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The 27th annual ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Faculty Development Summer Institute on Active Learning and Teaching, taking place August 2 to 6, has attracted 20 teaching faculty from as far as Colorado and as near as Charlottetown.

The only remaining institute of its kind in Canada, the program's goal is to improve teaching and learning by supporting teachers to learn and use active learning in their classrooms. Since 1984, hundreds of participants have had an opportunity to work with professors from Canadian, American, and overseas colleges and universities who believe that teaching is both an art and a science.

Offered through the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ , this year's institute is facilitated by four professors from ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ who are all 3M National Teaching Fellows: Dr. Brent MacLaine, Dr. Shannon Murray, Dr. Brian Wagner and Dr. Philip Smith. Participants discover new ideas that will assist their students in learning more effectively, and make teaching more enjoyable.

Dr. Murray, a professor in English says, "This institute is a unique opportunity for a conversation about university and college teaching with a wide range of faculty who all have such wonderful experiences to share. For all of us, student learning comes first."

Jamie Bodenlos, Bernard Gee, and Elizabeth Ramey are three professors from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY attending the institute. Bodenlos said, 'The program thus far has certainly met and exceeded my expectations. We learned of the institute at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ through our career development office, and we will certainly recommend it to our peers back home.'

The institute continues until August 6 and features daytime classroom sessions and evening social activities as part of the registration.

Undergraduate science students at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ have planned and now will host a research conference at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ on August 6. ‘USURC', or the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Science Undergraduate Research Conference, is an annual student-led initiative that features students presenting their research projects before an audience of professors, family, and peers.

'It's not often possible for undergraduate students to present research in a formal university setting,' said Maximilian King, conference co-chair. 'This conference provides an opportunity for us to get a head start in developing our presentation skills before we enter our post-graduate study.'

A student committee was formed months ago to organize the logistics of the day-long event that will be staged in the lecture theatre at the K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre on the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ campus. The conference will be kicked off with opening remarks from Dr. Christian Lacroix, Dean of Science and includes presentations by 23 science students from various departments on topics as far-ranging as ‘Polymer in a Liquid Crystal Solvent' to ‘Modeling Prince Edward Island to Understand Climate Change'. A presentation by two high school students on the ‘Heat Capacity of a Squash Ball' is also part of the program.

Co-chair Keaghan Rilling said, 'This is the first time we have included high school students, but our hope is they will consider attending ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ after being part of this awesome experience.'

Student presenters were offered a workshop last month by Dr. Michael Shaver to assist with their presentation styles. An accomplished researcher and communicator of his work, Dr. Shaver is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ who researches the exchange of toxic reagents for non-toxic alternatives, performs 'green' reactions without solvents to eliminate the release of toxic chemicals, and replaces petroleum-based products with renewable feedstocks.

Rilling added, 'Having someone of Dr. Shaver's calibre to shed light on the elements of a proper research presentation was invaluable for our conference participants. And it is great to start to develop these skills so early in our research careers.'

The conference wraps up August 6 at 4 pm with closing remarks from co-chair King. Click for conference schedule.

ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ's Dr. Steel Recital Hall will be the venue for the ‘Vocal Mosaic of AIRS', a community event from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on August 12 featuring workshops, demonstrations, guest speakers, and an evening concert.

Chaired by Dr. Annabel Cohen, a leading researcher in the field of auditory perception and music cognition with the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Department of Psychology, the day-long event is designed to share with the community the exciting research that AIRS - Advancing Interdisciplinary Research in Singing - is conducting and to discuss and celebrate the act and art of singing. The idea of a ‘vocal mosaic' symbolizes the variety of topics interconnected with song.

'Singing connects people,' says Cohen, herself an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT). 'We are so fortunate that ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ is at the hub of a large research enterprise aiming to examine singing in all its dimensions. The AIRS workshop provides the opportunity to share our growing knowledge with the community.'

Keynote speaker is AIRS collaborator, Psyche Loui, PhD, a cognitive scientist and instructor in the Department of Neurology at Harvard University and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She will present a talk on her research regarding brain mechanisms underlying vocal pitch production, as well as the role of melodic intonation therapy in rehabilitation of stroke victims.

