News Briefs

Dr. Debra J. Brown, an assistant professor in UNC’s School of Nursing, has been selected for a 2005 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Primary Health Care Policy Fellowship.

Brown, who coordinates the school’s Family Nurse Practitioner Program, will participate in the six-month fellowship, geared to early-to-mid-career professionals. The purpose of the fellowship, which includes three weeks of on-site training, is to provide a better understanding of the development and dynamics of primary health-care policy, programs and legislation.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services established the fellowship 15 years ago to support its initiative to revitalize the nation’s primary health-care delivery system. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties nominated Brown for the fellowship.

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Enrollment has begun for the UNC William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education’s spring enrichment and professional development courses.

Courses will cover a wide range of topics, including creative writing, American history, health care in America, conflict in the Middle East, improvisational theater in the workplace, creativity enhancement, presentation skills and oral history.

Many of the new courses are part of the Friday Center’s Community Classroom Series, a collection of small classes taught by UNC faculty, staff and alumni. These courses are open to all, and most are offered in the evenings for greater accessibility.

Also offered this spring is an intensive, interactive workshop for writers with works in progress, taught by visiting UNC lecturer and award-winning author Michael Chitwood. In 10 weekly two-hour sessions, writers will refine their work with the help of an experienced writer and a supportive peer group.

For those considering a consulting career, the Friday Center will host a series of professional development workshops on this topic. Participants will learn about action plans and marketing and sales processes, among other areas.

Classes begin in mid-March. Early enrollment is encouraged, as class space is limited. Course schedules and details are available at fridaycenter.unc.edu/cni or by calling (919) 962-2643 or (800) 845-8640.

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Imagine a giant "Space Station Alpha," an assortment of science-related models and a day full of family activities – all using Lego bricks.

That’s the scene for the Triangle’s first-ever Lego-palooza, presented by UNC’s Morehead Planetarium and Science Center on Feb. 26.

Lego-palooza is free to the public, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Morehead Center’s banquet hall. The event will showcase models created by the N.C. Lego Users Group and provide opportunities for children of all ages to experiment with their own models.

Lego-palooza is a one-day expansion of the Morehead Center’s popular Lego Lab, which is open this spring during weekend hours.

The lab includes several building stations for different age groups. Children and adults can build simple models and intricate robotic devices using the Lego sets in the lab, which was developed by UNC student Jesse Richuso and funded in part by Inspire Pharmaceuticals.

By building models with Lego bricks, children can learn about physics and other sciences, Richuso said.

For more information, call (919) 962-1236 or visit www.moreheadplanetarium.org.

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Photo note: For a photo of Brown, click on http://www.unc.edu/news/pics/faculty/brown_debra

News Services contact: Deb Saine, (919) 962-8415 or deborah_saine@unc.edu