications at one of the three highest levels available: gold, platinum or green. The Penn State Sustainable Labs Program provides educational support and networking opportunities to labs across the University, helping them implement changes to become more energy- and resource-efficient.
Scientists create 'living' gels that heal themselves like human tissue
| studyfinds.org
Discover the power of hydrogel: researchers at Penn State mimic tissue behaviors using special hydrogels for potential breakthroughs in material science. This article quotes Amir Sheikhi, associate professor of chemical engineering.
ICDS director named chair of American Geophysical Union annual meeting committee
| psu.edu
Guido Cervone, Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences interim director and professor of geography, of meteorology and of atmospheric science, was recently named chair of the American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting program committee.
'Branching Out: The Power of Trees, Forest Ecology and Community Health' March 8
| psu.edu
At this community event, attendees and panelists will discuss the power of trees to save lives and provide for the future. The panel, featuring two arboretum directors and renowned ecologist and National Geographic Explorer at Large Nalini Nadkarni, will lead guests in envisioning the expansion of tree canopies for resilience in Penn's Woods.
Sustainable Labs Program increases participant engagement, welcomes new labs
| psu.edu
Penn State’s Sustainable Labs Program will host two virtual information sessions on Feb. 18 and 21 to provide an overview of the initiative, answer questions and guide prospective participants through the application process.
Fire Ecology Chats Podcast: Barriers and opportunities for implementing prescribed fire
| fireecology.org
Erica Smithwick, associate director of the Institute of Energy and the Environment, discusses how managers in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States can safely put prescribed fire back into the landscape to address local issues.