Technology, film underscore 17th annual Undergraduate Symposium

The lights dimmed in Union South’s Marquee Theater Thursday afternoon, but it wasn’t for a feature-length movie screening. This year’s Undergraduate Symposium, the annual showcase event for undergraduate research, was the first to feature film shorts as part of its lineup of presentations.

“Film definitely challenges you in different ways than writing does,” said Nathan Baumgarten, a sophomore international studies major who presented a film called “Recruitment” at the symposium. “It can be hard to know how to string together different images in a way that’s appealing, let alone trying to send a message at the same time.”

Baumgarten’s film follows a college student as he witnesses major international events that drive him to apply for a job at the National Security Agency. Other films covered topics ranging from recycling to religion.

The symposium drew 624 student participants — a vast increase from the inaugural event in 1999, where 44 students presented their research.

Some students began working on their projects a year in advance, says Assistant Vice Provost Laurie Mayberry. “The symposium is a learning process for them in how to explain their research at a basic level to people who aren’t familiar with it.”

Presenters teamed up with faculty mentors from programs across campus and presented their work via posters, 10-minute talks and performances as well as the short films.

Rachelle Vang, a senior majoring in elementary education and history, gave one of the 10-minute talks, discussing her research on the way students use technology in the classroom. She studied two classes whose final project was to create a playable video game using ARIS, a design platform.

“I thought they would say, ‘This is really hard, I wish would’ve written the paper,’” Vang says. “But they all seemed to really love it. Technology is awesome, and it’s awesome in the classroom.”

Several other researchers explored how technology can improve classroom experiences as well as lives beyond the classroom. Hilldale scholar Xiang Zhi Tan developed an app compatible with Google Glass that records and plays back lecture material with the tap of a finger.

Other students incorporated new media in their traditional scientific research. Erin Kelleher, a senior biology major, investigated how young adults with genetic disorders connect and share their experiences over social media.

“I think that social media is a great way for individuals with certain diseases to connect with others,” Kelleher says. “Also, patients may post information online that they might not feel comfortable telling their doctor, which can interfere with their care. Learning about concerns displayed online may help health care providers provide better care to their patients.”

The Undergraduate Symposium is part of the larger Ideas to Excellence showcase, which celebrates undergraduate research, creativity and achievement through the end of the spring semester. To learn about other Ideas to Excellence events, visit the program’s website.