By Sara Angel
March 20, 2013
The sixth annual URSCI Expo takes place on Wednesday, April 3, showcasing student research and creative work to the Dominican community.
Dominican University’s Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Investigations Expo along with the Global Learning Symposium, offers students the opportunity to display their research projects on various topics like apparel merchandising, political science and global experiences. About 10 percent of the undergraduate class participates in the day-long event.
The URSCI Expo quickly became one of the highlights of the academic year.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to see students present some of their best work,” Dean of Rosary College of Arts and Sciences, Jeff Carlson stated. “Honestly, while so many good things happen throughout the year at Dominican, the URSCI Expo is my favorite day of the year.”
Through oral presentations, poster presentations and art exhibitions, students work with a faculty sponsor to create a piece for the Expo.
“People involved in URSCI really value what we do and try to include all aspects of academics; research meaning looking into a problem, scholarship meaning term papers and creative meaning arts,” said Martha Jacobs, director of URSCI, “we have a great line up this year.”
Similar to the Caritas Veritas Symposium, multiple presentations occur at the same time in various locations in Parmer Hall. From 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., students present their research projects. An awards ceremony is set to take place at 3:30 p.m. followed by graduate GLS presentations.
Presenters work to increase self-confidence and enhance intellectual growth, while building research and presentation skills along the way. In addition students have the chance to gain initiatives through monetary awards to further pursue research or course credit. URSCI offers initiatives like the Undergraduate Research Assistant Award and Undergraduate Summer Scholarship Award to students who participate in the Expo.
Though registration closed to submit work for this year’s expo, all are encouraged to attend the event in support of their peers, students and children.
“This will be my first time presenting at the Expo. My panel is composed of three students from the Social Justice and Civic Engagement minor,” said senior Edgar Nieto. “My topic is about the digital divide and how it is affecting Latino adults in the Chicago area.”
For the first time, the GLS will run at the same time as the URSCI expo. Last year, the GLS ran after the Expo, which posed a challenge to some community members.
The GLS encourages students eager to learn more about culture related experiences to do so from their peers.
“We want to give students who’ve had rich global learning experiences a showcase to reflect deeply on their experiences and studies, share their stories and develop their voices as global citizens,” said Paul Simpson, director of GLS.
The URSCI Film Festival will kick off the URSCI Expo and GLS Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in the Social Hall.