2019 Maine Impact Week and UMSS successfully showcased research and creative work

Maine Impact Week celebrated the depth and breadth of University of Maine research and creative work with multiple events held April 8 – 13, 2019.

Two of the featured events, the UMaine Student Symposium (UMSS) and the Marine Science Research and Education Open House, invited the community to interact with students and faculty as they showcased their achievements and ongoing projects.

April 10, 2019: UMaine Student Symposium (UMSS)

The fourth annual UMSS drew a crowd of over 1,000 people at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. Several hundred research projects and creative works from a diverse range of disciplines were on display. Undergraduate and graduate student presenters explained their work to judges and attendees in a variety of posters, oral talks and exhibits.

Elisabeth Kilroy, Vice President of the Graduate Student Government, believes the annual symposium is an ideal opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to share their research data and innovations with the world.

“This is a great platform to show off what they’ve done throughout the year.”

Presenters used this opportunity to practice explaining their work to a general audience – and on the spot to reporters covering the event. One group of selected presenters participated in a Facebook Live recording hosted by the University of Maine marketing and communications division.

One of the on-camera presenters was graduate student in the School of Economics, Mariya Pominova. She presented her project, “The Impact of Student Employment at the Advanced Manufacturing Center on Perceptions on Education and Employment Prospects,” and explained why she was grateful for the experience.

“It’s so helpful to get critiques and ideas that you haven’t heard before,” she says.

UMaine Student Symposium panorama
Student posters filled the Cross Insurance Center’s arena to display UMaine research and creative work on April 10, 2019.

Stuart Kestenbaum, Maine’s Poet Laureate, discussed the creative process during his keynote speech. He was inspired by the innovative and creative projects he saw at the symposium and hopes more people around the state learn the value and impact of UMaine work.

Students took advantage of the networking opportunities available at UMSS by discussing collaborations with fellow researchers and interacting with local sponsors and supporters who participated in the event.

Other scheduled sessions and presentations were hosted throughout the day, such as the performances of the 2019 UMaine Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition winners, informational workshops and award ceremonies.

To see a gallery of photos taken during UMSS19 please visit this online photo website.

April 13, 2019: Marine Science Research and Education Open House

Maine Impact Week ended with a special event hosted by the Marine Science community at UMaine. The Marine Science Research and Education Open House invited the public to visit with students, faculty and staff to learn more about the many projects and opportunities UMaine has that impact our marine life in Maine and beyond.

This event was kid-friendly and interesting for the entire family. Attendees were welcomed to explore multiple labs, experience a touch-tank and tour facilities that house large-scale data-collection buoys and submersibles.

Marine Science Research and Education Open House

Preparations are already underway for the 2020 Maine Impact Week and UMaine Student Symposium (April 17, 2020). Both are expected to continue expanding efforts to showcase UMaine’s powerful impact on the state – and beyond.

Media Contact: Christel Peters, 207.581.3571