PLATO Weekly Update

April 19, 2022

CURRICULUM

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR COURSES

COVID-19 protocols are specific to each host site. Please see the post on the Curriculum Showcase for details or contact your course coordinator.

NEW CURRICULUM COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
Big thanks to Paul Thompson for his thoughtful and dedicated service as curriculum chair through these challenging pandemic times. And a warm welcome to Kathie Burman who is stepping up to fill these big shoes! Kathie enjoys volunteering and finds lifelong learning one of the most appealing aspects of PLATO.

SPECIAL EVENTS

NEW - FIELD TRIPS ARE BACK 
Registration opens today! We will have a guided tour of the $15 million renovation of theInternational Crane Foundation Headquarters as we view the 15 world crane species in their natural habitat. After lunch on your own in the Wisconsin Dells, we will have a guided tour of the Aldo Leopold Shack and Farm. Review the required COVID-19 Protocols below and learn more and register here. 

COVID-19 Protocols for this Field Trip:

· Persons wishing to wear a mask are encouraged to do so.

· Neither site we will visit requires mask wearing.

· Health protocols are subject to change closer to the time of this field trip.

· You are asked to stay home if you are not feeling well. Please contact the trip organizer to inform them of your decision.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS
Enjoy lively conversation with PLATO members over a breakfast of your choice. The next gathering will be on Friday, May 13th, at The Marquette Hotel Café, located at 414 South Baldwin Street on Madison's near east side. Members, your guests are always welcome. Non-members interested in learning about PLATO are welcome to join us.

LECTURES
Our wide variety of archived PLATO Lectures is always available.

ELECTION FOR PLATO 2022-23 BOARD
BEGINS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20

VOTING BEGINS TOMORROW - watch for a special email on Wednesday, April 20 with a link to the ballot. Learn about the nominees by clicking on the Nominee Biographies link below. Voting will close on Wednesday, May 4 at midnight.

FEATURED AGORA WORKS

Visit The Agora Features webpage for highlights from this past season, created and curated by fellow PLATO members for your pleasure. 

Our Biweekly Feature for April 19th – May 2nd is Sparkling River, a photograph by Bill Eisinger, who shares a bit about his artistic process and tips for taking compelling photos.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS

Select from a range of topics and formats 

for your Spring reading, viewing, or listening, 

curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee.

DID YOU KNOW? for April 12 – 25, 2022

Did You Know… Gladys Mae West is a “Hidden Figure behind your phone’s GPS.” West is an American mathematician known for her contributions to the mathematical modeling of the shape of the earth, and her work on the development of satellite geodesy models that were eventually incorporated into global positioning systems (GPS).

As a studious Black girl in rural Virginia, West earned a scholarship to Virginia State College where she completed her first degree in math in 1952. She was eventually hired by the U.S. Naval Proving Ground where she combined information from Seasat and other satellites to refine an increasingly detailed and accurate mathematical model of the actual shape of the earth – called a “geoid.” This computational modeling would prove essential to modern GPS.

Visit the Social Justice Webpage for more about Gladys Mae West & past DID YOU KNOW? features.

DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).