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Chico State

EDXCHICO to Provide New CSU, Chico Students with Education and Entertainment

Cawa Tran talks to new students at an outdoor teaching event.
Jason Halley / University Photographer

Cawa Tran, Department of Biological Sciences, presents about “First-Gen Student, Island Hopper, Coral Reef Rescuer” on the first day of classes of the Fall semester, as eight University faculty provide 5- to 7-minute presentations during EDXCHICO on the Glenn Lawn on Monday, August 27, 2018 in Chico, Calif. Fashioned after the popular TED Talks, EDXCHICO will provide fast-paced presentations to engage and excite students, whether graduation is on the horizon or they’re just beginning their college journey. (Jason Halley/University Photographer/CSU Chico)

As incoming students at California State University, Chico prepare for the new academic year, the University’s faculty will prime their minds for learning the night before classes resume.

On Sunday, August 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Trinity Commons, eight faculty will provide presentations during the second annual EDXCHICO, a showcase of some of Chico State’s exceptional professors who will demonstrate their passion for their fields of expertise.

This free event is open to students, faculty and staff, and is presented by Academic Affairs and hosted by the Office of the Provost. Each faculty member will be introduced by the Associated Students’ senator of their respective college.

Starting at 5 p.m., attendees can get a ticket and grab a burger, hot dog or veggie burger, indulge in ice cream from Shubert’s Ice Cream and Candy, and take photos at a photo booth while socializing with the campus community. Ice-cold water will also be available, and campus visitors are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles. Mats will be available for those who would like to sit on the lawn and enjoy music, take in the beautiful campus scenery, and chat with their fellow Wildcats.

At approximately 6 p.m., after a welcome from Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Debra Larson, faculty will begin presenting five- to seven-minute talks in an entertaining and fast-paced format on a diverse range of topics from each of the University’s seven colleges.

Presentations will be made by:

  • David Alexander, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering and Sustainable Manufacturing, “Cooking with an Engineer”
  • Brian Brazeal, Department of Anthropology, “Gems, Guns and Drugs: An Illegal Approach to Anthropological Research”
  • Stephanie Bianco, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, “Bringing the Classroom into the Real World”
  • Jamie Gunderson and Aaron Koch, School of Education, “This is your Brain. This is your Brain on Stress”
  • Betsy Boyd, College of Agriculture, “Let Your Taste Buds Taste Bugs!”
  • Timothy Heinze, Department of Finance and Marketing, “Saving Society, One Sale at a Time”
  • Aydé Enríquez-Loya, Department of English, “Reclaiming the Horror of La Llorona: How Storytelling Practices Create Meaning and Shape Reality”

Gunderson and Koch said they are excited to share a lecture that explores the mechanics of learning—how the brain learns, what stress does to impede learning and tips to reduce stress to maximize learning.

“We hope to provide a fun and entertaining presentation with lots of props and hands-on examples that emphasize current research practices in maximizing learning and reducing stress,” Koch said. “We want to reach all students and welcome them to Chico State with pro tips on how to make the most of their Wildcat experience with on-campus resources.”

Cawa Tran, an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, spoke at last year’s inaugural EDXCHICO with her lecture titled, “First-Gen Student, Island Hopper, Coral Reef Rescuer.” After her talk, many students expressed to her how inspiring they found the lecture—and that meant the world to Tran, she said, as she designed the talk specifically with first-time students in mind.

“At EDXCHICO, incoming students are immediately exposed to this great diversity of professors who come from different backgrounds and disciplines, and many of the students can relate to some of the stories being told through the talks,” Tran said. “It really is a terrific way to showcase in creative format what Chico State is about and who we are.”

For more information on EDXCHICO, visit the event website. Those who require an accommodation in order to attend EDXCHICO or who have questions about accessibility may contact the Accessibility Resource Center at 530-898-5959.