Research Horizons Day and Research Week focus on student discoveries

For the fifth year, Research Horizons Day and Research Week will highlight student research at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).

Research Week is a campus-wide event to inform students about opportunities to get involved beyond the classroom, and to recognize and promote the research and creative work of students at the university. All events related to Research Week are open to the public.

"Research Horizons Day and Research Week are our way to celebrate our proud history of being a research university and to create opportunities where everyone can network, share, and have fun," says David Cook, director of undergraduate research for UAH’s Office of Academic Affairs.

This year’s Research Week showcases the benefits of co-curricular involvement. These activities include research, study abroad, internships, academic and pre-professional clubs and civic engagement. Pursuing interests outside the classroom help students to explore their passions, learn more about themselves and their classmates, and get leadership experience. Likewise, students who participate in co-curricular activities can gain practical skills to complement their classroom experiences, interact with professionals in the field, learn about world cultures, and participate in projects and competitions to test their knowledge.

"My advice to most new students on campus who are interested in research is to get involved beyond the classroom," says Cook. "In addition to being a fun way to meet new people and learn new things, it’s great for the resume and for building the basic skills that faculty, research mentors, graduate programs and ultimately employers are looking for."

The events kick off on Friday, March 8, from 1-2 p.m. at Frank Franz Multipurpose Room with an information session for Honors students about navigating the capstone requirement and opportunities to study abroad.

On Tuesday, March 12, a Co-curricular Opportunities Fair will be held on the first floor of Charger Union from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with representatives from Undergraduate Research, Pre-Professional Advising, Career Services, Study Abroad and Civic Engagement.

The Research Horizons Day Poster Session is on Thursday, March 14 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Charger Union. The entire campus and visitors from the local community are welcome to attend the poster session. Graduate and undergraduate students representing every college will be displaying research posters and will be on hand to discuss their work and answer questions. Immediately following the poster session, students can give short talks using one slide during a three-minute presentation about their research at the "So You Think You Can Research" event to be held in the UC Multipurpose Room (CU227).

"Dissemination of research and creative projects is an important part of inquiry-based learning, so Research Week events like the poster session and ‘So You Think You Can Research’ give our students a chance to share what they have been working on. We also want students, faculty, researchers, staff and the local community to come together to look at the students’ work in the hopes of building relationships and collaborations," Cook says.

"We’re very excited about this opportunity to celebrate student research and creativity on our campus," he says. "We look forward to holding these events annually and growing the involvement of students, faculty, researchers, staff, and the local community."

Scheduled activities for 2019’s Research Horizons Day and Research Week are as follows:

• Friday, March 8
  Capstone, Research and Study Abroad for Honors College Students
  1-2 p.m., Frank Franz Hall Multipurpose Room
  Information will be presented on navigating the Honors capstone requirements, research opportunities and how to get involved in Study Abroad with the Honors College.
• Tuesday, March 12
  Co-Curricular Opportunities Fair
  10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Charger Union Lobby
  Representatives from Undergraduate Research, Pre-Professional Advising, Career Services, Study Abroad and Civic Engagement will be on hand to share information about opportunities outside of the classroom that can enhance your undergraduate education, applications to graduate and professional schools, and chances for that dream job!
• Thursday, March 14
  Campus-Wide Student Research & Creative Projects Poster Session & Reception
  1:30-3:30 p.m., second Floor, Charger Union.
  Graduate and undergraduate students, representing every college, will be on hand to discuss posters of their research and creative projects. Light refreshments. If you’re interested in getting involved in research, these are the people to whom you want to talk. Faculty, staff, students, family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend.
  
  "So You Think You Can Research"
  3:45-5 p.m., Charger Union Multipurpose Room (Rm. 227).
  Immediately following the poster session, this event provides an informal opportunity for networking and sharing of student creative projects and research with one slide and a three-minute presentation. Hosted by: Dr. Candice Lanius, Communication Arts Professor at UAH. All majors welcome. Sign up by March 8.

---