If the thought of a 25 metre tapeworm is enough to make you squirm then a seminar by Dr David Jenkins from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences may give a new perspective on these parasites. The Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation is hosting the seminar, ‘What you should know about tapeworms but were too afraid to ask’ in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 19 April.  In his entertaining presentation, Dr Jenkins will examine the life cycles of taeniid cestodes, a group of tapeworm of medical and veterinary importance. These tapeworms infect humans and animals, ranging in size from 3 millimetres to 25 metres. A Senior Research Fellow at CSU, Dr Jenkins has spent 30 years researching tapeworm and hydatid control in Australia and overseas. “Along with providing information about a selection of these wonderful animals, the seminar will give a few life style suggestions to reduce your chances of becoming infected at home or abroad,” he said.

It was controlled chaos at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst today, Thursday 19 April, when paramedic students dealt with multiple ‘patients’ with a range of injuries during a mass casualty simulation in front of the University library. Mr Brian Haskins, lecturer at the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in Bathurst, said, “We aim to provide our students with a close approximation of what they are likely to encounter later in their working lives, so exercises like this are essential. There were 20 casualties, played by students, and eight paramedics to triage and treat them all.” The students are enrolled in Clinical Studies 412 in the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Practice (Paramedic), and the exercise was videoed to provide feedback for the participants. The 20 casualties are volunteers from the Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) degree. On Wednesday afternoon, the students participated in a simulated motor vehicle collision with an trapped patient requiring extrication using of the ‘jaws of life’ cutting equipment, demonstrated by the State Emergency Service (SES) Bathurst Unit, to gain access to the patients.

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) Regional and Remote Learning Support Team will visit Wilcannia on Tuesday 24 April to meet and provide support to CSU distance education students in the area. Team manager Mr James Brann said, “While this visit aims to provide student support in our partnership with the CSU Teaching Education in Communities (TEC) program, we are keen to meet all Charles Sturt University distance education students living in the area. Our team members have all studied by distance education, and with that practical knowledge we aim to enhance our distance education students’ experience of their courses and their prospects for successful completion. After our session with the students, we will host a community barbeque to which we have invited community leaders to meet the team and learn more about the University’s programs.” The student support session will run from 10.30am to 1pm at Wilcannia Central School and will be followed by a community barbeque at 2pm. The CSU Regional and Remote Learning Support Team has already visited and provided support to CSU distance education students in Parkes, Jindabyne, Cooma, Moree, Bourke, Broken Hill, Griffith, and Mudgee.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will celebrate its scholarship and prizes ceremony on Tuesday 8 May, awarding 19 scholarships and 16 awards to students attending CSU in Dubbo. “The calibre of applications for the scholarships is increasing in standard,” said CSU Head of Campus in Dubbo, Dr Beverley Moriarty. “This event is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the hard work students put into their studies and to congratulate those who are achieving their goals. One standout student this year is Ms Helen Hines who is undertaking a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary). She is receiving the Rotary Club of Dubbo scholarship and three academic achievement awards.” CSU students can benefit financially thanks to more than 40 scholarships on offer every year in Dubbo. A large number of these scholarships are funded by individuals or organisations that hold a strong belief in supporting the University and its students.

