The Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities is Monday, March 27, from 3:30- 5 p.m in the CUB Senior Ballroom. The event is open to the public with an awards ceremony to follow from 5- 5:45 p.m. in the CUB Auditorium.
SURCA is the only university-wide public venue throughout the academic year where freshmen through seniors in all majors on every campus can share their mentored research, scholarship, and creative activities, which are collectively referred to as “research.” Monetary prizes are awarded to researchers—from novices through the experienced—who are judged to be the top presenters in each of eight categories. Presentations span science, humanities, social science, arts, and engineering topics.
“SURCA gives students tremendous opportunities to grow both personally and academically,” said Mary Sánchez Lanier, assistant vice provost. “Students must refine and organize knowledge gleaned from their months and even years of work with a research mentor. They must prepare intricate posters and practice concise speeches to tell various audiences about their work and results. At the event itself, they learn about the wealth of subjects being investigated by their peers.”
SURCA also helps undergraduate researchers refine skills that Washington employers seek in their workplace leaders. Those include critical and creative thinking, communication, quantitative reasoning, scientific literacy, team experience, and risk-taking.
SURCA is part of the campus tradition called WSU Showcase, the university’s annual celebration of excellence. In 2017, SURCA kicks off a week of Showcase activities.
For more information on SURCA visit surca.wsu.edu.
