WIDA Español releases Marco ALE, a Spanish language arts framework

WIDA Español, a program of UW–Madison’s WIDA, has released Marco de referencia de las artes del lenguaje del español de WIDA (Marco ALE), a Spanish language arts framework. Marco ALE is the first framework of its kind in the U.S., providing the key elements for developing standards and teaching Spanish language arts in grades K–12. …

A message from the dean: Positive signs for the semester ahead

The campus community has many reasons to begin this fall semester with a sense of cautious optimism. Strong vaccination numbers for students, faculty, and staff; the return of many in-person events; and a belated celebration for the Class of 2020—all create a positive picture of life at UW–Madison returning to a more familiar environment. In …

Paul Robbins contributes to video on Intended Consequences

In April 2021, Nelson Institute Dean Paul Robbins joined a group of biologists, conservationists, and thought leaders in supporting Intended Consequences, a statement, a special issue of Conservation Science and Practice, and framework for confidently tackling the world’s most urgent conservation problems. Intended Consequences is the culmination of a workshop led by the non-profit organization Revive and Restore, where …

Persistence for the common good: UW alumna Penny Lukito leads Indonesia FDA

“You have to be brave enough to be different and be persistent for the common good.” This philosophy has been a guiding star for UW alumna Dr. Penny Lukito, who leads Indonesia’s FDA. Lukito was appointed as head of the Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (translated as National Agency of Drug and Food Control of …

President of the Afghan Institute of Learning to Deliver 2021 Soffa Lecture

This year’s J. Jobe and Marguerite Jacqmin Soffa Lecture will bring to campus a trailblazer in promoting education and opportunity for the Afghan people. Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, president and executive director of the Afghan Institute of Learning, will present this year’s lecture, “As women rise, so does the nation.” The event will take place at …

Go Big Read author event with Yaa Gyasi scheduled

“We are all a million things at once,” Yaa Gyasi has said about “Transcendent Kingdom.” Her book uses fiction to explore the very real issues of race, immigration, science, faith and family. In it, we meet Gifty, a graduate student in neuroscience and the only member of her Ghanaian family born in the United States, …

Taiwan Rep. Bi-Khim Hsiao to Deliver Talk at Law School

The University of Wisconsin–Madison will host a talk by Bi-Khim Hsiao, representative of the Republic of China, Taiwan. The lecture, “America, Taiwan and Peace in the Indo-Pacific,” will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thurs., Sept. 30 at the UW Law School, room 2260. In the lecture, Hsiao will describe Taiwan as a young, vibrant …

Flanagan speaks to AP on UN relevance to youth

Associate Dean Emerita and professor Connie Flanagan weighs in on the United Nations efforts to engage young people in its mission of diplomacy in this interview with the Associated Press. Read the full article.

What does the rainforest sound like? A new children’s ebook by UW-Madison professor Zuzana Buřivalová explores the soundscape of Borneo’s rainforest

Deep in Borneo’s rainforest, among the 10,000 species of plants and a canopy of trees, one might hear the growl of a Clouded leopard, the howl of an orangutan, or the call of the Rhinoceros hornbill. While the animals are illusive to the eye, their sounds echo through the forest; which is exactly why Zuzana …

Nearby forest loss predicts future deforestation on protected lands

Protected forests are unlikely to be cut down when they are surrounded by intact forests. Conversely, the more degraded the boundaries of a protected area are, the more likely that deforestation will encroach into the protected forest as well. These findings come from a new analysis of protected forests worldwide. The results have the potential …