Two decades after the first Steinmetz Symposium was held at Union, the tradition of celebrating undergraduate research across all disciplines is stronger than ever.
The 20th annual research showcase will bring together the campus community Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7. Hundreds of students will present their research in all forms, from the creative to the scientific, with most sessions scheduled for Friday (classes will not be in session).
Research topics run the gamut, from “Health Care Reform: Physicians’ Outlook on the Future of Medical Care” by Elina Meras ’10 to Peter Bonventre ‘10’s mathematical analysis of the “sweet spot” of a baseball bat; from women’s freedom in ancient Athens by Danielle Mendiola ’11 to electrospinning of PEO/laponite nanofibrous networks by Sangin Lee ’10.
Katie Sofia ’10 will present her small-scale vertical axis wind turbine, while Michael Wakita ’10 has redesigned the spray nozzle and canister of pepper spray bear deterrent.
Students from the Minerva course on food will gather in Beuth and Golub houses to present posters about African, Spanish, French, Japanese, Thai and Greek cuisine and serve samples, and returning Minerva Fellows will share tales and photos from abroad.
Sixty students will take part in the Steinmetz dance concert at the Nott Memorial Friday at 4 p.m. They will perform scenes from the Winter Dance Concert, “Red-Roja,” as well as new student choreography and music. Bhangra Union, the Ballroom Club, the Union College Dance Team and other groups also will present.
Head to the Burns Arts Atrium Gallery to see student works in a variety of media.
The Becker Career Center will hold an open house 1-4 p.m. The Steinmetz Symposium Banquet, for presenters, their parents, guests and faculty sponsors, takes place in Upperclass Dining Hall at 6:30 p.m.
A concert featuring the Union College Choir and the Union College and Community Orchestra, with Victor Klimash conducting, is set for Friday at 8 p.m. in Memorial Chapel.
Steinmetz Symposium coincides with Prize Day, beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday in Memorial Chapel, followed by a reception on the Reamer Campus Center patio at 12:30 p.m. Students are honored for achievement in academics, research, service, governance and athletics.
Also on Saturday, the Union College Jazz Ensemble will perform 1-2 p.m. in the Fred L. Emerson Foundation Auditorium in the Taylor Music Center.
Steinmetz Symposium is named for Charles Proteus Steinmetz (1865-1923), who taught electrical engineering and applied physics at Union. Widely regarded as America’s leading electrical engineer, he was also chief consulting engineer for the General Electric Company.
For more information and the full symposium program, click here.