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The fine art exhibition "Death Without Borders" will open at the Given Institute in Aspen, Colo., on Friday, Feb. 22, featuring art by more than 20 artists focusing on the theme of death. The exhibit runs through the end of May.

The Undergraduate Academy at the University of Colorado at Boulder welcomed 26 new members at a reception in Norlin Library Feb. 6. The Undergraduate Academy is an intellectual community that includes Boettcher Scholars, Norlin Scholars and other academically motivated students. The applications committee decided on finalists after reviewing personal essays, transcripts and application forms submitted by the candidates. Finalists then participated in interviews that included both discussions of cultural, political and philosophical issues and ideas for UA activities.

Sky watchers of all ages will have a chance to clarify common misunderstandings of astronomical topics during the live show "Revealing Astronomical Misconceptions" at Fiske Planetarium. Sanlyn Buxner, an education specialist for Fiske Planetarium at the University of Colorado at Boulder, will present the show on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. "This is an introductory show about astronomy where we will be answering the questions you always wanted to ask, like why is the sky blue?" Buxner said.

High school women interested in exploring the many opportunities a career in engineering can open up are invited to register for "Engineering Career Day" on Saturday, March 2, at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The all-day program, which runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., will introduce ninth through 12th grade students to the field of engineering and engage them in hands-on activities. Participants will meet women who study and work in the field of engineering, and tour the CU-Boulder campus with college students.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation has awarded the Natural Resources Law Center (NRLC) at the University of Colorado School of Law a $180,000 grant to research a valuable energy resource in the West: coal-bed methane. "Coal-bed methane is an issue that has received insufficient attention by academics, activists, media and industry," said project director Gary Bryner. "The tremendous increase in development of CBM poses huge challenges to local communities and ecosystems."

A photography exhibit by Ken Abbott, CU-Boulder's principal photographer, will be on display in Norlin Library's third floor northwest gallery from Feb. 11 to March 15, featuring Abbott's 15 years of work at CU. An opening reception will be held Friday, Feb. 15, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Norlin Library's fifth floor Center for British Studies.

EDITORS: Reporters are encouraged to attend. There is no charge for reporters. Gov. Bill Owens will be the keynote speaker at the 2002 CU Real Estate Council Annual Conference, "2002: Finding the Silver Lining." Owens will discuss the growth, education and transportation issues facing Colorado. The conference is Feb. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Denver Marriott City Center, 1701 California St.

Some Colorado 10th-graders will discover how fireflies light up and how plants turn sunlight into food during a Feb. 12 demonstration developed by the CU-Boulder Chemistry and Biochemistry Club. The Cool and Creative Chemistry presentation for about 240 Poudre High School students will examine how chemical-reaction energy is used to fuel living things. Metabolism, respiration, photosynthesis and bioluminescence will be illustrated in eye-catching experiments.

The University of Colorado at Boulder initiated 87 students from the College of Arts and Sciences into the Phi Beta Kappa honorary organization in December. Phi Beta Kappa generally taps the top 6 percent of graduates receiving degrees in the liberal arts each semester. Members must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.65 and have completed 100 credit hours of course work.

A $10,000 grant to help foster development of African art and cultural resources in the Rocky Mountain region has been awarded to J. Terrence McCabe, associate professor of anthropology at CU-Boulder, and Laura DeLuca, a doctoral candidate in cultural anthropology. They are working to bring together and provide resources to area residents, teachers, artists and nonprofit and private businesses with an interest in African culture. The funding will benefit the community through teacher workshops and a public celebration with African food, music and dance.