Dealing with Mary Jane

A school principal in California banned an 8th-grader's display project titled "Mary Jane for Pain" because it dealt with the possible medical benefits of marijuana. Dr. Diane Gower, associate professor, elementary and special education, says children at this age would be more eager to explore marijuana because it was banned rather than if the whole idea were looked at in a rational, fact-finding way. "I believe the student has the right to make a case for the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. ... However, she is obligated in her research to tell all the facts. ... Reporting both sides of the issue is a more sound approach than banning the project altogether."

Contact Gower at 615-898-5643.
dgower@mtsu.edu

Less sizzle, more fizzle

Some fast-food chains are losing market share to more upscale restaurants, according to some reports. McDonald's sales are down for 2002; Burger King is closing 719 eateries. Are people starting to get the message about healthier eating? The public is looking for a greater variety of healthier foods, says Dr. Janet Colson, nutrition expert. "There's increasing evidence that vegetables like the broccoli, cauliflower and carrot medley offered in most full-service eateries are not only low in fat and calories but have the potential of lowering cancer and heart disease risks," she notes. "And the public is beginning to demand these items."

Contact Colson at 615-898-2884.
jcolson@mtsu.edu

You've got ... an F

Writing and its correction, like teaching and learning, are not good candidates for automation, says Gary Wolf, assistant professor of journalism. "Having computers grade writing reduces human communication to what linguists call 'performance errors' at the expense of a more important consideration--'communicative competence.' Good writing is more than correct writing--it is thinking distilled and engagingly presented." No matter how smart a computer is, a sensitive teacher is still a better judge of a student's work, he adds.

Contact Wolf at 615-631-1250.
gwolf@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA: MONDAY, Feb. 3, at 3:00 p.m. in Peck Hall 109A, Dr. Richard Hannah, professor of economics and finance and Honors Lecture Series presenter, will speak on "The Commercialization of Culture." Contact Hannah at rlhannah@mtsu.edu. Media welcomed.
MONDAY, Feb. 3, 11:30 a.m., a free and open reception for artists Donna Stack of Murfreesboro, Barry Jones of Cochran, Ga., and Chad Curtis of Claremont, Calif., installation artists whose works will be displayed in MTSU's Art Barn Gallery. At noon to 1 p.m., the three artists will take guests on a walk-through tour and discuss their art. Media welcomed.
TUESDAY, Feb. 4, 9 a.m., Learning Resources Center, John Sanborn and Dr. Stacey Borasky, social work, will present a video conference, "Student Social Workers in Your Community," to a live studio audience and several remote audiences of high school students and teachers. The program will introduce students to social services resources and fieldwork opportunities in Middle Tennessee. Contact Dr. Connie Schmidt, director, Instructional Technical Support Center, at 615-898-5191. Media welcomed.
TUESDAY, Feb. 4, 10 a.m., Homer Pittard Campus School, 923 E. Lytle St. in Murfreesboro, 1st- and 6th--graders will welcome guests--including alumni from several decades--for the kickoff of a yearlong celebration (and oral history project) of the school's 75th anniversary. Media welcomed. Contact Cindy Cliche and Dr. Stan Baskin, principal, at 615-895-1030; for information about the "Hometown Connection" oral history project, contact Dr. Ron Kates at 615-898-2595.