Brock’s Faculty of Mathematics and Science (FMS) is launching a new event to showcase the work of undergraduate students.

The inaugural FMS Undergraduate Research Symposium will take place Thursday, Aug. 10 from 3 to 6 p.m. in Pond Inlet.

Students will exhibit posters outlining their research and discuss their work with faculty members and peers. Volunteer judges will evaluate students’ poster presentations, and anonymous comments and ratings will be given to each student researcher following the symposium.

“This is a wonderful opportunity not just for the participants to gain valuable experience and feedback, but also for attendees to gain insights into the cutting-edge research happening at our institution,” says lead organizer Gavin Hester, Assistant Professor of Physics.

He says poster presentations provide a forum for students to demonstrate their dedication and innovation to their chosen discipline, develop their research communication skills, build valuable connections and enhance their curriculum vitae.

“I think of it as the time scientists get to be rock stars,” he says. “People want to learn more about your research and hear what you have to say.”

Participating in research groups and presentation events had a significant impact on Hester’s own academic journey.

“After my first year as an undergraduate, I was waffling on whether or not I wanted to stay in physics,” he says. “Undergraduate research was the spark I needed to keep me in the sciences. It’s much more interesting to learn the very abstract concepts taught in class when you can apply them to real-world situations.”

FMS faculty members are encouraged to invite undergraduate students from their research groups to present a poster at the symposium. Research being presented can be in progress or completed, and researchers who graduated within the past year are welcome to participate.

In addition to creating a poster, presenters are advised to prepare a three to five-minute speech introducing their poster to judges and event attendees.

Cash prizes funded by the FMS Dean’s Office will be awarded for first, second and third place.

The deadline for students to register a poster presentation is Saturday, July 1.

Faculty, staff and graduate student volunteers are sought to serve as poster judges for the symposium. To volunteer, complete a poster judge registration form.

The Brock community is invited to attend the symposium and advance registration is not required. Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided.

More information is available on the FMS Undergraduate Research Symposium website, including guidelines for preparing a research poster.

Questions can be directed to Hester at ghester@brocku.ca