SRU’s student research symposium participant growth continues
Megan Hulings, a senior art major from Erie, will have her “Kabuki Over Sake” featured at SRU’s "Symposium for Student Research, Scholarship and Creative Achievement"
HARTMAN
March 27, 2017
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - And the presenters just keep on coming.
After seeing a record number of Slippery Rock University students - 168 - present research, art exhibits and live performances during SRU's "Symposium for Student Research, Scholarship and Creative Achievement" last year, the 2017 event has surged to 180 participants.
The symposium, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Smith Student Center, will include presentations in science, business, education, communication, computer science, the arts, history, exercise science, contemporary culture and more. The symposium is SRU's signature student-faculty scholarly event.
"The experience of participating in the symposium gives students insight into a topic that cannot be gained any other way," said Nancy Cruikshank, director of grants, research and sponsored programs and symposium coordinator. "The research process is a valuable skill to learn, and it is transferable to many areas of life and provides an opportunity to work closely with a faculty member.
"Employers and graduate school admissions officers are always looking for those experiences that distinguishes an individual from other applicants and this is a great way for students to set themselves apart from their peers. Plus, collaborating with other students from your classes or Living/Learning Communities on a project is a great way to make new friends and learn more about your area of study."
The 180 student presenters continue the symposium's upward participation trajectory. There were 149 student presenters in 2015 and 168 in 2016.
According to Cruikshank, presentations run the gamut, encompassing "just about any endeavor" in academia. She said students submitted 112 abstracts this year, compared to 101 two years ago. The abstracts were blind reviewed by faculty members and suggestions for revising the abstracts were communicated to the faculty sponsors. The guidelines for submitting abstracts are also on the website.
According to the SRU's Symposium Call for Abstracts form, an abstract is "a clear, concise and complete summary of a project." While abstracts differ depending on the discipline, all abstracts submitted for the symposium should, at a minimum, "inform the reader of the nature, the scope, the means/methodology and the results of the project." All students are encouraged to work with a faculty sponsor in crafting an abstract appropriate for their discipline. All abstracts had to be written by the students and approved by the faculty sponsor before submission. Abstracts, including title, could not exceed 300 words.
"Research at the undergraduate level has the ability to open doors - between yourself and your professors and peers, your community and other professionals in your chosen field," said Katelynn Kletzli, a senior exercise science major and Norton Scholar from Butler.
"In combination with all I have learned in the classroom, research has prepared me for my future in the evidence-based practice of physical therapy. Research was the one area I never thought I would delve into during my undergraduate career, but I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to complete the entire process, from the original proposals and grants, to presenting at the American College of Sports Medicine National Conference."
The Journal of Scholarly Endeavor, which includes all the abstracts, will be published on CD for the fourth consecutive year. It is given to each of the presenters and their faculty sponsors.
Oral presentations will take place from 8:20 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. in Rooms 320 and 322; poster presentations and exhibits will be from 12:30-2 p.m. in the Ballroom; and performances will take place from 2-3:40 p.m. in the Theater.
"Participating in an event such as this is beneficial for many reasons," said Heike Hartmann, associate professor of geography, geology and the environment. "Students not only have the opportunity to showcase their work, but by conducting that research in the first place, they are improving their critical thinking, problem solving, laboratory and field work skills, which are vital to their future.
"In addition, participating in a symposium setting allows them to interact and explain their work not only to other researchers, but to the general public which is an important communication skill to master.
"This event really provides many opportunities beyond simply showcasing the research ... the benefits of which will really help prepare students for their futures."
A complete schedule of events can be found at: https://www.sru.edu/academics/research/student-symposium.
MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robert.king@sru.edu