No. 4 - September 2012 - Communications and Development ...

Festival showcasesUC’s Antarctic researchWinter may be at an end but acelebration of New Zealand’slinks with Antarctica will bringthe icy glory of Earth’ssouthernmost continent toChristchurch’s Hagley Parkthis month.The University of Canterbury will be atthe forefront of these celebrations as aproud strategic partner of the inaugural NZIceFest, which will be held from 14September to 14 October.The University will have a high profile atthe event with a wide range of activitiesthat will showcase UC’s Antarcticresearchers and research to a national andinternational audience.UC staff and postgraduate studentsfrom a range of disciplines are involved inthe event, and augmented realitytechnology developed by staff at UC’sHuman Interface Technology LaboratoryNew Zealand (HIT Lab NZ) will give festivalvisitors a chance to experience avirtual Antarctica.Among those taking part in the event isGateway Antarctica Director ProfessorBryan Storey.Professor Storey said IceFest was a “greatopportunity for our Antarctic researchers toshowcase to the wider community theexciting Antarctic research that is taking atthe University of Canterbury”.“It is a really interesting time forAntarctic research as we are beginning towitness the polar amplification of climatechange on the frozen continent.”The University’s support of NZ IceFestwill be most prominent through the UCScience Café and UC Celebrate Series, wherethe public get to interact with a widevariety of Antarctic experts.IceFest visitors will be able to get avirtual, real–time tour of Antarctica thanksto augmented reality technology developedby staff at HIT Lab NZ. Using a tablet PC,visitors can choose to retrace the footstepsof polar explorers or meet modern–dayscientists working in the field.Other technology recently developed atHIT Lab NZ, called ColAR, will give children achance to bring their art to life by creating a3D image of their colouring–in.To find out more about the 65 eventsthat will be held during NZ IceFest, go towww.nzicefest.co.nz.AntarcticaWe see summer schoolFor over 50 years, the University of Canterbury has beeninvolved with Antarctic teaching and research.Every summer 16 UC students get thechance to experience Antarctica up closeand personal as part of their fieldworkfor the Postgraduate Certificate inAntarctica Studies.UC has a unique range of multi-disciplinaryundergraduate and postgraduate courses, fromScience and Engineering through to Law and Arts,that are helping to uncover the complexities ofthis incredible continent.Find out more at www.anta.canterbury.ac.nzStrategic Partner of the 2012 NZ IceFest