March 21, 2014 - 3:30am
Graduate and undergraduate student research projects at Vancouver Island University (VIU) cover every topic imaginable including the history of the leg prosthesis, whale watching on Vancouver Island, regional climate change, and soil carbon dynamics in Douglas-fir, to name a few.
Come learn about innovative and community engaged student research and scholarly activity at CREATE (Celebration of Research Excellence and Knowledge Transfer Event) at VIU’s Nanaimo campus March 25, 26 and 27.
“CREATE showcases research and scholarly activity across all disciplines, including the sciences, social sciences, health and human services and business management,” says Kathryn Jepson of VIU’s Research & Scholarly Activity Office. It’s also an opportunity to celebrate student success.
As a teaching-intensive University, many VIU faculty incorporate assignments into their courses that have a hands-on research component or engage students in their own scholarship or research projects.
Part of the festivities include a Celebration of Research Ceremony and a ‘Scholarship Slam’, a fun and lively event where students and professors present their research or scholarly activity in three minutes.
“The goal is to explain their research quickly, concisely and in an entertaining way to an audience,” says Jepson. “Sometimes it’s challenging to explain a research project in a way people can understand. It’s a valuable skill to have for future career and academic endeavours.”
Cash prizes will be awarded to winning students.
Posters highlighting students’ work will be on display in VIU’s main cafeteria (Building 300) on March 25 and 26 from 10 am to 4 pm, and March 27 from 10 am to 12:30 pm.
Students will be available at various times to discuss their research and answer questions. A People’s Choice Award drop box will be available for viewers to vote for their favourite poster.
Some students will participate in 15-minute presentations about their research or scholarly activity, from 11:30 am to 2 pm on March 25 and 26, and 10 am to 12:30 pm March 27. The scholarship slam and awards ceremony takes place from 4 to 6:30 pm in the Royal Arbutus Room.
CREATE aims to give student researchers experience in public speaking, as well as presentation and poster making skills. The event also promotes networking and idea exchange between faculty, students and community members.
“We also hope the event sparks interest and curiosity of research and scholarly activity being conducted at VIU,” adds Jepson.
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
-30-
MEDIA CONTACT
Janina Stajic, Manager, Communications and Public Engagement, Vancouver Island University P: 250.740.6288 E: Communications@viu.ca
Twitter: @VIUNews
Tags: Research
