Arts & Sciences

WUSTL geophysicist Michael Wysession is leading a team of scholars who are helping the nation’s top science agencies develop national standards for K-12 science education. The core disciplines covered by the new standards include engineering and Earth and planetary sciences, which have never before been a standard part of the K-12 curriculum. Wysession currently co-leads the team writing the Earth and planetary standards, and a key focus of his mission is ensuring that students gain a solid grasp of the Anthropocene, loosely defined as the period in Earth’s history during which human activities have had a significant impact on Earth systems.

For the first time, the Department of History in Arts & Sciences is hosting a major, three-day conference organized entirely by graduate students. “History of the Body,” set for Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 20-22, is drawing interdisciplinary graduate student presenters from across the country.

Julie Andrews versus The Jackson 5? Bluegrass on the Swiss Alps? Led Zeppelin meets “The Lonely Goatherd”? Whatever has happened to “My Favorite Things”? Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkestrata, that’s what. On Oct. 28, this cutting-edge New York ensemble will make its St. Louis debut with The Hills Are Alive, a genre-bending adaptation of songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music.

In a musical partnership stretching back nearly 40 years, the Fischer Duo has drawn critical acclaim for its performances of classical repertoire, for rediscovering neglected works of the past and for commissioning new works by contemporary composers. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, the Fischer Duo will showcase all three themes in a free concert for the Danforth University Center Chamber Music Series.

University College, the continuing education and professional studies division of Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, will host a Dec. 1 reception for prospective students of the Master of International Affairs program. The reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Jimmy’s on the Park, 706 De Mun Ave. in Clayton.

Legendary guitarist Ralph Towner is one of the finest improvisers in modern jazz and one of the few to specialize in acoustic guitar. At 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, Towner will present an evening of both standards and original music for Washington University’s Jazz at Holmes Series. In addition, on Oct. 26, Towner will take part in “The Music of Ralph Towner and The ECM Movement,” a symposium exploring both Towner’s work and the music of other artists associated with ECM Records.

A new series, called the Danforth Dialogues, demonstrates how persons with profoundly different views can engage each other forcefully and respectfully. Sen. John C. Danforth moderated the first discussion between Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind. The series is co-sponsored by the John C. Danforth Center on Religion & Politics.

Twelve current or former Washington University in St. Louis students have been awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarships to study, conduct research and/or teach English abroad for the 2011-12 academic year. They are among 1,600 U.S. citizens who will spend a full academic year in a host country through the Fulbright Program.    

Cultivars of popular ornamental woody plants that are being sold in the United States as non-invasive are probably anything but, according to an analysis by a Washington University in St. Louis botanical researcher published in the October issue of BioScience.

James E. McLeod, vice chancellor for students and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences who died Sept. 6, was remembered through song and speech during three events at WUSTL this past week, including an intimate Liederabend Sunday, Oct. 9, in Holmes Lounge. The performance, with baritone Sidney Outlaw (left), was dedicated to the memory of McLeod, who initiated the university’s first Liederabend, translated as “evening of song,” nearly 30 years ago.