Students can check out how to get involved in UAH research

Ahmed Bechadj tries out the Rotorcraft Systems Engineering and Simulation Center’s helicopter simulator at the 2013 Research Open House.
Jim Steele | UAH

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Aug. 14, 2014) - Want to add some practical, hands-on learning to your student experience at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH)?

Then come to the Student Research Open House on Monday, Aug. 18, being held from 2-4 p.m. in the Von Braun Research Hall. It's sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs as part of the campus-wide UAH Week of Welcome Aug. 15-23. Students in all majors are encouraged to come.

One of the greatest opportunities UAH offers is the chance for students from any major to get actively involved in research from the beginning of their academic careers, said David Cook, student research programs coordinator.

"The Student Research Open House gives students a chance to find out some of the research opportunities they can become involved with while a student at UAH," Cook said. "It's also a chance for everyone to discover the broad scope of the various kinds of research we do here, all at one event."

Hundreds of students crowded into Von Braun Research Center for the 2013 Research Open House.
Jim Steele | UAH

This third-annual event will host 25 groups. Every college will be represented, as well as most of UAH's research centers and many project-oriented student clubs.

"It's amazing the amount of research going on at UAH, and it's surprising to students when they discover that they can get involved," Cook said. "Our undergraduates are doing things like designing, fabricating and launching high power rockets, working with top faculty on psychology research, conducting watershed evaluation field studies in Panama, participating in archeological digs on Redstone Arsenal, and building airships that can recharge UAVs in flight."

Many students find it beneficial to get immersed in the creative aspects of a research project as part of their overall learning process, he said. The research work can help make the educational experience more vivid.

"Some students learn better when they have an opportunity to apply what they hear in lectures or read in a textbook," Cook said. "When you put those students in a research project, they just take off. I've seen many students leave UAH well prepared for graduate school and the workforce because of their involvement in research and creative projects. That's why we have this event, to inform our students of the opportunities to become involved in research and the real benefits they can get from doing so."

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