The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Conference at the University of New Mexico (UNM), and hosted by the Undergraduate Research, Arts & Design Network (URAD), will be held in person at the SUB on April 21, 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Students can present on any research project they have conducted at UNM, according to a release. Any majors can share their work and display it either as an exhibit or performance.
Students can present their research in a variety of formats. These include an in-person 10-minute oral presentation, an in-person poster presentation, a webpage, essay or a video that tells the story of their research, and in-person UROC 180-second (three minutes) research presentations. Students also receive feedback on their research and presentations from faculty, staff and students.
Last year’s presentations, per the release, included research on COVID-19, Southern leopard frogs, immigration, too much homework, biofuels, ADHD, drones, food insecurity, binge drinking, Universal Basic Income and other topics.
URAD director Tim Schroeder said the UROC 180, “challenges students to present their research in just 180 seconds to a general audience with no background in your research area. Students are the experts at UROC.”
The 10-minute oral presentation allows a more in-depth review of each student’s research, and the research story lets students explain how they became interested in their research. The posters are a concise, visual representation of student research.
Volunteers are needed to help with all aspects of the conference, including moderators, evaluators and general conference support.
The volunteers also evaluate posters and oral or UROC 180 sessions by attending presentations and providing written feedback for student presenters, moderating oral or UROC 180 sessions, introducing oral or UROC 180 presenters, keeping sessions on time, and facilitating Q&As; they offer general conference support, such as staffing the info desk, assisting organizers, and setting up posters.
The schedule is posted online. Anyone interested in volunteering can also sign up online.
The top three UROC winners will receive scholarships. There is a $500 first prize, a $300 second prize, and $200 third prize.