The Student Newspaper of Lawrence University Since 1884 THELAWRENTIAN VOL. CXXXV NO. 17 APPLETON, WISCONSIN APRIL 6, 2018 “Science Evangelist” delivers Convocation on technology Celeste Hall Staff Writer _____________________________________ Lauded as a “Science Evangelist,” Ainissa Ramirez gave a convocation in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel on Tuesday titled “Technology’s Unexpected Consequences.” The event began with a pre- lude by Lecturer of Music and University Organist Kathrine Handford, who played “Prelude and Fugue in G Major” by Johann Sebastian Bach on the chapel’s organ. Next, Junior Christian Vallery performed “Sechs kleine Klavierstücke, Op. 19” by Arnold Schoenberg on the piano. The audience was welcomed by Walter Schober Professor of Environmental Studies and Professor of Geology Marcia Bjornerud. Bjonerud also introduced the headliner, Ainissa Ramirez, Ph.D., describing her as a “real life Ms. Frizzle without the child endan- germent.” Ramirez, a material scientist and author, has given many talks around the country, including a TED Talk where she demonstrated the fascinating qualities of mem- ory wire. Memory wire is flexible and can be twisted in an infinite In her talk, “Technology’s Unexpected Consequences,” Ainissa Ramirez used examples to illustrate how technology has influenced us. number of ways but when heated Photo by David Baldwin. will always revert back to its origi- creates a generation of problem peckers don’t get concussions to an American artist and portrait ments in sunlight that tell our nal shape. Ramirez explained that solvers that the world desperately why coaches act like primates painter. Sad circumstances in his brains to grow. this is due to the special way that needs. when it comes to risk.” life led him to pursue the creation Ramirez reminded the audi- the wire’s atoms transform. According to Ramirez, tech- In her talk, Ramirez used the of an instant communication net- ence that there is always a cost The wire demonstration had nology is a force that shifts the history of football as an example work. The result of this pursuit, to technology. Each individual two purposes. First, it showed the world in both positive and nega- of human behavior being changed the telegraph, became the foun- smartphone requires 64 ele- audience the amazing materials tive ways. While humans change by technology. The introduction dation for the radio, television, ments to make, dozens more than that impact our daily lives without technology, it also changes us. As of face guards on football helmets telephones and internet that we computers of the past. This need our even knowing it. Memory wire Ramirez put it, “You are created by actually resulted in a “weapon- enjoy today. creates industries of mining and is used in robots, bras and even your creation.” ization of the helmet,” leading to Another example of tech- manufacturing that damage the braces. Ramirez has published sever- more concussions than before. nology that changed us was the earth and lead to human hard- It was also meant to prove al books. These include “Save Our Ramirez emphasized that light bulb, pioneered by Thomas ship elsewhere. For Ramirez, the that Science, Technology, Science,” an appeal to better STEM you do not have to be a typi- Edison. conclusion is clear: “We have a Engineering and Math (STEM) education in the United States, cal scientist to be an inventor. As Ramirez posited that among power with technology but also a education can be fun and exciting. and “Newton’s Football,” which proof, she explained the history of other things, the light bulb actu- responsibility.” Ramirez argued that there needs is described as an exploration of the telegraph. Samuel F. T. Morse, ally made us taller than genera- Ramirez’s talk concluded to be more scientists and STEM “the unexpected science behind the inventor of the telegraph and tions before due to the blue light with a brief question and answer education, because STEM thinking America’s Game, from why wood- the namesake of Morse Code, was in bulbs, which is similar to ele- session with the audience. Music Education Symposium takes place on campus day was Christine Lapka, who she would incorporate different The final presentation of the in more presenters, providing presented on music therapy and levels of difficulty into one activity day, “Teaching Music in Chicago more programming and sparking Rikke Sponheim how it can influence music educa- so that every student could par- Public Schools,” was given by more discussions.” Changing the Staff Writer tion. Music therapy in education ticipate and have their needs met. Nestor Dominiguez ‘14 and Sarah location to Appleton also allowed ________________________ is about rewarding a student with Next, “Teaching Hip Hop in Buksa ‘14. They both talked about more students to attend. To inform students about top- being