Random Acts of Knowledge

Before television captured the attention of the nation, the traveling circus was the most popular form of entertainment in America. During this time, the midwestern city of Bloomington, Illinois became a home for many circus performers and the "birthplace" of famous aerial acts. Maureen Brunsdale, head of Special Collections at Illinois State University's Milner Library, discusses how the purchase...

Inspired by photographs of sea birds engorged with plastic waste picked up in the water, fiber artist Ann B. Coddington has created an exhibit that combines the ancient craft of basketry with discarded plastic. The artists discusses her exhibit, 'Albatross,' which offers a literal glimpse inside of hand-made vessels to reveal the leftover pollution that will outlast the life of organic materials....

The legalization of cannabis for recreational use in Illinois has generated 440 million dollars in tax revenue for the state.  With any growing industry comes the need for a trained workforce. Agriculture instructor Victoria Zamora talks about the relatively new pathway to a job in the industry through the Cannabis Cultivation program at Heartland Community College.  View the transcript here.

The disciplines of communication and theater education are facing new challenges in the post-COVID classroom.  Factors ranging from the impact of remote learning to the introduction of AI technology are creating some new wrinkles for teachers. The Illinois Communication and Theatre Association, comprised of speech, communications, and theater educators, will tackle these topics and others at their...

Students learn key skills in the liberal arts and social sciences classes that are required for most 2-year degree programs.  Yet, many students seeking degrees in technical trades and specialized fields don't immediately see how a 100-level course in English or Communications benefits their future. Dr. Wayne Bass at Heartland Community College discusses efforts to create themed humanities courses...

The 2020 U.S. general election saw some of the largest voter turnout numbers in decades.  Yet, even with this bump in turnout, voter participation in the U.S. trails 30 other democratic countries. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge strives to empower colleges and universities to cultivate nonpartisan student democratic engagement and to foster a vision of a more inclusive and engaged democracy....

The Heartland Academy for Learning Opportunities program (HALO) is designed to bridge the educational gap for students aged 18 to 28 with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The program teaches students life skills, technology proficiency, and also fosters social development.  Kori Folkerts, Associate Director of Student Access and Accommodation Services at Heartland Community College disc...

The documentary film ‘With This Breath I Fly’ tells the story of two women imprisoned for what the state of Afghanistan determined were moral crimes.   The creation of the film was funded by the European Union.  But once officials with the EU saw the footage, they tried to shelve the film and stop the filmmakers from completing the project. Co-Director Sam French discusses the harrowing stories of...

In an age of social media, 24-hour cable news, and constant online battles about what is real or "fake" news, it is harder than ever to know what outlets to trust. With so much information available, and the debates of a network's responsibility for responsible reporting recently entering the courtroom, having the tools to evaluate media are becoming ever-more essential. Heartland Community Colleg...

Woodcut art is the oldest form of printmaking. Peoria-based printmaker Cathie Crawford discusses her process of making woodcut prints and the inspiration behind some of her work. Crawford's work is featured in the exhibit "The Floating World" running through May 11, 2023, at the Joe McCauley Gallery located at Heartland Community College. View the transcript here.

The United States leads the world in incarcerating people.  Although only 10 percent of the prison population is made up of women, since 1980 the rate of growth for female imprisonment has been twice as high as that of men.  According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, over half of imprisoned women in state prisons have a child under the age of 19. Dyanna Winchester, an advocate for women impact...

Traditional Japanese ironwork, flower arranging, and a traditional tea ceremony bring far East perspective to the Midwest with an event held at Heartland Community College. Heartland Community College faculty Zach Petrea and Sanae Ferrier are organizers of the Heartland Japanese Cultural Festival held in April of 2023.  They discuss the strong interest in Japanese culture among Heartland students...

There are over 400 species of bees in Illinois. But changes in climate and the impact humans have had on the ecosystem is having an effect on pollinating creatures such as bees. Beekeeper and naturalist Patti Koranda discusses the differences between types of bees, how bees are affected by an absence of pollinating plants, and takes us inside the world of a beehive. View the transcript here.

Globally, 1 in 5 people is neurodivergent. Yet many workplaces aren't accommodating for those whose brains simply work differently than others. Heartland Community College staff Kristi Glesne and Christina Schulz discuss how managers and employers can create an inclusive workspace that helps neurodivergent employees feel welcome and be productive. View the transcript here.

Fundamental first aid and CPR courses are widely available for those willing to help in a crisis situation. But mental health concerns aren’t part of that training. Just like with a physical health crisis there are ways anyone can help to respond to a mental health crisis. Megan Moser with McLean County Center for Human Services discusses how mental health first aid training is important for educa...

Nursing is one of the most in-demand professions in the U.S. today.  But how do healthcare providers and educators inspire more people to go into nursing... and deal with a training logjam with the influx of students?    Solutions might be found in grammar schools and even in cyberspace. Nurse educator Dameron Beverly discusses the importance of reaching out to inspire more young people to become...

What does it mean to work on the railroad in the 21st century? Transportation industry jobs remain one of the in-demand of workers.  But they also can be demanding. A representative from a major rail company provides some insight into the modern day life of a railroader. View the transcript here.

With everything from online instruction to digital textbooks, technology is playing a larger role in the modern classroom. With the emergence of accessible Virtual Reality (VR) technology, instructors can now offer learning experiences to students that had previously not been available. Dr. Anna Catterson, Executive Director of Online Learning and Instructional Technologies at Heartland Community...

2022 has been an eventful and violent time in Iran. As mass protests have erupted in Iran many of those who have fled the country are joining together to spread the word about how women have suffered under the current regime. Two Iranian siblings hope to spread the word about the events in Iran via a traveling art exhibit with features work from women who are in and outside of the country. View th...

Most of us don’t know what happens to the bottles, paper, and cans we throw into a recycling bin.   Unsurprisingly, not all recyclable materials are created equally.  Some are only recyclable under certain circumstances.  Many items are only partially recyclable. A recycling industry insider discusses the path of those materials we put on the curb, and how individuals can make choices that keep it...

Dogs evolved along with humans to be helpers.  As a result, they are often "looking for a job," even if the job is just getting treats. Dog trainer Sam Stocking discusses training dogs as service animals to help humans with issues such as diabetes and developmental disabilities. View the transcript here.

How much material are you putting in the landfill? Tossing items in the recycling bin is a step toward cutting down on permanent waste, but most people still generate a lot of garbage. Zero waste lifestyle advocate Linda Stroh gives tips on cutting down on non-recyclable waste and discusses her personal journey to eliminate plastic, as much as possible, from her life. View the transcript here.

Toying with beer recipes at home, Chad Bevers founded the Lil' Beaver brand before opening his own commercial brewery. After getting a positive response from friends and acquaintances with some experiments with new flavors including mango habanero and coconut, Bevers took his brews to festivals and was a finalist in a nationwide contest hosted by the Samuel Adams brand. Bevers discusses his journe...

With an exhibit on display at Joe McCauley Gallery, sculptor Laura Primozic George takes a closer look at environmental issues and introduces a unique point of view on the matter. Primozic George was inspired by the persistence of moss: growth that is often overlooked, stepped over, or scraped aside.  Her series "In Between the Cracks' combines formed concrete and other materials with live moss. V...

The innovative rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch revolves around a lead character who steps between and over boundary lines.  Actor Kate McConville discusses their approach to the role of Hedwig and the impact of the play on the audience and for them, personally. View the transcript here.