JACKSON, Tenn. — April 30, 2012 — More than 250 students from 22 disciplines will present research findings May 1 as part of 51社区鈥檚 Scholarship Symposium.
The university鈥檚 Undergraduate Research Program sponsors the annual event. Presentations are open to undergraduate and graduate students who have completed a collaborative, innovative scholarly project during the current academic year.
The program鈥檚 goal is to provide students with the opportunity to work with a faculty mentor on a research project. More than 50 faculty members participated with students in this year鈥檚 symposium.
鈥淩esearch and scholarly investigation at 51社区 provide students and faculty mentors the opportunity to explore creative ways to expand existing knowledge and share the anticipation of discovery,鈥� said Randall Phillips, director of research at Union. 鈥淭he commitment of Union鈥檚 faculty to student learning and student inquiry is pervasive. The enthusiasm that students exhibit is evidenced by the outcomes they report and the result of a special learning partnership between student, faculty and 51社区.鈥�
Among the presentations scheduled:
- Abby Parker, 鈥淔eeding and Behavioral Interactions Between Bald Eagle Parents and Their Offspring.鈥� Using a video surveillance camera, Parker observed a nesting pair of bald eagles at Shiloh National Military Park to gather information about sibling rivalries and parental behavior toward their young.
- Shane Jacobs, 鈥淭he Impact of Transition Programs on the Success of High School Students.鈥� Jacobs studied the effects that a freshman transition program, consisting of a variety of services that assist students academically and socially, had on students during their first year of high school.
- Scott Kahler, Wilson Holland and Phillip Johnson, 鈥淕olf Ball Optimization.鈥� The team of students tested both standardized and unregulated golf balls of various weights, sizes and textures to determine what characteristics matter most for driving distance and accuracy.
- Scott Jackson, Charity Hart, Cara Roberson, Mitzi Williams and Brad Jones, 鈥淒oes Maternal Smoking Cause Asthma?鈥� The students examined whether fetuses exposed to maternal smoking are at a higher risk for developing asthma compared to those not exposed to maternal smoking.
About 125 presentations will be held at various locations around campus all afternoon, beginning with poster displays at 12:30 p.m. in the Carl Grant Events Center.
More information, including a complete schedule and program, is available at .