In light of the International Day of Yoga, Mathematics Professor and New York Times Contributing Opinion Writer Manil Suri wrote about the viewpoints surrounding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plans to promote it within the country: “Some Muslim preachers and opposition politicians have accused Mr. Modi of using the day to foist Hinduism on religious minorities under the guise of yoga.”

However, Suri explains in his column that, “Yoga is big business, estimated at $10 billion a year in the United States alone, and India needs to be associated with it — not just to attract tourists to yoga retreats, but also to assert its intellectual rights. The country has been fighting attempts by Western gurus to patent yoga poses, assembling a repository of over 1,500 asanas to keep them free.”

He added: “Within India, the goal is different. Those on the Hindu right have always harbored the vision of returning to India’s greatness as an ancient civilization. A practice with Vedic origins that has nevertheless attained such secular popularity is the perfect vehicle to create a shared national consciousness. The physical engagement, mental discipline and sublimation of desire enshrined in yoga meld seamlessly, yet discreetly, with the more militaristic tenets of organizations like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.”

To read the full column titled “India and the Politics of Yoga,” click here. Suri also appeared live on CNN International on Sunday, June 21 to discuss his column.

Joan Shin, education professor of practice, recently published an article in The Conversation that examined the power of using children’s songs to introduce children to different cultures and the world around them. “Without realizing it, children learn language and content simultaneously. Songs build skills that help children distinguish the sounds of a language, and connect sound to script and assist with vocabulary building,” Shin wrote.

Shin discussed the teaching approach she developed that combines her song research and search for cultural materials to teach English as a global language. Shin’s “international children’s song approach” uses songs from around the world as a method of teaching English to young children.

“Whether children are learning English as a second language, or even a third or fourth language, they are being exposed to it at earlier and earlier ages worldwide. Using international children’s songs from around the world is an effective approach for teaching English as a global language to kids. Language is a carrier of culture, and English is uniquely positioned to communicate across cultures around the world. Materials to teach it should embrace all cultures,” Shin described.

To read the full article “How should kids learn English: through Old MacDonald’s farm or Ali Baba’s farm?” click here.

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) recently released its Summer 2015 edition of NSTA Reports, which included a feature on UMBC’s Meyerhoff Scholars Program (MSP). NSTA Reports is an organizational newspaper which covers national science education news.

The article, titled “Creating Communities of STEM Scholars,” describes the different components of the Meyerhoff program and how it has inspired similar programs around the country. “The Meyerhoff program is a community of scholars, and students are working to support one another,” MSP director Keith Harmon told NSTA Reports. “What we try to convey is the idea that working together, you can do much more than you could working alone…science and engineering have become so collaborative and interdisciplinary that you have to learn how to work and communicate well with other people.”

Harmon also spoke about how the program encourages and supports student participation in research, conferences, and internships. “After two to three years of working in a research group on campus, several summers away for internships, the majority of scholars leave UMBC with solid research training and a strong scientific identity and commitment to a STEM career,” he said.

The article also explored other initiatives inspired by the Meyerhoff model. “The University of Michigan is among several schools around the country that have adapted elements of the MSP. Its M-STEM Academies aim to increase, strengthen, and diversity the number of undergraduates pursuing bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields,” it stated. The M-STEM Academies offer students a supportive community, academic coaching, and summer programs. However, unlike the Meyerhoff model, M-STEM Academies are two-year programs without full financial benefits. Still, the initiative is seeing progress. “In the very first year, the M-STEM student does have a higher GPA compared to the student that didn’t [participate],” an academic director of the University of Michigan reported. She continued, “We give them a sense of community that gives them the confidence to go forth and really become leaders in whatever they really feel passionate about. I really think that’s the ‘secret sauce.'”

Have you got the urge jump into the pool? Dance your way into better health? Say no more, UMBC is here to help you stay in shape with fitness classes and pool access that help you fight those lazy summer days.

The Retriever Athletic Center provides UMBC alums with the perfect opportunity to keep you moving. As a fellow dawg, you can take advantage of several fitness perks this summer. Break out a few dance moves in Cardio Party, balance your energy in Yoga, or practice your breaststroke in the pool. Since classes are offered throughout the day and evening, Monday through Friday, every retriever can be a believer and train to tackle the everyday stress of life.

Classes are free with membership! Alumni can purchase a year-round membership for $250, or enjoy a 6-month, 3-month, or 1-month subscription at a discounted rate. Membership includes full access to all of the UMBC facilities, including recreational access to the pool (check out the pool schedule), as well as the use of locker rooms and lockers. If you are still on the fence, stop by and take a tour!

Submit your membership form today!

Handel Choir Auditions

SING WITH US!

Auditions for the 2015-2016 season are taking place Mon Aug 31, Fri Sept 4 and Sat Sept 5, 2015. We are hearing all parts SATB for community singers.

Monday Aug 31: 7-9 p.m.

Friday Sep 4: 6-8 p.m.

Saturday Sep 5: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

We rehearse Monday evenings, September through May, at Towson Unitarian Universalist Church, at 1710 Dulaney Valley Road in Lutherville.