Undergrad research, service learning on display

Nearly 100 students will showcase their research and service learning projects Wednesday, April 5, at the second annual Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Among many other students, Richard Nelipovich exhibited his work at last year’s debut symposium. He makes custom eyewear that combines engineering knowledge with artistic ability. Photo: Jeff Miller

The event is designed to show that like faculty, staff and graduate students, undergraduates are also engaged in meaningful research and other scholarly projects across all academic disciplines. The public is invited.

“Attending to undergraduates is one of the primary concerns for UW–Madison, and the symposium is another example of how undergraduate education is being strengthened and research is brought closer into the usual experience of undergraduates,” says Robert Skloot, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor of theatre and drama and Jewish studies.

“Undergraduate Research Symposium 2000: Celebrating Research, Creative Endeavor and Service Learning” kicks off at 9 a.m. in the Memorial Union’s Tripp Commons, with a welcome by Provost John Wiley and a keynote speech by Richard Tapia, the Noah Harding Professor of Computation Science at Rice University.

Tapia is a renowned scholar and internationally recognized for his work in educational outreach, especially with minorities and women. He has been awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

Following Tapia’s speech, students will highlight and explain their individual and team projects through posters and oral presentations from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Great Hall and nearby meeting rooms of the Memorial Union. Virginia Hinshaw, dean of the Graduate School, will present certificates to participants at a closing ceremony, 3-4 p.m., Tripp Commons.

A number of projects aimed at addressing community-related issues through service learning will be displayed, says Susan Dibbell, manager of the university’s Morgridge Center for Public Service.

“Service learning is a powerful teaching methodology, with faculty members, students and the community learning and working together,” Dibbell says. “So often when you think of research, you think of a laboratory. Research through service learning is conducted in the community.”

A. Margaret Elowson, director of the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, says she hopes the symposium encourages more undergraduates to get involved in research, creative endeavor and service learning.

“We are preparing the leaders and scholars of tomorrow,” she says.

The symposium is sponsored by the Office of the Provost and coordinated by Elowson; Jane Harris Cramer, associate director of the Center for Biology Education; Laurie J. Mayberry, associate director of the McNair Scholars Program; and an ad hoc committee of campus representatives.

Funding comes from the Center for Biology Education (with support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute), the Kemper Knapp Fund, the Graduate School and the Wisconsin Food System Partnership (with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation).