Page 2 Pra Re . SIV & PAO Rs Ba - - The Lion's Eye ye on Campus LI - December 7, 2004 Dashing through the snow, with Gerry on a sleigh "Silent Night Holy Night Shepherds Quake At the Sight” : — A not-forgotten Christmas Carol "Twas the night before my final final, mere hours ’til Winter Break, drained and tired from all that cramming, oh how my body did ache. My eyes drooped heavily, my butt was numb; I wrote with such a fury that I blistered my poor thumb. And though the semester finally wound down, stress wound me back up. So out of whack with reality I felt that my eyes were becoming unstuck. No tinsel, nor holly, nor a Rock'n Santa Clause, could remind me of the season or help my brain thaw. In fact, no merry decoration that my mom snuck in my room could lift my holiday spirits from this school- related gloom. So downstairs my family danced whilst they planned holiday joy; they called all their friends from the lovely Quinetta to An up-close look at a far-away By KATIE NEWS Lion’s Eye staff writer KMN151@psu.edu Where can you go to learn about dinosaurs, mummies and rivers, all in one class? Look no farther than Dr. Laura Guertin’s Environments of Africa class, EARTH 105. Who says science class has to be boring? “Environments of Africa”, said Guertin, “gives students an introduc- tion to the continent of Africa, physi- cally, geographically, and even cul- turally.” In Environments of Africa, class members study the Nile River and how it was formed. The rivers in Africa the class stud- les tie in with the rivers in the United States, since all rivers flow into oceans. By studying the geography of one continent, people can learn about the geography of another. The class also learns about the dif- ferent cultures, people and animals that live there. Recently, according to Guertin, certain tribes on the island of Madagascar were given solar-pow- ered radios to help with conservation efforts. Students can find themselves amazed to learn how technology can be used in other parts of the world. “This class gives students the knowledge of science using Africa,” said Guertin. Guertin also teaches students about environmental issues such as dams. Is it OK for a river to be dammed? The Aswan Dam on the Nile River, for example, traps vital the rambunctious Roy. And then I in my cell, slaving in math books and hell, heard their merry romping and stomping and thought this was just swell. And then out my win- dow, there came a strange sight. Though it was nighttime, my room was filled with shimmering light. Ripping away from the studies I fear, bravely to the window did I come near. The outside world was nearly pitch, save the lamp post quietly glow- ground running. I knew that snipers and fortresses were already laid out, and dirty kids with dirty snowballs were scurrying about. Oh, I knew I'd be ready this year; gosh, how long it has been. I remember a snowball the size of a giant pumpkin. But they won't get me this time, this time I'll be ready. I'll suit myself so good, so nice and heavy. First comes the socks, layers three, four and five, all must be white so my ankles can hide. ing, which showed me a miracle - outside it was snowing! Inch by inch, each snowflake piled up, second by second they seemed to speed up. Excited with rapture for an immediate departure, I decided to go and play in the snow. So, I geared up for battle, for I knew what was coming; as soon as I jumped outside, I'd have to hit the Then after that must IEEE come the long johns nice and tight, they'll protect me from the chills of a cold wintry night. Can't forget the jeans and flannel, cause flannel makes me look tough, like a Canadian lumberjack all bur- ley and gruff. Then there are the overalls, which go over all. And last- ly my boots, stealthy and warm, they'll keep me alive through the battle and storm. And just as I was Photo by Katie News Dr. Laura Guertin, in her Environments of Africa class, informs students of current environmental events in Africa and at home. sediments from the river that make the land downstream fertile for Crops. Karl Schulte, a senior marketing and management major, likes the teaching method Guertin uses. “She does a lot on the Web,” he said. about to grab my coat from its rack, a feeling of dread started to crawl up my back. "Wait this time is Christmas, not Halloween! Why does it feel like Friday thirteen?" And no answer was given; when I turned around, there lay my homework not making a sound. In came a Mexican Standoff, though it was snowing outside. I sweated menacingly in my battle gear, but that homework had me shanghaied. Without pulling out my hair or falling into despair, I dismantled my armor and pretended I didn't care. And as I quietly sat down, I heard the party getting started, my family hugging friends and loved-ones long since parted. So I sighed and got to work, out- side the snow was still falling. But I smiled anyway, for the Holiday Spirit would again be calling. Happy Holidays! To go sledding with Gerry Dungan contact him at gmd138@psu.edu continent “She puts up clips that she has found on the Web in her lectures and gives us access to them in and out of class.” Schulte said, “She uses a lot of multimedia in her lectures. The arti- cles are really interesting and are about anything from dinosaurs and endangered species to hieroglyphics and mummies. “We watched a video clip on a pro- fessor who recreated the mummifica- tion process on a body.” Another thing students learn about in Environments of Africa is the Sahara Desert. Have you ever wondered how the Sahara became a desert? Do you know how people survive in the Sahara Desert? There arent any phones or e-mail in the Sahara. Guertin can give you the answer to both of those questions and she'll even tell you what human actions are causing the desert to expand. - Guertin revealed in a recent lec- ture that the Sahara was not always a desert. Millions of years ago, the area was green and fertile. Guertin’s Africa is one of a few classes throughout the university that uses Palm Pilots. “I really like how she uses Palm Pilots; I never really got to use one until now,” said Angie Guiliani, a senior liberal arts major. This is not the first class Guiliani has taken with Guertin. “I've taken a lot of Dr. Guertin’s classes,” said Giuliani. “I knew it would be worthwhile to take another one of hers. “She [Guertin] encourages us to make our own opinions and decisions about things.”
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers