More than 100 students presented the fruits of their extracurricular academic research Saturday at Undergraduate Research Day, one of the largest in recent years.Melanie Wright, director of Honors curriculum, put the program together. She said there were 120 presenters -- at least 25 more than last year, and the most she's seen during her six-year association with it.The day is sponsored and funded by the Honors College and the Provost's Office. Kellie Moss, who gave two presentations, said students choose faculty sponsors to research under based on their expertise in the student's area of interest."I think it gives undergraduates an opportunity to showcase their academic interests and the research skills they developed," Moss said. "It's also a good opportunity to get ready for graduate school."Wright said the conference is designed for recipients of the prestigious Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program grant, but is also open to other students, including non-Honors students and non-OU students. "I think students do it to have the experience that a professional would have at a conference," Wright said.General topics ranged from mechanical engineering to art history to political issues. Wright said national academic honoraries Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa will each give two awards, of $200 and $300 each, for distinguished undergraduate research. In addition, the Honors College will sponsor four awards of $100 each.hello there & you too