able to play music, when the the Music Classroom” was pre- their experiences teaching in the One of NAFME’s goals ics not normally covered in music goal of music education is usu- sented by Anthony Cao. “ Chicago Public Schools system and for future Music Education education courses, the Music ally just to teach students about I enjoyed the interactive how they found jobs and student Symposiums is to make them Education Symposium, “Beyond music. Lapka also discussed how nature of the session, the many teaching positions. Ibach ‘20 said accessible to a wider audience. the Classroom,” was hosted by the repetitive songs can help students applications of teaching hip hop, that “sharing their struggles, tri- Increasing advertising efforts National Association for Music build cognitive skills. and the discussions which it umphs, and thoughts was a great and contacting local teachers Educators (NAFME). Margaret Jenks ‘93 gave the can lead to in a classroom,” said way to inspire current Lawrence and students at other colleges in “Beyond the Classroom” fea- second presentation, “Planning sophomore Jonathan Ibach, who students!” Wisconsin farther ahead of time tured several different speakers for Inclusion: Designing helped coordinate this event. Cao One major change that dif- would make this event better. who presented on topics such as Comprehensive Outcomes for had attendees practice his method ferentiated this Music Education “Be on the lookout for our music therapy and embracing stu- Diverse Learners,” in which she of having small groups of students Symposium from past ones was event next year” said Ibach. “We’re dent diversity in Room 163 in the talked about inclusion in the freestyle to a beat using simple that it was not held at Björklunden. going to try to make this event Lawrence Conservatory of Music classroom and meeting the needs rhymes to take some of the pres- “This was the first time that even better, something that will from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on of each student. During this pre- sure off of them while allowing we hosted an event like this on interest and apply to all Saturday, March 31. sentation she used members of students to learn how to express campus in Appleton,” stated Ibach. The first presenter of the the audience to demonstrate how themselves. “Doing this allowed us to bring Variety Sports Features A&E Op-Ed Famed percussionist visits The Lift Ceara Larson’s Big Week Not your parents’ Russia Too many types of onions Lawrence PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 6 PAGE 8 PAGE 10 THIS WEEK 2 NEWS April 6, 2018 THE LAWRENTIAN BIG PICTURE small space On Wednesday, in commemora- tion of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the bell in the cupola of Main Hall tolled 39 times at 6:01p.m. The lifelong civil rights crusader and advocate for racial equality was killed in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968. In an email sent to the Lawrence community, President Mark Burstein quoted from the speech King delivered the night before his death, “Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand Various alumni presented at the Music Education Symposium this past Saturday, March 31. Photos by Emma Gilshannon. with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful Tweet of the Week days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. “Once again, I did not bite Beyoncè. I We have an opportunity to make only hungered for her as one hungers for America a better nation.” that which gives meaning to life” @KimKierkegaard Photo by Allegra Taylor World News Australia A 2,500-year-old sarcophagus, India previously classified as empty, At least seven people have died Compiled by Dannielle Konz has been discovered to hold amid caste protests that have the remains of a mummy. The involved tens of thousands of coffin had been left untouched Ethiopa protesters across India. The in a Sydney university museum After weeks of protest and uncer- Peru protesters are from the Dalit for more than 150 years and tainty, Ethiopia’s parliament has Amid a corruption scandal, caste, a group of citizens who Spain was only opened for the first sworn in a new prime minister, Peruvian President Pedro Pablo were previously labelled as In Murcia on Monday, April 2, time last year. The sarcopha- Abiye Ahmed, on Monday, April Kuczynski announced his resigna- “untouchable.” They are pro- five elephants forced the closure gus held remains of human 2. He is succeeding former Prime tion on Wednesday, March 21. His testing a Supreme Court order of a highway after escaping from feet and bones, but the relics Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, announcement came just one day that weakens a law designed a crashed vehicle believed to be were previously damaged, who resigned unexpectedly in before a congressional impeach- to protect lower caste groups.