ASU Community Connect Bulletin

Event to examine power of games in education, health, social impact

Janelle Elizares Knapp — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 19:57:48 +0000

ASU explores power of play Sept. 27 at Arizona Science Center

Leading researchers, game developers and digital entrepreneurs from the Arizona State University Center for Games and Impact will gather at Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix Sept. 27 to discuss and demonstrate the power of computer and video games to influence education, health care and social challenges.

The event, “Playing Games with a Purpose: The Power of Play in Learning, Health and Social Impact,” is scheduled to take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and is free and open to the public. Families, ages 6 and older, are welcome.

Presented by the ASU Foundation for A New American University’s Presidential Engagement Programs (PEP), Arizona Science Center and ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, the event requires registration. Arizona Science Center is located at 600 E. Washington St., and validated parking at the Heritage and Science Parking Garage will be provided.

The three founders of the ASU center – co-director Alan Gershfeld and professors Sasha Barab and James Gee – will share the center’s mission, impact areas and initiatives. Additionally, the Game Savvy Teacher Initiative will be launched during the event, and a formal presentation, including previews of the latest educational games, will be demonstrated on the science center’s IMAX theater.

Attendees will be invited to play games with leading game developers in digitally infused educational curriculum. Discussions will be led by Barab, the Pinnacle West Chair of Education in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, and the event is the result of a partnership between Arizona Science Center and PEP. The collaboration speaks to an institutional, interdisciplinary effort emerging between the science center and ASU, established and facilitated through the efforts of the ASU Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development.

Computer and video games have emerged as one of the most engaging mediums of the 21st century, generating billions of hours of highly interactive entertainment, even surpassing the film industry in terms of revenue. According to a recent Summit on Education report by the Federation of American Scientists, the success of complex video games demonstrates games can teach higher-order thinking skills such as strategic thinking, interpretative analysis, problem-solving, plan formulation and execution, and adaptation to rapid change.

A growing body of research is highlighting the enormous potential of games to drive meaningful and measurable learning, health and social impact.

The session will explore the power of the medium to create more engaging and effective education models, foster healthy living practices, more efficiently train employees and engage global youth in the critical issues facing a highly-connected, fast-moving, 21st-century world. In addition, hands-on demonstrations will offer attendees new and innovative ways to experience the impact of games.

A founding senior scientist and scholar in ASU’s Learning Sciences Institute, Barab is highly acclaimed for his research on the value of transformational play as well as the development of gaming environments designed to assist children in developing a sense of purpose as individuals, as members of their communities and as knowledgeable citizens of the world.

Formerly the Barbara Jacobs Chair of Education and Technology at Indiana University, Barab is well known for his work in developing the education game “Quest Atlantis,” a ground-breaking learning and teaching project that uses a 3D multi-user environment to immerse children, ages 9-12, in educational tasks.

James Paul Gee is the Mary Lou Fulton Presidential Professor of Literacy Studies, and also a member of the National Academy of Education. His book, “Sociolinguistics and Literacies” (Fourth Edition 2011), was one of the founding documents in the formation of the “New Literacy Studies,” an interdisciplinary field devoted to studying language, learning and literacy in an integrated way in the full range of their cognitive, social and cultural contexts. His most recent books have dealt with video games, language, and learning.

“What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy” (Second Edition 2007) argues that good video games are designed to enhance learning through effective learning principles supported by research in the learning ciences.

Alan Gershenfeld, Founding Industry Fellow, has spent the last 20 years at the intersection of entertainment, technology and social entrepreneurship. He is currently founder and president of E-Line Media, a publisher of digital entertainment that engages, educates and empowers – with a core focus on computer/video games. E-Line works with leading foundations, academics, non-profits and government agencies to harness the power of games for learning, health, and social impact.

For more information about “Playing Games with a Purpose,” contact Sally Moore at 480-965-4814 or via email at sally.moore@asu.edu.

Steve Des Georges
Senior Director, Editorial Services
ASU Foundation for A New American University
480-727-0757
steve.dg@asu.edu

Team Leaders and Volunteers Needed for Project C.U.R.E.

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:48:23 +0000

Volunteer groups and individual volunteers are needed at Project C.U.R.E to help prepare the large amounts of donated supplies received for shipment overseas. Everyone from teenagers to senior adults can help sort and pack life saving medical supplies. Volunteers can come in on a regular basis or for a short duration.

Sorting Team Leaders conduct orientation and training of new volunteer sorting groups. They lead volunteer teams in an effective, energetic and engaging sorting experience and cultivate relationships with new volunteers and ensure that all volunteers leave a sorting event with a clear understanding of who Project CURE is and how they can get more involved. A team leader should be self-motivated, trustworthy and able to communicate effectively to a group of 20 volunteers. As the “face” of Project CURE a Team Leader should be friendly, reliable and maintain a positive attitude at all times.

