Undergraduate researchers know symposium season well. It is filled with finalizing data analyses, printing posters and wearing suits. But on Thursday, symposium season came early – with chalk.

The inaugural Undergraduate Fall Research Sidewalk Symposium took place north of Edmon Low Library throughout the day. Undergraduate researchers were challenged to illustrate their current projects with nothing but chalk and a square of sidewalk. Then, they presented their illustrations to passersby.

This unique format contrasts with a traditional research symposium. Using only chalk gave student researchers more creative freedom but presented unique challenges.

“I think it affords students an opportunity to convey their research in a different medium,” said Dr. Christine Johnson, Oklahoma State University associate vice president for research. “It causes a little stretch of thinking about how to articulate the ideas behind their project.”

Undergraduate researchers Justin Thomas and Ian Matzell explored new ways to present their project.

“We're both really scientifically minded,” Matzell said. “We immediately thought we've got to do a scientific display. So, it's a bit different to actually physically draw something and do some more visual storytelling.”

The time of year is also unique. While spring research symposiums feature finished or nearly finished products, many research projects are still beginning in the fall. The sidewalk symposium gave students the opportunity to think intentionally about their projects early in the process.

“You don't have to have all your data collected,” Johnson said. “You don't have to have all of your statistics analyzed. Even if you're just beginning, you can participate by using creative drawings to express the main concepts of your project.”

The illustrations included everything from detailed cells to bright pink pigs, illustrating the varied paths of undergraduate research at OSU.

Undergraduate Fall Research Sidewalk Symposium

Story By: Adrienne Frye | adrienne.frye@okstate.edu