Washington State University undergraduates can submit abstracts from Dec. 5 through Feb. 21 to present their research, scholarships, and creative activities on March 27 at the 2023 Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (SURCA).
“SURCA 2023 will give students from every major, campus, and year in college the chance to share the results of their efforts with a mentor that made original intellectual or creative contributions in their field,” said Jeremy Lessmann, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. It oversees SURCA and is part of the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement in the provost’s office.
2023 participation
SURCA is a WSU tradition that will feature the work of around 200 undergraduates in 2023. The students will present posters and be evaluated by judges in any of nine categories covering the sciences, humanities, and all other disciplines. Awards will be made to top presenters in each category. Everyone from novices to highly experienced students researchers are eligible to participate.
The SURCA website is filled with details about the event, including the rubric used to evaluate each presentation, examples of projects from previous years, and how to prepare posters.
“We encourage students and their mentors to examine the SURCA website and reach out to us with any questions,” Lessmann said.
Judges can also sign up
Typically, at least three judges meet with each presenter, so SURCA always needs plenty of faculty members, post-doctoral researchers, and experts from the community. An online form for judge signups is also open.
“We always need about 200 judges to meet the SURCA demand, and we really appreciate those who volunteer for a few hours on the afternoon of that day,” Lessmann said.
SURCA is part of WSU Showcase
SURCA is part of WSU Showcase and this year kicks off the week-long set of activities. Showcase events spread across several days, including a poster session featuring research by faculty, staff, and graduate students.
