Winners from each category in last year's Undergraduate Research Fair and Exhibition pose for a group photo at the conclusion of the event.
DUNMORE, Pa. — Penn State Scranton students will have the opportunity to let their research projects and creativity shine during the campus' annual Undergraduate Research Fair and Exhibition, set for 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7.
Each year, students and faculty celebrate their research and creative projects in this campus-wide event. Students are encouraged to demonstrate their knowledge and prowess in their fields of expertise through oral presentations, poster displays, gallery exhibitions and artistic performances.
This year’s fair will feature three individual sessions: Oral Presentations, an Art and Creative Exhibition, and the Research Poster Presentation.
Entries can be submitted from class projects or assignments; a senior thesis or research project; an independent study; internship project; or a creative project in writing, music, studio art, photography or theater.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry Jiyoung Jung is this year’s Undergraduate Research Fair coordinator.
“Not only myself, but also all committee members, take this event seriously and have been working together to make this event successful,” Jung said.
While there is no specific goal for how many participants will be entered into this year’s research fair, Jung said she wishes to see an ongoing increase in the number of students who register each year, as the event is designed to “encourage those who have not participated before and, at the same time, we believe the quality of the project and presentation are equally important to be a successful event.”
Students can submit individual or group projects, and the poster fair session is a judged portion of the event, with prizes awarded to the top presentations in each category.
Online registration is available starting Monday, Feb. 24, and the registration deadline for all projects/presentations will be on Tuesday, March 17.
The poster submission deadline will be on Wednesday, April 1, and must be submitted to the Academic Affairs Office in Dawson Room 7.
The entire campus community is encouraged to attend and show support for the presenting students and learn more about the projects and research they have been working on.
“We hope to see continuing efforts of students and their faculty mentors to participate in undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activities of all disciplines,” Jung said. “We also hope to celebrate the event with the whole campus community and other public participants. We have great support from campus administration, faculty, staff and students, which all contribute to the overall success.”
Jung said that the newest additions to the Research Fair, the Oral Presentations and the Art and Creative Exhibitions, were very successful at last year’s event, when they were added to the schedule, and she expects an increase in the number of students participating in both of these events this year.
For those planning on going to this year’s Undergraduate Research Fair, the schedule of events is as follows:
-
Oral Presentations, 4 to 5 p.m. (judged): SLC 29, SLC 31 and SLC 36
-
Art and Creative Exhibition, 5 to 6 p.m. (not judged): The Sherbine Lounge
-
Poster Presentation Fair, 6 to 8 p.m. (judged): The View Café
In addition to the campus’ Undergraduate Research Fair, Penn State Scranton also will host this year’s annual Penn State Regional Undergraduate Research Symposium on Thursday, April 23.
“We hope everyone will join us to celebrate outstanding student research at this event as well,” Jung said. “It is a great opportunity for students to see how research within Penn State Scranton is conducted. Through undergraduate research experiences, students are able to explore their research interest and build their research and career skills.”
For more information on this event, contact Jung at [email protected]. To register for the event, visit https://scranton.psu.edu/undergraduate-research-projects.
