"Plugged In but Tuned Out" community presentation Sept. 15

HOUGHTON -- Herb Broda, Professor of Education, Ashland University (Ohio), will give a community presentation, "Plugged In but Tuned Out: The Need to Reconnect with Nature," from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, in 135 Fisher Hall on the Michigan Tech campus.

The presentation is free and open to the public. It will be followed by refreshments and discussion.

Educators, parents, school administrators, community leaders, youth healthcare advocates are especially encouraged to attend.

Broda is the author of Schoolyard-Enhanced Learning: Using the Outdoors as an Instructional Tool and Moving the Classroom Outdoors: Schoolyard-Enhanced Learning in Action.

In this age of alluring techno-gadgetry we need to be very cautious about maintaining a balance between indoor and outdoor activity. At a time when children's natural curiosity about the outdoors is eclipsed by the demands of busy schedules and the ever-present glow of video screens, we should consider the following questions:

• Why do kids need time outside?

• How does inventive play benefit kids socially and academically?

• How can we create welcoming places for outdoor play and learning at schools and in the community?

For more information please visit this site: http://www.stenhouse.com/html/authorbios_246.htm

This event is co-sponsored by Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative with funding from an anonymous donor.