Here's to the birds

The third annual Migration Celebration is May 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The event celebrates spring and the return of the songbirds after their journeys to the Finger Lakes from wintering in Central and South America. Featured will be exhibits about birds and creating bird-friendly backyards using native plants; eagles, owls and hawks also will be on hand from the Cornell Raptor Program. In addition: hands-on activities for children, multimedia presentations and an original theater performance featuring bird stories inspired by other cultures. Free.

Walk on the wooded side

Throughout May, Cornell Plantations and the Lab of Ornithology team up to offer Sunday wildflower walks in Sapsucker Woods and Friday-morning bird walks in the F.R. Newman Arboretum at Cornell Plantations. Walks will be held rain or shine and are free and open to the public. Bird walks are 8 a.m. in the Newman Arboretum May 15, 22 and 29 (meet at the parking area near the arboretum ponds). Wildflower walks will be May 17 and 31 at 1 p.m. (meet at the Lab of Ornithology Visitor Center). Information: Kevin Moss, Cornell Plantations: 607-254-7430, km274@cornell.edu; Charles Eldermire, Lab of Ornithology: 607-254-1131, cre9@cornell.edu.

Job talk radio

The Sunday Forum radio show will focus on "The 2009 Job Market: Don't Panic!" May 17 at 6 p.m. on 93.5 WVBR-FM and streamed on WVBR.com. A panel of six students will share their stories of landing -- or struggling to find -- work, and Rebecca Sparrow, director of Cornell Career Services, will discuss options for graduating seniors. Information: Kara Capelli, 804-301-4694 or kcapelli@gmail.com.

Material change

Materials for a Sustainable Future is the subject of a symposium May 18 at 9 a.m. in Statler Hall. The symposium is sponsored by the Cornell Center for Materials Research and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology-Cornell University Center for Energy and Sustainability. This year's program will reflect the current interest in materials synthesized using sustainable processes. It will focus on the synthesis of green materials and carbon dioxide capture, sequestration and use. Speaker: Anil Netravali, professor of fiber science and apparel design.

Climate neutrality

A forum to provide updates on Cornell's Plan for Climate Neutrality will be held May 18 at 7 p.m. in the Tompkins County Public Library's Borg-Warner Room. Proposals and initiatives in various stages of development in facilities and research will be reviewed. Information: Donna Goss 255-4392, dlg25@cornell.edu. Cornell's Climate Action Plan: http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/cap/climateactionplan.cfm.

Digital directions

A workshop on ways to integrate digital media into classroom presentations will be held May 21 at noon in the Rushmore Room, Martha Van Rensselaer Hall. Topics to be discussed: bringing lectures into the digital age; making the most of Blackboard; using digital response systems (iClickers) to encourage class participation; and working within copyright boundaries. RSVP: Melody Reinecke, 255-8012, mrr84@cornell.edu. Free. Lunch will be served.

School for critics

The six-week School of Criticism and Theory begins June 16. Founded 33 years ago by a group of literary scholars, it offers professors and advanced graduate students of literature and related social sciences a chance to work with pre-eminent figures in critical thought -- exploring literature's relationship with history, art, anthropology and the law; examining its role in ideological and cultural movements; and reassessing theoretical approaches that have emerged over the last 50 years. Participants work with the School of Criticism and Theory's faculty of distinguished theorists in four six-week seminars. Each faculty member offers a public lecture and a colloquium. Schedule: http://www.arts.cornell.edu/sochum/sct.

Teaching teachers

Science teacher workshops will be held for middle school teachers July 6-9 and for high school biology teachers July 12-24 on the Cornell campus. The Cornell University Institute of Biology Teachers will host the workshops. Apply online: http://cibt.bio.cornell.edu/programs/summer.las or call Florianna Blanton with questions, 607-254-4400.