SPEAKER: Erin McCauley, Biomedical Sciences TITLE: Microbial Communities Associates with the Zooxanthellae and Larvae of the Gorgonian Coral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae. SPEAKER: Dr. Melanie Buote, Pathology and Microbiology TITLE: Pathogenesis of early Hematodinium sp. infection in Atlantic Canadian Snow crabs (Chionoecetes opilio)

Sarah Jane Barrett will present her Master of Education Thesis defense on Monday, March 5 at 10:00 am in Room AVC 287 North. Thesis Title: "The Gifted Experience: an Autobiographical Journey”. All are welcome. ABSTRACT This qualitative study uses an auto-ethnographic approach to explore the experiences of a gifted student in Prince Edward Island. The purpose was to reflect on and offer insights and analysis about experiences in school and how these shaped teacher identity. Using school documents and recollections of years in school, a series of narratives of schooling formed the data. Analysis of these narratives revealed themes that resonate with the literature, including perfectionism, frustrations with waiting, group work, anti-intellectualism, and disengagement from learning. The importance of challenge, ability grouping, and creativity are discussed, as well as the role of teachers in the education of gifted students. The research found that the needs of gifted students are not met in ways that develop their potential and the thesis suggests educational approaches supported by the literature and findings.

Lisa Cooper will present her Master of Education Thesis defense on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 3:30pm in Kelley 237. Thesis Title: Succeeding where others have failed: Re-engaging Aboriginal high school students. All are welcome. Abstract This study explores Aboriginal youth disengagement from high school on Prince Edward Island. The author and six Aboriginal participants, share their experiences of disengaging from the educational system. The experiences of this group of young people are consistent with those in the current literature which stresses the need to support Aboriginal students in school, change curriculum, and increase community and parental involvement. The study provides recommendations on ways to re-engage Aboriginal students in the school system.

The UPEI Women's Hockey team play their first game of the CIS Championship at 6:30 pm Atlantic Time vs. the loser of Laurier and Montreal.

Dr. Brian D. Wagner, Professor of Chemistry and the Assistant Vice President, Graduate Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island will be giving a Presentation entitled "The Interactive Classroom: Active Learning using a Modified Lecture Approach" on Wednesday, March 28, 2012. Dr Wagner has been at UPEI since 1995. He has taught a wide variety of chemistry courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level. He was the recipient of the 1997–1998 UPEI Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 3M Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Teaching Excellence Award (2005). He has given numerous workshops and presentations on university teaching at UPEI, as well as across Canada and abroad, and has been a facilitator in the UPEI Faculty Development Summer Institute on Active Learning and Teaching since 2002.

Vagabond Productions is hitting the road this spring with their upcoming production of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. From March 12th to 17th, the UPEI theatre group will be bringing the playwright’s classic comedy to six unique and intimate performance spaces across Prince Edward Island. The tour begins in Charlottetown at the Murphy Community Centre on March 12th, followed by Summerside’s Wyatt Heritage Properties (March 13th), Souris Showhall (March 14th), Montague’s Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre (March 15th), Hunter River’s Harmony House (March 16th) with the final performance in UPEI’s Faculty Lounge in Main Building (March 17th). All performances begin at 7:30pm; doors open at 7:00pm. Tickets will be available at the door with all proceeds going to the venue of the evening. For more info, contact the venues directly or the UPEI Theatre Department at 566-6013, gdoran@upei.ca or upei.ca/theatre/research.

On Friday, March 9th at 7:30pm, Brittany Banks will present her Senior Recital at the University of Prince Edward Island's Dr. Steel Recital Hall in Charlottetown. In collaboration with Frances McBurnie, piano, she will perform repertoire in a variety of styles, including classical works by Handel, Wolf, Donizetti & Weinzweig, traditional folk songs and musical theatre works by Gershwin, Pasek & Paul and Scott Alan. Brittany will be joined by several friends throughout the evening, including Matthieu Hughes (cello), Morgan Saulnier (flute), Noah MacDougall (piano), Andrew Murray (guitar), Isaac Williams (bass) and Phil Kromer (drums). Brittany is preparing to graduate this spring with her Bachelor of Music degree with a major in vocal performance under the direction of Sung Ha Shin-Bouey. Admission is free and a reception will follow in the Main Building Faculty Lounge.

SPEAKER: Doug Marchbank, Department of Biomedical Sciences TITLE: Investigation of the mechanism of action of pseudopteroxazole, an antitubercular marine natural product.

UPEI Engineering Design Expo and Awards Ceremony will take place on April 19 with a design expo and judging, Engineers PEI reception and awards ceremony.

UPEI men's hockey, basketball and soccer teams will be teaming up to compete in a hockey and soccer game! Funds raised through ticket sales and donations will go towards the Children's Wish Foundation (PEI Chapter) and the Passion for Life award. The Passion for Life award was created to honor Rene Ayangma, a member of the UPEI men's soccer team who passed away in 2008. The award is presented to a UPEI athlete who shows a true passion for life and its people.