April 04, 2016
Hi All,
I am writing today to encourage you to support the 4th annual Sigma Xi Student Research Showcase. This showcase is an online science communication competition for high school, undergraduate and graduate students. Research areas include biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, chemistry, ecology and evolutionary biology, engineering, environmental sciences, geosciences, human behavioral and social sciences, math and computer science, physics, astronomy, psychology and immunology.
Students who participate in this showcase are afforded the opportunity to present their research projects, without incurring the travel costs associated with attending a conference in-person. This format assists them in gaining the skills of communicating scientific work in an online format. Students submit a website link that contains a video, an abstract and a slide show. Their video should be geared toward a general audience, while their abstract is for visitors with a science background. The slide show is intended for judges who have a technical background that matches the students’ research project. These three different formats will assist them in learning how to adjust their presentations to their audiences.
Sigma Xi members and other professional researchers volunteer to judge the showcase. Judges are assigned up to 10 presentations to evaluate at times that are convenient to them during the period of April 11–18. Each website contains a discussion widget where judges and the general public can interact with the students by leaving questions and comments. These presentations will be judged on the student’s scientific thought and method, how the project was communicated, and their responses to questions posted on their websites. The top presenters in each division will win up to $500 in prize money.
I would like to encourage you to explore the showcase websites and leave your own questions and/or comments for the students even if you are not an official judge for their projects. Your comments are especially important for these students because it helps them to build their communication skills and confidence in their abilities. All of us who teach know the importance of guiding and encouraging our students in their scientific growth. The presentation websites will be posted by April 11 on the Student Research Showcase webpage.
Sincerely,
Pamela K. Kerrigan, PhD
Director of Sigma Xi's Northeast Region
President of the College of Mount Saint Vincent Sigma Xi Chapter