Gatton Academy Students Present Research Findings at National Conference for Undergraduate Research
April 23, 2012 | Academics, News, People, Research, Students, WKU | No Comments
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Four second-year students at The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky recently shared research findings at The National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR).
Lydia Brothers, from Madisonville, Andrea Eastes, from Mayfield, Keaton Smith, from Alexandria, and Erin Walch, also from Alexandria, presented at the annual conference, held March 29-31, 2012, at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.
NCUR promotes undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity in all disciplines. The conference provided undergraduate scholars in all fields and from all types of institutions of higher learning a forum to share the results of their work through posters, presentations, performances and works of art.
Derick Strode, the Gatton Academy’s assistant director for academic services explained that the conference was a new venue with a diverse audience for students to share their research.
“What we found is an open-minded forum that welcomes quality student projects from a wide-array of disciplines,” Strode said. “This is important because it allows our students a chance to collaborate with others who think about problems in very different ways than scientists or mathematicians.”
Established in 1987, the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) has consistently been one of the largest national conferences for promoting undergraduate research, creative, and scholastic achievement. This two to three-day annual event draws hundreds of talented students representing over 400 colleges and universities nationally.
For Brothers, the variety of backgrounds and viewpoints can lead to interdisciplinary thought and discovery.
“I think the greatest value of NCUR to a student researcher was the availability of so many people who were involved in such a wide range of fields,” Brothers said. “Having researchers from such varied backgrounds who are truly interested and willing to challenge you with questions or provide you with alternate methods to improve your conclusions really gives you something positive to take back to the lab.”
An additional portion of NCUR includes plenary sessions led by nationally prominent speakers sharing their perspectives on educational policy, various programs and initiatives, funding opportunities for undergraduate research efforts, and career development.
Four out of five Gatton Academy graduates participate in a faculty-sponsored research project during their time at the Academy. The Gatton Academy supports students in such endeavors not only as a means of academic growth but also extending the program’s mission of providing rigorous learning experiences.
Keep reading to learn more about students’ research and comments from their faculty mentors.