Special Events | Penn Today

4/4

Penn AI Governance Workshop

A computer chip illuminated and elevated with the letters AI printed on it.

The inaugural Penn AI Governance Workshop will unite researchers across Penn working on responsible and safe artificial intelligence. The event, co-sponsored by the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative, the Wharton Accountable AI Lab, the School of Engineering & Applied Science, the Center for Technology, Innovation & Competition, and the Perry World House, will include panel discussions and lightning talks from researchers. Free and open to the Penn community. Register to attend.

9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Perry World House, 3803 Locust Walk

3/24

Intro to Metals and Jewelry: Stacker Rings

A metallic arch on a surface reflecting a rainbow prism.

During this introduction workshop hosted by Education Commons, participants will learn the safety procedures and fundamental techniques in using a hand torch to solder and hammer texture their own sterling silver stacker rings. Register to join the waitlist.

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Education Commons, Franklin Field; 233 S. 33rd St.

4/23

Penn Prize for Excellence in Graduate Teaching

People huddled together in front of bright window in the Graduate Center.

During this reception, the Vice Provost for Education and the Center for Teaching & Learning will celebrate the 2025 recipients of the Penn Prize for Excellence in Teaching by Graduate Students. The event is free and open to the Penn Community. Register in advance.

5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Graduate Student Center, 3615 Locust Walk

4/9

Preparing to Teach: Perspectives from ESL Faculty

Seated students in a classroom raise their hands while a teacher stands at the head of the classroom

Convened by Ellen Munsterman of Penn’s School of Nursing, this workshop will feature a panel discussion on strategies for leading a classroom in English as an instructor who speaks English as a second language. Facilitated by Se Hee Min, who specializes in family and community health, and Hyejeong Hong, a biobehavioral and health sciences expert. This is part of the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Innovation Teaching Certificate Series. All graduate students are welcome.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Hybrid; Fagin Hall, 418 Curie Blvd.

4/15

Research Flash Talks

Presented by Penn’s Makuu: The Black Cultural Center, this event will allow community members to connect on conversations around cultural heritage, exciting research opportunities, shared experiences, and more. Sign-ups to be released.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St.

4/10

Proxy Landscapes Symposium

Proxy Landscapes is a two-day symposium that will explore how numerous landscapes act as proxies for remote sites, processes, and transformations that are otherwise inaccessible or unobservable. Designers, historians, anthropologists, and theorists will discuss landscapes that carry traces of hidden phenomena or act as indicators of latent processes. The symposium is organized by associate professor Robert Pietrusko of the Department of Landscape Architecture and hosted by the McHarg Center for Urbanism and Ecology. Free and open to the public.

All Day

Various locations

4/26

Morris Arboretum: Hidden Gems Tour

Morris Arboretum plants and stream looking into a field of green.

From hidden structures and sculptures to peculiar walkways, trees, and vistas, participants will learn about garden features off the beaten path or hidden in plain view. Free with general admission. Visitors will meet at the Welcome Center.

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Morris Arboretum & Gardens, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.

4/9

A Look Inside the Materials Library

In this virtual talk, Mia D’Avanza, the Penn Libraries’ Director of the Fisher Fine Arts Library, and Michael Carroll, Assistant Director of the Fisher Arts Library, will share how sustainable, recycled, and eco-friendly materials spark innovation and creativity. Attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look into how the Materials Library supports research at Penn. This event is open to the public. Register to attend.

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Virtual

3/28

Indigenous Voices in the Archives

Man shakes hands with member of Ojibwe tribe of Wisconsin, an another man in headdress looks on.

Drawing on lessons learned from collaborating with Native American and First Nations peoples, Emily Jean Leischner, in-resident researcher at the Kislak Center for 2024-2025, will share stories and snippets from her initial survey of Indigenous knowledge in the archives—and propose directions for their future stewardship and engagement with the Indigenous communities it came from. Register to attend.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Virtual

4/4

Lunch & Learn: Communicating with Faculty

Participants will learn best practices for communicating with faculty at Penn. This session will focus on how to craft a clear, well-thought-out email to a faculty member to request support in coursework or research interests. Register to attend in-person or virtually. A graduate student ID is required.

12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Hybrid; Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, 3420 Walnut St.