Undergraduate Research
The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) presentation introduces students to the idea of research, discusses common misconceptions about research, and explains the resources that OUR can provide to help students start their own undergraduate research experience.
Learning Outcomes
The OUR presentation supports University 101 learning outcome:
II. Help Students Discover and Connect with the University of South Carolina
a) Identify appropriate campus resources and opportunities that contribute to their educational experience, goals, and campus engagement.
As a result of this presentation, students will:
- Be able to define research.
- Be able to describe the benefits of research.
- Be able to recall the services and grants OUR office offers.
Program Description
The primary presenters are the Magellan Ambassadors, our student leader group. Each of these students is either currently or has previously been involved in research. The presentation aims to introduce students to the world of research and the concept that discovery occurs in every discipline.
Topics covered
Research begins with a question
This will be exemplified by using the tootsie roll tootsie pop. We will ask “how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll tootsie pop?” Students will be shown examples of research done on this very question by Purdue University, University of Michigan, and a junior high school. We will also answer the question, “What is research?” The presenter will lead the students through an activity which helps them think about their passions and how they could turn a passion into a research project.
Bust some myths
We will address some common misconceptions about research by providing examples of exciting and unusual projects that OUR students have worked on.
Myths that will be addressed include:
- Research is only for upperclassmen
- You can only conduct research in your major
- You have to have your own “earth shattering” idea to do a research project
- Research means LOTS of papers and writing
- Research is just for scientists
- Research is only for honors students
Why should I do research?
We will discuss the benefits of researching while in college, including experience, networking, funding, major/career exploration, and resume building.
How can OUR help?
Students will find out about the services that the Office of Undergraduate Research provides, including information on finding a faculty mentor, information about the funding that is available, and information about Discovery Day.
Students will be given the website and contact information to make an individual appointment with a graduate assistant in our office and information on our Getting Started Workshops.
If you have any questions about the presentation, please contact OUR at (803) 777-1141 or our@sc.edu
Follow-Up Activities
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