1) International Education Week Held Nov. 17-21 at Appalachian
International Education Week runs Nov.17- 21 at Appalachian State University. A variety of curricular and co-curricular opportunities will be provided to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. The public is invited. A panel discussion Nov. 17 from 10:30 a.m. to noon will feature Cuban scholars. It will be held in Plemmons Student Union’s Linn Cove Room. An international career panel will be held Nov. 17 from 2-3 p.m. in room 023 Anne Belk Hall. Six Appalachian alumni will discuss their international careers. They include Preston Powell, who has extensive experience working in Asia, Jasmine Stephenson, who is working for a software start-up venture in London, Eric Starns, who is teaching at a university in Poland, and Angel Price who is teaching 4th grade in Bolivia. On Nov. 18, the faculty and staff workshop “International Students in Your Classroom” will be presented from 10 to 11 a.m. in Plemmons Student Union’s New River Room. Other activities include International Coffee Hour Nov. 19 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Plemmons Student Union’s Whitewater Café, a chance to practice your foreign language skills Nov. 20 from 6-9 p.m. in Plemmons Student Union’s Price Lake Room, and a culture crawl featuring international entertainment and food at 6 p.m. Nov. 21 in Plemmons Student Union’s McRae Peak Room. For more information and a list of all activities, visit http://international.appstate.edu/calendar/events/mega/iew.
2) Watauga High School Robotics Hosts LEGO League Tournament
The Watauga High School Robotics Club is hosting a regional FIRST LEGO League Tournament on Saturday, November 15th, 2014, and the public is invited to attend to watch the afternoon robot game competitions. Seventeen teams from around NC will be participating and will include local students from Cove Creek School, Hardin Park School, and homeschoolers. FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®) introduces young people, ages 9 to 14 (grades 4-8), to the fun and excitement of science and technology while building self-confidence, knowledge, and valuable career and life skills. FLL challenges kids to think like scientists and engineers. Alongside adult Mentors, FLL teams solve problems using engineering concepts, presentation techniques, and robots. Support for this event comes from the Departments of Computer Science and Mathematical Sciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Office of Academic Affairs at Appalachian State University. The Watauga High School Robotics Club will also be hosting a scrimmage with several other high school teams to help them prepare for the FIRST Tech Challenge competitions which will be held next January. Spectators are welcome to stop by any time between 12:30 and 3:00 PM in the Main Gym and the Auxiliary Gym at Watauga High School.
3) Brazilian Jazz Featured in Nov. 22 Performance
Guitarist Welson Tremura joins saxophonist Todd Wright and pianist Keith McCutchen for a concert titled “Brazilian Romance” Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. at Appalachian State University in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission is free. Tremura is a native of São Paulo, Brazil, and an associate professor in the School of Music and the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Florida. An acclaimed guitarist/singer, Tremura maintains an active performance schedule and has been involved in performances and interdisciplinary projects in Brazil, Europe, New Zealand and the United States. Tremura is well-versed in Brazilian jazz, classical and vocal music as well as traditional European classical forms. He is the co-director of the Brazilian music ensemble Jacaré Brazil and founder and director of the Brazilian Music Institute. The program includes compositions by Antonio Carols Jobim, such as “Desifinando,” “Corcovado” “The Girl from Ipanema” and “Double Rainbow.” The musicians also will perform two compositions by Todd Wright – “Bia das Banerias (Jean’s Corner)” and “Aqui para Você.” Wright is a professor in the Hayes School of Music and coordinator of the school’s jazz program. McCutchen, also a member of the music faculty, directs the Gospel Choir, Men’s Glee Club and the Jazz Vocal Ensemble.