Student Scholarship Day showcases research

From a study of knitting in the 21st century to a look at using phyco fuels as a low impact alternative to petroleum, Grand Valley State University’s Student Scholarship Day provides an opportunity for students to showcase an impressive array of academic work.

Held annually on the second Wednesday of April, Student Scholarship Day is a celebration of student scholarship and creative practice. What began as an event primarily composed of science and mathematics majors has flourished with student presenters with majors across the entire university. The event allows students to showcase their research and creative endeavors through oral presentations, poster presentations, art exhibitions and performances.

This year’s Student Scholarship Day is Wednesday, April 11 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on the Allendale Campus. Presentations are held in the Seymour and Esther Padnos Hall of Science, Henry Hall, Kirkhof Center, Cook-DeWitt Center and Calder Art Center. Among the many presentation topics are: Indian and North American weddings, sediment in ice along the Thornapple River, human mitochondrial DNA polymorphism and public discourse in a democracy.

Student Scholarship Day got its start in 1995, when a small group of science and mathematics faculty members decided to create an event in which students could present their findings from faculty-mentored research to a university-wide audience. The first year’s event was held in conjunction with the opening of the Padnos Hall of Science, and organizers were surprised when instead of the projected 30 participants, 150 presenters signed up to participate. For 2007’s event, more than 400 presenters have signed up.

For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/ssd or e-mail [email protected]