Volunteers are being sought to assist a Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher with a study into the use of computer games technology to portray Einstein's Theory of Relativity. PhD student Mr David Carr says that there has been growing interest in both research and industry in the use of computer games - so-called ‘Serious Games’ - for teaching and training. “Virtual worlds can be programmed to behave according to Newtonian laws of physics, or other rules, that enable us to experience things that are not possible or feasible in real life,” said Mr Carr. “Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity, which is concerned with travel at close to the speed of light, is a subject which can be visualised through the use of computer software. The aim of my research is to evaluate how this physics can be portrayed in an interactive game, and whether such a game can help people to learn the concepts of relativity. The game was designed with the HSC physics curriculum in mind, so it would be good to hear from high school students in particular, although anyone is welcome. I want to find out if it's fun and if you learn anything from the game.”

Festival coordinator Andrew Hagan from CSU is available for interview. Photos available from CSU Media.

The standing of vocational education and training (VET) in Australia is the topic of a keynote address at a seminar organised by researchers based in the Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Education in Wagga Wagga. Known as RIVET or Research in Vocational Education and Training, the group will hold its bi-annual research seminar on Friday 16 May. Educator, researcher and author, Professor Stephen Billett, from Griffith University, will address the seminar from 9.30am on the value that Australia places on vocational education. The seminar will be held from 9am to 12.30pm at the Wine and Food Industry Training Centre, McKeowen Drive, on CSU Wagga Wagga Campus.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) student is one of 20 young people from around the world selected to attend the World Council of Churches’ international dialogue centre, the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey in Switzerland, in July. Second year agricultural science student, Mr David Gale, will take part in the first Summer School on Water organised by the Ecumenical Water Network (EWN). The diverse group will study the global water crisis and its local, regional, and international causes and manifestations. They will examine the situation and challenges from a perspective of Christian faith and ethics and look for possible ecumenical responses. “I’m very excited and privileged to have been selected to be a part of this small international group,” said Mr Gale, who lives in the residential college, St Martin’s, on CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus.  St Martin’s is hoping to raise money from the local community to fund Mr Gale’s travel costs.

CSU student Mr David Gale is available for interview. Contact CSU Media. He leaves Wagga Wagga on Thursday 24 July and return on Friday 8 August.

Bullying in schools is the topic of the first forum for 2008 in the Edversations series hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Wagga Wagga City Council. Academics from the University’s School of Education in Wagga Wagga will join guests from schools, support agencies and members of the the wider community to discuss the many issues surrounding the problem of bullying. The forum will examine what is bullying, how is it changing in schools, what can schools do  and what are the roles of teachers, parents and students. The forum will involve comment, conversation and questions. CSU wine and cheese will be available after the forum on Wednesday 14 May from 6pm in the council meeting room, Civic Centre, Baylis St, Wagga Wagga.

 

The work of a Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff member to provide high quality accommodation for CSU students has been recognised by the Australasian Association of College and University Housing Officers (AACUHO), the national body for University accommodation professionals. Mr James Kelly, from the CSU Division of Student Services, won the Fran O’Brien Award at the Association’s conference in the National Museum, Canberra in April. Overseeing accommodation for about 1 200 CSU students, Mr Kelly is the Manager of Residential Operations on the University’s Bathurst, Dubbo and Orange campuses. The award recognises and encourages outstanding newcomers to student housing and includes financial support for Mr Kelly to attend the 2009 conference. Mr Kelly joined the University in 2004. “Through his dedication and enthusiasm, James has made a valuable contribution to the development of the residential community at CSU,” said Executive Director of CSU Division of Student Services, Mr Andrew Callander. “James has been able to enhance the community support focus of the residential operations.”

Award-winning poet, Ms Petra White returns to the Albury-Wodonga and Riverina regions in May for public poetry readings and workshops hosted by the Booranga Writers’ Centre at Charles Sturt University (CSU). Her first poetry collection, The Incoming Tide, published by John Leonard Press in 2007 , was short listed for Arts Queensland's Judith Wright Calanthe Prize for Poetry. In 2003, Ms White was joint winner of the Patricia Hackett Prize for her poem 'Grave' and her poems were published in The Best Australian Poems series in 2003 and 2006. “Petra's work was very well received when she came to Wagga Wagga with the Poets-On-Wheels tour last year. This time, as well as reading her poetry, Petra will be running workshops for poets and mentoring a local poet.  Poets of all ages and backgrounds will be able to further develop their writing skills and read their poems in front of an audience,” said the Booranga Writers’ Centre’s Mr David Gilbey. Ms White will read her poetry at the Albury City Library on Thursday 8 May at 5.30pm and at an open mike event at the Wagga Wagga City Library on Monday 12 May at 6.30pm. She will lead poetry writing workshops at Booranga Writers Centre, Wagga Wagga on Saturday 10 May and in Griffith on Sunday 11 May. Ms White is hosted by Booranga Writers’ Centre and her visit is jointly funded by CSU and Arts NSW.

A scientist whose ground breaking research pioneered understanding about drought responses in plants will this week visit the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, a research alliance between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) at Wagga Wagga. On Monday 5 May, Professor John Boyer will share his expertise with researchers at the Centre who are focused on improving agricultural production and environmental conservation through science based research. Professor Boyer's work on maize's tolerance of low rainfall allowed plant breeders to develop improved varieties which remain productive in drought conditions. His research also allowed an extension to the area where the plant can be grown across the world. Professor Boyer hails from the University of Delaware in the United States where he is a Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 

Further information about the EH Graham Centre is available here.

The work of five Charles Sturt University (CSU) academics has been recognized by their inclusion in the latest Who’s Who of Australian Women, the book which honours inspirational women from all walks of life. Among the new entries in the 2008 edition are Strategic Research Professor in Professional Practice, Joy Higgs AM, Professor of Social Work and Human Services Margaret Alston, the Head of the University’s School of Biomedical Sciences and chair of the CSU Human Research Ethic Committee, Associate Professor Lyndall Angel, senior lecturer in Early Childhood Education, Ms Tracey Simpson and Associate Dean of Policing and International in the Faculty of Arts, Associate Professor Tracey Green. Published by Crown Content Pty Ltd, the third edition has the theme of Leadership & Beyond and profiles over 6 200 eminent but diverse women, ranging from 104 year old Linda Vipont, OAM to NSW Governor, Professor Marie Bashir, AC, who is mentioned throughout the publication as an inspiration to many. Launched in 2006, the publication is a celebration and acknowledgment of women and redefined the boundaries of success.

Professor Margaret Alston and Associate Professor Lyndall Angel are based on CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus, Ms Tracey Simpson is on secondment as Director of Early Childhood, Western NSW Region of Department of Education and Training in Dubbo and Associate Professor Tracey Green works from CSU’s Faculty of Arts office in Wagga Wagga. Professor Higgs is based in Sydney as Director of the University's Education for Practice Institute.