Discovery zone

April 13, 2016

Student engagement in research, artistry and service is a hallmark of the NIU education. And nowhere will that be more evident than at NIU’s seventh annual Undergraduate Research and Artistry Day.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, in the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center.

The accompanying video story, which features amazing projects by NIU students working under the guidance of faculty mentors, provides a taste of what’s to come. Hundreds of students will present work during the event, organized by the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning.

Participation in URAD has grown by 52 percent since 2011, according to Renique Kersh, associate vice provost for Engaged Learning at NIU.

“Having an opportunity to witness the ‘aha’ moments that occur for our students, the increase in confidence from the beginning of their engagement in research and artistry until their URAD presentation and the pride that is evident in the faculty and staff that have supported them along the way is a bright spot and a reminder of how important our work is,” Kersh says.

The day also will include the Community Engagement Showcase, scheduled from noon to 3 p.m., when students who have participated in various service projects will share their experiences.

Tom Parisi, NIU Newsroom