PROJECT C.U.R.E. (Commission on Urgent Relief & Equipment) was founded in 1987 to help meet the need for medical supplies, equipment and services around the world. PROJECT C.U.R.E. builds sustainable healthcare infrastructure by providing the medical supplies and equipment that medical personnel need to deliver healthcare to their communities. Since its inception, PROJECT C.U.R.E. has delivered medical relief to needy people in more than 120 countries.

For more information, contact volunteercoordinator@projectcure.org or visit http://projectcure.org.

Service Learning Internships – Human Services Senior Centers

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:10:31 +0000

This summer volunteers are needed to make a difference at 15 City of Phoenix Senior Centers. Each day, hundreds of seniors rely on Senior Center programs to make connections and forge new friendships with their peers. Just an hour or two of your time can make a significant difference in their life. Sign-up today for one of the volunteer opportunities listed below.

Service Learning Opportunity also available. To learn more visit http://servicelearning.asu.edu/node/12135 or call 602-262-6667.

Senior Center Recreation Assistant

Volunteers will plan creative, fun and active opportunities for seniors such as special interest classes and special social events.

http://www.myvolunteerphoenix.org/opportunities/2136

Senior Center Educational Assistant

Volunteers are needed to help teach seniors how to stay connected to vital senior center services and activities using a new, computer based system.

http://www.myvolunteerphoenix.org/opportunities/2135

Zoo Poo

Regina Duran — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:37:24 +0000

Charlie and I are undergraduate students in engineering and began work on ZooPoo when we realized the pressing need for a change to be made in local zoos. Our solution to the problem zoos face with the disposal costs of animal waste utilizes algae cultures as a method of recovering nutrients from the waste to produce a nutritionally effective supplement for animals to consume.

Our experience at Ignite was unlike any other. Ignite @ ASU served as a one stop shop where people with inspiring ideas could gather and share their thoughts. While presenting at Ignite, the two of us equally enjoyed the quick progression of slides. It allowed for a seamless transition between ideas and made for a one of a kind experience as a presenter. This feature complimented well with our presentation due to the different dimensions of ZooPoo. ZooPoo will provide an economical boost in public zoos, improve the nutritional quality of existent animal feed, and do so in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way.

People from all sorts of backgrounds can get involved to make a difference and if anyone is interested in learning more about Project ZooPoo feel free to contact us at ProjectZooPoo@gmail.com. Feel free to check out our solution posted on 10,000 Solutions too! http://10000solutions.org/solution/zoopoo-0

Volunteers Needed for the St.Mary’s Food Bank Alliance – Kids Cafe Program

Tue, 08 May 2012 17:49:24 +0000

Kids In Need

“To think that one child would go to bed hungry somewhere in this country is heartbreaking…to know how many do is virtually incomprehensible. This is not only a problem that exists in the far reaches of the globe. It happens right here in our own backyard. Together, as concerned citizens, we must do more to make sure every child’s needs are met.” Katie Couric

Yes, it really is in our backyard, 1 in 4 children in Arizona are living in poverty and at risk of hunger. Would you be willing to help make a difference with this issue? St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance-Kids Cafe Program is looking for committed volunteers—at least a day per week for a 2 -3 hour morning shift to help create and provide as many as 3,000 “Snack and/or Breakfast Meals” to 66 sites in the Valley every day. Volunteers will help scoop, bag, close, and pack food and other items used for this Program and put them all together in Snack Meal bags. Work is conducted in an air-conditioned, food safe clean room using safe food-handling practices. A safe food handlers certificate, however, is not a necessity. Accommodations are possible for those needing a sit down position.

If you have a heart for helping kids in need and a committed interest in volunteering, please call Jan Wells at 602 343-5637, email jkwells@firstfoodbank.org or Grace Rodil 602-343-5629, email mgrodil@firstfoodbank.org

Adapting Digital Memories

Regina Duran — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:46:53 +0000

Hello it’s Kayla Burkholder here to give you a brief introduction to digital memories and the importance of them. I am a Graphic Information Technology student and an avid believer that history helps direct the future. I hope that this will get the ball rolling with more forward momentum on how we can preserve our history now for the future.

My experience with ignite was a great way for me to get people more engaged and aware of the real dangers of having only digital memories. So I keep saying digital memories, what exactly are they? Well they are digital photos, videos, email, PDFs, letters or anything that is important to you and is now in some digital form. Digital memories are culturally relevant to everyone who is now using computers, smart phones, and digital cameras.

So what can you do to adapt to digital memories? Well get into a discussion and start realizing it as an actual problem that effects current and future generations! Visit my solution and the 10,000 Solutions website to be inspired and start your own solutions. Make sure to tag your solutions with #ignite and also #digitalmemories if it’s a solution related to my presentation.

