It's nice to hear a little piece of good news coming out of Japan in relation to the local area, which is what NMU professor Tawni Ferrarini brought back from a short trip abroad recently.
Ferrarini, an economics professor, was in Japan representing the
NMU Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship and the national Council for Economic Education.
She gave a two-day workshop to about 30 Japanese K-12 teachers, based on a textbook she co-authored, Common Sense Economics, which was recently revised. As well as an increased knowledge of economics education, each teacher also got a little something to represent the U.P.
"I gave them packets of iron ore pellets donated by Cliffs Natural Resources," says Ferrarini. "Rock candy subsidized by Donckers and a copper coin I purchased with a stamp of the U.P. map as a gift from the CEEE also found their way into the hands of these Japanese teachers. Raw resources are highly valued in Japan, so I thought this combination of gifts would be symbolic of the mutually beneficial relationship between the U.P. and Japan."
Ferrarini is promoting the textbook right now, which had its second edition published last fall, but she says she was able to make connections for NMU in Japan at the same time.
"This helps to put Northern's CEEE on the global map. We've made a regional impact and received state and national recognition. Now we're tapping international venues. I plan to continue work with the CEE-Japan and will likely return for future workshops," she says.
Writer: Sam Eggleston Source: Tawni Ferrarini, Northern Michigan University
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