UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Research Unplugged launches its fall season and a celebration of its ten-year anniversary on Oct. 10. With six programs per semester, Research Unplugged remains focused on bringing Penn State research and creative activities -- and the real people behind that scholarly work -- into the community to foster dialogue about issues that touch us all.
Last year, Schlow Centre Region Library in downtown State College joined Penn State as a partner in this successful local series. Programs are held in the library's Downsbrough Community Room on six consecutive Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Limited free parking is available at Schlow Library starting at 11:45 a.m.
As always, the events are free and open to all, with complimentary light refreshments available.
Kicking off the fall series on Oct. 10 will be Jolynn Carney and Richard Hazler, who will discuss "Bullies and Bystanders: How to Prevent Harassment and Violence in Schools." Faculty members and frequent collaborators in the College of Education's counselor education program, Carney is associate professor and Hazler, professor and program coordinator.
On Oct. 17, Kirk French will present "American Treasures: Archaeology Meets 'Reality' TV." French, a lecturer in Penn State's archaeology department, will discuss his role as co-host on the Discovery Channel's "American Treasures" series.
Research Unplugged shines a spotlight on Hollywood on Oct. 24 when Charles Youmans presents the toe-tapping talk, "Score! The Impact of Music in Hollywood Movies." Youmans is associate professor of musicology in the School of Music.
On Oct. 31, Halloween, the topic is bats. Michael Gannon and Doug Wentzel will present "The Secret Lives of Bats: Why Bats Matter and How We Can Help Them." Michael Gannon is professor of biology at Penn State Altoona, and Doug Wentzel is program director of the University's Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.
On Nov. 7, Ann Rogers, director of the Surgical Weight Loss Program at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, will discuss "A Weighty Issue: Understanding Surgical Solutions to Obesity."
On Nov. 14, Carlo Pantano will wrap up the fall series with "Stronger, Smaller, Cleaner, Smarter: Exploring the Materials that Will Shape Our Future." His talk is part of collaboration between WGBH/NOVA's "Making Stuff" television series and a network of science cafes around the nation. Pantano is Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and director of the Materials Research Institute. His talk will focus on innovations in the science and technology of glass.