City of Scottsdale’s 37th Annual Mighty Mud Mania on June 9th

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:25:09 +0000

Join us Saturday June 9^th 2012 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Scottsdale’s original annual event! Mighty Mud Mania is held at Chaparral Park located at 5401 N Hayden Rd. This year, 7-17 year olds will need to be there before 12:00 p.m. to run in the original mud course, because adults will get to compete in the course from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a $10 admission fee! Kids can encourage their parents to show them their skills or adults can challenge each other for the first time in 36 years! Registration for Scottsdale’s celebration of water and mud begins at 8 a.m. Participants must bring a signed permission slip or have a parent or guardian available at the event to sign one. In addition, participants must wear lace-up or Velcro shoes (sandals and flip-flops are not allowed).

The event is free, but participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the Vista del Camino food bank. Activities are planned for two age groups, 6 and younger and 7 to 17. The younger group can enjoy the mini mud obstacle course, mud pits, water play area, sand castle building and a town of mud dubbed “Mudville.” Older children can try the original mud obstacle course (from 8am to 12 noon,) sandcastle building and mud pits.

Questions? Contact Ronnie Phillips at rphillips@scottsdaleaz.gov

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/MightyMudMania

Volunteer Counselors Needed for Cancer Camp

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:40:43 +0000

Since 1985, the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Phoenix Children’s Hospital has hosted a week-long summer camp for its current and former patients. Camp Rainbow provides children with seven days of friends, activities, fun and laughter, and gives them the opportunity to interact with other youth who’ve experienced similar hardships, in the forms of treatment and loss, and a similar victory, in living. While at camp, children have unique experiences, participating in activities such as horseback riding, zip lining, canoeing, fishing and archery. They also get to swim, camp out under the stars, and sculpt, paint and design in arts and crafts. It is truly a magical week for the 120-plus campers who attend!

Camp Rainbow will be held August 3^rd- August 11^th, 2012.

I would love the opportunity to talk to you more about camp and how you can help. Please contact me at 602-546-0157 or cnelson1@phoenixchildrens.com. I appreciate your time and consideration, and I look forward to partnering with you as we plan for Camp Rainbow 2012.

Caley Nelson

Pediatric Oncology Social Worker

Camp Rainbow/Rainbow Kids Activities

Phoenix Children’s Hospital

Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

(602) 546-0157

www.pchrainbowkids.com

How to Change the World in 140 Characters or Less

Regina Duran — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:27:45 +0000

Casey was part of Ignite @ ASU: Small Solutions, Big Change at the Polytechnic Campus on November 2011. Check out what she has to say about her Ignite presentation and watch her video to learn how can can use twitter for change.

“As a social media coordinator at a university, I am not only an avid user of social networks but I am continually teaching coworkers, friends, and students how to effectively use social media for their personal and professional needs. Among these networks, I believe Twitter is the tool that can help any individual change the world.

Presenting at Ignite @ ASU has been on my bucket list for a couple years. I have attended several Ignite events and two things keep me coming back: the rapid pace of the presentations and the audience participation on Twitter. That is right; the best part about Ignite events is using Twitter to discuss the presentations in real time with other audience members. In fact, it was the audience participation at those events that gave me the idea to discuss the power of Twitter for my presentation. If a five minute speech given one time can cause a room full of strangers to tweet to each other and simultaneously spread the word about a new idea, non-profit, or service project …think of what you could do with an actual Twitter strategy to further your cause.

What I have discovered is many people are intimidated by their own voice. I consistently hear people say they don’t join new social networks because they don’t have anything to say. My Ignite presentation not only helps you understand what Twitter is, but how you – right now, in 140 characters or less – can create a strategy, begin tweeting and start changing the world.”

Help the Muscular Dystrophy Association “raise bail” for kids camps

Janelle Elizares Knapp — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:25:26 +0000

Glendale and Arrowhead area MDA Lock-up

Wednesday, March 23, 2012

11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Jobing.com Arena

Mary Landers from the Muscular Dystrophy Association (Phoenix West) invites you to the annual Glendale and Arrowhead area Lock-Up on May 23, 2012. We would love to have you involved as a jailbird! This year’s lockup is being held at Jobing.com Arena and hosted by the Phoenix Coyotes and MDA.

As a jailbird, you will be raising “bail” to get yourself out of jail. Don’t worry we won’t keep you there if you don’t post your total bail. The bail for this lock-up is set at $2,400 and that will send three MDA kiddos to MDA Summer Camp! Most of our campers will tell you the week at camp is “better than Christmas”!

Once you commit to the event, you will gain access to a personal fundraising website and a personal fundraising coach, a.k.a. your parole officer. You can see that website here.

We hope you will join us at this year’s Lock-Up, not only will you have a great time and meet some great people (including some of the Arizona families you are helping), but you will also be spending your lunch doing something great for the community.

Thank you!

Mary Landers | Volunteer | (480) 518-9929

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