On April 19-20, students presented work in the Research and Creative Arts Symposium.

This event allows students from all of Park University campus centers to showcase their course work, independent research or creative projects with other students and faculty.

“This gives an opportunity for the students to not only show their work off to the school, but then with the digital age coming in, we can also post them online so that a record of their research can actually be available for potential employers” said Patty Ryberg, PhD, associate professor of biology and director of the honors academy.

Ryberg, who organizes the symposium, also said that this event allows students to put their work on a resume and prove their oral communication skills.

There are various forms of work from many fields of study in the symposium. Students could submit virtual presentations, research papers, visual art, graphic design virtual displays, musical presentations or posters.

This year, the content of the presentations includes science, criminal justice, communication, English and political science, according to Ryberg. Several honors academy students also submitted virtual presentations. There are also some computer science and business posters.

Timothy Whittaker, senior criminal justice major, submitted a presentation on his senior thesis, The Great Replacement conspiracy theory.

The sessions could be viewed live on Monday or Tuesday through Zoom. Through this format, the viewers could ask questions in the chat as the recorded presentation played, and they could also verbally ask questions after the prestation was finished.

Whittaker, who also presented last year, said that he felt that this format was better as a presenter.

“I really enjoyed the interaction,” he said.

He liked that he could answer questions during and after the presentation. He also noticed that more people were asking questions and interacting than last year and that there were more presenters to watch. His family was also able to watch the presentation and ask questions in this virtual format.

All of the work and displays can be viewed at advancing.park.edu/events/srcas/. There will be links posted soon to view the recordings of the Zoom presentations.

Next year, Ryberg said she is hoping to return to a face-to-face event in the Underground.