We are hosting an interesting event this Thursday.

Think of it as a literature-meets-wiki project. A multimedia unveiling of a new wiki, that students at Basha High School created to expand on their reading of PJ Haarsma’s science fiction series.

It is presented by Jim Blasingame ASU associate professor of English, who with fellow professor Peter Goggin, worked with Haarsma and local schools for the past two years to understand whether gaming had an influence on reading.

PJ Haarsma

During the unveiling, students will demonstrate their roles in the free online video game “The Rings of Orbis,” which Haarsma created as a supplement to his books. Director of the Kids Need to Read Foundation, Denise Gary.

WHEN: Thursday, May 28, 6-7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Decision Theater, 21 E. 6th St., Suite 126A, ASU’s Tempe campus

Worth noting:

• Candlewick Press, the publishers of Haarsma’s series, plans to incorporate this student-driven wiki in its next series release.
• Denise Gary, Director of the Kids Need to Read Foundation will be attending.
• Goggin and Blasingame will be present further findings about the intersection of literature, video gaming and computer literacy at an international conference this August.
• The Rings of Orbis has its own MySpace page
• You can follow The Softwire on –where else?– Twitter!

There’s limited seating. If you are from the media please contact us at 480.965.4098.