It鈥檚 one thing to do research. It鈥檚 quite another to put your findings on a poster board and explain their real-world implications to people with no previous understanding of the subject.
The 13th annual kicks off Thursday, April 7, at 1 p.m. in the Student Union鈥檚 Pegasus Ballroom, where students will demonstrate what they鈥檝e learned to the general public.
“Presenting at the showcase gives students an important opportunity to communicate their research, both to attendees in their field of work and to the general public,鈥� said Aubrey Kuperman, coordinator of the 麻豆原创 Office of Undergraduate Research.
Being able to communicate their expanded knowledge base is a critical skill that sets students apart when applying to graduate school and for jobs, Kuperman added.
The Office of Undergraduate Research holds the event as part of , an annually held series of professional development workshops and forums for undergraduate and graduate students.
All currently enrolled undergraduate students, regardless of major, are eligible to present. Judging for the showcase takes place in three rounds, and the best projects can receive scholarship money.
Burdley Colas, a student working at the College of Optics & Photonics鈥� Fiber Optics Lab, said preparing for the showcase gave him the opportunity to spend significant time working with his faculty mentor.
鈥淎 lot of students just go to class and then don鈥檛 take the time to know them,鈥� he said.
鈥淒eveloping a relationship with a professor helps you understand what they do and you get to ask them questions: What鈥檚 it like to be in academia? How do they manage multiple things at once? What does it take to get to grad school? Although you鈥檙e an undergraduate, you have the possibility to work with a professor like how a grad student would be entrusted to do. That鈥檚 a responsibility, and it鈥檚 a fun journey to be on.鈥�
The chance to present was more than just an opportunity for Colas to answer questions and deepen his understanding of his field, he said, because it allowed him to impress upon his peers to take advantage of campus resources.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e not just trying to win an award at the showcase,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e also sending a message, telling the university community: You offered me something, and I made use of it. And I want to inspire others to do the same thing.鈥