INT 125 Students Explore the Challenges of an Aging Maine
Students in the course INT 125, an undergraduate interdisciplinary course associated with Experiential Programs Innovation Central (EPIC), spent the Spring 2024 semester learning about a variety of research learning centers that can be found on the UMaine Orono campus.
Through the course, students from any major program can meet with a variety of students from different backgrounds. Each student brings a distinct “lens” to the study of a topic of urgent concern to the campus’ surrounding communities. This semester’s cohort ranged from first-years to seniors, and included students from five of the six UMaine undergraduate college divisions including the Honors College.
Inspired by the work of Dr. Lenard Kaye, director of the UMaine Center on Aging, students reviewed previous studies regarding the detrimental effects of loneliness on physical and mental health. From identifying a problem, considering existing literature and data, brainstorming possible solutions, and doing some early ideation, the students experience a rapid version of the type of research and innovation activity executed on UMaine’s R1-classified campus.
The course culminates in the students creating a poster and accompanying group presentation for submission in the annual University of Maine Student Symposium. This semester’s students outlined a volunteer service program, for which they would develop a software solution to organize and pair volunteers with those requesting services according to needs.
In addition to their proposed project, the students visited the VEMI Lab, Foster Center for Innovation, the Multicultural Center, the UMaine Hackerspace, Fogler Library, the IMRC Center, the Advanced Manufacturing Center, and the Advanced Structures and Composites Center. Students also attended lectures and workshops on scholarship, mentorship, grant, and employment opportunities, learned about critical understandings of diversity, equity, and inclusion in research environments, and received Responsible Conduct of Research Training.
Undergraduate students interested in adding INT 125 to their schedules for either Fall or Spring semester can contact epic@maine.edu, or reach out to their academic advisors for further information.