Pitt School of Information Sciences to Host "i-fest" Oct. 27-29

PITTSBURGH-Just what are the "information sciences?" To answer that question, the University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences (SIS) is presenting its inaugural "i-fest" celebration. The festival, whose full name is i-fest.pitt.edu, will showcase SIS degree programs and research with interactive demonstrations of information technologies and activities ranging from panel discussions to poetry slams.

"With a degree in the information sciences, career possibilities are endless," said Kelly Shaffer, SIS director of external affairs and organizer of the event. SIS offers degree programs in information science, library and information science, and telecommunications, preparing students for careers in fields such as database development, archiving, and information security.

Kicking off the celebration at 10 a.m. Thursday, "The Fantastic Amazing Great Race" will feature teams of two racing through the City of Pittsburgh. The teams won't know in advance where they are headed and must use technology to solve clues to their destination. Prizes will be awarded. It all begins at the 1st Floor Conference Room, Information Sciences (IS) Building, 135 N. Bellefield Ave., Oakland.

Also on Thursday, an "IS Showcase" will feature demonstrations in telecommunications, robotics, geoinformatics, and programming from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the lobby of the Edward H. Litchfield Towers, 3955 Forbes Ave., Oakland.

Other i-fest events include:

Thursday, Oct. 27

4 p.m.-i-fest.pitt.edu Colloquium, featuring Chaim Zins, professor of information science at Israel's Bar-Ilan University, discussing his research on the "Information Science Knowledge Map," a study of the theoretical foundations of information science, Room 405, IS Bldg.

5 p.m.-"Steps to Success," IT Industry Student Dinner Sponsored by Mellon Financial,

Schenley Ballroom, Holiday Inn at University Center, 130-150 Lytton Ave., Oakland

9 p.m.-Gaming Tournament, 4th Floor Classrooms, IS Bldg.

9 p.m.-The Mother Goose Poetry Slam, 1st Floor Classroom, IS Bldg.

Friday, Oct. 28

9 a.m.-Visual Information Systems Center (VISC) Open House, VISC Lab, 7th Floor, IS Bldg.

Noon-Keynote Address and Luncheon, Schenley Ballroom, Holiday Inn at University Center

Saturday, Oct. 29

10 a.m.-Tele Alien Day, Telecommunications Labs (Rooms 831 and 835), IS Bldg.

10 a.m.-SIS Expo, 1st Floor Conference Room, IS Bldg.

11 a.m.-Going Geo, Geoinformatics Laboratory, Room 407, IS Bldg.

Noon-IS Poker Tournament, 4th Floor Classrooms, IS Bldg.

1 p.m.-IS Scavenger Hunt, 3rd Floor, SIS Library, IS Bldg.

For more details and a complete schedule, visit www.i-fest.pitt.edu.

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10/17/05/tmw