Evolution in Action! Film Series
Dates: 11/11, 11/18
Time: 9PM
Location: Class of 1955 Conference Room (Room 241) in the Van Pelt Library
Blade Runner - November 11, 2008
Los Angeles, 2019: Deckard, an expert "blade runner," must identify and execute four replicants, (genetically engineered beings virtually identical to humans) which have illegally returned to earth from their off-world slave duty. (Running time: 117 minutes)
Jurassic Park - November 18, 2008
A wealthy entrepreneur invites a top paleontologist, a paleobotanist, a mathematician/theorist, and his two eager grandchildren to visit his secret island theme park featuring living dinosaurs cloned from prehistoric DNA. (Running time: 127 minutes)
The Matrix - Cancelled - For more information: library@pobox.upenn.edu
In a dystopian future, the "real" world as we know it is nothing more than a computer construct, created by an all-powerful artificial intelligence. A small group of humans as found a way out of the construct, and are now fighting for the future of the human race. (Running time: 136 minutes)
X-men 3: The Last Stand - Cancelled- For more information: library@pobox.upenn.edu
With the help of their new recruits, The Beast and Angel, the X-Men must face evolution itself in the form of their former teammate, Jean Grey. Possessed with the cosmic power of the Dark Phoenix, the resurrected Jean Grey has become a danger to herself, her mutant comrades, and the entire planet. A potential cure is discovered and processed to treat and ultimately eliminate the genetic mutations, once and for all. As the battle lines are drawn, the X-Men must contend with both Jean Grey's world-consuming powers, as well as the malevolent Brotherhood. (Running time: 104 minutes)
Second Life
Second Life is an interactive virtual environment that shows promise for educational and creative activities in several disciplines.
Inner Fish Avatar Building
Can You Visualize Your Inner Fish? Second Life lets you create an avatar of yourself that can give flesh to your imagination. You can be an animal, an alien, a mythical creature, or a human with added features like wings or scales. We will hold hands-on workshops to show how to create your "inner fish" avatar and dress it up with textures and colors. Then, on the day before Halloween, we will celebrate our creations with a fashion show and contest for "inner fish" avatars in Second Life. ( Web Resource )
Second Life Fashion Show
Comics and Evolution
"Your Inner Fish" Comic Contest
The Penn Library is sponsoring a comic book/graphic novel contest inspired by this year's Penn Reading Project selection, "Your Inner Fish: A Journey into the 3.5-Billion Year History of the Human Body," by Neil Shubin. Create your own comic book or graphic novel inspired by the themes of evolution and change. Submissions may be created using the program Comic Life, which is available on all computers in the Weigle Information Commons.
All submissions must be received by: 5PM on March 16, 2009 in the Vitale Digital Media Lab.
Comic Life: Make a Comic Book Today!
Comic Life Showcase
The Evolving Student WICshop Series
The Weigle Information Commons offers a range of workshops to help students evolve and grow. On Wednesday evenings from 5 to 6:30 pm, we hold the From Assignments to References series which includes workshops on library research, writing, public speaking, reading strategies, time management and technology use. We also offer workshops throughout the semester on spreadsheets, presentation software, search skills and new media technologies. Sign up for a WICshop now to "evolve" your study or computer skills.
Libraries Exhibit: "The Evolution of Origin"
Aug. 25 - Nov. 16: Explore the refinements that the grandfather of evolution made to his famous work, originally titled On the Origin of Species (1859). The exhibit provides a glimpse into how Darwin's argument evolved in response to the criticisms of his contemporaries.