Recent years have seen a rise across Australasia in the construction of new glasshouses and other controlled growth chambers for plant research to replace outdated facilities from the 1950s and 1960s. Scientists, technicians and managers involved in plant biology research in controlled environments will meet at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga from Tuesday 1 May to Thursday 3 May. The A will hold its 6th conference to discuss new facilities in Australia and overseas, the latest technology supporting glasshouses or controlled environments including lighting, electronic controls and robotics, along with the latest research. The conference is being held at the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, at CSU in Wagga Wagga, where preparations are underway to open a $45 million National Life Sciences Hub in June, which includes a glasshouse complex for advanced research into the interactions between soil, climate and plant biology, and pathology. “It is important to know how plants interact with the climate, particularly the changing climate, in relation to productivity. These facilities are a key part of the research infrastructure required to investigate such interactions,” said Senior Lecturer in Viticulture Dr Dennis Greer. The conference’s keynote speaker is Professor Bruce Bugbee from the Department of Plants, Soils and Biometeorology at Utah State University in the USA.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic has been named one of four heroes of science in a new book promoting various fields of science to Australian school students. Former CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Kath Bowmer, has been recognised for her work in improving the management of water flows through inland rivers to improve water quality, particularly in the Murray Darling Basin. Her work was particularly important in addressing the blue-green algae scares in the Darling River during the 1990s, and in developing Australia’s first water sharing plan along the Murrumbidgee River in the 2000s. “The books have been written to encourage children to take an interest in science. I was amazed by being included in a book on the Heroes of Australian Science, and slightly astounded when I saw that the other three scientists featured in the book included former Australian of the Year and leading environmentalist Professor Tim Flannery.” The book was written by Ms Jane Fitzpatrick and published by Macmillan Education.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has signed on as a sponsor of the 2012 Newton’s Nation gravity sport festival at Bathurst’s Mount Panorama from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 April after its students gained valuable work experience at previous Newton’s events. Ms Cheryl Howell, manager of market development in the CSU Division of Marketing, said, “Newton’s Nation provides a supervised, safe environment for young people to have fun and compete at an elite level. As part of our commitment to regional communities, Charles Sturt University saw an opportunity to support an event for young people that also features national and international competitors. Part of the sponsorship includes the opportunity for a number of our public relations, communications and marketing students to gain practical experience working with the organisers in the lead up to and during the event.”   In addition, Mr Pat Sproule, lecturer in TV production  and Associate Head of the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Wagga Wagga, is taking CSU’s outside broadcast (OB) van , three staff and 15 students to Newton’s Nation to video the various skateboard, street luge and other downhill wheeled competitions, as well as the BMX bike events and bands that are performing over the weekend. “This is an excellent opportunity for our TV production students because it’s technically more advanced than other outside broadcasts we’ve done,” Mr Sproule said. “We are required to film approximately 1.5 kilometres of track and need specialised technical assistance to enable us to live-stream footage to a large screen for spectators at the top of the Mount as well as to YouTube and iiNet channels. The footage will also be used by other ‘extreme sports’ TV shows.”

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario teaching graduate Mr Chad Pilon can’t wait to take to the classroom. Mr Pilon, who uses a wheelchair, has overcome more challenges than most in pursuing his teaching dream and said CSU has been barrier-free.  He’s full of praise for the Bachelor of Primary Education Studies (BPES) program. “Charles Sturt University really is ahead of the game in its approach,” he said. “Having a solid grounding in proven teaching strategies and new technology has given me the confidence to go to job interviews feeling fully prepared.” The BPES is a one year teacher education program that prepares students to teach in primary/junior (JK-6) classrooms in Ontario. It’s open to graduates of a three or four year degree and focuses on developing practical and professional skills based on theoretical and conceptual understandings of teaching.  Applications for the 2012 fall intake are open until 4pm Friday 18 May 2012.

Recent years have seen a rise across Australasia in the construction of new glasshouses and other controlled growth chambers for plant research to replace outdated facilities from the 1950s and 1960s. Scientists, technicians and managers involved in plant biology research in controlled environments will meet at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga from Tuesday 1 May to Thursday 3 May. The A will hold its 6th conference to discuss new facilities in Australia and overseas, the latest technology supporting glasshouses or controlled environments including lighting, electronic controls and robotics, along with the latest research. The conference is being held at the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, at CSU in Wagga Wagga, where preparations are underway to open a $45 million National Life Sciences Hub in June, which includes a glasshouse complex for advanced research into the interactions between soil, climate and plant biology, and pathology. “It is important to know how plants interact with the climate, particularly the changing climate, in relation to productivity. These facilities are a key part of the research infrastructure required to investigate such interactions,” said Senior Lecturer in Viticulture Dr Dennis Greer. The conference’s keynote speaker is Professor Bruce Bugbee from the Department of Plants, Soils and Biometeorology at Utah State University in the USA.