Maryland State Delegate John Olszewski, a Ph.D. student in public policy at UMBC, has been named to the Daily Record’s “20 in Their Twenties” list, which honors up-and-coming leaders in Maryland “chosen on the basis of professional accomplishment, civic involvement and impact of achievement.”

Olszewski, 29, a second-term Baltimore County Democrat, was a social studies and special education teacher prior to enrolling at UMBC. As a delegate, he regularly comments on state governance in the media, including in the Baltimore Sun‘s most recent coverage of Maryland budget developments.

Ryan K. Cox
Fred Worden, Associate Professor, Department of Visual Art

AC IV Wing A 110  |  1:30 PM

Backspace/Erase: DELETE is an experiment in creating a video adaptation of an original comic book story. Delete was completed using a computer drawing tablet and three computer software programs: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects and Adobe Flash. The flexibility and efficiency of using computer software allowed for a more manageable and less time-consuming workflow than with traditional cel animation. This was especially important as, unlike with a Hollywood production, I was the sole animator available to put in the time necessary to achieve the sophisticated graphic and dynamic style I hoped to achieve. I had to find a balance between the visual subtleties of the hand drawn animation technique and the time saving properties of computer frame interpolation animation. One of the creative challenges of Backspace/Erase: DELETE was deciding how to incorporate and adapt the strongest features of the print media, multi-panel comic book version of the story into a smoothly flowing time-based animated film. This required both careful pre-production planning, including using story boards to plan a scene’s composition, as well as some trial and error modifications of those plans as I undertook the actual animating.

CWIT is looking for one or two undergraduate students to work on a grant funded project called Computing Education for the 21st Century-Maryland. We would like someone to begin immediately and continue through the summer and beyond if interested. The position will assist with implementing a survey of high school computer science teachers in May and June and working on data analysis. The RA will also assist with planning two events for high school computer science teachers, faculty, and administrators.

We are looking for applicants who can work independently and as part of a team; good problem solvers; willing to learn about survey research. Website design skills and online survey experience a plus!

Contactand send your resume to Dr. Susan Martin, susan@umbc.edu,  by Wednesday April 18th if you are interested.

The Teacher Protection Academic Freedom Act

URCAD: Behind the Research

Diane Lee, Dean of Undergraduate Research, on URCAD:

Madeline Hall ’12, Geography and Environmental Systems, on Concept Maps

Charles Mason ’12, Graphic Design and Philosophy, on Education

Charles Mason ’12, Graphic Design and Philosophy, on Inspiration

Catherine Pasqualoni ’12, Ancient Studies, on Setbacks

Catherine Pasqualoni ’12, Ancient Studies, on URCAD

Macy Bokhari ’13, Political Science, on Grad School

Macy Bokhari ’13, Political Science, on Women’s Rights in Saudi Arabia

Macy Bokhari ’13, Political Science, on Media

(4/13/12)