Saint Paul College hosts its first Annual Science Student Research Showcase in the cafeteria from April 26 through April 29. Students in our higher-level science courses perform authentic scientific research on campus and off-site with academic and industry partners. This showcase allows science students to share their work in a public setting similar to what they would experience at a research conference. Some of the unique projects include: “Resistance of Grape Leaves to the Japanese Beetle,” ​“Genetic Investigation of Fish Fraud in Supermarket Fish,” “Saponification (soap-making),” “HeLa cells interaction with nanoparticles," and “Nano-emulsions of cannabinoid oils."

Students will have project summary posters available for the public to view from April 26 at 1 pm through April 29 at 3 pm. Student scientists will be available to answer questions on April 27 from 1-5 pm and April 28 from 3-7 pm. Attendees can vote for their favorite posters and enter a drawing for $25 gift cards, and the posters that receive the most votes win poster prizes.

Kristyn VanderWaal Mills (affectionately called “Dr. V”) believes students should do authentic research as part of their course work and early in their scientific studies. 

“Doing research allows students to experience science as a process, not just a collection of facts to memorize. Presenting findings gives students a chance to celebrate their work and learn the skill of telling a scientific story to a non-scientific audience, which is an essential skill in science and health care.”

One of the student researchers, Courtney, greatly enjoyed the “amazing opportunity” the research experience gave her, and it helped her realize that she would really like to pursue lab science. She plans to invite her family and mentors. A team of students in Genetics found the competition aspect of the showcase exciting. They hope their poster really “wows” with its scientific story and visual presentation.

The Science and Engineering Technology degree is for students seeking employment in a science or engineering setting or to transfer to a four-year program.

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