Wesley Turner, lecturer in SFA’s Department of Geology, is teaching his students to play in the sand.

With the help of an augmented reality sandbox, Turner brings geological concepts to life. The simplicity of the field and the way it helped explain the world around him was what originally attracted Turner to geology and gave him the desire to teach it to others.

The AR sandbox is one way Turner makes learning about geology a hands-on experience for his students. He and another faculty member built the box and hooked a 3D camera up to an Xbox Kinect and a projector. By manipulating the sand, students can change the way contours representing the topography are projected onto it.

“Being able to visualize it and make your own surface and see how the contours will reflect that surface helps students get the concepts a little better,” Turner said.

In recognition of his work, he was awarded a Bright Spot award by the SFA Faculty Senate, the Center for Teaching and Learning and the SFA vice presidents.

Creating a positive and safe environment where students can thrive and help their peers succeed is a goal of Dr. Deb Scott, professor of trombone in SFA’s School of Music.

While Scott is comfortable performing onstage before crowds, it’s inside the classroom that some of her greatest contributions have been made and greatest rewards have been realized.

As a music educator, Scott’s job is unique in that she works closely with each student during the entire four years of his or her college career.

For her continued dedication to the musical field and her students, Scott recently was honored as SFA’s 2019 Teaching Excellence Award recipient for the College of Fine Arts.

Dr. DawnElla M. Rust, professor in SFA’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, will present “Finding Happiness — The Science” at the university’s upcoming Regents Lecture.

Rust, the 2018-19 Regents Professor, will deliver the address at 5:30 p.m. April 23 at the Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center, Room 212. This event is free and open to the public. A reception with refreshments will follow.

Reserved for exemplary university role models, the title of Regents Professor is the highest honor SFA bestows upon members of the faculty and is held for one academic year.

Rust’s lecture will demonstrate with science and life stories the role of happiness in health outcome.

SFA’s Early Childhood Laboratory, in partnership with the Greater East Texas Community Action Program’s Head Start, invites the community to participate in the Week of the Young Child, which will be observed today through Friday, April 12, in Nacogdoches County.

As part of the national Week of the Young Child, Nacogdoches will honor young children and all individuals who make a difference in children’s lives.

During the week, all day cares, schools or other organizations working with children are encouraged to join and honor young children and their families. Each day will reflect a designated theme. To view a list of themed activities, click the “Read More” button below.

The sixth meeting of the Faculty Senate for 2018-19 is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, in the McGee Business Building, Room 121.

Megan Weatherly is scheduled to provide an SFA Envisioned Strategic Plan update.

Dr. Steve Bullard, provost, is expected to offer his regular update to the senate.

The election committee will give an update on the upcoming Faculty Senate elections.

Updates on the Career Ladder for nontenure track faculty proposals and employee educational benefits also are expected.

A status update of the Children in the Workplace policy, including any additional alterations since the senate discussion, is expected to be provided.

Visitors may attend, or you can view the meeting live online.

For more information, contact your senator or Jason Reese, senate chair, at reesejd1@sfasu.edu. To view the senator list, click here.

Faculty members and professional advisors are invited to the Professional Academic Advisors Council meeting scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 11, in the Steen Library Wyatt Room.

If you would like to be added to the PAAC email list, contact Raquel Skidmore at skidmorerr@sfasu.edu.

SFA’s College of Sciences and Mathematics will host the fifth annual Women in STEM Luncheon and Style Show at noon tomorrow in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom.

Doors open at 11 a.m. for a gallery walk poster presentation highlighting science, technology, engineering and mathematics research accomplishments by SFA students and faculty.

The luncheon and style show is a scholarship fundraising event benefiting students committed to the advancement of women pursuing STEM degrees at SFA.

The deadline for reservations is today. Tickets are $40 each or $300 for a table of eight. For more information or to make a reservation, call (936) 486-2805, or email Kim Carmona at kdcarmona@sfasu.edu.

SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11, in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.

Daniel Cunningham, a horticulturist for Texas A&M AgriLife Research Extension’s Water University program, will present “Eat the Yard: A Guide to Edible Landscape Plants.”

Parking is available at the PNPC and Raguet Elementary School, located at 2428 Raguet St.

For more information, call (936) 468-4129, or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.

Baseball:

SFA - 2 vs. University of California, Santa Barbara - 3

SFA - 12 vs. University of California, Santa Barbara - 14

SFA - 0 vs. University of California, Santa Barbara - 7

Track and field:

The team collected many top finishes at the Carl Knight Invitational. To view results, click here.

Bowling:

The team beat Prairie View A&M University in its opening match in the 2019 NCAA Bowling Championship.

Soccer:

SFA - 5 vs. University of Louisiana - Monroe - 0

Softball:

SFA - 2 vs. Lamar University - 3

SFA - 1 vs. Lamar University - 4

SFA - 3 vs. Lamar University - 2

Tennis:

SFA - 0 vs. University of Central Arkansas - 7

SFA’s Wind Ensemble will present “Faces & Places” when the student group performs at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in Turner Auditorium.

The concert will feature Dr. Jacob Walburn, assistant professor of trumpet at SFA, as soloist on American composer John Mackey’s iconic trumpet concerto “Antique Violences.”

“We are thrilled that the composer will be in residence for the concert,” said Dr. David Campo, director of bands at SFA and of the Wind Ensemble.

The Wind Ensemble also will accompany Walburn in Mackey’s 2017 landmark work.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407, or visit finearts.sfasu.edu.

Dr. Deb Scott, professor of trombone, will present a recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, in Cole Concert Hall.

Among the varied works to be featured is "Pearls II” by Roland Szentpáli, a Hungarian composer and world-renowned tuba player.

Dr. Ron Petti, director of accompanying at SFA, will perform with Scott and will be featured on “Rhapsody” by Michael Schneider, who is a collaborative pianist and composer in the Dallas area.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407, or visit finearts.sfasu.edu.

At first glance, illustrator Eiko Ojala’s art pieces look like layers of colorful paper with delicately cut shapes. However, the images are digital illustrations.

Ojala’s textured 3D compositions often convey a message about the body and mind.

To see more of Ojala's images, click here.