* Packed 3-day program from 5-7 June celebrates engineering * Includes 17 sessions from professional development, industry links, information sessions for prospective students, to an interactive Questacon exhibit * Free public lecture by Ms Fiona Nash titled, ‘Regional Australia – A Positive Future’The Charles Sturt University (CSU) engineering program will host the annual Engfest at their award-winning facilities in Bathurst from Tuesday 5 to Thursday 7 June.Engfest is a three-day CSU Engineering event that brings together industry, educators and the community to showcase the works of the engineers of the future, and to discuss and celebrate regional engineering.Director of CSU Engineering Professor Euan Lindsay (pictured) said, “This is the third year that CSU Engineering will host Engfest, and the three-day program is packed with activities. We are excited by the diverse line-up of engineering events, presentations, and professional development sessions.“Engfest aims to reach all corners of the engineering community, from a lateral-thinking 10 year-old at our Questacon exhibit, to a regional engineer interviewing for Chartered status.“Engfest provides an opportunity for our region to connect to CSU Engineering and learn more about the role of engineering.”This year’s program incorporates 17 different sessions over the three days. Highlights include professional development for high schools teachers and industry, prospective student information sessions, an interactive Questacon exhibit, and a Regional Growth Forum facilitated by NSW Rural Women of the Year, Ms Jillian Kilby.“The centrepiece of Engfest is the student exhibition,” Professor Lindsay said. “At the exhibition our first- and second-year student engineers display their major projects. First-year projects are part of the Engineers Without Borders program, where student engineers have developed solutions to authentic environmental and community problems faced in Cambodia.“The second-year student engineers will present solutions they have developed for real clients. These include developing carbon neutrality solutions for Taronga Zoo, establishing a waterway for a local Wiradyuri community, and developing a vandal-proof water bubbler for schools, plus more.”On Tuesday 5 June (former Senator) Ms Fiona Nash will present a free public lecture titled, ‘Regional Australia – A Positive Future’.There will also be tours of the CSU Engineering building, Maker Space lab demonstrations, and the Engfest Celebration Dinner on Thursday 7 June.Professor Lindsay said, “A highlight of the three days is when the new cadet engineers are presented to their industry hosts. Our industry partners come from across the state to attend host training at Engfest, then they officially receive their cadets for the 2018-19 year.”Visit the website to register for sessions and purchase tickets for the Engfest Celebration Dinner (Thursday 7 June): www.csu.edu.au/engfestSee the full Engfest program here: https://www.csu.edu.au/engfest/program

* CSU coding comp aims to improve school students’ coding skills * Students to solve several coding challenges in various programming languages * Coding comp supports students to aspire to a career in IT and computingCharles Sturt University (CSU) is hosting a coding competition on Friday 25 May for 16 students in Years 11 and 12 from high schools in the Wagga Wagga region.Dr Arif Khan (pictured), course director in the CSU School of Computing and Mathematics said, “The aim of the event is to bring together high school students interested in IT and coding, and provide a fun activity for them to improve their skills.“The University has organised the event and has designed the program because we are keen to support these students and provide them with the opportunity to learn about computing and improve their coding skills.“The program will involve solving a number of coding challenges in various programming languages.“Lecturers will be teaching and guiding the students throughout the program, to support and encourage high school students to study on-campus and go into a career in IT and computing.”The winner of the competition will receive a $100 gift voucher and a certificate of achievement. All attendees will get a certificate of participation.The coding competition is from 9.15am to 1.15pm in the Library (room 1012, building 13) at CSU in Wagga Wagga.

* CSU to boost ABC stargazing world record attempt on Wednesday 23 May * CSU will host ‘Star Parties’ in Port Macquarie, Bathurst and Wagga Wagga * Aiming to beat previous 2015 world record of 7,960 stargazers in 37 locationsCharles Sturt University (CSU) will host three ‘Star Parties’ as part of the ABC’s Stargazing Live Guinness World Record Attempt for ‘Most People Stargazing Across Multiple Venues’ on Wednesday evening 23 May.CSU will host events in Wagga Wagga, Port Macquarie, and Bathurst.Head of Campus of CSU in Wagga Wagga Ms Miriam Dayhew said, “Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga is delighted to host a Star Party as part of the ABC’s Live National Guinness World Record Attempt, for the ‘Most People Stargazing Across Multiple Venues’.“This will be a family-friendly fun event and is a great way to show off our facilities in Wagga Wagga. Everybody is welcome to come along and take part in this world record attempt.“This event is open to the community and free to attend, but you must register.”In Wagga Wagga: 7pm to 10pm at CSU the event will be hosted by the CSU Science Club in the Physics Lab courtyard, in front of the Radiography Lab (building 10). Participants are advised to dress warmly.To register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/charles-sturt-university-science-club-star-party-tickets-45847937415

