The BYU–Hawaii Undergraduate Research conference on March 22, 2012, allows students to present work in their fields to peers and advisors.
“If it were not for the opportunities that I have had here at BYU–Hawaii, I would not have received such a coveted internship and possible future profession,” says Tatiana Slagle, a junior from California studying biology. She is one of the many students to participate in the mentored research program at BYU–Hawaii and who will be presenting their findings at the Undergraduate Research Conference to be held on campus Thursday, March 22, 2012.
The conference is co-hosted by the College of Math and Sciences, and the College of Language, Culture and Arts. Students from across all disciplines present in the conference; art students give their senior art show, biochemistry students present the results of their research, music students give recitals, and English students present their theses, among others. No formal classes will be held on the day of the conference, allowing students to attend the many
Rather than a competition, the conference celebrates achievement and hard work, and gives an opportunity to receive feedback. “It is always beneficial to bring your work to fruition for critique by peers,” said Phillip McArthur, dean of the College of Language, Culture and Arts. “It is good to be held to scrutiny, no matter the discipline.”
Jeff Burroughs, dean of the College of Math and Sciences, sees a broad range of benefits stemming from the Undergraduate Research Conference. “Students find it beneficial to their development and it helps in our outcomes as a college, and as a university. It is an integral experience for students – it allows them to put in practice a lot of the classroom learning that they have done, and it allows them to work under the direction of faculty in a highly engaging way.”
The benefits to the students are very clear – the experience leading up to the event hones their skill in their field, but also prepares them for their futures. “Not only is this a good résumé builder for students, it is their culminating work before moving to the field or graduate school,” said McArthur.
Many of the students, like Slagle, have participated in Mentored Learning on campus which allows for unique learning experiences for students and faculty. Burroughs recently released a statement about the program: “Mentored Learning Experiences provide a hands-on research, creative, or practicum experience for students graduating from BYU–Hawaii. In a mentored learning experience, students are paired with a faculty mentor and have the opportunity to work with that individual on a problem of mutual interest.”
The students benefit from the attention, experience and tutelage of the faculty, and the “faculty enjoy the mentored research because it also helps them to keep their axe sharp,” said Burroughs.
The conference goes on at the same time as the Empower Your Dreams business plan competition. While they are different events, organizers do not see them as separate. Rather, they are complementary. “Everyone on campus is given the opportunity to market themselves in some way or another,” said McArthur. “I love the mixing of students [at these events] – it is a cross-section of the campus population, really part of the fabric of university life.” Burroughs echoed the sentiment, “[the conference] is one of the things that makes a difference; it is one of the hallmarks of a quality education.”
Although the areas of study are very different, they share common ground. McArthur explained, “Liberal arts and sciences teach students how to think critically and to articulate their thoughts, which allows them to work effectively in any field. They have to assess the data, justify and defend their thoughts or claims.”
To those who wish to enter in the conference, guidelines for submissions can be found here. Please note that the deadline for submissions is Friday, March 16, 2012.