Thumbs up/down: UW-Rock County's STEM program, restoring "Janesville in Reel Life," state budget delay
(Published Monday, October 8, 2007 11:37:52 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
To UW-Rock County's STEM program. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The program Sept. 29 introduced 80 students in grades 6-8 to possible careers in these pursuits. The United States isn't producing enough college graduates in these disciplines to keep up with demands and help our country's economy stay vibrant. At UW-Rock, chemistry professor Kim Kostka and biology professor Andrea Lukowiak introduced the students to forensic science in a course called "Who Ate My Lunch?" Other professors oversaw fun activities in math, engineering, physics and biology. This is the second year of STEM. Another one-day session is set for February, and a weeklong program is planned for next June. Costs to students are minimal. In addition, students in grades 4-8 can learn about robotics, engineering and computer programming while using Lego Mindstorms NXT kits in a four-session program meeting Saturday mornings starting Oct. 20. Call (608) 758-6541 for details. The local two-year university deserves credit for stirring the interests and expanding the possible career horizons of young minds.
To restoring "Janesville in Reel Life." The 16-millimeter film shot 67 years ago captures a slice of life here and in America. The film was lost off and on during ensuing years. When it resurfaced several years ago, splices broke when the film was shown. But through two grants from the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin and the work of cinematographer and film historian Dave Haldiman, it has been restored and dubbed onto DVDs and videos. The film, originally sponsored by the Gazette, was shot from Nov. 27 to Dec. 3, 1940. The film shows the Monterey Hotel in its heyday, the fire department, the city's once-thriving textile industry, Parker Pen, local churches, schools and clothing styles that have long since gone out of fashion. It shows members of the Janesville 99 in front of the Armory just a day before they shipped out. Only 35 of the 99 survived after World War II's Bataan Death March. Jim Lyke also deserves credit for putting much time and research into writing a narrative for the film, which had no soundtrack. Copies are available for $10 at the Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center, 426 N. Jackson St.
To the wasteful state budget delay. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign says the Legislature has "blown" $17.2 million in taxpayer money wrangling over the state budget the past three months. The budget was due July 1. That figure represents three months worth of salaries, fringe benefits and other costs to operate the Legislature, which has an annual budget of $68.8 million. Of course, you could argue the impasse didn't cost that at all because the Legislature would have been operating and spending that money anyhow. But the Democracy Campaign is right to argue that the money has been wasted because the paralysis has kept lawmakers from dealing with the many other issues it should be addressing.
To a tour of historic Courthouse Hill. Rich Fletcher, chairman of the Janesville Historic Commission, will lead the hour-long walking tour starting at 9 a.m. Saturday. Those interested should meet at the Wisconsin Street parking lot behind the courthouse. The free tour is a great way to learn about the fine architectural styles in one of Janesville's oldest neighborhoods. In a walk around four blocks, you'll learn about 100 years of architecture and styles that include Italianate, Queen Anne, Prairie and Colonial Revival. Why should residents take it? "It's important because it gives them pride in their community," Fletcher says. "They learn where they come from. They see what's here, and it also educates them so they have more of an awareness of what's around them, and if they're traveling around to other places, they can put things into perspective." This is Fletcher's final tour of the year, and we applaud him for offering them.
To UW-Rock County's STEM program. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The program Sept. 29 introduced 80 students in grades 6-8 to possible careers in these pursuits. The United States isn't producing enough college graduates in these disciplines to keep up with demands and help our country's economy stay vibrant. At UW-Rock, chemistry professor Kim Kostka and biology professor Andrea Lukowiak introduced the students to forensic science in a course called "Who Ate My Lunch?" Other professors oversaw fun activities in math, engineering, physics and biology. This is the second year of STEM. Another one-day session is set for February, and a weeklong program is planned for next June. Costs to students are minimal. In addition, students in grades 4-8 can learn about robotics, engineering and computer programming while using Lego Mindstorms NXT kits in a four-session program meeting Saturday mornings starting Oct. 20. Call (608) 758-6541 for details. The local two-year university deserves credit for stirring the interests and expanding the possible career horizons of young minds.
To the wasteful state budget delay. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign says the Legislature has "blown" $17.2 million in taxpayer money wrangling over the state budget the past three months. The budget was due July 1. That figure represents three months worth of salaries, fringe benefits and other costs to operate the Legislature, which has an annual budget of $68.8 million. Of course, you could argue the impasse didn't cost that at all because the Legislature would have been operating and spending that money anyhow. But the Democracy Campaign is right to argue that the money has been wasted because the paralysis has kept lawmakers from dealing with the many other issues it should be addressing.
