Online applications open Thurs., Dec. 1, for Washington State University undergraduate researchers seeking to participate in the sixth annual Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (SURCA), announced the Office of Undergraduate Research.
SURCA 2017 will be held on Mon., March 27.
Students should visit the SURCA website for information about the symposium, its categories, and details on abstract submissions, said Shelley Pressley, director of undergraduate research office, which is part of WSU Undergraduate Education. The last day to apply to present at SURCA is Feb. 21, 2017 at 11:59 p.m.
SURCA is also 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.
The first SURCA was held in 2012 when independent poster events merged into one, hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research, part of WSU Undergraduate Education. The number of students presenting, as well as prizes awarded, has steadily grown, as have the number of judges. Those volunteers include faculty members, graduate students, staff, and experts from the community.
Since it began, SURCA has made nearly 250 awards, made possible by community and campus sponsors. The number of student presenters has increased nearly 70 percent—in 2016, 249 students’ abstracts were accepted for presentations.
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, and to sign up as a judge, visit https://SURCA.wsu.edu.
For details about WSU Showcase, go to https://showcase.wsu.edu/.
Shelley Pressley, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, WSU Undergraduate Education, 509-335-0014, UGResearch@wsu.edu
Mary Sánchez Lanier, WSU Assistant Vice Provost, 509-335-7767, sanchez@wsu.edu
