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Nathan Wilson Editor in Chief

Oct. 28 - Nov. 10, 2013 www.lcc.edu/lookout

LCC to host science and math workshop

What do fossils, music, electricity and sea creatures have in common? These subjects and more will be explored at the 26th annual LCC Science and Math Elementary Exploration (SMEE), set for Saturday, Nov. 9. According to LCC faculty member Mary Brown, this event was previously known as Science Fun Day and Elementary Science Olympiad. SMEE is designed to show elementary students the enjoyable aspects of science and math. Research tells us that children at a very young age decide if they like a certain discipline of study, Brown said. When adult scientists were asked where they first got the passion for their research, the majority tell us it was in elementary school. So we decided we could add significantly to that excitement. We have lots of opportunities for exploration that elementary schools cant really provide easily. Were putting both the challenge and the excitement into math and science for these young people. SMEE activities will take place in the Arts & Sciences and Gannon buildings

Photo courtesy of Lansing Community College Flickr

A group of students test the properties of oobleck, a suspension of cornstarch in water, during a states of matter demonstration at the 2011 Science and Math Elementary Education event.

Parking among topics at meeting with president

Nathan Wilson Editor In Chief Parking, building maintenance and Gannon renovations were among some of the topics discussed during the Oct. 16 Student Advisory Committee to the President (SACP). The meeting began with members of LCCs Student Leadership Academy discussing campus events such as the Science & Math Elementary Exploration, Black History Month and Bra-Za. According to Director of Student Life Al Nowak, LCCs Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society raised approximately $900 through the Bra-Za fundraiser. Nowak also shared information about Black History Month in February 2014. Were trying to put the final touches on events, Nowak said. Theres usually some jazz performances and theres an opening event ... Its meant to be interactive so theres an educational basis in all of what we do ... The programs are meant to engage campus. For example, last year, actress Myxolydia Tyler performed in character as Harriet Tubman. This performance served as an entertaining, educational tool about black history. When LCC President Brent Knight arrived, he was greeted with many questions and concerns about the pay-by-space parking system in the Gannon Ramp. Knight said he was open to making changes to the parking meter software to better accommodate students, but that power is entirely up to the software company. Knight said he believes the parking situation has improved under the pay-by-space system because students are spending less time waiting in line to enter or exit the Gannon Ramp. There were times when the line inside was just awful to get out, Knight said. I think its better, in terms of your total wait time is less with the current system. Knight also addressed the issue of protestors picketing outside Circle Drive near the Gannon Building demolition Oct. 16. Knight said LCC usually hires union workers to implement projects on campus. LCC recently hired a non-union contractor for a demolition contract on the Gannon Building, which led to union protests. Knight went on to outline his vision for the Gannon Building, which he said would cost approximately $18 million. Part of the exterior of Gannon will feature an

from 8:30 a.m. to noon. These events are meant to be non-competitive with an emphasis on learning. During Leader Dogs, children can learn how dogs are trained to help the visually impaired. Deep Blue Sea will give children the chance to learn about the animals and plants dwelling deep in the seas. Brown said SMEE will feature new

events this year in addition to the favorites. Elemental Extravaganza has a relay race for assembling the first 20 elements, a twister game and elemental hopscotch. In Materials Science, children will learn to perform scientific tests on substances. STEM lab will involve testing with a DNA extraction. Who Did It

will be another forensic opportunity to determine a crime scene. Brown said a number of community partners will join SMEE this year, including MSU, Great Lakes Geoscience and Preuss Pets. LCC students will serve as volunteers and help run some of the events. Brown said this is a great opportunity for them to interact with children and hone their teaching skills. Feedback from parents, teachers and scout leaders has been terrific, Brown said. They love the conversations the children have for days after regarding math and science. More important to us, however, is the reaction from the children in attendance ... Weve had many children attend multiple years, which is why we always try to have new events. Weve had our own LCC students tell us they went as children and are planning to take their own children. Registration for SMEE will be available on the day of the event in the Gannon lobby at 8 a.m. The fee for each child is $3 and accompanying adults register for free. For more information, visit http://www.lcc.edu/ science/youth_programs/smee/smee_ events.aspx

Photo by Nathan Wilson

LCC President Brent Knight speaks at the SACP meeting.

angled glass surface, similar to the Spertus Building in Chicago. Well have a food court like Brody (Hall) at Michigan State, and it will have a lot of volume and a soaring ceiling, Knight said. It will be a fun place to be ... I think it will be a great hit with students. The final SACP meeting of the fall is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. in HHS 022.

Mileys twerking has us mysteriously mesmerized

While watching MTVs Video Music Awards this year I was in shock and kind of confused to see Miley Cyrus twerking on stage. Her twerking seemed to be a mix between a physical disorder and dancing. Id never really heard the term twerking until I watched Cyrus for six minutes, questioning why I hadnt flipped the channel yet. All I could think of was the once-child star who played a down-to-earth country girl on Disneys Hannah Montana. What day to see her music video Wrecking Ball at the top of the page. I clicked on it thinking shed gain my respect back, but ended up quickly closing my laptop screen down when my mom walked in the room. I was surprised to see Cyrus swinging back and forth from a giant wrecking ball while naked. I understand the whole rebel or carefree image of many celebrities, but maybe Miley is pushing it a little too much. Despite her reckless behavior, many people (including myself) are obsessed with following her and seeing what stupid decision shell make next. Talk show hosts such as Conan OBrien and David Letterman have been having the most fun picking at the whole situation, along with many other comedians. Its become a conversation starter and a hot topic among many people today. Just the other day while taking the bus to LCC, I heard a woman talking about twerking for 30 minutes. I so badly wanted to jump in the conversation, but I held back. Everyone being so engrossed in Mileys life had me thinking, why do we pay so much attention to the negativity and her behavior? Were almost promoting the behavior. Young kids see the attention that Miley gets, they see the videos, the crude sexual behavior and many dont know better other than to mock it. Its the sad reality that is portrayed in the media. What could have been dropped in a couple days is still being talked about. Maybe the best way to drop the topic of Miley is to stop following what she does. I myself am guilty of participating in the jokes and bringing attention to the problem. I even tried doing the popular craze twerking, which is probably why Im still single. Ive realized in the past week the more people talk about it, the less it becomes an issue and the more it becomes a joke. The best way to stop the problem might just be to stop talking about it. So Im done now.

happened to Miley!? My childhood felt corrupted and I was sad that one of my childhood inspirations was acting the way she was. Things just got worse for me as I checked YouTube the following