* CSU to boost ABC stargazing world record attempt on Wednesday 23 May * CSU will host ‘Star Parties’ in Port Macquarie, Bathurst and Wagga Wagga * Aiming to beat previous 2015 world record of 7,960 stargazers in 37 locationsCharles Sturt University (CSU) will host three ‘Star Parties’ as part of the ABC’s Stargazing Live Guinness World Record Attempt for ‘Most People Stargazing Across Multiple Venues’ on Wednesday evening 23 May.CSU will host events in Port Macquarie, Bathurst, and Wagga Wagga.Acting Head of Campus of CSU in Port Macquarie Mr Peter Fraser said, “Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie is delighted to host a Star Party as part of the ABC’s Live National Guinness World Record Attempt, for the ‘Most People Stargazing Across Multiple Venues'.“This will be a family-friendly fun event, and is a great way to show off our facilities in Port Macquarie. Everybody is welcome to come along and take part in this world record attempt.“This event is open to the community and free to attend, but you must register.”In Port Macquarie: 7pm to 10pm at CSU in the outdoor amphitheatre and half basketball court.To register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/charles-sturt-university-port-macquarie-star-party-tickets-45577452387In Port Macquarie guests can enjoy a barbeque near the fire and hot drinks for gold coin donations, which go toward Port Macquarie’s Observatory. Guest speaker, astronomer Mr David Reneke will introduce the event and provide some insight into stargazing. Campus tours will also be available on the night. Participants can purchase a small telescope upon registration for $6.50, or bring your own.In Port Macquarie, at approximately 7.45pm guests who are participating in the world record attempt will move to the half basketball court to stargaze for ten minutes. All participants in the record attempt must have a telescope or binoculars. The live cross with the ABC will be aired in the Indigenous Centre.More information can be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2314806898533047/

* CSU to boost ABC stargazing world record attempt on Wednesday 23 May  * CSU will host ‘Star Parties’ in Port Macquarie, Bathurst and Wagga Wagg * Aiming to beat previous 2015 world record of 7,960 stargazers in 37 locationsCharles Sturt University (CSU) will host three ‘Star Parties’ as part of the ABC’s Stargazing Live Guinness World Record Attempt for ‘Most People Stargazing Across Multiple Venues’ on Wednesday evening 23 May.CSU will host events in Bathurst, Port Macquarie, and Wagga Wagga.Acting Head of Campus of CSU in Bathurst Mr Peter Fraser said, “Charles Sturt University in Bathurst is delighted to co-host a Star Party as part of the ABC’s Live National Guinness World Record Attempt, for the ‘Most People Stargazing Across Multiple Venues’.“This will be a family-friendly fun event, and everybody is welcome to come along and take part in this world record attempt.”“This event is open to the community and free to attend, but you must register.”In Bathurst: 7pm to 10pm at historic Abercrombie House, 311 Ophir Road, Stewarts Mount, Bathurst.To register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/bathurst-observatory-and-abercrombie-house-star-party-tickets-45881208931

* Computer coding training for Riverina teachers and female high school students * AgriTech Incubator supports women and girls into tech and entrepreneurial activitiesThe AgriTech Incubator at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will host computer coding training for teachers and students from Riverina schools on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 May.Following the success of the 2017 event, the 2018 sessions will again be delivered by Code Club Australia which teaches students how to program by showing them how to make computer games, animations and websites. Code Club also delivers training to equip teachers with the confidence and ability to teach their students to code.Professor of Food Engineering in the CSU School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, John Mawson (pictured), said, “The AgriTech Incubator teacher training day on Wednesday 16 May is fully booked, and over 90 students are expected to attend the coding event on Thursday17 May, to learn how to create a rainbow predictor using Python and Raspberry Pi programs.“Students and teachers are travelling from towns across the Riverina − Cootamundra, Griffith, Junee, Leeton, Tullibigeal, Wagga Wagga, and Young − to attend the events.“Offering specialised programs supporting women and girls into tech and entrepreneurial activities is just one of the goals of the AgriTech Incubator.“The 2018 event follows the successful AgriTech Incubator at Charles Sturt University which delivered its first coding event specifically for Years 9 and 10 female high school students in the Wagga Wagga region in November 2017. Then, students created computer generated modern art, using Python, and the event was very well received by both students and teachers.“The teachers at that event also noted they would greatly value a training day to improve their ability to support STEM related initiatives in their schools,” Professor Mawson said.The coding events will be held at the AgriTech Incubator, building 6, CSU in Wagga Wagga (car park 11) from 10am Wednesday 16 (for teachers) and Thursday 17 May (for students).The AgriTech Incubator is funded by the NSW Department of Industry with significant additional funding from CSU, with the coding events being in partnership with Code Club Australia (https://codeclubau.org/).

