PSU Magazine Spring 1989

I AROUND THE PARK BLOCKS Letters Outstanding article Congratulations.. . for an outstanding arti– cle ("Read a Good Children's Book Late– ly?" Winter 1988). Everyone who has read it agrees it is one of the best pieces on children's books to appear in a long time. Eric Kimmel PSU Professor of Education Staying involved Although, 18 years and more than a thou– sand miles separate me from Portland State, PSU Magazine keeps alive the spirit of staying involved . Sharon Kaul ('70 BS) Beverly Hills, Calif. Apples for the teachers A computer link between student teachers in six Portland-area schools and the PSU School of Education is in the works, thanks to a new $105,614 equipment grant from Apple Computer Inc. Twelve Macintosh computers will be installed in the School of Education and linked by phone to six computers in local . elementary and high schools. The equip– ment is due to be installed in late spring and the classroom work will begin next fall. The experimental program is expected to improve working conditions for teacher candidates, according to Judy Allen, associate professor of education. Professors and their students can work together on course development, teaching plans and teaching techniques through the computers. "This is going to give us quick , instant feedback on what works and what doesn't work," said Allen. PSU 2 PSU brings Carl Sagan to Portland Famed astronomy, space and planetary sciences professor, Carl Sagan, is coming to Portland for two events Tuesday, June Yl, co-sponsored by Portland State Univer– sity and the Institute for Science, Engineering and Public Policy. Sagan will be the keynote speaker for an afternoon public policy workshop entitl– ed "The Technological Future of the P-acifrc Northwest." The workshop begins at noon at the Portland Hilton Hotel with Sagan discussing "The Fork in the Road: Two Futures for the Human Species." Following the opening luncheon are two afternoon sessions, each dealing with a different theme involving the technological future of the P-acific Northwest. For the sessions, Sagan will act as catalyst and commentator and work with a panel of local experts and leaders. That evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at Portland Civic Auditorium Sagan will up– date and explore with the audience one of his favorite topics, "The Origins of Life in the Universe and the Search for Extrater– restrial Intelligence." His lecture and slide presentation will be followed by an exten– sive question and answer period. Tickets for both events may be purchased at major ticket outlets. A 15 percent dis– count for the afternoon workshop is available to Portland State alumni. Plays of Yeats celebrated A major symposium at Portland State, ''The Theatre of Myth: The Neglected Drama of W. B. Yeats," will draw national attention to poet William Butler Yeats' less widely known reputation as a playwright, author of 26 plays and founder of the Irish National Theatre. The April I0-15 symposium, which com– memorates the 50th anniversary of the death of Yeats, will be presented in con– junction with the Storefront Theatre's pro– duction of Yeats' "The Cuchulain Cycle," five plays about the Irish Celtic hero. The complete cycle will be performed each night during its April 12-30 run at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts. At PSU, local and national scholars, writers, actors and directors will offer free daily lectures and panel discussions on Yeats' contributions to theater and his sources in mythology. James Flannery, the world's foremost critic, scholar and director of Yeats, will give the keynote address at 8 p.m., April 10, in 75 Lincoln Hall. Flannery, who is producing and directing "The Cuchulain Cycle" at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin later this year, will speak on "Memories and Prophecies: Yeats and the 21st Cen– tury." "The Theatre of Myth" is sponsored by the Oregon Committee for the Humanities and the Oregon Council of Teachers of English. For more information, call PSU English professor Shelley Reece at 464-3193. Conference looks to future Helping future generations adapt to rapid technological and economic changes is a concern of the conference "Education and Entrepreneurship: Creating the Enter– prising Community" scheduled for Thursday, May 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Portland Marriott Hotel.