Stephen Ling and Randi Bimeal beside their poster Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons
Penn State Altoona’s annual undergraduate research fair added a new component this year, allowing more students to participate.
First held in 2003, the goal of the fair is to showcase to the entire college community the exciting research and creative activities that students undertake. It also prepares students to speak articulately about their projects, a skill that will help them as they continue their academic careers or enter their vocations.
While the fair was always open to students from all disciplines, it previously focused exclusively on poster presentations. This year, the fair was opened to oral presentations as well as performance and exhibition entries to encourage more students to participate. In addition to engineering, physical sciences, health, life, arts & humanities and social sciences posters, there were three sessions of oral presentations on social issues and a category for performances and exhibitions.
Laura Rotunno, associate professor of English and coordinator of the fair states, "The success of this year's fair depended on the work of the whole campus -- professors, students and staff -- working together to celebrate the best of what we do at this campus. I can attest that those who attended were inspired and invigorated by our students' exciting and diverse work, and I am already planning for next year's celebration!"
You can see a complete listing of the winners at www.altoona.psu.edu/urf.
Marissa Carney