March 19, 2015 - 9:15am
Domestic violence, digital stories, human trafficking, music and memory, mammals in Buttertubs Marsh and indigenous edible foods – these are just a few topics that will be covered during a three-day conference to showcase research, scholarly activity and community engagement projects by Vancouver Island University (VIU) students.
Graduate and undergraduate students will present the results of their various projects at the CREATE Conference at VIU’s Nanaimo campus March 24, 25 and 26.
The public is invited to drop by between 10 am and 4 pm on all three days to view posters and displays exhibited in VIU’s main cafeteria (building 300).
Students will also present their work in 15-minute intervals to the general public in the Royal Arbutus Room (above the cafeteria) at various times during the conference. Refreshments and food will be provided.
“We encourage the public to drop by and vote for their favourite poster or presentation,” says Kathryn Jepson of VIU’s Research & Scholarly Activity Office. “This is also an excellent opportunity for parents to bring their school aged children to VIU during Spring Break to see some of the exciting projects that students are involved with in University.”
The conference wraps up with an awards ceremony and ‘Scholarship Slam’ on Thursday, March 26 in the Royal Arbutus Room. The Slam is a fun and lively event where students and professors present their research or scholarly activity in three minutes.
“Their goal is to describe their research or major project quickly, concisely and in an entertaining way to an audience,” explains Jepson. “It can be challenging to explain a scientific research project in a way people can understand, but that’s a very valuable skill for students to develop for future career and academic endeavours.”
As a teaching-intensive University, many VIU faculty incorporate assignments into their courses that have a hands-on research component or engage students in community based projects.
“Students work really hard on these projects – some all year long – and CREATE is a perfect way to showcase their research, scholarly activity and community engagement across all disciplines,” Jepson adds.
CREATE aims to give student researchers experience in public speaking, as well as presentation and poster-making skills, Jepson adds. The event also promotes networking and idea exchange between faculty, students and community members.
CREATE is organized by the VIU Research and Scholarly Activity Office.
For more details and a full event schedule go to www.viu.ca/research/create
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MEDIA CONTACT
Janina Stajic, Manager, Vancouver Island University P: 250.740.6288 E: Communications@viu.ca
Twitter: @VIUNews
Tags: Student Success
