Research

• What sparked your research topic?
• What does your research look like?
• What problem are you investigating?
• How does it relate yo your future plans?
• What is the broader impact of your work?
• How much time do you spend on research per week?
• How has your research enhanced your overall academic experience?
• Have you faced any difficulties in your research? If so, how did you overcome them?
• What does "research" look like for your discipline? In other words, what do you do when you are "researching?"
• Do you have plans for your research? Publishing, presenting, etc.?
• Do you plan on continuing this research in graduate school> Alternatively, how do you think your research will benefit you in your chosen career?
• How did you meet your research mentor?
• How di you approach your research mentor about formally beginning research?
• How much guidance does your mentor give you?
• What advice would you have for a freshman or sophomore who is looking to get involved with research?

A Typical Day

• How much do you structure your day?
• How do you manage your time?
• How much time do you spend in class?
• How do you spend your free time?

Study Abroad

• Where you went or plan to go?
• What did you study there?
• Who were the other students?
• What did you eat?
• Where did you stay?
• What were your favorite memories?
• How did this relate to your major and future plans?

Celebrating Discovery PowerPoint Template

Please summarize what you talked about during your visit.

“I discussed the benefits of the honors college and how it has affected my college career so far. I also discussed my everyday college life.”
“My two study abroad trips - Tanzania and Belize - and how I received funding from the honors college to go on them. My past research as well as my current research. General University topics, mostly involving science-related majors."
“I spoke on the following topics: College Life, Adjusting, Activities, Honors College, Scholarships, Honors Classes, Study Abroad, Research, College of Engineering Majors, classes, curriculum, preparing now for advanced courses, research topics, and rewards”
“I discussed the process of carrying out research in university via my research as an example. I kept the science and technical details to a minimum, while focusing on the applications of the research and the reasons for performing it. I also discussed the similarities in the nature of an education at an institution like the University of Arkansas in comparison to the very top research universities in the country. The main theme of the discussion was focused on using one's influence to effect change for others, along with using one's passions and gifts at a young age. In addition, we briefly discussed the variety of possibilities in projects that facilitate Honors Theses (e.g. an art sculpture, a book of poems, a DNA amplification test, etc.)."
“My research, opportunities at U of A, the advantages of being a part of the honors college, how tech companies are interested in math majors”
“I gave a general overview of what opportunities the students would have in college that they do not have in high school including: undergraduate research, study abroad, design projects, and service opportunities. I then gave a short summary of my research and emphasized that taking part in the honors college is a great opportunity that can enable them to take part in the activities listed above. I finished my presentation by encouraging the students to try to enjoy high school while they are in it and to do well on their AP exams.”
“I discussed typical college days, extracurricular opportunities that I have participated in, pros/cons of taking honors, what kind of courses are available, and my research experience. “ “What undergraduate research is and what it entails, my research, the benefits and opportunities research provides anywhere and then specifically at the UofA."
“I discussed many topics such as the transition from high school to college, the application process for the University of Arkansas, my personal area of study and future plans, campus life at the U of A, dorm life, how high school teachers are different than college professors, how to study in college, how to be organized, the honors college (i.e., requirements to be enrolled in honors, thesis/research project requirement, available scholarships, living in Hotz Honors Hall, study abroad scholarships, smaller class sizes), and my experiences studying abroad this past summer in Rome, Italy. “
“My research in Nanophotonics, a summer internship, and lightly about study abroad.” “Walkthrough of a typical day for me; service and involvement opportunities; research opportunities; my research experiences.”
“I shared my college experiences with the students, speaking on research opportunities, study abroad opportunities, and my general academic and honors experience at the U of A.”
“Research regarding muscle regeneration and bio-synthetic tissue development as well as my summer abroad in Belize as part of the engineering team, biomedical engineering as a major, U of A honors college requirements and benefits, dorm life, class schedules.”
“I talked about my research project as well as what it is like to be in the Honors College at the University of Arkansas. Also, I answered any questions students had about college life, application processes, and honors requirements at the University of Arkansas."
“Requirements for Honors - admission and graduation, Financial Opportunities (Fellowship, Governor's Distinguished, Academic Challenge), Honors Opportunities: Hotz Hall, Priority Registration, Study Abroad, Undergraduate Research|-Personal Academic Accomplishments, International Internship, Undergraduate Research”
“I covered what undergrad research is, why it's worth doing, compared it to the other options a student faces, talked about my research in particular, how to get into research, when you should get into research, the options available at the UofA, the facilities at the UofA, and a bit of general 'My topic is cool, check out this other project in my area.”

Do you have any suggestions for other students doing Celebrating Discovery? Is there any other information or training you would like to receive when doing this in the future?

“Just be comfortable while speaking... The students are interested in what the speaker has to say, so there's no need to worry.”
“Celebrating Discovery was a great experience and I would definitely recommend it to other Honors students. I would recommend visiting classes you were particularly interested in or those that are pertinent to your major.”
“I felt adequately prepared for this assignment. I do not believe training is necessary. My best advice is for presenters to focus on being relatable as opposed to being domineering and overly professional. These students just want to have candid conversations about what life is like in college and what they can expect from the honors college and technical courses.”
“I appreciated the unstructured nature of the program. Anybody who has the capacity to develop a research project should be able to develop a presentation like this without much instruction. For other students: I would suggest to focus on broad topics and the process of investigation, rather than the details of personal research."
“My only suggestion would be to encourage others to take part. Both groups of students that I talked to where very interested and I found it to be a rewarding experience. ||I believe the current amount of information supplied is sufficient and don't think any training would be necessary. It is a little difficult to find information about the program online and might be a good idea to make it a little easier to access information about the program.”
“It was really fun! The preparation given was great. Just remember to practice your presentation before-hand.”
“Make sure you have a way to communicate your research to people who are not experts in your field”
“It seemed as though our time was spent most efficiently when I began by introducing myself to the class (i.e., my name, year in school, major and future plans, and the fact that I am enrolled in the honors college and have experience studying abroad), and then let them proceed by asking questions. In the first class I spoke to, I spent most of the time we had by just telling them everything about the U of A and they only had time to ask a few questions at the end of the period. When I started out by letting them ask the specific questions they had rather than just feeding them a ton of information, it seemed as though they learned more and were much more interested in the information and advice I had to give them.”
“Coordinating a time that worked for the class and me took a lot of emails."