About the Symposium

15th Annual NCSSSMST Student Research Symposium

The NCSSSMST Student Research Symposium is designed specifically to involve students in scientific research and provide a model for disseminating information on how to teach scientific research to secondary students.

The Student Research Symposium provides an opportunity for two or more students from each Consortium institution to present their research in a prestigious conference setting made possible by a host university. The meeting is not a competition, but rather an educational experience that encourages further investigation in the area of research.

The symposium features:

• Oral student presentations organized into concurrent sessions.
• A poster board exhibit area and session.
• Symposium abstract publication for dissemination.
• Dialogue with professors from the host university during oral presentations, poster session and other events.
• Presence of a teacher/mentor from the student's school to share in the experience and dialogue.
• Familiarization with research facilities and description of current scientific problems under investigation at the host university.

The dialogue between the students and prominent scientists from the host university is a key element of this program. It is not only instructive and motivational for the particular student whose research is being discussed but of educational value for the entire peer group. Follow-up communication with the professor by students and their teachers is encouraged along with networking among students. Also, the opportunity for the student's teacher/mentor to interact with the professor and receive feedback on the status of the research and possible future direction of the work is a major benefit for the teacher.

The diverse locations of the institutions represented by the National Consortium ensure a rich mixture of ideas, experiences and background. Students at member institutions are performing science research through partnerships with industry and universities, innovative curricular programs, and individual school instructors. This symposium provides a forum to showcase these efforts. More importantly, the design of this partnership between the National Consortium and higher education institutions cultivates young scientific minds by nurturing the research process.

Research Symposium Hosts

• Florida Institute of Technology 2008
• University of Arkansas Honors College 2007
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 2006
• Villanova University 2005
• Northern Illinois University 2004
• University of New England 2003
• Texas Tech 2002
• University of Miami 2001
• Lynchburg College 2000
• Connecticut College1999
• Illinois Wesleyan University 1998
• The University of North Carolina at Asheville 1997
• The Catholic University of America 1996
• Washington University in St. Louis 1995
• Carnegie Mellon University 1994