Vol. 19, No. 32

May 25, 2000

A'Charlotte's Web' at UD on June 4 Weaving its touching tale of bravery, selfless love and friendship, Charlotte's Web will charm audiences at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 4, in Mitchell Hall. The performance concludes UD's Family Performing Arts Series. Tickets range from $6 to $10. The play, based on E.B. White's celebrated story, begins on the Arable farm, where a litter of pigs have just been born. The farmer is about to destroy the tiniest one, Wilbur, but is stopped by the pleading of his young daughter, Fern The two grow close as she takes over the care of the little pig. Once he becomes older, Wilbur is moved to a new farm without Fern. Lonely for a new friend, he discovers Charlotte, the spider, living in his stall, and a special friendship quickly develops between them. Their relationship is tried several times, but when Wilbur's life is in danger, Charlotte steps up to save him. Through her devotion and bravery, Wilbur is able to learn the true meaning of friendship and loyalty. The play is being presented by Theatreworks USA, a nonprofit theatre organization. For information, call 831-2204. Regional biotech symposium set June 19 in Clayton Hall Novel Crops: An Agronomic Future?", a biotechnology symposium offering an opportunity to share perspectives with several current and future leaders of the agricultural community in the Northeastern U.S. and Eastern Canada, will be held from 8-11:30 a.m., Monday, June 19, in 128 Clayton Hall. The symposium will address opportunities and challenges presented by recent advances in biotechnology for enhancement of agronomic and nutritional traits of field crops. The focus will be on the role of agronomic and soil scientists in the application of the new technologies and communication of benefits and risks to the public. Free and open to the public, the symposium will include a panel discussion with opportunities for speakers to respond to each other and to questions from the audience. The general public is invited and admission to the morning sessions of the symposium is free. Other afternoon meeting events can be attended by paying on-site registration; such information will be available the day of the symposium. The symposium's morning program will include presentations by * David S. Weir, Delaware Biotechnology Institute, on "The Delaware Biotechnology Institute: Overview"; * William F. Kirk, president, agricultural enterprise and group vice president, DuPont Co., on "Industry Perspective on Biotechnology"; * Gordon A. Surgeoner, president, Ontario Agri-Food Technologies, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, on "Genetically Modified Food For Thought"; * Margaret E. Smith, associate professor of plant breeding, Cornell University, on "Biotechnology, GMOs, Transgenic Crops, Frankenfoods: What Does It All Mean?"; and * Conrad G. Brunk, dean and professor of philosophy, Conrad Grebel College, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, on "Risk and Values: Understanding Public Concerns About Biotechnology." The symposium is the kick-off event for the annual regional meetings of the Northeastern Branch for the American Society of Agronomy and Soil Science Society of America, scheduled June 18-21 at Clayton Hall. For information on the symposium, please call 831-1392. Faculty institute to focus on effective uses of technology The Faculty Summer Teaching, Learning and Technology Institute begins with unique presentations by individual faculty members or collaborative groups of faculty on Monday, June 5, in 011 Smith Hall. There will be time between presentations for questions, idea exchange and refreshments. Registration is required for each session. At 9 a.m., "Technology in Teaching Political Science?Using Technology to Gain Immediacy in the Classroom" will be presented by Gretchen Bauer, Mark Huddleston, John Deiner and James Magee, all political science and international relations. At 10 a.m., "Road to the Presidency," a course on contemporary politics using technology as a content, research tool and collective class archive, will be presented by Ralph Begleiter, Distinguished Journalist in Residence, communication. At 11 a.m., "Using Web-based Technology to Teach Complex Problems: Sensitivity Analysis with a Linear Programming Java Applet," will be presented by Chris Kydd and Bret Wagner, business administration. At 1 p.m., "Multimedia and Biotechnology: Active Learning Modules" will be presented by Lesa Griffiths, agriculture and natural resources; and Sherry Kitto, plant and soil sciences. At 2 p.m., "Pathways to Discovery Honors Colloquium: Technologies of Cultural Memory" will be presented by Ann Ardis, University Honors Program; Vera Kaminski, art; Devon Miller-Duggan, English; and Mary Thornhill Thompson, art. For a complete listing of the summer sessions and registration, go to [http:// present.smith.udel.edu] or call 831-8445.