* Australian comedy play Cosi by Louis Nowra at the CSU Ponton Theatre in Bathurst from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 May * Madness, burning cats, Mozart, and a play within a playOne of Australia’s popular comedy plays, Cosi by Louis Nowra, will be performed by third-year Charles Sturt University (CSU) theatre/media students at the Ponton Theatre in Bathurst from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 May.Presented by CYCLE Productions and the School of Communication and Creative Industries, Cosi explores mental illness, politics, love and sex and freedom, begging the question – “What is normal?”.The synopsis: It is 1971. Lewis (played by Gareth Thompson), a university graduate, is directing his first production at a mental institution in Melbourne. Faced with the challenge of bringing Mozart’s opera Cosi Fan Tutte to life, he must work with a group of extraordinary characters, under unexpected circumstances. Through all this, Lewis must navigate the boundaries between love, loyalty and trust to get this show on the road.Cosi is directed by CSU lecturer Dr Kate Smith, with assistant directors third-year students Ms Sophie Fitzgerald and Ms Madeline Whittaker.“Madness, burning cats, Mozart, and a play within a play. What could possibly go wrong? Everything, but no matter what, the show must go on!” Dr Smith said.Cosi will be performed nightly at 7pm from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 May as well as a matinee performance at 1pm on Saturday, at the Ponton Theatre (building 1434), Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst.Tickets can be purchased via Trybooking.com: https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=377842&High School Special = $8, Student/Concession = $10, Adults = $15Please note: This show contains coarse language, sexual references and drug references. Parental guidance is recommended.

* Four Dubbo experts will speak about breast cancer experiences and support services * Free CSU public lecture aims to engage regional Australia on this disease. * Four well-known community members will lead a panel to discuss their personal experiences with breast cancer‘Breast Cancer Uncovered’ is the topic of the next Explorations Series free public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo on Thursday 24 May.Head of Campus at CSU in Dubbo Ms Cathy Maginnis said the Explorations Series is part of the University’s community engagement program, which brings diverse speakers to share ideas, thoughts and opinions on topical issues.“The Explorations Series public lectures aim to engage our rural and regional communities in discussion and debate about major issues facing our regions, the nation and the world,” Ms Maginnis said.“The focus of this public lecture is breast cancer, an insidious disease that has affected and continues to affect many people in rural communities. Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate between gender or age.“We have invited four well-known community members to form a panel to discuss their personal experiences with breast cancer and the journeys they have undertaken to enhance breast cancer support services throughout the region,” Ms Cathy Maginnis saidThe speakers are Ms Donna Falconer, author of My Time and founder of the Pink Angels and Groovy Booby Bus; Mr Graeme Board, OAM; and the Dubbo-based McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurses, Ms Vanessa Hyland and Ms Margie Collins.Each panel member will deliver a brief presentation and answer questions from the audience, followed by a light supper.This free CSU Explorations Series public lecture will be at 6pm on Thursday 24 May in room 202, building 902, at CSU, Tony McGrane Place, Dubbo.Participants are asked to register their intended attendance online here: http://news.csu.edu.au/events?a=3014820Prior to the event there will be a media opportunity with the speakers at 3pm on Wednesday 16 May.

* Medical science conference in Wagga Wagga on Saturday 19 May * Presentations by three CSU medical science academicsThree Charles Sturt University (CSU) medical science academics will present papers at the annual 2018 NSW South-West Division of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS) conference in Wagga Wagga on Saturday 19 MayDr Thiru Vanniasinkam (pictured left), senior lecturer in immunology in the CSU School of Biomedical Sciences in Wagga Wagga said, “Organisers expect up to 70 people to attend the AIMS conference from across the NSW South-West region, including from Griffith, Dubbo, Bathurst, Orange, Wagga Wagga, and smaller places in between.“We also expect participants from the Sydney region, and this year we hope to have a few from Victoria since Wagga Wagga is relatively close to the border,” Dr Thiru Vanniasinkam said.There will be 13 scientific presentations, with three by medical scientists from the CSU School of Biomedical Sciences: * Dr Thiru Vanniasinkam, senior lecturer in immunology, ‘Antibiotic resistance in Camylobacter jejuni in NSW’ * Dr Philip Bwititi, senior lecturer in biochemistry, ‘Oxidative stress’ * Dr Wouter Kalle, lecturer in biomedical sciences, ‘DNA Diagnostic – from karyotype to NGS’The conference organisers have offered discounted student registrations for the conference day to engage with students enrolled in the medical science degree at CSU in Wagga Wagga.“Conferences like this are valuable to the region, as they provide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) within the pathology industry as our scientific program caters to the interests of scientists who are multi-disciplined,” Dr Vanniasinkam said.“Being proficient in a number disciplines is often required of scientists working in the smaller regional and peripheral laboratories, while those working in the bigger central laboratories are more likely to specialise,” Dr Vanniasinkam concluded.For more information see the conference flyer: https://www.aims.org.au/documents/item/982Or visit the website: https://www.aims.org.au/events/event/nsw-south-west-div-conference-2018-fThe annual 2018 NSW South-West Division of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists conference will be held at the Rules Club, 188 Fernleigh Street, in Wagga Wagga on Saturday 19 May.