News Briefs
Computerworld Honors HCII's MILLEE Project
The Human-Computer Interaction Institute’s (HCII) Mobile and Immersive Learning for Literacy in Emerging Economies, or MILLEE, project has been named a 2012 Laureate in the Computerworld Honors Program. The program honors visionary applications of information technology promoting positive social, economic and educational change. Assistant Professor Matthew Kam leads the MILLEE project, which is using educational mobile phone applications to help children in the developing world acquire language literacy in a game-like environment. MILLEE is now completing a year-long pilot of its second-generation, English literacy games with 250 children in four low-income schools in India. Read more.
Buggy Push Practice Announced
Through Thursday, April 19, Buggy has been granted permits to hold their annual push practice from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. Sunday through Friday (weather permitting). Push practice occurs on Tech and Frew streets. Roads are not closed, but there will be barricades and Buggy team members to help direct traffic. Vehicles traveling through the area should look for directions from Buggy team members. Buggy teams will need to take their buggy and driver off the road to the sidewalk to let vehicles pass. For any questions or concerns, contact buggy@andrew.cmu.edu.
Five Students are Finalists in Campus Superstar Competition
Five CMU School of Drama students are among the 10 finalists for Campus Superstar, an American Idol-like singing competition for Pittsburgh area college students, sponsored by the Hillel Jewish University Center. More than 150 students auditioned last fall for 25 semi-finalist spots and ultimately the 10 finalist positions. This year’s finals will be held Sunday, April 1 at the Carnegie Music Hall.
The CMU finalists are senior Annie Heise, juniors Casey Layne Anderson and Dylan Schwartz-Wallach, sophomore Denee Benton and freshman Annie Yokom. The winner will receive $5,000. Last year’s winner was CMU voice major Gillian Hassert, who will be performing in the show. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to http://hilleljuc.org/campussuperstar/finalists/
Nominations Now Being Accepted for MCS Staff Awards
Nominations are now being accepted for the Mellon College of Science Staff Recognition Awards. Individuals and teams can be nominated for the Merit Award, Rookie Award, Special Award and Outstanding Achievement Award. For more information and to submit a nomination, go to http://www.cmu.edu/mcs/fac_staff/staff-awards/. The nomination deadline is Friday, March 30. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Friday, April 27 in the Mellon Institute Conference Room.
Emergency Response Video Training Available From EH&S
The recent shootings at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic emphasize the need for all of us to be prepared should there be an active gunman on campus. Environmental Health & Safety has placed a video on its website at https://www.cmu.edu/ehs/emergency-response/restrict/index.html that provides potentially life-saving information on how to respond should a similar situation arise at CMU. All members of the university community are strongly encouraged to view this video.
EH&S also will come to your department to provide additional training if you’d like. Training drills also can be arranged. To schedule such a drill or training session, contact Jim Gindlesperger at 412-268-3760.
Register for CMU's Student Employee Appreciation Lunch
Get to know your student employees and say “thank you” for the work they do at this year’s Student Employee Appreciation Lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 11 in Rangos Hall, University Center. The buffet lunch will include entertainment from CMU’s world-renowned School of Drama. Register by April 2 at https://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/career/campus_employment/selunch/
EH&S Offers Additional AED/CPR Training Classes
Due to the high level of response, Environmental Health & Safety has added two more AED/CPR training classes. Classes will be held at 10 a.m. April 5 and May 3 in Rangos 2, University Center. To register, go to www.cmu.edu/ehs, click on the Training tab, go to AED Training, then click on the link to the registration page at the end of the course description. As noted previously, the Good Samaritan Act prevents anyone from being held liable should they attempt to save someone by using an AED.
Please note that EH&S will no longer be able to absorb the cost for individuals who register for classes but fail to attend. In the future, individuals who must cancel their registration must do so 72 hours before the class begins. If they fail to do so, their department will be charged $20. EH&S will continue to pay for those who attend.
CMU To Host Ultimate Frisbee Camp
This summer, CMU will again play host to Camp Spirit of the Game, Pittsburgh’s Ultimate Frisbee camp for kids. Professionally run by Andy Norman of CMU’s Philosophy Department, Camp Spirit features an introduction to this exciting sport, a fun assortment of swimming, games and lessons in constructive conflict resolution. For boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 14, Camp Spirit has sessions that run from June 18 to July 27. To sign up or learn more click www.campsog.com or call 412-242-7117.
New Ticket Offers From the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is offering students, faculty and staff discounted tickets to several performances in March, April and May. They include:
- PMT’s Jesus Christ Superstar (March 22 – April 1 at the Byham);
- Every Tongue Confess (March 23 – April 1 at the August Wilson Center);
- Beauty and the Beast (April 3 – 8 at Heinz Hall);
- Menopause The Musical (April 9 – 11 at the Byham);
- Anoushka Shankar (April 12 at the Byham);
- PJO NEA Jazz Masters (April 21 at the August Wilson Center);
- National Geographic Live: A Camera, Two Kids and a Camera – Annie Griffiths (April 22 at the Byham);
- Lar Lubovitch Dance Company (April 28 at the Byham);
- PMT’s Legally Blonde (May 3 – 13 at the Byham).