Event topics centre on three main themes: the development of singing, teaching singing and using singing to teach, and singing and well being. Presentations include musical theatre for seniors, sound yoga, Celtic singing, and many others. Hands-on workshops will include ‘Four Basic Steps to Singing' by Sung-Ha Shin-Bouey, ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Associate Professor of Music, and a tour of the AIRS research facilities.

The concert portion begins at 7:00 pm and will showcase the ‘vocal mosaic' of AIRS. A variety of performers of different singing styles will be featured, including Island vocalists Teresa Doyle, Colette Cheverie, and Meaghan Blanchard; Halifax native and classical performer Jennifer Farrell; AIRS post-doctoral fellow at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ, Anick Lamarche; and young Riley Sorensen.

For information about registration and details of the workshop, please email airs@upei.ca or visit .

The workshop is held in association with the Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Research in Culture, Multimedia, Technology and Cognition in Education (CMTC-E), under the auspices of the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Faculty of Arts, and is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

About AIRS (Advancing Interdisciplinary Research in Singing)

AIRS is an international collaboration of more than 70 scholars integrating new multidisciplinary knowledge about singing from the perspectives of psychology, music, linguistics, sociology, anthropology, and education, assisted by computer science and audio engineering. AIRS addresses the following three main themes from the perspective of individual, cultural, and universal influences: Singing and Well-being, Education, and Development of Singing. The team's novel use of a digital library aims to revolutionize research in singing by enabling the depositing and sharing of audiovisual information via the internet. The research provides resources and best practices for teaching singing across cultures and generations, and a means for enhancing quality of life through improved intercultural and intergenerational understanding.

The Centre for Life-Long Learning at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ is your first point of contact as an adult learner. Offering dynamic academic and student support, flexible programming to fit your schedule, and small class sizes, the Centre will help you with all your education and training needs.

For the second year, The Centre has released an insert in The Guardian for adults who are considering coming back to school. An electronic version of the insert is .

You will find information on what programming and services are available, information on courses taking place at convenient times, and professional development opportunities for adult learners.

If you would like to speak with someone regarding coming to ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ, please contact the Centre at 566 0336 or email lifelong@upei.ca.

ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ men's hockey forward Cory Vitarelli will be returning for a fifth season says head coach Forbie MacPherson.

'As a coaching staff, we are very excited that Cory Vitarelli has decided to return for his fifth year of eligibility,' MacPherson said. 'We believe that having Cory back, somewhat unexpected, would be the equivalent to securing a blue-chip recruit.'

The Peterborough, Ontario native came to ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ in 2006 from the Toronto St. Michaels Majors of the Ontario Hockey League. In his four seasons with the Panthers, Vitarelli has 48 goals and 35 assists in 87 games. Last season in 19 games, he had 13 goals and six assists - including a four-goal game against Dalhousie. Three of his goals were game winners for the 15-11-2 Panthers.

'I am excited to be playing one more year at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ and I am expecting big things this year,' Vitarelli said. 'We went on a bit of a winning streak late last season (seven games) and realized our potential. It feels like we have some unfinished business and there is an opportunity to win a championship under Forbie,' he said.

Vitarelli is an accomplished lacrosse player and is currently in the Major Series Lacrosse play-offs with his hometown Peterborough Lakers.

'Cory can be one of the most dangerous offensive players in this league. He has a natural ability to put the puck in the net. The fact that he has decided to play out his remaining year of eligibility, makes a tremendous statement to his commitment to this program,' MacPherson said.

ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ's home opener this season is October 15 when they host UNB.

The ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ (ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ) today signed a licensing agreement with PEI bioscience company Nautilus Biosciences Canada Inc. for ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ-developed technology to extract anti-inflammatory agents from sea coral. The deal has the potential to create millions of dollars in benefits to the University, and Nautilus Biosciences Inc.

The goaltender who led the Kelowna Rockets to a Western Hockey League (WHL) title and the championship game of the 2009 Memorial Cup will be playing for the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ men's hockey team this fall.

Forbes (Forbie) MacPherson, head coach for the hockey Panthers said, 'Mark Guggenberger comes to our program with a wealth of experience and a proven track record, which includes a WHL championship on his resume.'

Guggenberger played three seasons in the Western Hockey League beginning with the Swift Current Broncos in 2007-08. He was traded to Kelowna in early 2009 and led the Rockets to the WHL title and into the championship game of the 2009 Memorial Cup tournament only to lose 4-1 to the Taylor Hall-led Windsor Spitfires.

'Forbie called me and I hadn't been thinking about playing university hockey,' the 6'3', 208-lb goaltender said. 'But the more I thought about it, I saw it as a good option for now and down the road. I don't know a lot about the CIS other than having a few friends playing at schools like Manitoba and U of A,' he added.

Earlier this summer, ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ goaltender Wayne Savage left ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ to pursue a professional career. That void is now filled according to MacPherson. 'Quality goaltending is the backbone of any successful program. We believe that by having Mark, along with Jhase Sniderman, our goaltending is in very capable hands.'

Guggenberger, who is from Richfield, Minnesota, was injured for a large part of last season. 'I sat out the first half with a sports hernia and didn't skate for seven months. It was hard to restart things halfway through the season but we finished on a high and made it to the second round of the play-offs with a young team. I really look forward to going to ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ and hopefully win a national championship,' Guggenberger said.

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Contact:

Forbes (Forbie) MacPherson
Head Coach, Men's Hockey
ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ
T (902) 388-0169

The ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ is launching a new University Preparation Certificate for Adult Learners this October. The program is designed to help adult learners explore their interest in university studies and provide them with skills and strategies for a successful transition to post-secondary learning.

'The Centre for Life-Long Learning is pleased to be partnering with the Webster Centre for Teaching and Learning on offering this new program. There is overwhelming evidence that, within industrialized countries, there is a growing demand for workers with higher skills and education to fill job needs. We feel it is important to offer this program at the local community level to eliminate travel time as a barrier to participants,' says Jeanette MacAulay, director of the Centre for Life-Long Learning.

Targeting adults who have been out of school for some time or graduates of upgrading programs, the program will offer critical-thinking and writing skills, test-taking strategies, goal-setting, and research skills, among others.

'At the Webster Centre, we recognize that everyone learns differently and those who may not have been ready to enter university out of high school may be ready to, after some experience in the workforce. We want to help those who may have an interest in entering university by making it the most positive experience possible,' says Dr. Barbara Campbell, director of the Webster Centre.

Learners will meet over six consecutive Saturday mornings from 10:00am - 12:00pm. The program will begin on October 2, 2010 in O'Leary, and on January 22, 2011 in Charlottetown. The cost for the full program is $50 and registration is limited to 20 participants per location.

'We are excited that this new program is coming to West Prince. It is providing an opportunity for West Prince residents to receive training close to home, and build their confidence and skill level to be successful in whatever their educational dreams may be,' says Sharon Horne, executive director, Rural Community Learning Inc.

All are welcome to attend an information session on September 1 from 6:00 - 7:00pm at the Future Tech West Centre in O'Leary. An information session for the Charlottetown offering will be held at a later date.

The project is funded, in whole or part, through the Canada-PEI Labour Market Development Agreement and/or the Labour Market Agreement.

For more information contact the Centre for Life-Long Learning at 902-566-0336, email lifelong@upei.ca or .

The first annual Palmer Conference on Public Sector Leadership began Thursday, August 26 at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ with a bevy of leaders in attendance from Canada's public and private sectors including Kevin Lynch, former clerk of the Privy Council, who is this year's conference chair.

Given the tropical storm warnings in place for Charlottetown, new student orientation (NSO) events at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ on Saturday, September 4 have been cancelled. Where possible, NSO events that have been affected will be rescheduled throughout the week or later in the month.

NSO traditionally attracts upwards of 600 participants, many who commute to campus. In light of the impending weather, ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ administration has made this decision due to concerns about students' travel safety and possible power outages while on campus, as well to avoid adding to the already-present anxiety that naturally comes for parents and first year students about starting university.

Residence move-in is also scheduled to begin on Saturday, September 4 from 9:00 am - 9:00pm. Students may choose, because of the storm, to arrive instead on Sunday,September 5 or Monday, September 6 from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm. If arriving after Monday, September 6, students are requested to go directly to Bernardine Hall for check-in information.

For more NSO information, .